Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, set at the foot of Simonsberg in the Paarl wine region. It has a working fruit and vegetable garden of beauty and diversity, unique accommodation, fine food and wine, and evokes a sense of wellbeing. The farm dates back to 1692. The oldest buildings were erected in the late 17th century, with the manor house dating back to 1777. Visitors to the garden are encouraged to pick and eat as they walk through. Babylonstoren has about 94 hectares (232 acres) under vine and produce 13 different grape varieties, with the highest vines – pinot noir and chardonnay – lying against Simonsberg at some 600 metres above sea level.
The Tasting Room
The Tasting Room offers views of the conical Babylonstoren hill, Simonsberg and the Banghoek Mountains. Wine tastings are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Open daily from 10h00 – 18h00 in summer and 10h00 – 17h00 in winter. Cellar tours, featuring a full portfolio tasting of Babylonstoren wines in the subterranean wine tunnel, depart at 10h00, 13h00 and 16h00. Olive oil tours take place at 11h00, 13h00 and 15h00.
All tours depart from the Tasting Room retail area. Small, intimate groups are preferred and space is limited, so booking is advisable.
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Restaurants
Housed in the old cowshed, Babel Restaurant is a wonderful mix of Cape Dutch architecture and contemporary glass walls, creating a simple yet edgy environment in which to enjoy creative flavour combinations.
Babel
A feast of la dolce vita awaits at the Old Bakery, where food is served family style – guests help themselves from wooden boards placed on the table, sipping on wine and soaking up the lively atmosphere.
Old Bakery
There is no better place to relax than at the Greenhouse Restaurant, nestled at the rear of the Babylonstoren garden. This charming refreshment station is the perfect stop after a leisurely stroll, loved by guests who enjoy the effortless charm of garden dining.
Greenhouse
The Babylonstoren Spice House is home to fragrant plants like cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Intimate and evocative of bygone eras in faraway places, it offers a memorable setting for groups of 13–24 guests, with a menu inspired by the garden’s own spices.
Spice House
A short shuttle ride from Babylonstoren lies Soetmelksvlei, where the Old Stables Restaurant serves hearty Boland heritage cuisine. Enjoy a farm breakfast or a bountiful harvest lunch with farm-fresh produce, artisanal breads and traditional dishes from the hearth.
Old Stables
Hotel
Set in the Paarl wine region, close to Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, lies Babylonstoren Farm Hotel. More than just a luxurious stay, it’s an invitation to anchor yourself to the land. Meet artisans at Soetmelksvlei for a 19th-century farmyard experience. Unwind with stretching classes, guided garden and farm tours, water buffalo visits and unique olive and wine experiences. Explore fragrances, from soil to essential oil, and join expert-led workshops. Savour farm-to-table dining, relax at the spa and toast the sunset with a mountain drive on the slopes of Simonsberg.
Babylonstoren's Farm Hotel
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The Garden Spa
Immerse yourself in ultimate relaxation. The Garden Spa is inextricably linked to the Babylonstoren garden and the ever-changing seasons. It is a hidden treasure nestled in a forest of bamboo with tranquil greenery and myriad leiwater channels to set the tone.
There is a double hammam as well as a botanically inspired Rasul chamber. The quintessential Garden Spa experience is the hot spa. The indoor-outdoor experience includes a sauna, vitality pool, salt room and a 16 m long heated swimming pool.
In addition, the Babylonstoren Garden Spa offers a selection of classic treatments, from body wraps to bespoke facials, deluxe pedicures and relaxing massages.
Activities
A tale as old as time, told in vivid sensory detail in Babylonstoren’s wine museum, The Story of Wine.
Visit the museum at the entrance of their Tasting Room, to your right. The self-guided audio tour is free to experience and open daily.
Story of Wine Museum
Soetmelksvlei, just a short shuttle ride from Babylonstoren, is an interactive farm experience set in the late 19th century. Here, guests can explore the meticulously recreated interiors of the Farmhouse and Gardener’s Cottage, discover the tools and techniques of a bygone era in the Old Cellar, Distillery, Mill and Workshop, or join one of the hands-on workshops on offer.
Soetmelksvlei
Babylonstoren is cherished for its magnificent formal garden, inspired by the Company's Garden in Cape Town that supplied fresh fruit and vegetables to the 17th- and 18th-century spice fleets travelling between Europe and Asia. The garden boasts historic rose and fruit cultivars, a kitchen garden, a cycad collection, a Byzantium sanctuary for bees, and a Spice House where tropical plants thrive.
The Garden
The Farm Shop offers freshly baked bread, seasonal produce, preserves, wine, cold-extracted olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar and hand-picked items – many made or grown on the farm. Specialist rooms include the Meat Room (charcuterie, biltong and prime cuts), Milk Room (farm-made cheeses), Lekker Room (nuts, dried fruit, rusks and pastries), Coffee Roastery and Gelato Room.