Pallavi is a Los Angeles and Mumbai-based freelance journalist. She writes about design, travel, and lifestyle for leading publications like Travel & Leisure, Architectural Digest, Conde Nast Traveller, GQ, Thrillist, and Observer. An avid traveler and design enthusiast, she finds inspiration in everything she encounters, be it her immediate environment or her travels around the world.
To ring in the arrival of warmest and most bountiful season of the year, we’ve curated a guide to the best farmhouse-style properties. Featuring cozy cottages and pastoral landscapes, here’s where the essence of farm life meets the joy of new beginnings. Check out the finest farm stays, rural retreats, and historic inns with cozy cottages in the world. Bookmark this guide for a relaxing stay immersed in the beauty of nature when you stay at one of these luxury farm hotels.
1. Son Vell Menorca, Spain
Encompassed by verdant gardens and ancient olive groves, this heritage property is a refurbished 18th-century manor house set in the picturesque Menorcan countryside, a ten-minute walk from a hidden cove on the coast, and a 20-minute drive from the historic city of Ciutadella. The almost 500-acre estate is home to 33 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, beautifully designed to showcase the sophisticated elegance of the manor house. Six bedrooms within the primary house include two terrace suites, a two-bedroom suite, and a grand suite with an expansive hammam-style bathtub. The property’s expert team curates personalized experiences for guests, which include jeep tours, sunset picnics, archaeological site visits, horseback riding, bicycle tours, and local artisan visits. Furthermore, the hotel houses two eateries — Vermell and Sa Clarisa, which serve delectable Mediterranean dishes with a focus on fresh, local ingredients, sourced directly from the property’s gardens.
2. Mary Budden Estate, India
Situated inside the lush Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, this mountain retreat is renowned for its old-world charm, rustic interiors, scenic setting, and impeccable service. The Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to plenty of wildlife, such as leopards, tigers, elephants, and bears. The estate has a rich history, dating back to 1899 when it was bought by Ms. Mary Budden, a British missionary who later converted it into a school for local orphans. Presently, the five-acre Mary Budden Estate features three luxury cottages and lodges with logwood fireplaces, timber ceilings, stone patios, carefully curated antique furniture, and surreal mountain views. Mary Budden Estate offers a range of guest activities to connect with nature and the local culture, such as regional cuisine meals, guided nature walks, trekking, excursions to nearby temples, and local village visits.
3. Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman
Zighy Bay is located on Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula, a 120-minute drive from Dubai. In addition to the beautiful drive from the top of the mountain overlooking the bay, guests have another arrival experience choice — paraglide with the resort’s resident professional. The retreat boasts 82 guest rooms, which are private walled enclaves with elegant villas and personal pools. Moreover, the resort houses an organic farm complete with greenhouses and an orchard, and irrigation system. Guests can hand-feed the goats and jersey cows or go egg hunting in the chicken coop before wandering the rows of fruits and vegetables. The team also hosts workshops at the resort’s cheese-making facility and demonstrates how cheese is made.
4. Sterrekopje Farm, South Africa
Cradled in the foothills of the Franschhoek mountains, Sterrekopje Farm features a biodiverse farm and is a tranquil sanctuary of healing rest, creativity, and play. The farm features 11 luxurious sanctuaries and suites, located within the main house and tastefully restored outbuildings. These rooms are designed to promote deep rest and relaxation, boasting tasteful décor with hand-painted murals, and touches such as fireplaces, private terraces, and outdoor showers. Guests can immerse themselves in wellness rituals, creative play at the atelier, and farm immersion activities like harvesting and learning about regenerative agriculture. Opportunities for nature connection include garden exploration, wild dam swimming, and bicycle rides, making it one of our favorite luxury farm hotels.
5. Finca La Donaira, Spain
Finca La Donaira is an intimate farm stay retreat situated in the Andalusian countryside near Montecorto, Spain. This one-of-a-kind destination offers guests a serene escape focused on sustainability, well-being, and a deep connection with nature. Visitors can partake in horseback riding with the property’s Lusitano horses, participate in yoga and meditation sessions, unwind at the spa with its natural spring pool, sauna, and hammam, or explore the sprawling organic farm and medicinal gardens. The property also offers guest experiences such as wine tasting with their organic wines, olive oil production tours, and opportunities to learn about their biodynamic farming practices through their Soil Academy.
6. Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, now managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, is a sumptuous lodge perched atop 6,000 acres of charming farmland and dramatic cliffs in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, offering stunning unobstructed vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Guests can indulge in a beautiful par 71 golf course conceptualized by Tom Doak, relax at the spa with New Zealand-inspired treatments, and savor fine cuisine featuring fresh, local produce. Highlight experiences include exploring the working sheep and cattle station, visiting the Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony, and embarking on guided Can-Am tours to discover the untouched coastal beauty and indigenous wildlife.
7. Mormoraia, Italy
Mormoraia is a 17th-century-era wine estate and agriturismo nestled in the center of the San Gimignano region of Tuscany, Italy. Surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves, it offers guests a relaxed and authentic Tuscan luxury farm hotels experience. Accommodation at Mormoraia comprises beautifully restored farmhouses and apartments, each decorated with rustic charm and offering views of the organic wine and olive oil producing farmland. Guests can relax by the swimming pool, explore the estate’s vineyards and olive groves, and indulge in wine tasting sessions. The agriturismo also hosts cooking classes where visitors can learn to make age-old Tuscan dishes using fresh, local ingredients.
8. The Farm At San Benito, Philippines
The Farm at San Benito in Lipa, Batangas, Philippines, is an eco-luxury, holistic medical wellness resort on approximately 119 acres of tropical gardens. The Farm at San Benito has sumptuous suites and villas, some featuring private pools and gardens, designed for ultimate comfort and privacy amidst a serene natural environment. This multi-award-winning retreat offers medically supervised health programs focusing on detoxification, weight management, mental wellness, and beauty, merging modern science with age-old healing practices. Guests can participate in diverse activities such as yoga, meditation, sound healing, nature walks, and organic farm tours, complemented by plant-based meals and therapeutic spa treatments.
9. Eumelia Organic Agrotourism Farm, Greece
This is a family-run ecological farm and guesthouse in the heart of the Peloponnese region of Greece, near the historic town of Olympia. Reflecting the principles of permaculture and biodynamic farming, Eumelia offers guests an immersive experience in sustainable living and the rich agricultural traditions of the region. Guest rooms at Eumelia consist of beautifully designed and eco-friendly suites and villas, built with natural materials, and offering stunning views of the olive groves and surrounding countryside. Visitors can partake in several hands-on activities such as olive picking, grape harvesting, soap making, and cooking classes featuring fresh, organic produce from the farm. The farm also offers opportunities for hiking, cycling, and exploring the nearby archaeological sites, providing a unique blend of relaxation, education, and cultural immersion.
10. Mayflower Inn & Spa, United States of America
The Mayflower Inn & Spa, an Auberge Resorts Collection property, is a luxurious country retreat situated in 58 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodland in Washington, Connecticut. Located approximately two hours from New York City, this boutique hotel is a blend of New England charm and modern sophistication — a chance to get the luxury farm hotels experience close to a metropolis. The inn exudes a cozy and elegant ambiance, with a focus on relaxation and tranquility. The interiors feature a mix of historic architecture, antique furnishings, and modern art. The grounds include gardens, woodlands, and a Shakespeare Garden. Visitors can relax with spa treatments at The Well, explore the well-landscaped gardens through activities like hiking and tennis.