Turbine Hotel & Spa

The Turbine has a unique location on Thesen Island in the Knysna Estuary, a picturesque spot even by the famously high standards of the Garden Route. Set in a restored power station, much of the original machinery has been kept, lending the hotel an edgy, industrial feel.

Accommodation at The Turbine comprises seventeen standard rooms, six luxury rooms, a honeymoon suite and the Water Club, an exclusive self-catering apartment. The rooms are individually designed in a contemporary style, with edgy urban designs on the fabrics and artwork paying homage to the property’s industrial past. Many rooms boast panoramic views over the canal and the Knysna Lagoon beyond.

The Turbine has several dining options to ensure you won’t go hungry during your stay here. The Island Café has a unique aesthetic, allowing you to dine between the original factory turbines overlooking the canal. Huge sliding doors add to the contemporary feel of the design, while blazing fireplaces create a cosy atmosphere in the colder months. Dishes on offer draw on the rich natural bounty of the surrounding area, including springbok and melon salad, line fish and local lamb shanks, and the restaurant has also won plaudits for its extensive wine list. The Gastro Pub Deck, meanwhile, is an informal spot to enjoy a drink and some tapas as the sun sets over the Knysna Lagoon.

The Amani Spa offers a wide variety of wellness treatments, including massages, facials, manicures and hydrotherapy. The hotel also has a beautiful pool deck, where you can swim in the rim flow pool and relax on the surrounding sun loungers, which overlook the canal.

The Turbine Water Club offers a wide array of activities, both on land and on the Knysna Lagoon. These include pontoon cruises, bicycle and kayak hire, and fishing charters where you can hope to catch mussel cracker, stumpnose and blacktail, among many others. Also on offer are kite-surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and mountain biking, while longer boat trips can take you out into the Indian Ocean to spot whales, dolphins, seals and other marine life.