THE Drakenstein area welcomed a new jewel into its midst this past weekend, with the official opening of Babylonstoren.
This historic farm which dates back to the 1690’s, was purchased by media moghul Koos Bekker and wife, fashion and decor journalist Karen Roos.
At the heart of the farm is a 3,5 hectares formal vegetable and fruit garden, inspired by the famed company gardens of the Dutch East India Company.
The garden is home to only edible and medicinal plants which are grown as biologically as possible.
Babylonstoren offers 14 guest cottages, both single and double roomed, in the form of classical Cape Dutch cottages set between the garden and vineyards.
This boutique hotel resembles a quaint village of days gone by, set in tranquil landscape and surrounded by the Simonsberg, Drakenstein and Paarl Mountains.
A fully equipped gymnasium will be available to guests, as well as a spa. And to cool off during the hot days of the Boland summer, a farm dam has been remodelled into a unique swimming pool.
Although each suite emphasises the simplicity of the Cape Dutch style, they are luxuriously furnished, each with a kitchenette and a glassed dining area which allows a feeling of being in the magnificent gardens.
Guests will be enticed to pick their own fresh produce from the gardens, or they can be pampered in the five star restaurant, Babel, which has experienced chef, Simoné Rossouw, at its helm.
Babylonstoren will be producing its first wine harvest next year.
Bekker said during a short speech on Sunday that he and Karen are world travellers, but nowhere in the world is there a more beautiful area than where Babylonstoren stands.
