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Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren

About Babylonstoren

Babylonstoren is a stylish hotel located on a working wine farm on the lower slopes of the scenic Simonsberg Mountains.

It is located mid way between Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl, surrounded by vineyards and orchards and less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town and the airport.

We have visited Babylonstoren a few times over the years and have always enjoyed our time here, whether its just for a garden tour or an overnight stay. The property oozes the Cape Dutch heritage, but with a touch of modern and contemporary design. You could quite easily spend your whole time here without leaving the property. There is so much to do from exploring the fruit and vegetable gardens to enjoying their top-quality food and wine.

Our view

We have visited Babylonstoren a few times over the years and have always enjoyed our time here, whether its just for a garden tour or an overnight stay. The property oozes the Cape Dutch heritage, but with a touch of modern and contemporary design. You could quite easily spend your whole time here without leaving the property. There is so much to do from exploring the fruit and vegetable gardens to enjoying their top-quality food and wine.

Lucy Copson

Lucy Copson

South Africa expert

Accommodation

29 rooms

Children

Best for aged 5+

Open

All year

Traveller reviews of Babylonstoren

10 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


94%
10 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
8
Good
1
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mr & Mrs Sfromwinchester

Arrived 24 Feb 2025, 2 nights

"Babylonstoren review"

"Tours outstanding... …" Read Mr & Mrs S’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Average

Mr & Mrs CfromBristol

Arrived 27 Oct 2023, 3 nights

"Everyday luxury"

"stayed 3 nights - something new to explore every day - grounds beautifully laid …" Read Mr & Mrs C’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr D.fromChelmsford

Arrived 21 Nov 2022, 2 nights

"Babylonstoren review"

"Very good and educational …" Read Mr D.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Dr C & Mr PfromBC

Arrived 29 Oct 2022, 5 nights

"Babylonstoren review"

"totally amazing!! loved the Fynbos cottage. The food was amazing!! …" Read Dr C & Mr P’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Ms D.fromFalmouth

Arrived 25 Aug 2022, 4 nights

"Babylonstoren review"

"The gardens are magnificent, and the food could not have been better... …" Read Ms D.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Texas Don & CindyfromUSA

Arrived 11 Jul 2019, 1 nights

"Babylonstoren review"

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr R & Mrs MfromUK

Arrived 18 Mar 2018, 2 nights

"Babylonstoren review"

"our cottage was amazing with a huge bedroom, bathroom, sitting room and kitchen. …" Read Mr R & Mrs M’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Ms EfromRichmond

Arrived 15 Oct 2017, 2 nights

"Beautiful venue and great service, food, spa"

"Beautiful venue and great service, food, spa …" Read Ms E’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr PfromAscoli Piceno

Arrived 5 Nov 2015, 2 nights

"Hanging around the garden in Babylorenstoren"

"This much talked about operation in Stellenbosch has taken the concept of 'a …" Read Mr P’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs RfromChertsey

Arrived 11 Apr 2012, 3 nights

"A great concept but rather 'commercial'"

"Very difficult to summarise as so much happens here! There's the winery …" Read Mr & Mrs R’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

See all Babylonstoren reviews

Trips visiting Babylonstoren

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Cape Mountain Zebra Self-drive Safari

12 days • 4 locations • 1 country
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT

Fine dining, luxurious accommodation and a wide of range of leisurely activities make this a superbly comfortable self-driven safari. Visit the cosmopolitan Cape Town, tranquil coastal retreats, stylish wine farms and spectacularly peaceful nature reserves.

Visiting Grootbos Reserve, Namaqualand and 2 other areas

US$4,620 - US$6,880 per person

Read more about the Cape Mountain Zebra Self-drive Safari

Babylonstoren: Our full report

Babylonstoren is a stylish hotel located on a working wine farm on the lower slopes of the scenic Simonsberg Mountains.

It is located mid way between Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl, surrounded by vineyards and orchards and less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town and the airport.

The thick whitewashed thatched cottages at Babylonstoren are made up of new buildings built in the original style of the original farm buildings. These have been converted into stylish and sophisticated accommodation mixing contemporary design with the original Cape Dutch architecture.

Looking onto a 3.5 hectare fruit and vegetable garden the 14 Garden Cottages line a shady avenue of oak trees, and are made up of six one-bedroom suites, three one-bedroom cottages and five two-bedroom cottages. The interiors are contemporary and light with modern furniture and enormous bathrooms. The one bedroom suites are open plan with a large ensuite bathroom and lounge with large fireplace for those chilly winter evenings.

