Babylonstoren

Facility

Babel restaurant a disaster

What an amazing place. A farm and winery (with cellar we didn’t have time to see) dating back to the 17th century, producing its own vegetables and exotic fruits (available to purchase) set in absolutely magnificent gardens – I’ve not seen better in South Africa. It is set in the Franschhoek wine valley with it’s unsurpassed back-drop. The is a hotel and cottages dotted around set in the Dutch style. There is beautiful greenhouse housing all manner of plants and herbs (with Myna bird squawking away!) and 4 hee-hawing donkeys to greet you as you pass. Also a spice house that time constraints sadly forced us to miss. Lovely outside restaurant serving scrumptious fayre. Best check the website to savour the full picture - it will whet your appetite if I haven’t already! The gardens are the jewel however and they alone are worth the visit.

The staff were not just amazing but went over and above in ALL areas

Absolutely nothing

What an extraordinary experience - which could never be duplicated in Europe or the US (labor costs are too high!). However, for those on honeymoon or coming from a wilderness/safari experience, the huge crowds of day visitors are somewhat offputting despite the hotel's best efforts to give its guests some feeling of exclusivity (thank you Gavin for all your help!). We were most impressed by the number of activities available to hotel guests free of charge (including lavish wine and olive oil tastings, sundowners on the surrounding mountain, etc etc) and the generous free food and beverage offerings in the rooms. But we were surprised by some major design flaws in the rooms, given the owner was the editor of a major interior design magazine: dangerously slipperty bathroom floor, a safe at floor level requiring you practically to lie down to use it, no proper bedside tables or reading lights (instead, bright floorlaps), no sockets for electronics by the bed. This said, the sense of abundance, the attention to detail and the sheer beauty of the endless gardens and farmlands are amazing. The staff is invariably charming, helpful - and seem to genuinely enjoy working there.

We had a lovely room, very private despite the large size of the complex. Would recommend cycling and running around the gardens and vines - beautiful! Mountain drive is wonderful and our guide Kobus was very good. Water Buffalo trip was super interesting. Angie in the restaurant was lovely too. Rosco’s wine tasting - super entertaining. Overall staff were very good.

Breakfast spread was excellent but too crowded and chaotic. It took 30-40 mins each morning to get a coffee (crazy)!! They should have 2 breakfast sites and put on more baristas!

Stunning gardens, vineyards, mountains and farm and amazing enthusiastic staff

Nothing

The property is perfection. Everything is perfect. Staff are all always friendly, helpful and welcoming.

Great very fresh farm produce

Estate flooded by day guests, ruins the ambiance Dinner at Babel extremely average No wipes in gym, unbelievable!