A piece of South Africa’s industrial past has been reimagined into one of the Garden Route’s most distinctive luxury stays.
The Turbine Hotel & Spa, located on Thesen Islands in Knysna, is no ordinary five-star destination. Once a working power station built in the 1930s, the building has been transformed into a boutique hotel where original turbines and industrial features are now part of the décor.
Today, guests can expect to pay between R5 000 and R7 600 per night for the experience, one that blends history, design and luxury in a uniquely South African setting.
From timber to turbines
Knysna’s story is deeply tied to industry. The town’s development dates back to 1804, when George Rex established trade routes, shops and a timber export business that would shape the region’s economy for decades.
By the late 19th century, the Thesen family had expanded these foundations, building a thriving timber empire. Their operations eventually led to the establishment of a power station on what is now Thesen Islands.
Fuelled by wood waste from timber processing, the plant generated electricity for both Knysna and nearby Plettenberg Bay until the mid-1970s.
A new chapter in luxury tourism
Rather than being demolished, the disused power station was carefully redeveloped into the Turbine Hotel & Spa preserving its industrial character while introducing modern comforts.
Exposed machinery, steel piping and original turbines now sit alongside contemporary interiors, offering guests a stay that is as much about storytelling as it is about comfort.
The transformation reflects a broader trend across South Africa, where historic and industrial buildings are being repurposed into high-end tourism assets.
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Knysna’s rising appeal
The hotel’s success comes amid a property boom along the Garden Route. Over the past five years, property values in the region have climbed by an average of 35.5%, with Knysna experiencing an estimated 70% increase in median prices particularly in sought-after areas like Thesen Islands.
Once defined by timber yards and shipping routes, Knysna has evolved into a premium coastal destination, attracting both local and international visitors.
Where history meets indulgence
The Turbine Hotel stands as a symbol of that evolution where industry has given way to indulgence, and where the past is not erased, but carefully woven into the present.
For travellers seeking something beyond the ordinary, it offers a stay powered not by electricity, but by history itself.
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Picture: Energie-portal.sk / Unsplash
