THE LOFTS BOUTIQUE HOTEL ON THESEN ISLAND – KNYSNA

The Lofts Boutique Hotel, The Boatshed, Long Street, Thesen Island, Knysna

The Lofts Boutique Hotel is a 4-star boutique hotel located on the edge of the beautiful Knysna Lagoon on Thesen Island, just a 5-minute drive from the Knysna Waterfront. With fun activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddling (SUP), boat charters, cruises and tours, bicycle rides, restaurants, and shops, you will never get bored on the Island.

Thesen Island is in the centre of the Knysna Estuary and this is where the modern and industrial Lofts Boutique Hotel is located. The unique location of this boutique hotel next to Thesen Harbour Town sets the tone for a relaxed and refreshing stay on the Island. Driving over the bridge from Knysna Waterfront offers you the excitement of the destination that still lies ahead.

THESEN ISLAND

Thesen Island is a residential and commercial town made up of 19 Islands all linked with bridges from one another. The commercial part of the Island is called Thesen Harbour Town which offers you fun tour activities, shops, and restaurants.

Thesen Harbour Town has a luxurious feel away from all the noise and stress of everyday life. All facilities and activities are within a safe, five-minute walk and there is ample parking space most of which is close to the water’s edge.

ON ARRIVAL

When you arrive at The Lofts Boutique Hotel, you will be warmly welcomed by the hotel’s friendly staff. The first thing you would notice next to the quaint entrance to the hotel is the picturesque Knysna Lagoon.

THE ROOM

Set within the remodelled timber frame of the old Knysna boatbuilding shed, the hotel rooms take one’s breath away with their industrial refurbishment and design.

This fresh, smart-casual approach is far from the ordinary and caters well to every desire. Multiple room options are presented in various styles such as Exclusive Lagoon Suites, Luxury Loft Suites, and Luxury Units with self-catering facilities.

We stayed in the Exclusive Lagoon Suite with breathtaking views of the Knysna Lagoon – don’t worry, all suites have unique views.

Our suite was a large bedroom and had extra-length twin beds which could also be made up as a King-size bed. The suite featured an open-plan bathroom and a separate toilet with frosted glass door, and other standard hotel features such as complimentary hand and body wash, body lotion, flat-screen TV with select DSTV channels (we didn’t watch TV), uncapped high-speed Wi-Fi, hanging and packing space (no wardrobe), coffee and tea station, air conditioning, hairdryer, and mini bar fridge.

FACILITIES AT THE HOTEL

Facilities at The Lofts Boutique Hotel include a swimming pool with spectacular views of the Knysna Lagoon, a small bar, and restaurant, spa (privately owned), kayaks and bicycles hire.

WHERE TO EAT

The Lofts Boutique Hotel has an on-site restaurant and a small bar. The hotel also provides guests with daily complimentary breakfast vouchers to eat at other three local restaurants.

One of the restaurants, Île de Païn, is located just a few steps away from the hotel. They sell pastries and bread and serve food for breakfast and lunch however, were closed for the winter break when we were on the Island.

The other two restaurants are The Island Café on the Island and Caffé Mario at the Knysna Waterfront. Knysna is also known as the oyster capital and oysters here are thick and meatier, and that’s why the town has its own annual Oyster Festival – so, make sure you include oysters on your menu when you visit. We ate oysters at 34 (Three Four) South at the Knysna Waterfront.

GETTING TO THE LOFTS BOUTIQUE HOTEL

1. FLY TO GEORGE AIRPORT from Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Durban, hire a vehicle, and self-drive to Thesen Island, Knysna.

2. FLY TO GQEBERHA (PORT ELIZABETH) Airport from Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Durban, hire a vehicle, and self-drive to Thesen Island, Knysna.

3. DRIVE FROM CAPE TOWN (ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP) – This is my favourite way to explore the Garden Route because the experience offers a diversity of picturesque towns and villages, scenic landscapes, dramatic mountain passes, indigenous forests, interesting caves, sandy beaches, wine farms, wildlife safaris and marine wildlife safaris including a little bit of Klein Karoo. Trust me, you don’t even need to worry about hiring a 4×4 for the trip. A normal roadworthy vehicle is more than capable and there are petrol stations, padstals, wine estates, and restaurants along the road. The drive will be long but worth every kilometre.

WHEN TO PLAN YOUR VISIT TO THESEN ISLAND – KNYSNA

Thanks to its geographic location, Knysna and Thesen Island have a moderate climate with favourable weather all year round. Days are longer and the temperatures higher in the summer, making the months of December to April extra desirable.

However, the whale season and annual Knysna Oyster Festival (10 days of fun and approximately 200 000 oysters) occur during the winter season. So, the choice is yours to make.

FUN TOUR ACTIVITIES ON THESEN ISLAND AND AROUND KNYSNA

Fun activities on Thesen Island and around Knysna include kayak and bicycle hire (you can hire these from the hotel), stand-up paddling (SUP), cruises and tours (Knysna Heads and Knysna Lagoon), springtide charters, marine eco-tours, and close encounter whale watching.

If you don’t mind driving as I do, then I would highly recommend you include some of the following activities in your itinerary: Go to Knysna Heads Viewpoint to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Knysna Heads up close, visit Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve (Big 5) in Plettenberg Bay, visit Knysna Elephant Park in Harkerville near Plettenberg Bay. Here you will enjoy a rare wildlife experience with a herd of rehabilitated elephants. Under the careful supervision of experienced handlers, you will also walk with the elephants, feed them, and interact with these majestic pachyderms, go hiking at Goukamma Nature Reserve or Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenberg Bay, visit Birds of Eden and Monkeyland, Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre, Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary, Plettenberg Adventure Land, and Tsitsikamma National Park for the segway tour, ziplining, kayak and lilo adventure, blackwater tubing, walk on the suspension bridge, and/or bungee jump at the Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest commercial bungee jumping bridge in the world.

DISCLAIMER

This article contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you make a booking through the links on this blog post but it won’t cost you anything extra.

IMPORTANT UPDATE

Some businesses may revise their operating hours and menus due to the season and COVID-19 pandemic. Other businesses may close, either temporarily or permanently without notice. Please check their websites for updates and book well in advance.

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