The farm stay has officially grown up. Gone are the days of rustic charm meaning a lumpy mattress and questionable plumbing. At the next gen of farmhouse hotels, Egyptian cotton 1,000 thread count sheets are table stakes, as are Michelin-caliber kitchens. And yes, there are actual cows somewhere on the premises. Whether you want to press your own olive oil in Andalusia, ride Lusitano horses in Portugal, or detox in the Philippine jungle, there’s a luxury farm for that. These are the spots where it almost doesn’t matter where they’re located; these luxury farm stays are the destination.
The Farm: Soho Farmhouse
Location: Oxfordshire
Think of Soho Farmhouse as the OG when it comes to luxury farm stays around the world. We would go as far as to say that Soho Farmhouse put farm stays on the map, long before it became its own category of luxury. Spread across 100 manicured acres of prime Cotswolds countryside, Soho Farmhouse is a self-contained hamlet of hedonistic pursuits. High brow pursuits, that is, including a Soho Health Club and the signature Cowshed spa, sunken hot tubs in the lake, clay-pigeon shooting, horse riding, tennis, and padel. While you feel a whole world away, you’re within an hour and a half of London. It’s not trying to be a working farm and it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s the fantasy of farm life, executed to perfection.
The Farm: São Lourenço do Barrocal
Location: Portugal
As far as luxury farm stays, São Lourenço do Barrocal has it dialed in. This 200-year-old estate in Portugal’s Alentejo region is a working farm with sprawling grounds — meadows, vineyards, olive groves and shade-giving oak trees. What makes it extra charming is that it’s a family affair. Eight generations of the same family, who also live here, have spent years bringing it carefully back to life as a hotel of understated luxury. It’s surrounded by ancient holm oaks and centuries-old vineyards. The wine is estate-grown, the Susanne Kaufmann spa is serious, and the Alentejo light alone is worth the two-hour drive from Lisbon. São Lourenço is one of those rare places where you arrive for a weekend and start Googling long-stay visas.
The Farm: Boschendal Farm
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
One of the Cape’s most prestigious wine farms, Boschendal has a history dating back to 1684. Fast forward to present day, and it’s still doing everything right. Vibing its roots of colonial Dutch chic, Boschendal sits in the heart of the Cape Town winelands, about 15 minutes from both Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. It’s not just cows that make a farm, but grape vines get equal billing, especially when they produce award-winning wines. In addition to tastings, there are mountain biking trails, Simonsberg mountain views, and a farm butchery stocked with enough provisions to make you cancel your restaurant reservation entirely.
The Farm: Farmstead at Royal Malewane
Location: Kruger National Park, South Africa
It turns out that safari and luxury farm stays pair perfectly well together. The Royal Portfolio has several unique camps within their Royale Malewane compound, and Farmstead does chic farm life right. In lieu of cows and chickens though, it’s elephants, lions and leopards, and we’re there for it. Farmhouse chic will become your new goals in the exquisitely decorated home with pieces hand-selected by owner Liz Biden. The design itself is a reason to stay at Farmstead; unlikely traditional safari lodges, this farm is all about color and pattern.
The Farm: Finca La Donaira
Location: Spain
If the world were to end, La Donaira is one of those luxury farm stays that would not notice. Everything served is foraged and reared on-site — from the olive oil and house-cured charcuterie to the goats’ cheese blanketed in medicinal-grade honey from La Donaira hives. There is a medicinal garden with over 350 plant species, a biodynamic vineyard, and what may be the only bee meditation bed in serious contention for best wellness experience in Spain. Set high in the Andalusian countryside on 1,700 acres between Seville and Ronda, with just nine rooms and 70 Lusitano horses, La Donaira is eco-luxury without the lecture.
The Farm at San Benito
Location: The Philippines
Nestled within 52 hectares of lush tropical jungle framed by the Malarayat mountains, just 90 minutes south of Manila, The Farm at San Benito is the winner of over 100 international wellness accolades, including Best Medical Wellness Resort in the World. The approach balances holistic and medical wellness through five pillars: Diagnose, Cleanse, Nourish, Repair, and Sustain. All of this is set against peacocks strolling through ancient mango trees and villas designed in traditional Filipino style. This is for when you want to come back from a farm stay actually transformed, not just rested.
The Farm: Ballerina Farm
Location: Utah
You know her from Instagram — the Juilliard-trained ballerina turned Utah homesteader with 20 million followers and a sourdough starter that probably has its own following. Hannah and Daniel Neeleman discovered their love of agriculture through farm hotel getaways during their years in São Paulo. When it came time to settle down and raise their own family, they went ahead and built the real thing in Kamas, Utah. A 14-acre agritourism site is currently taking shape right off the main highway. Ballerina Farm is where visitors can see agriculture in action. Think creamery, farm stand, and the full pastoral fantasy that has captivated millions. It’s not a hotel yet, but the crowds are already arriving. Consider this your early intelligence.
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FAQs
Q: What are the top luxury farm stays around the world?
A: The top luxury farm stays around the world include Soho Farmhouse, Farmstead at Royal Malewane and the Farm at San Benito in the Philippines.
Q: Where is Farmstead at the Royal Malewane located?
A: Farmstead at the Royal Malewane is located within Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Q: Is there a luxury farm stay in Portugal?
A: Yes, one of the top luxury farm stays in Portugal is São Lourenço do Barrocal, a family-owned farm for eight generations.
