Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa Review: A Unique Winter Escape on Knysna’s Thesen Islands
When it comes to bustling Western Cape holiday towns, Knysna is up there with the best of the best. But, what’s not to love? It’s charming, picturesque and there are so many incredible things for tourists to do in the small town. Whether you’re an adventure lover, water baby, foodie, or a romantic, Knysna is one of those rare places that can tick everyone’s boxes for a holiday to remember.
No doubt, Knysna is a tourist’s playground and if there’s one place you should stay when visiting this buzzing little town, it’s at the unique Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa. Located on the coveted Thesen Islands development, this former power-station-turned-boutique hotel has become a tourist destination in its own right, and for good reason. With its turbo-charged industrial chic interiors, it’s certainly one of the most unique hotels that I have ever visited.
A hotel that begs you to stay
Even with the hive of activity waiting just outside my door on Thesen Islands, the allure to stay in the hotel was strong. Brimming with interesting nooks and crannies to explore, the beautifully transformed power station offers something new to discover around every corner.
The entire hotel is a steampunk fever dream of Bakelite switches, cogs, dials, and steel crane gantries juxtaposed with soft furnishings adorned in luxury fabrics and cosy touches. The old power station machinery has been cleverly restored and jazzed up to form an integral part of the hotel’s decor.
This was my second time staying at the hotel, but even so, I found myself drawn to wandering the halls of the Turbine to marvel once more at how the hotel’s interior designers managed to bring together the unique aesthetic.
With jewelled-toned interiors and contemporary artwork, the hotel is fun and bright. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet, the ever-present signs of its industrial past bring an undeniable gravitas to the space.
Where hulking machinery once turned heat into energy, visitors can now sleep, eat, and revel in a good time. Whether you’re enjoying a glass of champagne next to an enormous overhead crane or tucking into dinner sat amongst, now brightly coloured, industrial pipes, the Turbine never fails to deliver a conversation starter.
Surprisingly, the industrial shell of the old power station also lends itself to creating intimate and inviting spaces. The double-volume hotel lounge is a serene escape of comfortable armchairs and couches in shades of green and white. There’s a sitting area next to the fireplace for rainy winter days, while a skylight stretched down the length of the lounge ensures it is always bathed in light. A great place to sit down with a good book if ever there was one.
Eat your heart out
The hotel’s Island Café restaurant — serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily — leads on from the lounge and also offers plenty of spaces for intimate meals with family or a special someone. Couples will love the incredibly romantic tables for two tucked away behind the original turbines while an elevated steel platform offers the perfect private dining area for a group celebrating a special occasion.
Brightly painted antique-style furniture brings a retro aesthetic to the dining area, while double-volume glass sliding doors on either end ensure that almost every table has a view overlooking either the canal (or the hotel’s Instagram-perfect pool deck).
Breakfast at the Island Café is an impressive spread of cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurt, fruit juices, and baked treats alongside a hot breakfast menu — the Island Café Eggs Hollandaise is a must try — and in winter you can enjoy this tasty spread sat next to a warm fire with a cup of coffee in hand (what could be better?).
The Seafood Curry I had for dinner at the Island Café also deserves a rave review. The delightfully hearty take on a “Bo-kaap” spiced tomato curry was served with steamed coconut rice, cucumber, yoghurt and pickled coconut. I couldn’t have asked for a better winter warmer on a chilly evening.
I’ll meet you at the pub
There’s even better news for the highly food-motivated, if you grow tired of the Island Café, the hotel is also home to a trendy gastro pub. Serving a casual dining menu of tapas and flat breads, the Gastro Pub is built around the hotel’s fifth turbine and features a laid-back setting, with a sunny deck that boasts a view of the marina. With its outside seating area, the pub is the ideal place to catch a legendary sunset over the Knysna lagoon.
Our party had a grand time sharing a collection of eats from the tapas menu including Fish Goujons with tartar sauce; Sliced Sirloin Steak bites; Crispy Fried Prawns; Fish Cakes; and Roast Seasonal Vegetables. We topped off the whole feast with a ginormous bowl of Posh Chips with grated parmesan and bacon bits. Our meal was pub food done oh-so-right and each bite paired perfectly with the local craft beer on tap, live music, and the lively atmosphere of the local watering hole.
