A relic of South Africa’s industrial past has been reimagined into one of the Garden Route’s most distinctive stays. On the edge of the Knysna lagoon, a former power station is now home to a five-star hospitality experience.
Turbine Hotel & Spa/Facebook
As reported by Business Tech, originally constructed in the late 1930s, the building once generated electricity using wood waste from the region’s thriving timber industry. For decades, it powered both Knysna and nearby Plettenberg Bay before being decommissioned in 2001.
Today, the structure houses the Turbine Hotel & Spa, a boutique property on Thesen Islands that blends heritage architecture with contemporary design. Instead of demolishing the site, developers chose to preserve it. Original features such as the wood-fired boiler and large generators remain and are now part of the hotel’s interior design.
The result is a space where exposed pipes and steel frameworks sit comfortably alongside soft lighting and modern finishes. Rooms face the lagoon or surrounding canals, and each suite is individually styled. Some offer balconies, while others include deep soaking tubs with water views.
Accommodation options range from standard rooms to luxury suites and private self-contained units suited to longer stays. Prices typically range between R5,000 and R7,600 per night for two people, depending on the season and room category.
The property also features a full-service spa, on-site dining, and access to the broader Thesen Islands marina. This area has developed into an upmarket residential and tourism hub, reflecting a wider shift in the region.
Knysna itself has evolved over time. Once defined by timber yards and shipping routes, it is now one of South Africa’s most sought-after coastal destinations. Property values have risen steadily, and tourism continues to shape its identity.
The Turbine Hotel stands as a clear example of adaptive reuse. It offers more than just accommodation. It shows how preserving history can create a richer and more memorable travel experience.
(Source: Business Tech)
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