Babylonstoren Franschhoek, South Africa
Opened
2010
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Resort LocalOutside the door
Cape Dutch farmstead
Life follows the rhythms of a working farm, where guests harvest eight acres of kitchen gardens and orchards.
“whitewashed Cape Dutch architecture, monumental gardens with incredible biodiversity, and delectable farm-to-table dining.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Whitewashed Cape Dutch gables shelter open hearths, freestanding bathtubs, and glass-box kitchens.
Remarkable
Guests swim in the circular plaasdam and gather for evening wood-fired braai feasts.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
UK Readers' Choice Awards – Eastern and Southern Africa
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
Babylonstoren is a celebration of food and agriculture: a working farm, a kitchen garden, a farm-to-fork restaurant, and, obviously, a small luxury hotel, complete with an impressive little spa.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Vineyards spread beneath the Simonsberg, and the restaurants of Franschhoek are twenty minutes away by car.
The rooms
Bookshelves divide serene sleeping and living spaces, where contemporary furnishings meet calm neutral linens and garden views.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
A heated indoor pool sits under cathedral timber ceilings, extending outdoors toward the garden pavilion and Simonsberg.
The spa and gym
The marble hammam holds traditional water rituals, and the gym looks onto the gardens from a bamboo pavilion.
Restaurant
Babel
A tiled bull mural hangs in the converted cow shed, where seasonal courses are organized by garden colors.
At the table
The glass Greenhouse serves garden-picked teas under the oaks, and the bakery hosts communal dinners after baking daily bread.
How it began
Settlers named the 1692 estate after its conical hill, which they thought resembled the biblical Tower of Babel.
Good to know
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.