TRAVEL + ENTERTAINMENT

Turbine Hotel & Spa: Where people are sad to leave, but eager to return

The Turbine Hotel & Spa offers luxury accommodation on Thesen Islands. One of the best boutique hotels in Knysna, it boasts unique decor & industrial charm.

The owners read about the old power station being for sale on Thesen Harbour Town and jumped at the chance to buy it; however, a condition attached to the sale was that  – as a heritage building – it could only be converted into a boutique hotel. “It took three years to restore and convert to ultimately achieve a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel,” says Chris Schutte, general manager of the Turbine Hotel & Spa. “This year, on 12 August 2020, the hotel celebrates 10 years of operation.”

“This year the hotel celebrates 10 years of operation.”

COVID-19 and its impact on hospitality

We’re living in unprecedented times with the pandemic wreaking havoc, and the hospitality industry, in particular, being hit hard. “Right now I don’t believe that there is a definitive answer [to how the industry will recover from this]. We can only hope to recover once the world traveller is confident to travel again (and is allowed to!)

Schutte says that a positive aspect of the lockdown is that staff members can rest and recuperate, meaning after the pandemic has subsided, visitors can look forward to staff being “healthy and energised, and ready to give a warm welcome to ‘unlocked’ guests in need of the joys of our hotel”. 

His advice to business owners during this time is: “Stay sane, stay positive. Don’t believe everything you read, and enjoy the quality time with family.”

Photos Supplied.

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