Knysna has charm about it like no other South African town. The setting is breathtaking in itself; a natural lagoon surrounded by lush, indigenous forest that forms the backdrop of a beautiful town. The Garden Route icon is steeped in history and we had the privilege of staying a night at The Lofts Boutique Hotel.
The four-star Lofts are located where the original boat shed used to be at Thesen’s Harbour Town (also known as Thesen’s Isle), a bustling part of Knysna that has been developed in recent years, displaying shades of a charming European town. The property still belongs to the family of the original owners of the boat shed on the isle, but has been developed into luxury accommodation that boasts stunning views of the lagoon and is centrally located for travellers wanting to experience activities in and around Knysna.
Having picked up a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2012, the Lofts has an awesome splash pool and Martini bar lounge overlooking the lagoon, where tranquility is the order of the day.
The rooms are light, spacious and clean with a modern feel about them. The Lofts was awarded the title of ‘one of the sexiest hotels in South Africa’ in 2010 by SA Venues and I can see why. It’s classy, yet practical. Both sexy qualities, as it were.
Breakfast is served at the wonderful île de païn bakery-cafe around the corner, where fun and unpretentious meals that explode with flavour are an everyday thing. The smell of freshly baked goodies wafts around Thesen’s Harbour Town from as early as 5 am.
Visiting the Garden of Eden is a must-see when in the area. The hour-long boardwalk route cuts deep into the enchanting Knysna forest and loops back to the car park. Expect to be blown away by its natural beauty.
A highly recommended, luxury accommodation option for guests wanting to explore Knysna and beyond.
Thanks for the great write-up on the blog! We loved having you stay with us!
We have been there to look – it is very nice.