In the heart of South Africa’s Franschhoek Valley, a restorative farmhouse offers a sustainable escape, inviting guests to connect with nature.
The Franschhoek region of South Africa is well known for being home to some of the finest vineyards in the world. I came to these mountains for a different reason, the regenerative tourism. There was something almost hypnotic about the way they stood – so certain of their beauty, as if they knew the treasures that lay at their feet.
Just under an hour’s drive from the vibrant pulse of Cape Town, I found myself standing before a discrete iron fence, unmarked, and almost hidden by wild vegetation. I am certain this was no coincidence. It was an unspoken warning, whispering that whoever dared to cross would have to surrender their body and mind to whatever awaited beyond.
The view from the sky of the South African farmhouse. Editorial credit: Sterrekopje Farmhouse. Adel Ferreira.
I had arrived at Sterrekopje, a Cape Dutch-style luxurious farmhouse, where the only instruction was to come with an openness to stop and listen: the earth, the body, and the soul.
Arrival in Sterrekopje: A star above the hill
It might be tempting to describe it as an all-inclusive wellness hotel or a restorative retreat – but in truth, it is nothing of the sort. It is a five-generation farmhouse. One of the oldest in the region, still carrying its original Afrikaans name, which translates to “A little star above the hill”. In my words, a sustainable paradise – the living proof that it is possible to challenge the status quo and enjoy life differently.
Stepping onto this 50-hectare farm, which dates back to the 17th-century, feels like entering a time where nature reigned over all things. Picturesque and rich with history, yet somehow waiting to be explored.
The apothecary’s area. Editorial credit: Sterrekopje Farmhouse.
Though the farm has been restored, it remains rooted in the ancestral practices that shaped it. More than 60 indigenous and heritage plants are carefully cultivated through regenerative farming. At the core of the property stands the 1694 Manor House, home to an apothecary where teas and oils are handcrafted, and a spa offering a variety of holistic treatments that include natural baths in wild lakes.
A biodiverse farm
Each day begins with a harvest, where guests can partake – colleting the gifts the fertile soil offers in abundance. Here, sustainability isn’t a practice; it’s a way of life, woven into every aspect and activity of the place. They call it “soil to soul” – an open invitation to experience nature’s generosity firsthand.
The lake. Editorial credit: Sterrekopje Farmhouse.
The farm provides in ways both seen and felt. Freshly brewed herbal infusions, natural oils blended for the spa house, fresh ingredients for the exquisite organic plant-based dishes, and even the lavender bundles scenting the guest suites, known as the sanctuaries.
Nothing happens behind closed doors. Even the kitchen is completely open for all to see and experience. The in-house chef admitted that, at first, cooking in front of guests felt unusual. But soon became clear: a place so deeply rooted in connection could not operate behind walls.
From left to right: the kitchen, the eating area and the harvesting of food. Editorial credit: Sterrekopje Farmhouse.
There is no set menu. Each meal is the reflection of the day’s harvest, the eggs laid by the hens, the season’s produce, and the locally sourced ingredients she discovers when visiting nearby towns.
A home for the mind
If the beauty of the exterior weren’t enough, the guesthouse is a haven for interior design lovers. A bold curation of earthy tones, natural materials, and handcrafted objects tells a story of global inspiration. Every corner holds meaning. Walls adorned with contemporary photography, hand-painted frescoes by locals artists, and tableware shaped in their own pottery atelier.
From left to right: the sanctuary for resting, the bath with a view, and the living room. Editorial credit: Sterrekopje Farmhouse.
One of Sterrekopje’s guiding principles is nourishment – not just of the body, but of the mind. Through its thoughtfully curated library, the space offers a chance to explore ideas and connect with new authors. My gaze instantly locked onto Ali Smith’s Seasonal Quartet and Osei Bonsu’s African Art Now coffee table.
Life here unfolds gently. Every activity here is an act of intention. Whether resting, playing, learning, creating, growing, forgiving, connecting, staying still, or letting go – each moment is a return to self.
Redifining rest and purpose
Sterrekopje is a place where reflection happens naturally. A luxurious space that does not flaunt its luxury. A peaceful retreat that does not impose tranquility. Comfort, yet an invitation to step beyond one’s own limits. Whatever it may be, there is no rush, no pressure. Those things were left behind the entry door.
From left to right: The farm, the farmhouse, the atelier and the meditation yurt. Editorial credit: Sterrekopje Farmhouse.
No itinerary, no expectations. Just the freedom to follow what your senses crave. It might be molding pottery in the atelier or arranging flower bouquets. It could be wandering the farm, where horses, pigs, and hens live. Perhaps it’s taking a cold plunge in the lake, a quiet kayak ride, or lingering by the fireplaces playing their iconic leather-bound backgammon. Or maybe, it’s retreating to the secret yurt for a meditation practice.
A new wave of luxury
Some time ago, I spoke about the luxury of sensations rather than the luxury of abundance. Regenerative tourism is about leaving a place better than you found it, and Sterrekopje offers exactly this.
Embracing a more conscious way of being, seeking wellness both inside and outside while honoring the environment that surround us. As the farm’s founders, Nicole Boekhoorn and Fleur Huijskens, put it beautifully: “It’s answering our call back to nature”.
The natural space to connect with oneself and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Editorial credit: Sterrekopje Farmhouse.
And so, as I departed, I’m Glad There is You by Duke Pearson played in my mind – a soulful farewell to the living testament to what the new luxury means. To travel with awareness. To revive life. To honor the land. And to remember, always, that the most magical journey of all is the one that leads inward.
