REVIEW
Top 5 reasons to stay at The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa
By Nadine Carroll, Living It Up CT
Some of my happiest childhood memories were made in the famous Garden Route town of Knysna. Lazy summer days were spent splashing in the shallow waters, trying to catch lightning-fast fish with a net. Taking a small sailboat out onto the smooth lagoon waters with my cousin, often getting stuck on a sandbank, was all part of the fun. Our humble abode was a ramshackle hut in a forest clearing near the water’s edge. More recently, I had the pleasure of enjoying a luxurious stay at one of the best hotels in Knysna. Once housing a power station built in 1939 and 1940, the heritage site was painstakingly transformed into the unique and quirky 5-star The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa. With a rich history spanning sailing ships, timber extraction and gold discovery, discover my top 5 reasons to stay at this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind establishment.
1. LOCATION Located on Thesen Islands, The Turbine opened its doors to the public on 12 August 2010 after 3 arduous years of restoration and renovations. With 38 | June 2021
a variety of restaurants, bars, cafes, designer clothing and home decor stores within walking distance of the hotel, the location is hard to beat and offers spellbinding canal and lagoon views. The waterfront marina development features residential and commercial properties and has 19 individual islands separated by canals, with historically important buildings retained where possible. The Thesen Island Heritage Walk offers a fascinating insight into the maritime history of the island and the Thesen family who arrived from
Norway in 1870, contributing to the area’s economic development.
2. WOW FACTORS! I always experience a sense of anticipation and excitement when walking through the front door of a fabulous hotel for the first time. But before you do that, take some time to admire the hotel’s magnificent and intriguing architectural facade. Stepping through the bright red front doors of this 5-star boutique hotel, the striking and chic interior that greets you is an exceptional blend of fully restored www.rovesa.co.za
