Turbine Hotel & Spa - Knysna

5-star boutique hotel on Thesen Island, converted from a historic power station

Dining & Entertainment

The Turbine Hotel & Spa Knysna offers three on-site dining venues: the Island Café, the Gastro Pub, and a tapas bar with a fully stocked wine cellar. A full English breakfast is served each morning, while the Gastro Pub provides snacks, cocktails, and wines at prices noted by guests as lower than surrounding restaurants. The Island Café menu includes fresh pan-seared hake with confit tomatoes and a Bo-Kaap Seafood Curry, with dinner options praised by recent guests.

Rooms & Suites

Each of the themed rooms at the Turbine Hotel features individual decor tied to local culture and history, with parquet floors, satellite LCD TVs, and extra-long beds. Room 101 overlooks the canal and pool, with a balcony, kitchenette, and microwave, while the Oyster Suite and Honeymoon Suite offer upgraded layouts and lagoon views. Two self-contained suites provide additional privacy and convenience, and all rooms include a fresh lemon on the chopping board as a welcome touch.

Spa & Wellness

The award-winning Turbine Spa offers a range of treatments including hot-stone massage, full-body massage, facials, and a Rasul Steam Room exclusive to the hotel. Guests can book a 45-minute couples massage as part of the Pamper Me Package, which also includes a dinner voucher and access to the outdoor swimming pool overlooking the canal. The spa lounge and relaxation area are open year-round, with additional services such as manicures, pedicures, and waxing available.

Location & Activities

The Turbine Hotel is located on Thesen Island, surrounded by water and within a two-minute walk of the Sirocco Harbour departure point for sunset cruises through the Knysna Heads. The hotel is a short drive from Wilderness National Park, Storms River for kayaking, and the Bloukrans Bridge bungee jump, the highest in the world. On-site activities include canoeing, fishing, cycling, and a children's playground, while the 24-hour front desk can arrange shuttles to George Airport 65 km away.

Family & Pet-Friendly

The Turbine Hotel & Spa is pet-friendly and offers family rooms, babysitting and child services, and a children's playground on the property. Guests with children can request kids' meals from the restaurant menu, and the hotel provides daily housekeeping, laundry, and ironing services. The 24-hour security, CCTV coverage, and key card access ensure a safe environment for families travelling with pets or young children.

• Architecture: Converted power station with original turbines and steam pipes preserved as art installations
• Spa: Award-winning Turbine Spa with Rasul Steam Room and hot-stone massage
• Dining: Three venues - Island Café, Gastro Pub, tapas bar - with Bo-Kaap Seafood Curry
• Location: Thesen Island, two-minute walk from Knysna Lagoon boat tours
• Rooms: 14 individually themed suites, including Oyster Suite and two self-contained suites
• Activities: Canoeing, fishing, cycling, and bungee jumping at Bloukrans Bridge 30 min away
• Family: Pet-friendly policy, children's playground, babysitting services, and kids' meals