The one and two-bedroom cottages are similar to the suites, with a separate spacious lounge, and a modern glass cube added to form a private fully equipped kitchen with amazing views of the mountains and vineyards.

The latest addition at Babylonstoren are the eight Fynbos Cottages, built on the lower slopes of the mountain offering views of the Franschhoek Valley and the mountains beyond. These cottages are designed in the same contemporary style as the Garden Cottages. Here there are six two-bedroom cottages and two one-bedroom cottages. The Fynbos Cottages also has their own swimming pool and bar area, where you can help yourself to a drink while having a refreshing dip in the pool.

The Fynbos Cottages are further away from the main areas, however you can drive your own golf cart or bicycle between your room and the reception and restaurants. Guests can also arrange to be picked up from their cottage if they do not want to do it themselves.

Another recent addition to Babylonstoren is the Fynbos Family House which has five en-suite bedrooms, its own swimming pool in an enclosed courtyard, private barbecue area and large communal lounge and kitchen area.

The original Cape Dutch Manor House dates back to 1777 and is the original farmhouse, although the farm itself dates back to 1692. This exclusive use house also has five bedrooms and has been beautifully restored, but with a contemporary twist.

Both properties are an ideal place to stay for a group of friends or large family get-together.

Babylonstoren has three restaurants, the well-known Babel Restaurant, which is open five days a week for lunch, and daily for breakfast and dinner. The food here is seasonal and imaginatively created and most of it comes from their beautifully maintained gardens.

The Greenhouse restaurant, built around a couple of greenhouses, is open daily for light lunches and teas.

The Bakery serves Italian inspired meals in the evenings. Here you can have antipasti, salads, homemade pasta and pizza. The Bakery also offers carnivore evenings on a Wednesday and Sunday, where guests share tables and is a great way to meet fellow guests.

Babylonstoren also has a spa with a sauna, steam room, indoor heated pool, hammam and salt room. There is also a gym overlooking the garden, as well as an outdoor swimming pool built in the style of a farm reservoir.

Activities at Babylonstoren range from guided garden tours, cycling around the farm, a guided mountain drive exploring the vineyards and orchards, wine and olive oil tasting, as well as fishing and rowing on the dam. There are walking trails on the property and it is also possible to wander around the gardens with the gardeners and harvest fruit and veg for the restaurants. Children can feed the donkeys, collect eggs and feed the fish.

On a recent visit in March 2022 we had an evening drive on the property stopping at the top of a hill for sundowners and enjoying views over Babylonstoren laid out below.

The following morning we did an early morning walk with a guide through the orchards (where we stopped and ate ripe figs straight from the tree) and visited Babylonstoren's amazing walled vegetable and flower garden.

We were back in time for breakfast followed by a guided tour of the gardens.

Later that afternoon we did a wine cellar tour followed by wine tasting.

Babylonstoren also has a farm shop housed in the old stables selling everything from homeware and their own locally made produce such as preserves, nuts, bread and chocolates. They also sell cheese, wine and there is also a butcher selling fresh and cured meats - all from the farm.

Geographics

Location
Winelands, South Africa
Ideal length of stay
2 - 3 nights
Directions
It’s about an hours drive from Cape Town International Airport or from central Cape Town to Babylonstoren. Paarl is 15 minutes away and both Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are about a 25 minutes’ drive.
Accessible by
Self-drive

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Bed & Breakfast
Food quality
The food at Babylonstoren is of a very high standard and is one of the reasons why people visit here. Most of the food served will be from their own gardens, and is seasonal, changing every six weeks.
Babel restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner and the Greenhouse offers light lunches daily.
During our recent stay, for breakfast we had fresh fruit juice, fresh croissants and bread from their own bakery, platters of fresh fruit, cheeses and homemade preserves and honey. Also on offer was homemade granola, as well as a cooked breakfast of your choice.
For lunch at the Greenhouse there is the choice of salads, chilled summer soup, sandwiches and desserts.
In the evening Babel has an a la carte menu consisted of starters such as buffalo mozzarella with vegetables, beetroot carpaccio, with olives and cheese, beef tartare with egg, mustard and herbs as well as sweet potato gnocchi with mushrooms and chives.
For the main course guests are offered a choice of two vegetables from a selection such as Hasselback potatoes, leeks, roasted pumpkin, caramelized aubergine, fire roasted beetroot and ricotta, buttered greens and risotta. On top of this add either roast lamb, dry aged beef, linefish of the day or local venison.
Finish this off with a tasty desert of slow baked quince and vanilla, chocolate cremeux, baked buffalo yogurt with cider caramel and apple or water buffalo gelato with fresh fruit of the day.

