Turbine Hotel & Spa

This is a popular venue which is well managed and provides a quality stay for business and family guests.

We had a fantastic stay at the Turbine Boutique Hotel last weekend. After our relaxing afternoon lagoon cruise on the Ocean Sailing Charter, Lara Bella, we checked into our hotel room (two minutes walk from Sirroco Harbour). We were delighted to discover that our room was on the top floor with lofty views of the canals and the hotel swimming pool. The balcony offered a great vantage point from with to view the passing canoes and paddlers. We savored a long rest in the king size bed before our evening meal. We had a quick cocktail at the Gastro Pub, the Mojito was perfect! The art work and interesting architecture make for a spectacular backdrop. The manager treated us a tour and showed us the old furnace, the turbines and steam tubes which were used in the original power plant. The rich history of Thessen Island is celebrated in every facet of the building, we particularly loved seeing the cross section of the 800 year old Yellowwood and seeing the photographs of the Knysna foresters and carpenters. Our evening meal at the Island Café was spot on. The server was polite, well spoken and knowledgeable. I had fresh pan seared hake with confit tomatoes, tender steamed vegetables and a vanilla and lime velouté. My husband had the flame grilled chicken with ancient grains and roast butternut. The standard of the food was superb. The desserts followed on the same high standard - sticky toffee pudding with locally made cassata ice-cream, almond crunch and date purée and syrupy, crisp baklava with luscious orange mousse, Turkish Delight, macadamia nut butter and vanilla ice-cream. We slept soundly and had perfectly cooked eggs Benedict for breakfast. My only regret is not booking a spa trea**ent. Ill have to come back for that!

We loved everything, from the room to the spa but the food was the best, we will for sure come back in the future.

One of the quirkiest stylish hotels we’ve seen . This converted power station has so many original pieces of machinery stylishly incorporated into the design of the hotel public areas and rooms . Excellent staff . Room was very comfortable and the small kitchenette is always helpful when travelling . We had breakfast and it was excellent . Short walk to two cool restaurants and a fab kids play area . Thesen island is a short bridge from Knysna and is a very manicured area with expensive properties but it grit safe and quiet - a bit of respite from the cities . The Spa is wonderful ( ask for Lydia !) . Book ahead so you can just saunter down from your room and relax . Great stopover on garden route .

Really gorgeous hotel - built around an old turbine .. loads of character. Perfect position on thesen island ! Fantastic coffee shop there called isle de pain and The Nest for dinner ! Amazing views and food.. loved this place !

Wonderful Staff and Breakfast! We stayed at the Turbine for the long weekend, everything was wonderful. The only complaint I have is on the last day a manager came to rudely ask me to get off a video call with my 3 year old son in the restaurant. For that reason I will not be returning to this hotel, I felt the request unpolite and rude. If there was a complaint from another customer or guest, it could've been handled better. I also feel this was a direct attack, as the day before another guest was on a call right next to us, and there were no complaints or request for him to end the call.

Loved it at The Turbine. Beautiful hotel with beautiful views from every window. Staff are friendly. Room was clean. The spa is amazing! They also offered me a vegan breakfast when requested. Can’t wait to go back!

This was our second stay at Turbine, one of our main reasons for the 5 / 6 hour drive from Cape Town. Just to stay here.