History meets art at The Turbine
It's not just the picture-postcard location that sets this hotel apart from the myriad accommodation options in town; it's the hotel itself. The deeply forested surrounding areas of Knysna were a big drawcard for the timber industry in the early 1900s. Soon, a power station was built, supplied by wood scraps from the timber mill. Generating electricity from turbines (you can see where we’re going with this), it powered the towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, and paved the way for the historic structure that forms the essence of the hotel.
The Turbine's original structure was built in 1939 and 1949. After it was closed in 2001 and following a slew of paperwork and red tape, extensive renovations were undertaken to transform this historical site into a vibrant boutique hotel that pays homage to its past.
It requires a visionary to decide to take a wood boiler, four electricity generators, and all sorts of power station equipment to merge into a contemporary aesthetic. It's this blend of history and hardware that meets eye-popping splashes of colour and a selection of artworks that regularly changes (you can pick your favourite over your morning coffee) that makes it truly unique.
Each of the 24 rooms – standard, luxury, and a honeymoon suite – has been built and designed in the old power station, and not one is identical. Some rooms boast the memorable balconies where morning coffees and afternoon drinks can be enjoyed; others open into a small garden or perhaps offer bathtime pleasure with views of the canals. If you find the knobs and gadgets in your room, don't be alarmed – they've been put there for the playful at heart to tinker with and as an ode to the hotel's past.
LUXURY BITES AND RELAXED PUB FARE
You can take a walk up steel walkways between all manner of machines as you make your way to the Island Café for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And it's not a stop you'd want to miss out on. Think luxuries like honey butter toast for breakfast made with Japanese milk bread served with a vanilla and basil marinade, Chantilly cream, and a berry compote. For dinner, an elegant prawn alio olio nero or a comforting Bo-Kaap seafood curry. Just don't forget to order a plate of oysters for starters. This is the home of the annual Knysna Oyster Festival, after all.
Pre- or post-dinner drinks can be had at the Gastro Pub, where laid-back pub fare is on offer for nights when you feel less inclined to dine out.
SPA BLISS
But for a true spoil, you want to book a spot in one of the treatment rooms at the Turbine Spa. Here, we can safely say we've been spoiled with some of the best massages a spa can offer. It makes for the kind of deep relaxation that has you drifting into semiconsciousness and leaves you almost too placid to take on the pleasures of the town. And here lies the trick of what makes this an enjoyable hotel: it offers ample options like a top-notch spa and tempting pool deck, quirky spaces that don't have that uptight hotel feel, and fine food to satisfy those lazy days or hours spent lounging around. But it also positions you in the heart of Knysna.
What to see and do in Knysna
We spent a few days exploring the town towards the end of 2024 and found plenty to be delighted with. There's so much to keep yourself occupied, and we share some of our favourite finds here.
VIEW FROM THE KNYSNA HEADS
This is probably the most iconic stop in town. The Knysna Heads are the towering headlands of two peninsulas that form the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon. A drive up the eastern headland will reward you with a view from the top of the lagoon flowing in from the Indian Ocean and – on a clear day – the Outeniqua Mountains in the distance. It took us two tries, but we eventually evaded a deep mist that had settled over the town the previous day. You can also approach from the bottom. A lovely drive through Leisure Isle will deliver you to the foot of the eastern headland.
ENJOY THE LAGOON
For a different perspective, there's always a sunset cruise on the Knysna Lagoon with a full view of the headlands and the ocean stretching past the Knysna Heads. The passage into the Knysna Lagoon was a notoriously perilous one during the days of timber trade. It is said that if a seasoned captain did manage to deliver his ship and crew to safety on the tranquil waters of the lagoon, the sailors on board felt as though they were sleeping on their grandmother's feather bed after weeks at sea. The Water Club offers a slightly easier, modern-day option of experiencing the delight of drifting over the lagoon. If a cruise is too laid-back, rent a kayak and paddle away. They also offer fishing cruises and bike rentals if you want to explore on solid land.
TAKE A FERRY TO FEATHERBED NATURE RESERVE
Our sailor story had a point: enter Featherbed Nature Reserve, the privately owned nature reserve on the side of Knysna's western headland. It's only accessible by ferry or boat (you can book a fun water taxi to take you there) and makes for a lovely morning or afternoon stop. Families may enjoy the Eco Experience, which includes a ferry cruise and a 2.2km guided hike into the reserve. It's best topped off with lunch. For this, there’s the Cruise Café that offers tables in the shade of giant milkwood trees, and the Beach Bar and Deck Bar, which are popular spots for daytime frolicking.
HIKE OR WALK IN THE FOREST
A visit to Knysna would be incomplete without a stop in the forest. As much as the lagoons and waterways were a highlight of our trip, it's in the forest that Knysna's true beauty unfolds. Giant yellowwoods, stinkwood, white milkwood, wild fig, cape ash – it's a nature lover's paradise. The Knysna Forest has been incorporated into the wider Garden Route National Park that spans 157,000ha along the Garden Route and offers plenty to experience in this pocket of beauty in the Western Cape.
The best thing to do is to take a hike or an easy walk through the indigenous forest. For this, there are a number of trails ranging in length and difficulty. If you're pressed for time, the Circles in the Forest trail (a 2.9km loop) gives you enough of the forest magic with time to spare for a picnic. If you're lucky, you may even spot the elusive Knysna loerie.
Grab a drink and a bite to eat in Knysna
What's a good holiday without a bit of indulgance? For some of the best, fluffiest waffles this side of Belgium, head to Chez Pierre, a guesthouse and waffle café on Leisure Isle run by a sweet Belgian man who now calls Knysna home. The popular île de païn on Thessen Islands serves up scrumptious breakfast and lunch, and its shelves are always laden with the most tempting – and beautiful – artisanal breads. The Knysna Distillery is a laid-back spot with good gin, fun cocktails, board games, and the occasional quiz night. Don't leave without grabbing a slice of pizza from Maillard Baking Co. next door.If you're looking for a good dinner at the Knysna Waterfront, it won't be hard to guess the most popular spot – 34 South serves the kind of seafood Joburgers hunt for on beach holidays. Of all the oysters we sampled on our trip, they had the best by far. Book a table, or prepare to be disappointed. On Saturdays, you can always take a drive out to a local farmer's market just beyond Knysna. Wild Oats Community Farmers' Market in Sedgefield is a gourmand heaven. Slightly smaller, but completely wholesome, is the Harkerville Saturday Market.
The Turbine bookings
Rates at The Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa start from R3,252 for two people sharing. Email reservations@turbinehotel.co.za, phone +27 44 050 3500, or visit the website for special offers or to book your stay.
*We were invited to stay at The Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa. The views expressed here are our own.
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