The food is beautifully presented, and the portions are not small so make sure you take part in their activities during the day to make space for some of their amazing food.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Some of the rooms have their own kitchen and dining area but most people tend to eat at the restaurants.
Drinks included
No drinks other then the personal bars in the rooms are included. This usually includes a bottle of wine, selection of soft drinks and filtered drinking water. Tea and Nespresso coffee are also provided in the rooms.

Special interests

Luxury
Once a farmhouse, now a luxury hotel; Babylonstoren’s sprawling grounds are beautifully manicured offering an abundance of impressive gardens and vineyards. From contemporary, modern décor to inspired, fresh food from their own gardens, this hotel is unique and full of character.
See ideas for Luxury in South Africa

Children

Attitude towards children
Families with children are most welcome in all of the accommodation except for the Farmhouse.
Property’s age restrictions
There is no age restriction
Special activities & services
Babysitters are provided at an extra cost
Generally recommended for children
Although Babylonstoren welcomes children of all ages we feel that it is more suited for children over the age 5 years and over as the property has quite an adult feel.
Notes
The swimming pools are unmanned so parents need to supervise their children around the pool.

Communications

Water supply
Mains

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
No
Dangerous animals
Low Risk
Security measures
There are security guards on duty day and night and the whole property is fenced.
Fire safety
There are fire extinguishers in each room and the main areas.

Activities

    Extras

    Disabled access
    On Request
    Laundry facilities
    Full Laundry Service - Included, with a maximum of six items per day.
    Money
    Each room is fitted with an electronic safe.
    Accepted payment on location
    MasterCard and Visa credit cards are accepted methods of payment. Cash payment in South African Rand is also accepted.

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    Babylonstoren's location

    Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Babylonstoren.


    Excursions from Babylonstoren

    Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Babylonstoren. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.


    Winelands Private Tour

    Winelands Private Tour

    Full day

    Spend a day exploring the beautiful vineyards, mountains and valleys of the Cape Winelands and sample some of the well-known wines they have to offer

    More about Winelands Private Tour
    100% (3 reviews)

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    Le Quartier Francais

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    Oude Werf

    Oude Werf

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    Angala Boutique Hotel

    Angala Boutique Hotel

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    Lanzerac Hotel

    Lanzerac Hotel

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    When to go to Winelands

    Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Babylonstoren in Winelands


    Jan

    Feb

    Mar

    Apr

    May

    Jun

    Jul

    Aug

    Sep

    Oct

    Nov

    Dec

    South Africa in January

    January is considered one of the best months to travel. In Cape Town the weather is hot and generally dry. The Garden Route is also excellent at this time of the year but has a more temperate climate, with slightly lower temperatures and rain can fall at any time of the year. In the Kgalagadi temperatures often top 40°C and short, sharp thunderstorms are also fairly frequent. Wildlife tends to disperse, although birding is excellent.

    As this is the high season in the Cape there are numerous events, festivals and outdoor activities to attract visitors. Accommodation books up quickly and it may be necessary to book at least a year in advance. Reservations will often be needed for restaurants and visitor attractions too.

    • Hot, largely dry days with clear skies – except on Garden Route
    • Wildlife disperses in the Kalahari but birding excellent
    • Events, festivals and outdoor activities staged for the high season
    • The high season in the Cape, accommodation can cost up to 50% more
    • Pre-booking of activities & attractions is essential

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in January

    South Africa in February

    In February conditions are largely the same as in January, although temperatures can be slightly higher, especially in the interior. The wind in Cape Town starts to ease off. Although the Garden Route can experience some rain, the days are pleasantly warm and largely dry.

    The Kgalagadi remains very hot, but the birding is still excellent. Wildlife viewing can be tricky especially if there has been some rain, as the resulting long grass can obscure the animals.

    For visitors it’s still the high season, but with the local school holidays over and residents back at work, it is less busy than December and January. Accommodation costs remain high and it’s still advisable to pre-book certain activities and restaurants.

