The old turbines and steel pipes have been preserved and now form artistic focal points in this sympathetically designed hotel. Its 26 individually themed suites all come with heating/air-conditioning, shower, bathtub and safe; several open out onto a private balcony. The hotel's dining facilities include the Tapas Bar and the Island Café, both with à la carte menus.
The Turbine Boutique Hotel is surrounded on three sides by water, with an inviting swimming pool located on the very edge of a channel.
The Lagoon, more accurately defined as an estuary, has five fresh water rivers flowing in from the surrounding Outeniqua Mountains meeting with the surge of sea water from the Indian Ocean through the mighty headlands – known as the 'Knysna Heads' - the grand sandstone cliffs towering above the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon.
Turbine Boutique Hotel is situated on Thesen Island, a small island connected to the Knysna mainland by a bridge. Thesen Island has many small shops, holiday homes and bistros. Many of the houses here are located on a channel, allowing guests to sail right up to the properties by boat.
Two dramatic sea cliffs guard the entrance to the lagoon from the ocean. The Eastern Head has a lookout with spectacular views of the lagoon, Leisure Isle and Knysna. The Western Head is primarily a privately owned nature reserve reached only by ferry – Featherbed Nature Reserve. Four-hour excursions depart daily from the Knysna Waterfront.
Some of the best golf courts in South Africa are close by (Knysna Golf Club, Simola, Pezula, Plettenberg Bay Country Club, Goose Valley, and many more are located around George, e.g. Fancourt).
Oysters are a regional delicacy and the locals celebrate the fact with a 10-day Oyster Festival, which takes place here in July.
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