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The 5-star Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa: Thesen Islands in Knysna Are you ready for some unique experiences? Intuitive architecture pays luxurious homage to the old power station this once was, combining old-world charm with super-lush modern comfort. There are 26 rooms, both luxury and standard, a honeymoon suite and two expansive self-contained suites adjacent to the hotel. The Island Café Restaurant serves three meals daily, and monthly food and wine pairings. Craving rustic fare? The Gastro Pub offers classic pub meals and live music on Fridays, in season. Two excellent conference rooms boast free Wi-Fi, full audio-visual facilities and tailored catering packages. Group bookings for other, smaller events are welcome, too. The Turbine Spa offers a wide range of treatments for hotel guests and day visitors.
Landline: + 27( 0) 44 050 3500 Email: reservations @ turbinehotel. co. za Website: www. turbinehotel. co. za
ANEW Resort Wilderness Nestled between forest, lagoon and sea, ANEW Resort Wilderness invites you to slow down. With nature on its doorstep and the Garden Route unfolding around it, it is as suited to gentle exploration as it is to staying still and letting time ease its grip. www. anewhotels. com
Mossel Clay In Mossel Bay, this pottery studio offers workshops that immediately slow the pace of the day. Working with clay stills conversation and sharpens focus, and time slips by without notice. You arrive curious and leave grounded. www. mosselclay. co. za
Redberry Farm Just outside George, this working strawberry farm turns quick stops into slow afternoons. Picking strawberries, wandering the hedge maze or settling in for coffee makes it easy to forget the road entirely. It’ s informal, open-ended and well-suited to travellers in no hurry to move on. www. redberryfarm. co. za
Buff & Fellow Eco Game Farm Set just outside George, here you can request a private chef experience that transforms dinner into an event: a three-course meal prepared in your cabin using fresh ingredients and fire-based cooking. The evening unfolds slowly, designed for relaxing – no rush. www. buffandfellow. co. za
Lucy Brown Tattoos Located near Nature’ s Valley at The Crags, this by appointment-only tattoo studio works at a considered pace. Custom hand-drawn designs emerge through conversation and intent, often shaped by organic forms. The process favours patience and meaning over impulse. www. lucybrowntattoos. com
The Fernery Lodge & Chalets Perched above a private gorge near Tsitsikamma, the lodge encourages days without structure. Forest walks, waterfalls and river pools replace itineraries and clocks. It’ s the kind of place where one night easily becomes two. www. fernery. co. za
Wild Oats Market Wild Oats Community Farmers’ Market is a beloved Saturday morning farmers’ market in Sedgefield, where local growers sell seasonal produce, breads, cheeses and artisanal foods beneath shady trees, offering an authentic, slow-paced taste of the Garden Route’ s freshest flavours www. wildoatsmarket. co. za
The Garden Route does not reward rushing. It responds to attention. This is a place where slowing down makes all the difference, where a quiet beach, a forest walk, or a small farm stall can become the highlight of your day. Take the turn that seems unnecessary and allow the day to stretch beautifully around it.
52 | AUTUMN 2026 • rovesa. co. za