14. The Fynbos Family House at Babylonstoren is good for gathering

Babylonstoren’s new, secluded Fynbos Family House has magnificent vineyard views and a sense of total privacy, while being situated just a few hundred metres from the estate’s restaurants, winery and gardens.

Combining all the comforts of a holiday villa with the charms of a country farmhouse, Babylonstoren’s new Fynbos Family House is the ideal spot for a special get-together, reunion or celebration. With its lime-washed walls and elegant gables, the house honours the rich heritage of the farm, one of the oldest in the region. Hardwood floors and high wooden ceilings with exposed beams give the interiors warmth and character, and a neutral colour palette creates a sense of peace and serenity.

The five bedrooms, accommodating up to 10 guests, have four-poster beds, romantic fireplaces, and spacious en suite bathrooms complete with elegant marble floors and freestanding bathtubs. Skylights flood each room with natural light, and barn-style doors and window shutters allow for complete privacy.

At the centre of the house is a spacious living area with a striking klompie brick fireplace and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The lounge opens up onto a large terrace where guests can enjoy a glass of the estate’s wine or dine alfresco – with a frontrow seat overlooking the mountains, farm dam and vineyards. Also leading off the central living room is a contemporary glass cube housing the kitchen, with double-glazed walls that offer a 180-degree view of the courtyard and pool area.

A highlight of the Fynbos Family House is this central courtyard, in which the swimming pool is fed by a shallow channel, emulating the streams found on the rest of the property and providing a tranquil soundtrack of trickling water. Surrounding the pool is a combination of wooden decking and lush grass, with intimate outdoor seating areas leading off each of the rooms into this delightfully secluded outdoor space. babylonstoren.com