Garden Route
The Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa
Menu
Set dramatically within a beautifully restored former power station on Thesen Island in Knysna, The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa is one of the Garden Route’s most distinctive stays. Industrial heritage meets bold, contemporary design, with original machinery cleverly woven into colourful, glamorous interiors.
Sitting right on the edge of the Knysna Lagoon, it’s intimate, characterful and wonderfully atmospheric – perfect for clients wanting something stylish and a little out of the ordinary.
Gallery
Facilities & Activities
Life here naturally centres around the lagoon. There’s a charming small outdoor swimming pool that overlooks the tranquil waters of the Knysna Lagoon. Elevated slightly to make the most of the views, the pool area offers a peaceful setting where guests can unwind while watching boats drift by and birds skim across the waters surface.
The Turbine Spa offers a calm, tucked-away retreat with a menu of massages, facials and body treatments – particularly welcome after a day of exploring. Beyond the hotel, guests can enjoy lagoon cruises, kayaking, forest walks, golf at nearby courses or visits to the iconic Knysna Heads.
Start planning your next adventure today!
Contact our team of friendly award-winning specialists to design your bespoke itinerary, or sign up for the Bush Telegraph; our newsletter full of travel tips, advice and special offers.
Dining
Island Café has a lively, welcoming feel, where mornings stretch lazily over fresh fruit, flaky pastries and hot breakfasts cooked to order. Sunlight pours in, glinting off steel beams overhead, a subtle nod to the building’s past.
As the day unfolds, the menu shifts towards fresh seafood and seasonal produce, best enjoyed with a crisp local wine as the lagoon shimmers outside. The Gastro Pub offers a more relaxed setting – ideal for craft beers and cocktails as the sky turns pink and gold. On warm evenings, dining on the terrace with a soft breeze off the water feels quintessentially Knysna.
Rooms
Each bedroom is completely individual, shaped by the original structure of the turbine hall. Exposed steel, dramatic artwork and bold colour palettes give a sense of personality, while plush fabrics and clever lighting create a cocoon of comfort.
Standard Rooms are cosy and atmospheric, perfect for shorter stays, with thoughtful design details and views towards the island or lagoon.
Luxury Rooms offer more space to unwind, often with private balconies or expansive windows that draw the outside in – you can wake to soft morning light reflecting on the water.
The Honeymoon Suite is made for slow mornings and celebratory evenings, with a statement bath and beautiful lagoon views adding to the romance. The Canal & Lagoon Suites are in the building adjacent to the hotel, with generous living space, self catering facilities and sweeping water views that make it hard to leave.
Throughout, modern comforts – air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and tea and coffee facilities – ensure the style never comes at the expense of ease.
Take a Video Tour
Family
Although intimate in feel, The Turbine welcomes families who appreciate its relaxed island setting. There’s no formal kids’ club, but Thesen Island itself becomes a playground of sorts – safe pathways for cycling, open marina spaces and the ever-present lure of the water. Nearby beaches and boat trips add a sense of adventure for older children.
Children’s meals can be arranged in the restaurant, and the team are happy to adapt dishes for younger tastes. Luxury Rooms and selected suites can accommodate an extra bed or cot, and interleading options may be available on request, making it well suited to smaller families seeking something stylish yet unfussy.
Sustainability
The very soul of the hotel is rooted in reuse and reinvention. By transforming a historic power station rather than replacing it, The Turbine preserves a tangible piece of Knysna’s heritage while reducing the environmental impact of new construction. The continued celebration of the building’s original features is both sustainable and deeply authentic.
Menus lean towards local produce and regional suppliers, reinforcing the hotel’s connection to its surrounding community.
Location
Set on Thesen Island in Knysna, the hotel overlooks the calm waters of the Knysna Lagoon, with boutique shops and cafés just a short stroll away. Knysna town centre is approximately 10 minutes by car, and George Airport is around 1 hour 15 minutes’ drive. It’s a location that feels quietly removed, yet perfectly placed for exploring the wider Garden Route – where forest meets ocean and every bend in the road seems to reveal another view worth stopping for.
Other accommodation you might like
Lairds Lodge Country Estate - Garden Route
The Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa - Garden Route
The Old Rectory Hotel & Spa - Garden Route
Fancourt - Garden Route
The Plettenberg - Garden Route
Botlierskop Private Game Reserve - Garden Route
Tsala Treetop Lodge - Garden Route
Hunters Country House - Garden Route
Hog Hollow Country Lodge - Garden Route