earlier this year i was lucky enough to be invited to stay at the Babylonstoren Farm Hotel, and so Anton and i went to celebrate our anniversary in style. i’ve been there many times before and have enjoyed wandering through their unbelievable garden as well as eating lunch at Babel. but i’ve never dreamed of staying there, mostly because it would be a bit of splurge for us and it’s only 45 minutes away. does it count as a getaway if you live around the corner? turns out it does… at Babylonstoren.
everything at Babylonstoren runs like a well oiled machine – or perhaps a well-watered garden – while maintaining the relaxed feeling of a working farm. you’re free to walk or bike wherever you wish (there are mountain bikes provided for those of us who are, ahem, more active) which means you have 200 hectares to play with. we were welcomed upon arrival and within 5 minutes Anton already had a cold beer in his hand and i was eyeing the deep Victorian bath. instead i walked through the garden, which looks so different now to when i last visited in the summer. winter citrus are practically dripping from the trees and the squirrels are all scurrying around, stuffing their faces with all of the bounty from the gardens, having the best time of THEIR LIVES.
i felt a bit like one of those squirrels actually. totally high on the beauty of the place, the incredible food, the friendly staff, the details & fine touches that make staying there so luxurious, but unpretentious, AND getting to share it all with my favourite guy.
photos taken on my iPhone. i received a complimentary night’s stay at Babylonstoren, all thoughts & opinions are my own.