    • Hot, largely dry days with little cloud
    • Wind starts easing in Cape Town
    • Slightly less busy than December & January
    • Accommodation costs remain high, activities still best pre-booked

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in February

    South Africa in March

    March is still a very good time to visit. Conditions remain dry and very warm in Cape Town, although temperatures start dropping off towards the end of the month. The wind has usually died right down.

    The Kalahari remains very hot and in years of good rains vegetation is at its most lush – making wildlife viewing tricky.

    Typically, the crowds dwindle, but it can get very busy if Easter falls in March. It is also worth bearing in mind that during major events in March, including the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Cape Epic Mountain Bike Tour, The Cape Town Carnival and the International Jazz Festival, accommodation can get very full.

    Attractions remain busy but booking is less essential.

    • Temperatures start falling towards the end of the month
    • Cape Town hosts a number of world class sport and cultural events
    • Wildlife in the Kgalagadi disperses, game viewing more challenging
    • Crowds diminish as the high season comes to an end
    • Accommodation can get busy during major events

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in March

    South Africa in April

    April is South Africa’s “shoulder” season and is often the most pleasant. Not too hot, not too cold, some rain but not masses. In Cape Town and along the Garden Route days are usually sunny, warm, windless and largely dry, although in Cape Town the chance of rain increases from the end of the month.

    In the Kgalagadi the rainy season is typically over and migratory birds are starting to make their journey back up North. Vegetation remains lush but wildlife viewing starts picking up towards the end of the month.

    The region is still relatively busy (especially of its still Easter) but it gets quieter towards the end of the month thus availability improves. Accommodation rates start to decrease, and it becomes less important to book restaurants and attractions in advance.

    • Temperatures still warm and very pleasant, with little wind.
    • Rain starts easing in the Kalahari and migratory birds start to depart
    • Less busy, especially towards the end of the month - busy over Easter
    • Accommodation frees up and prices start to come down

    Our view

    A very good time to visit

    Weather in April

    South Africa in May

    May marks the start of the dry season in the Kgalagadi. Days are warm and dry with almost zero rainfall. Night-time/early-morning temperatures can drop towards 0°C. Wildlife viewing is at its peak as animals concentrate around the few remaining water sources.

    Days can still be warm and sunny in Cape Town and on the Garden Route, but the weather becomes a lot more variable. May heralds the start of the rainy season in Cape Town and the winelands. Night-time temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees in the coastal areas.

    With far fewer tourists, accommodation prices are at their lowest. There is rarely any need to pre-book activities, but reservations are still advisable at some of the top restaurants.

    • Higher chance of rain in Cape Town & the Winelands
    • Day time temperatures drop significantly
    • Wildlife viewing peaks in the Kgalagadi
    • Low season so rarely busy & very few crowds
    • Low season rates at the hotels & lodges

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in May

    South Africa in June

    Winter is now in full swing. Maximum temperatures in Cape Town rarely reach 20°C and the rainy season is well under way. Outdoor activities therefore become limited, but a number of high-quality indoor events are organised.

    The Garden Route has, in general milder weather and less rain than Cape Town.

    June sees the arrival of the first whales which migrate to the South African coastline to give birth.

    In the Kgalagadi, daytime temperatures are warm but nights and early mornings are bitterly cold. Wildlife viewing is excellent as animals are drawn to the few remaining permanent water points.

    Overall tourist numbers are at their lowest, as are the costs of flights and accommodation.

    • Cold & wet weather in Cape Town, Kgalagadi warm days but cold at night
    • One of the best months for wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
    • Whales start arriving to have their calves
    • Low visitor numbers & no crowds
    • Accommodation & flight prices remain low

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in June

    South Africa in July

    The winter weather continues with very cold nights and early mornings in the Kgalagadi and virtually no rainfall. Vegetation here is really thinning out now and water even more scarce – so wildlife is easy to spot.

    Despite the winter and local school holidays, Cape Town remains a great place to visit. On a wet and cold day, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Zeitz Mocca (art museum) and the Cape Town Comedy Club all make for great days out, as does a trip to the wine country or the annual Oyster Festival at Knysna.

    By mid-July most of the whales have arrived to give birth. Hermanus is the best place to see them.

    At the height of the low season, so accommodation and flight prices remain low.

    • Generally cold & wet in the Cape, but good quality indoor events
    • Very good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
    • Oyster festival in Knysna
    • Local school holidays can make places a little busier than usual
    • Accommodation and flight prices remain low

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in July

    South Africa in August

    While August experiences mostly wintry weather it does mark the very beginning of spring with temperatures starting to rise. Visitors are drawn to the West Coast and Namaqualand to see the wildflowers, which start blooming in late August and can be seen until mid-September. Whales are still in abundance now too.

