The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa

A boutique 5-star hotel on Thesen Island which offers guests luxurious Knysna accommodation options, exceptional cuisine, stunning views, and a range of world-class facilities! 

The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa was an ambitious project which transformed an old power station into a unique 5-Star boutique hotel. All the old machinery, which was once used in this power station, was lovingly restored and forms an integral part of the hotel’s aesthetics. Soak up its fascinating history, as you walk past massive turbines on the balcony, and marvel at the intriguing steel pillars and pipes that now form part of its funky décor. 

As can be seen when exploring the hotel, the industrial backdrop of bare bricks and huge whitewashed walls is softened by a sense of playfulness in the décor. The machinery and pipes are painted in vivid red, blue, green and orange, matched by dining chairs in different bright colours. All sorts of unusual instruments and contraptions are dotted around the hotel which will keep engineers, scientists and curious visitors fascinated for hours. 

The Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa offers two restaurants for you to enjoy, each with a different feeling and flavour; the Island Café and the Gastro Pub. The hotel’s passion for fresh, quality local produce, combined with creative menus have made both restaurants popular dining destinations, both for locals, as well as holidaymakers. Above all else, this boutique hotel strives to combine elegance and flair, with ultimate comfort and relaxation, to ensure each guest is left feeling like they’ve had an experience like no other. 

Experience & Activities 

The hotel has two motorized pontoon barges for guests to use, each seating up to 10 people. The placid lagoon is safe for swimming, boating and kayaking. You can also kayak around the canals of Thesen Islands and see if you can spot endangered Knysna Seahorses, pretty little things that love to hook their tails into the meshing of the canal walls. 

If the seahorses prove elusive, try an encounter with the mightiest of mammals on a whale watching tour. Every year from July to November, Southern Right and Humpback whales leave icy Antarctica and migrate to mate and calve in the warmer waters off Southern Africa. Knysna is renowned as one of the best whale watching destinations along South Africa’s Garden Route. Knysna is also excellent for rock and surf fishing, as well as yacht hire and guided canoe trips. There are plenty of gorgeous beaches, only a short drive away, at which you can relax, or try your hand at kite surfing! 

Accommodation 

As one of the best boutique hotels in Knysna, each of the 24 bedrooms and suites in the Turbine Hotel & Spa has an individual personality. The rooms do not have a uniform shape, since they were built within the shell of the old power station. That gave the architects and interior designers both a massive challenge and a glorious opportunity to play with. Each of the rooms provide luxurious amenities such as a flat-screen televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi, a fully-stocked mini-bar, and tea/coffee stations. 

• With an emphasis on natural light, the Standard Rooms are designed to accentuate the Turbine Hotel’s exquisite placement, effortlessly embracing both its’ historical significance and natural beauty. The rooms are spread throughout six different Wings: The Garden Wing, The Lagoon Wing, The Lookout Suites, The Regatta Wing, The Forest Wing, and The Thesen Wing. All rooms boast beautiful, individual décor and artwork, comfortable extra-length king beds, en suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. 
• The six individually-themed Luxury Rooms provide more room for guests to spread out in comfort and style. Each Luxury Room boasts luxurious king size beds, expansive en suite bathrooms as well as a lounge and bar area, and two of them feature a balcony. 
• The Honeymoon Suite with its high ceiling and classic finishes, is the ideal place to relax in style after your big day. As it has a balcony overlooking the swimming pool, it also boasts some of the hotel’s best views. 
• The gorgeous Lagoon Suite and Canal Suite are situated a small distance from the main hotel, with sweeping views over the Knysna Heads and canals respectively. These self-contained suites boast an open-plan kitchen, a large living room, and a comfortable en suite bedroom. Near enough to allow you full access to the hotel’s lavish facilities, yet secluded enough to offer that extra bit of privacy – the ideal home away from home.