Things to do for Hotel Guests

“Above all, we’d like visitors to ground themselves again. To enjoy the mountains all around as much as we do, pick their own healthy fruit and veg, play pétanque, swim in the farm dam, enjoy an hour in the spa, eat a simple fresh dish at one of the restaurants, walk up the conical Babylonstoren hill, await sunset with a glass of wine in hand, and then slip in between sheets of crisp linen and drift away ... more or less.”

Karen Roos

Activities for Kids

The farm is a paradise for children! Our beloved donkeys live opposite the Farm Shop. We invite our young guests to help feed the donkeys, to collect eggs and to help harvest fruit and vegetables from our garden, especially for the breakfast table. Children are also welcome to help our bakers knead and bake delicious farm breads. And don’t forget to go on the scavenger hunt.

Workshops

We hold regular workshops as we see it as an ideal opportunity to share what we’ve learned and also to learn from our community. Experts in their fields host these workshops in collaboration with our team. Starting with a walk through the garden, it is usually a full day affair with lunch included.

Guided plant collection tour

In addition to our daily garden tour, hotel guests can take part in a guided walk to discover our special collections in the garden. Depending on the time of year, gardeners may take guests to see the succulent collection, the cycads next to the stream or for a walk through the Healing Garden.

Exercise

The gym is for the exclusive use of adults. We have a great selection of equipment to keep you fit. Private yoga sessions are available on request.

Temporarily on hold.

Walk or Run

Use the map in your room to explore the many walking or running trails on the farm.

Bicycles

We have bicycles available for adults as well as children to explore the farm.

Spa

Our two signature treatments are the hammam water ritual and the bamboo massage. In addition, we have a wonderful selection of classic treatments.

Garden Tour

Our daily garden tour starts at the Farm Shop at 10h00. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat in summer, and wellies plus the umbrella provided in your room in winter.

Mountain Drive

Guests who stay two nights or longer, can join our guided drive. Come and immerse yourself in the late-afternoon tranquillity of the farm and hear more about Babylonstoren’s history, our vineyards and orchards, and the fynbos and trees.

Wine & Olive Oil Tasting

Join us on one of our daily guided cellar tours, which will take you through the whole winemaking process, past the vineyards, through the olive press, production cellar and maturation cellar, and includes a wine tasting. The tour starts at the Tasting Room (where our whole wine range is available for tasting).

The Soetmelksvlei Experience

Immerse yourself in an interactive farm experience set in the late 19th century. Just a short shuttle ride from Babylonstoren, lies Soetmelksvlei, where the spirit of craftmanship is honoured in every facet of farm life. A wonderful experience for young and old, from history buffs and heritage foodies, to crafters, artisans, animal and nature lovers.

Animals

You may come across our resident tortoises, our donkeys, the chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and squirrels that all roam happily, or maybe even a wild steenbok. Keep your eyes and ears open – you may be lucky enough to see or hear the fish eagle. We have spotted 78 bird species on Babylonstoren. Guests are welcome to use the bird book in the library for reference.

Swim

Our outdoor pool is not just another infinity pool! Take a plunge or relax afloat the tractor tube.

Fishing

Guided seasonal fly and bass fishing on weekdays.

Rowing at the Dam

You can walk or cycle to the dam – the view from the dam is spectacular and you will be amazed by the abundant bird life.

Water buffalo tour 

Babylonstoren is one of only a handful of farms in South Africa that keep, breed and milk domestic water buffalo. Guests can get to know these peaceful giants up close and personal with a water buffalo tour. Join farmer Kobus Lambrechts for an early morning excursion to see how the water buffalo cows are milked. The tour ends in Babel Restaurant with a tasting of our farm-made water buffalo milk products. 

Stretch & breathe

Greet the day with a stretch and breathe experience guided by Babylonstoren’s yogis. The classes kick off at 08h00 and 16h30 daily across various venues on the farm, allowing you to align your senses and soak in the surroundings (often alongside a few inquisitive chickens). 

Bread baking

Join master baker Peachy Jacobs and her team and learn to bake bread in our working farm bakery. Guests are invited to dust their hands and do some kneading and impressive shaping. Peachy will share her secret recipes as guests bake their own breads to enjoy later. 

Essential oils tour

Allow the season’s scent to envelop your senses by joining the essential oils tour. Guests are taken behind the scenes in the Scented Room to see the steam-distilling process that captures the natural essence of our farm-grown botanicals, guided by Babylonstoren’s in-house compounder Gavin Hendriks and his team.