This is a classic from the sublime to the ridiculous scenario, because the extremes are literally that far apart. On the one hand a five star plus, internationally acclaimed, OTT, resort, where the R 90 000.00 per night price tag is not an issue.  To the home stays in one of the coloured or black residential areas where the cost of the accommodation is less than the cost of the entre served to the guests at the first mentioned venue. Which obviously intimates an extremely diverse range of accommodation in between.

There are the most exquisite, guest cottages and lodges tucked away in the Knysna forest.  There is a tent resort one dune away from the sea, that is total enchantment.  The opulent establishments where no expense is spared to afford the guests a never to be forgotten experience. Or the home from home accommodation that provides little more than a bed, clean linen, rudimentary plumbing, and breakfast out of a box.

In 1991 there were a handful of entrepreneur home owners that offered B&B facilities. Today the 400 odd establishments compete to the death for bed nights and tourists.

For those who cannot avoid the peaks brought about by school holidays, Easter or Christmas, the option is still to horse trade with the owners, and un booked beds a week or two from the relevant holiday season is sufficient incentive to accept a more realistic offer.

For those who are able to choose any month or time in the year to visit and stay.  Steer clear of the Easter, July, and December peaks, and book accommodation in the suicide months of May and June, or August, September or October. The weather is normally fantastic and local population is certainly not going to make tables at restaurants, or seats for some amazing adventure, un attainable.

And if you use accommodation in Knysna be prepared to be captivated by the lifestyle and the natural beauty.  You may just become a permanent resident.

Contributed by Peter Dijkstra who runs Knysna Properties for Sale

What is the Knysna Attitude? Running a business in this town has never been easy. But its worse now than it ever has been. The local economy is contracting, there is no money and it just keeps getting tighter. A situation which brings out the best in some and the worst in others. I presently have the task of running through Find It’s A-Z listings, stripping out the dead wood, updating and correcting the information we have on record. Most people I contact are not only cordial and pleasant but they are often grateful for the effort. This making an unpleasant and laborious task a lot easier. Sometimes even interesting.

That is until one smacks right into the the sort of attitude that spoils ones day. And that was at the Alexander Guest House. Offering luxury accommodation at the Knysna Heads where you can “expect to be pampered, indulged and cosseted by our attentive, courteous staff in an atmosphere of unashamed opulence“. Don’t believe it.

All I got was a backwash of malignant attitude from a waspish idiot  I wasn’t trying to sell advertising to.  He almost threatened to sue me and arrogantly informed me he doesn’t need “local” . His clients are all overseas visitors.  And he has that all sewn up.  Needless to say we never finished the conversation but The Alexander Guest House is the last place I would ever send someone looking to experience the  Knysna Attitude. He has got it all wrong.

Guest Houses offering exclusive luxury accommodation and old world hospitality in Knysna.

Elegantly furnished rooms with under-floor heating, mini bar, LED-TV, i-Pod docking system, safe, Wi-Fi Internet  Nespresso machine ensure visitors want for nothing. If you are looking for lagoon views from your private balconies and an infinity pool set in an indigenous garden.

We have got them all

Contact exclusiveoptions@inknysna.co.za

highfields, where the fun stuff happens.

This is where all the fun people go. A pool, a homely big kitchen and breakfast area Dorm rooms at 110 rand and single rooms at 220 rand and doubles and family rooms at 145 per person sharing.

Activities include, paragliding, kloofing, guided canoe trips and hikes and they ‘ll get creative for you too, the garden route is a hive of awesome adventure spots and Dave, the owner, knows his way around. Contact Highfields Backpakers on +27 (0)443826266

or+27(0) 82 3926362

Comfortable bar at Augusta bay.

Five star accommodation and it’s not just the view I’m talking about. I’m not talking about the comfortable and spacious bar, dining room and lounge. Nor the beautiful rooms and the fact that the Heads are metres away from the front door. This is an excellent guest house because of the commitment to world class service that Monica and her team have made. All of the suites have en suite bathrooms and some have spa baths as well as rain head showers. Satellite t.v. Everything you could want. They make a super breakfast and will help you arrange an itinerary that shows you what made Knysna so famous as a place to enjoy a holiday. Golfing enthusiasts have it made here and there is a range of outstanding activities available on the lagoon and in the forest above

Contact Augusta Bay on +27 (0)44 384 0648

Hope Villa Guest house dates back over a century. The floors are old Oregon and much of the very beautiful furnishing is old yellow wood. A classic self catering place for a marvellous stay at the heads in Knysna. East head café is just a short walk down the last little bit of George Rex drive before one reaches the sea. Beautifully appointed rooms fill with the memorable light of Knysna’s heads. Enjoy the pool or take a short stroll to one of the best swimming holes in Africa, the Knysna heads, just below the decks.

You can contact Hope Villa on +27 (0)827894422
hopevilla.co.za

Knysna lagoon

The mist gently parts, split by a sky so blue it almost hurts. Reflecting it’s piercing blue and silver light, the ocean water is like silk. Oceans of silk lapping up against the hulls of our catamaran as the day breaks on the Knysna Heads. I’ve never seen skies like these. Never known a place that feels quite like this.

The Knysna Heads

places to sleep in heaven on earth.

Leisure Isle tells the story of Knysna. Linked to the mainland by a narrow causeway. Here is a mixture of the old and the new, reflecting its long history and the changes that have taken place in the town. And I suppose the affluence of its residents. Large holiday mansions and villas sit comfortably alongside modest seaside cottages and suburban houses.

Leisure Island is a village and home to many long time residents. There is an art gallery, restaurant and deli, a small boat harbour and its own nature reserve offering excellant bird-watching and a way of life that is the envy of many a visitor.

Bollard beach and the Green Hole are popular beaches which offer safe swimming for children and at low tide it is possible to walk amble across to the Heads. There are a number of B&B’s, Guest Lodges and self catering apartments to choose from and amongst them are:

African Breeze is situated in a quiet circle, a minute’s walk from the Knysna lagoon. It is a luxury guesthouse offering DStv and WIFI, ensuite bathrooms with separate entrances and views of the garden & swimming pool areas. They provide bicycles and canoes to explore the island.