    The Kgalagadi is now very dry and wildlife vieiwng is still good. Temperatures start climbing towards the end of the month.

    Despite the weather , visitor numbers can be high as the northern hemisphere schools close for their summer holidays. It may be a good idea to book certain attractions and restaurants in advance.

    Simlarly, although accommodation prices are still low, flight prices can be a little higher than in previous months.

    • Temperatures start rising – but still potential for cold & wet weather
    • Wildflowers on the West Coast & in Namaqualand
    • Good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
    • Whales continue to attract visitors
    • Can get busy due to northern hemisphere school summer holidays

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in August

    South Africa in September

    Good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi continues and daytime temperatures increase quite dramatically. Mornings and evenings are still on the chilly side, but not as cold as they are in June, July and August.

    The 1st of September is officially the start of spring in Cape Town. Days become warmer but not quite warm enough to enjoy the city’s beautiful beaches. Venues all over Cape Town play host to various artists during the Cape Town Fringe Festival.
    Rainy days are fewer, but night times can still get chilly. Many hotels are still charging low season rates making September great value for money.

    Elsewhere, Hermanus hosts the popular annual Whale Festival, and in the West of the Cape, wildflowers continue to bloom until the middle of the month.

    • The start of spring; temperatures start rising
    • Whale festival in Hermanus
    • Cape Town Fringe Ferstival attracts a wide range of artists
    • Wildflowers blooming well until the middle of the month
    • Good wildlife viewing continues in the Kgalagadi

    Our view

    A very good time to visit

    Weather in September

    South Africa in October

    The weather starts warming up nicely, Cape Town experiences pleasant days, with much less rain, nights can still be quite cool, but not cold. Some days are now warm enough to enjoy the beach. This is one of the best months to visit the Cape Region.

    October is one of the hottest months in the Kalahari. Water remains very scarce, so the wildlife viewing is still very good. Towards the end of the month the odd spectacular thunderstorm is possible with much lightning and thunder. Migratory birds start to arrive, and resident species gear up for the breeding season.

    The whales are still present with Hermanus and False Bay the best places to see them.

    • Days start warming up; fewer rainy days in Cape Town
    • Very hot in the Kalahari – thunderstorms season starts
    • Migratory birds start arriving & resident birds start breeding
    • Whale watching still excellent in Hermanus and False Bay areas
    • Start of the high season, getting busy and accommodation prices rise

    Our view

    A very good time to visit

    Weather in October

    South Africa in November

    By November Cape Town is experiencing summer conditions with hot, clear days and warm, pleasant evenings. It’s a great month to enjoy the beaches before the peak holiday season in December. There are no real downsides to visiting in November and you may even get a few accommodation specials before prices go up for the festive season. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens begins their summer outdoor concerts with local and international artists performing.

    The Kgalagadi remains hot but thunderstorms are a bit more regular. With the rains, water sources become more plentiful and wildlife disperses but this is when herbivores such as Springbok start lambing. Photography improves as conditions become less hazy.

    This is the last month for regular whale sightings – they tend to migrate back down south by early December.

    • Summer now in full swing, with temperatures often reaching 30°C
    • Rainy days scarce; evenings warm & very pleasant
    • Antelope start lambing in the Kgalagadi; wildlife generally dispersed
    • Last month for regular whale sightings
    • Good time to visit Cape Town before the peak holiday season

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in November

    South Africa in December

    December is usually Cape Town’s hottest month when temperatures frequently breach 30°C. You can expect hot and cloudless days, and almost no rain but December does see the occasional very windy day.

    The Kalahari is still hot, but temperatures are not quite as high as previous months. With the rainfall the bush transforms into various shades of green. Wildlife disperses as water become more widely available.

    The Garden Route enjoys warm to hot days with rain at any time but usually not over an extended period.

    Mid to late December becomes incredibly busy with concerts, festivals and various outdoor activities in Cape Town. Hotel prices rise, tourist attractions and beaches are crowded and most popular sites and restaurants need to be booked in advance.

    • Long, hot sunny days
    • Kgalagadi bursts into life as rainy season kicks in
    • Wildlife viewing a bit trickier as wildlife disperses
    • Cape Town buzzing with concerts, events, festivals etc
    • Peak season: attractions get very busy & accommodation costs rise

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in December

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