2 Best Hotels in Knysna, The Garden Route and the Little Karoo

On a private 450-acre nature reserve, this stunning lodge, set in the tree canopy of the indigenous Knysna forest, offers guests the opportunity to sleep in luxury tree houses built from sustainable woods. The bathrooms are a celebration in themselves, with the baths under an atrium of glass jutting out into the tree canopy. The secluded location and clever design ensure complete privacy for each suite, and the living areas are linked by elevated wooden walkways to protect the forest floor below. The lodge is famed for its restaurant, the Forest Boma, which offers contemporary, classical six-course meals with dishes such as springbok carpaccio; pawpaw, carrot, and ginger sorbet; and crispy prawns with spiced coconut sauce. Service is outstanding. Nonguests can book a table for dinner.

In a former power station, this eco-friendly boutique hotel has incorporated some of the heavy machinery into the decor. It blends seamlessly with the warm bright colors and funky furnishings found throughout. The state-of-the-art bedrooms and suites are designed to reflect Knysna’s rich historical and cultural diversity. The hotel sits in the middle of Thesen Island, where perfect little houses are perched on perfect little jetties on perfect little canals. The food is superb—have a sundowner cocktail or bottle of craft beer in the pub or dine at the Island Café.