Described by its owners as ‘a home, a sanctuary, a community’, Sterrekopje Farm offers luxury accommodation set within 50 hectares of biodiverse land in the foothills of South Africa’s Franschhoek mountains.
Overview
Sterrekopje boasts 11 private ‘sanctuaries’ and suites, some located in outbuildings and others located in the Main House. There is a traditional farmhouse feel, with luxurious touches added without sacrificing character or comfort: think warm tiles, hanging herbs, earthy tones, freshly baked bread, and tasteful cookware. This balance of the elegant and the rustic continues across the entire property, including the spa, atelier, gardens, vineyards, orchards and stables.
Food & service
Despite the emphasis on health and sustainability, food and refreshments at Sterrekopje are anything but plain. Breakfast typically includes omelettes made with eggs from the farm, granola, fresh fruit and homemade pastries, as well as locally roasted coffee and fresh-squeezed juices. Lunch and dinner menus are predominantly (though not exclusively) plant-based, deserts are a highlight, and quality wines are available, many from the local area.
Rooms
The accommodations at Sterrekopje fall into three groups of increasing size and luxury: Intimate Sanctuaries, Abundant Sanctuaries and Rejuvenating Suites. The first and third are found in the Main House, and the second is divided between the Main House and other tastefully restored buildings throughout the farm. All are the work of interior designer Greg Mellor. While the Rejuvenating Suites are the top-tier offering and include living rooms and larger terraces or gardens, all the suites are of a very high standard, boasting antique four-poster beds and furnishings (many sourced by the owners themselves on their travels), verandas, separate outdoor baths and showers, and in one case a private swimming-pool.
Activities
The focus at Sterrekopje is very much on serenity, and guests are encouraged to do as little or as much as they desire. But available activities and treatments include a morning session on the yoga island (there is also a yoga yurt), a daily spa ritual, wild dam-swimming, reiki and hypnotherapy, and guests are offered the opportunity to take part in harvesting produce from the farm.
Impact
While Sterrekopje is very much a self-contained entity, with the result that its environmental and cultural engagement is comparatively limited, it is also run on regenerative and biodynamic principles that make it an entirely sustainable and low-impact option for a luxury retreat of this standard.