Turbine Hotel and Spa

A wonderful location in Knysna and such an interesting and historic building incorporating the old turbine mill into the structure of the hotel. This makes it a fascinating place to stay. Very comfortable rooms, lovely pool and wonderful breakfast. The food was exceptional and we had an evening meal there which was fantastic! We will definitely visit again and have recommended it to friends and family.

Great Hotel for a night or two, barman was great company and the inclusive breakfast was fantastic. There are great eating & drinking facilities within walking distance. The views are great and nice staying close the waterfront.

A good location for the hotel on Thesen Island,an ideal base in knysna. Thoroughly modern well appointed compact rooms. The hotel benefits from having a small pool too.
Excellent service at breakfasts, where the choice was endless. Thank you all for a lovely stay.

The Turbine hotel is excellent this was our second visit and we will come again, room and service excellent

The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa is a striking blend of industrial heritage and five-star luxury, set on the tranquil waters of Thesen Island in Knysna. Once a working power station, the hotel has been thoughtfully transformed into an eclectic retreat where restored machinery, bold colours, and whimsical details sit seamlessly alongside plush comforts and impeccable service. Lagoon-facing suites offer deep rest and sensory calm, while the Island Café delights with memorable breakfasts in a playful, stylish setting. With its rich history, unique design, and warm, family-friendly atmosphere, The Turbine delivers an experience that is both indulgent and character-filled, making it a truly memorable Garden Route destination.

This gem of a hotel with its unique decor will see us again next year. This was our third visit and each time we had a great stay. The friendly staff and clean rooms and excellent location is hard to beat.

What a different hotel this is. A former power station converted into the most unique hotel. Situated on Thesen Island a short drive from the main town of Knysna, but well situated for the boat trips to the Heads of Knysna.
Our room, number 101, overlooked one of the inland waterways and the swimming pool. A small balcony with table and chairs. The bedroom, very modern in style, still had some of the old dials and pipes from before the conversion, so added to the charm of the room. Our room also had a microwave, no crockery or cutlery, as well as a breakfast bar and stools. It also had a settee and two chairs.
The restaurant appeared to be used alot by business men/women, so was very busy. The menu was ok as too was the food. Breakfast was very strange - we were given a menu but were then told that we would have the continental breakfast which was served like afternoon tea. This wasn't really to our taste, so the second morning we made sure that we ordered from the mcne and refused the 'breakfast tea'.
However, once again, it was the staff that made the hotel extra special. Nothing appears to be too much trouble and every one is always on hand to help.

We really enjoyed our stay at The Turbine Hotel. The team were attentive and friendly during our stay, with special shout-out to the breakfast severs who we had a lovely time with.
The room was fresh and bright - and the hotel is beautiful.
Thank you for a wonderful stay!

Staying at the Turbine Hotel was a lovely experience, especially for a romantic getaway. The hotel staff were welcoming and quickly made us feel at home in the new space. While our room was chic, spotless and well-designed for an action-packed weekend by the sea. We woke up with a view of the marina and a fresh smell of ocean air. The complimentary breakfast was delicious. We were given a cute platter of nibbles while we waited for our orders. Exploring the hotel was super interesting as the heritage of the building is well-preserved. There are some sections that give an industrial feel that takes you back in time. Dinner at the restaurant was scrumptious. We ordered the seafood curry, which was inspired by our home suburb, Bo Kaap. The chef got the dish right, in my opinion. The location of the hotel is great. Thesen Island has a relaxed vibe and lots to explore. We spent time by the ocean, checked out the sea horses and dabbled in the water activities. Overall, this was an enjoyable experience that I would love to repeat and recommend to others.

Food is absolutely delicious, great and friendly service, views are amazing (Feels like you in Mini Italy) . One of the most unique diverse restaurants iv been to in terms of ambiance 💯💯💯

Best food and service experience in Knysna. Bored of the “regular” overpriced, overcooked and underwhelming food experiences so far, we decided on the Island Cafe at the Turbine Hotel.

Bored management with a “no-can-do” attitude much like any of the other popular restaurants like Sirocco - unbelievably bad attitude to client service, but here we were met with a gem of a waitress - Kia - “like the car”.

Great oysters, beautiful granita. Lovely fresh fish and a great prawn dish (thinner pasta would work better).

Overall our best eating experience in Knysna. Worth a visit.

Hotel was clean, staff friendly and efficient, and room was great! Will definitely stay there again.

We’ve stayed at the Turbine three years in a row because our first two visits were warm and welcoming. Unfortunately, our latest stay felt like a marked step down—especially at the front desk. We weren’t recognised as returning guests, and after our reservation email went unanswered, we had to confirm the booking ourselves a week before arrival.

The room showed wear and tear: the in-room info folder was shabby and missing a room-service menu. When we tried to order toasted sandwiches and chips mid-morning, we were told the fryer only switches on at noon—out of step with what a 5-star hotel promises.

With a late flight, we asked for a late checkout and were offered only 11:15 (15 minutes past standard) because a “very big and important” group was due—no option to pay for a later checkout either. It left us wondering why our comfort as returning guests felt less important.

We left feeling undervalued. Unless service standards and maintenance improve, we’ll be taking our business elsewhere.

Date of stay: September 2025

This is a stylishly and little quirky converted power station , and turbine museum, with great large rooms and views of the bay or the inlet based on an old timber processing island. This is a perfect location if you plan whale watching or sunset cruises as the meeting points are just a 2 minute walk. Beds are huge and comfortable. The staff across all areas could not do enough for you and the genuinely happy level of service is impressive. Lots of restaurants on the island but the hotel main restaurant had a really varied menu and the food was also very good. Free and easy parking makes this the ideal place to stay in Knysna. If you are in Knysna make time for the Elephant Sanctuary-25 minute drive but well worth it.

A wonderful experience. Absolutely unique hotel right on the water. Stunning g. Jew of Knysna and Marina So well decorated. Beautiful pool area for relaxing.

What a treat our stay was - from the friendly, professional staff, unique dècor & intriguing history to the lovely, warm environment. It was relaxing from beginning to the establishment's efforts & professionalism.

The hotel is very well situated near the island's restaurants, motorcycle museum, and cafes. The staff are exceptional, as are the restaurant and attached pub. The overall turbine theme is both fascinating and stylish, giving each room a unique feel.

What a fabulous hotel , it exceeded our expectations in every way. Friendly staff, magnificent amenities, brilliant breakfast, top notch.

A wonderful stay at a top class hotel. Everybody from the General Manager, to the Head Chef and all of the staff were very professional and friendly.

Excellent accommodation and service. We really were impressed by the size of the bedroom and loved the nightly turn down service. It maybe because of the lack of guests, but the quality of the dinner was certainly not up to scratch. Overall we enjoyed our stay immensely.