Turbine Hotel and Spa

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.

A hotel built around old engines and machinery - perfect for my husband, an ex Marine Engineer. He was thrilled when we arrived and he saw the turbo generator outside the front door. We were taken to the Lagoon Suite across the road from the main hotel, where we spent a very noisy night courtesy of the restaurants and children's play area immediately outside. Next morning we asked if we could have a quieter room. We were shown the Oyster Suite. Our first impressions were that it looked a bit of an afterthought of a room with a badly designed layout and rickety-looking faux-rafters, as if done by an amateur DIY enthusiast. But it seemed a much quieter option. During the first night in this room we noticed that water was seeping in through the length of the laminate floor in the bathroom. Walking on them caused water to squelch upwards causing wet feet to say nothing of the slippery surface. We informed reception staff who apologised, said it would be fixed immediately and offered a free dinner and wine as compensation. We asked if they would change our pillows because they smelled distinctly of previous occupants. They did, but this made no difference. The replacements also smelled of other people. Next day the leak was still not fixed so we informed Reception staff. They offered us a very small bedroom without a balcony and said no larger rooms were available. They assured us the leak would be fixed by the following day. We stayed 5 nights in this room and the water (of indeterminate source) continued to seep in, a musty smell permeating the room. We left the windows and balcony door open every day while we went out. At no time did any member of staff ask us if we were comfortable, if the water leak had ceased etc. On checking out, we were not asked how we enjoyed our stay. We advised them that water was still coming in (which they undoubtedly knew from room service/cleaning) and they should not use the room further until the floorboards were lifted, the leak sourced and repaired. We paid £2,230 through booking.com for 6 nights in this hotel. It was a HUGE disappointment, not solely because of the water leaking into our room. I would not go back.

I had a delightful stay with a beautiful room overlooking the lagoon. I was able to have my early morning coffee on the little balcony and see starfish in the lagoon below. Rooms were clean and well serviced. Bed was comfortable with on demand entertainment. We had a great family dinner celebration in the restaurant, food and service was excellent.

Beautiful and very unique hotel. We were lucky enough to stay in the lagoon suite. The suite is very spacious and well equipped. The washing machine was a bonus as on a garden route driving holiday so very useful to have. The original turbine machinery features incorporated into the hotel were really well done and interesting. Thoroughly recommend this hotel

The was a very nice and interesting hotel positioned on the Thesen Island. It provides a good restaurant and a kindly bar. The room we stayed in this hotel was very tiny. It was not comfortable for people treveling through the garden route and staying for few nights.

Arrived here not really sure what to expect but it was excellent, plus if you are into old Pump Houses/engineering this is the place for you. Breakfast was amazing, our last morning we had to be away at 7.15 and staff did everything they could to give us a great breakfast takeaway plus lovely coffee.

Such a fantastic hotel! We absolutely loved how the building has been renovated and has turned into a hotel while keeping its old features of turbines, and other machines from its former power plant. The room was very comfortable and the staff very helpful. What absolutely blew us away though was the breakfast. By far the best breakfast we have had of month of extensive traveling through South Africa! The choice is huge b it despite that the products fresh, well sourced and beautifully presented. No plastics here! The whole experience really blew our mind and we decided to stay for dinner which was the best dinner we have had in Knysna and just of outstanding quality! Highly recommend it!

We booked the Honeymoon Suite, room 205. The icemaker has not been cleaned. The water inside was yellow. Needless to say: we did not try make any ice. Our room was not cleaned thorougly. The shelf on top of the kitchenette had a thick layer of dust on it. The shower was black with mould. The laminated wood panel underneath the basin had water damage. The panel was swollen from dampness and pieces of the laminate had broken off. No face cloths were available. Usually all 5 star establishments has face cloths as a standard item. The breakfast, was just ok. Nothing special as one would expect of a 5 star hotel. The passage carpet was dirty. The rugs in the rest of the hotel not clean. The furniture needs replacement. Most pueces are worn. We travel abroad twice per annum. This hotel should be rated 3 star. The rates charged at Turbine is ridiculous for what you get. This hotel needs a full upgrade. The staff is super friendly though.