Rooms with plenty of character
As for where you’ll lay your head at night, the Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa offers guests the choice of Standard Rooms, Luxury Rooms, a Honeymoon Suite, as well as 2 self-contained suites adjacent to the hotel. Each of the 24 bedrooms and suites has an individual personality, most of them aren’t even a uniform shape, since they were built within the shell of the old power station. Of course, this gave the architects and interior designers a glorious opportunity to play with and they clearly relished the task.
The bedrooms are as delightfully quirky as the building itself. I spent my two-night stay in one of the six Luxury Rooms which featured a luxurious king-size bed, expansive en suite bathroom, lounge and a kitchenette with a bar area. The remarkably spacious and airy suite also had a Juliette balcony with double-volume glass sliding doors that could be rolled open to let the world in at a moment’s notice.
Boasting amazing views over the Knysna Lagoon and the bustling harbour below, my room was ideal for anyone who wants to feel the buzz of the island when the mood strikes, but still have the luxury of shutting out the world when a quiet moment is craved.
Thesen Islands – a hive of activity!
There are plenty of stunning places to stay in Knysna, but staying at the Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa on Thesen Islands is a truly special experience. When it comes to socialising and nightlife, the island is definitely the place to be. Staying here, you’re within stumbling distance of some of Knysna’s best eateries, watering holes, and boutique-style shops. Of course, there’s also the small perk of being surrounded by water and breathtaking views wherever you go.
If you’re searching for things to do on the island, you can spend your stay having coffee at quaint spots like the famous Ile de Païn bakery, exploring the Motorcycle Room motorbike museum, taking leisurely walks along the dock, and enjoying sundowners at vibey bars and restaurants on the water’s edge.
Adventurous types will love the Lagoon cruise to Knysna Heads on Turbine’s motorised Pontoon barge, or hop in a kayak and explore the island canals or the Knysna lagoon for an hour or two (1 hour: R130 pp | 2 hours: R200 pp) with the Turbine Water Club.
For those looking for a way to relax tired muscles, I would also suggest a trip to the Turbine Spa. I popped into the intimate spa for a 30-minute back, neck, and shoulder massage (R480) and left feeling rejuvenated and incredibly relaxed.
Out and about – exploring Knysna
As tempting as it was to stay and enjoy the fabulous hospitality at The Turbine all weekend long, we did eventually leave the island and our hotel for a date with nature. We took a quick drive to the Goldfield forest in Knysna to explore the Circles in the Forest Trail, a must for anyone who loves exploring on foot.
The trail starts at the Krisjan-se-Nek picnic site and takes you around a circular path deep inside the forest. With its thick canopy of ginormous yellowwood trees and dense ferns flanking your every step, this 9km trail offers an almost other-worldly hiking experience. Along the way you’ll come across a swimming hole and waterfall, set so deep in the forest it almost feels like you’ve stumbled upon undiscovered territory. The trail also offers a shorter 3km route for those pressed for time.
Getting there
If you’re in search of an activity-packed getaway along the Garden Route, Knysna is well worth the drive. And, if you’re already a fan of Knysna, then perhaps it’s time you visit again, this time spoiling yourself with a night or two at the truly special Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa.
The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa is a 5.5-hour drive from Cape Town, with plenty of beautiful scenery along the way. Our party of five cruised up to the Garden Route in the new Ford Everest Sport, a luxury 4×4 engineered for adventure. The great thing about this adventure-loving 4×4 is that it can quite comfortably wear two hats — practical, spacious family car one day and rugged 4×4 trail-eating, thrill seeker the next. Driving in this sporty SUV certainly made our drive a lot more comfortable… and fun.
Blending adventure-ready capability with luxury vehicle comfort, and advanced technology the new Everest Sport is a rugged, refined and fun-to-drive SUV that is sure to leave an impression. Engineered to excite, it’s a car built for the adventurous — with capability at its core.
Whether you’re conquering sand, rocky paths, or city life, Everest drivers will love the utility, capability and spaciousness of this exciting new SUV that excels at being a do-it-all vehicle. Read our full review of the new Ford Everest Sport here.
For more information on The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa visit their website or say Hi to The Turbine Hotel & Spa on Facebook.
