The gardens, impressive when viewed in 2011, have blossomed and expanded and are a highlight. One notable change is that the tree border to shield the all-glass kitchens of the accommodation cottages is now so effective that they provide perfect privacy. Another change is that two more restaurants have opened as well as spa and fitness centre.
Babel restaurant is now so popular as a destination with advance bookings that hotel guests now also enjoy dining in The Greenhouse - a lush and exquisitely curated space and The Bakery - a rustic eatery adjacent to the shop which, like the gardens, has blossomed into offering the Babylonstoren aesthetic in everything from gardener's boots to plant-enriched soaps as well as olive oil and estate wines.
I was seduced by the range of glassware that brings old apothecary items that I remember from my father's chemist as child to life again along with French preserving jars and digitally printed linens. The sharp designer's eye is evident in everything but what clued me into the presence of a creative director was the donkey head paper cutouts in anticipation of one of the farm's donkeys about to give birth.
Another change which puts Babylonstoren firmly into the experiential economy is the growing list of things to do, neatly packaged into tick-boxes along with the morning's Suduko problem. A guided early-morning farm walk and later guided garden visit double as a cardio workout.
Accommodations in the supremely comfortable cottages help exude the calm associated with an uncluttered life lived in harmony with the environment. Although there are the modern essentials such as super-fast and free WiFi and iPod player, alarms are not required as guests are roused by the Rooster cock-a-doodle-doo which was soon followed by the rafter of turkeys fascinated by their own reflection in our kitchen window.
You will probably leave a visit to Babylonstoren more relaxed than you imagined possible and filled with a yen to garden - I did.
Read my previous Babylonstoren review.
