Fairy Knowe Hotel Wilderness, Wilderness
About the Hotel
The Fairy Knowe Hotel, known as 'the grand dame' of Wilderness, has been welcoming guests since 1924. Located on the banks of the Touw River, it is surrounded by a beautiful lagoon, reed beds, and diverse wildlife, making it an excellent choice for nature enthusiasts. With over 280 bird species, including the regular Knysna Loerie, it is a birdwatcher's paradise. The hotel's rich history and picturesque setting make it a significant landmark in the Wilderness area.
Location
Situated 18.5 miles from George, the Fairy Knowe Hotel serves as a convenient base for exploring the Garden Route. The area boasts pristine beaches, indigenous forests, and world-class golf courses. Local attractions, including hiking trails and organic farmers markets, are all within a short drive. The hotel's connection to the Wilderness National Park enhances its appeal for nature and adventure lovers.
Rooms
The Fairy Knowe Hotel offers comfortable guest rooms that include king beds convertible to twin beds. Each room features a private bathroom with either a walk-in shower or a shower over the bath. Many rooms provide views of the river, enhancing the stay with scenic beauty. Facilities such as free WiFi, coffee and tea-making amenities, a TV with open-view channels, and a bar fridge are also available.
Eat & Drink
The hotel's Amare Vita restaurant serves a 5-star buffet breakfast daily, along with light lunches and a three-course dinner. Guests can enjoy dining on the deck amidst beautiful gardens, making for a relaxing atmosphere. Specialty offerings include traditional high teas for groups and special lunch options for pensioners. The restaurant's diverse menu enhances the guests' culinary experience.
Leisure & Business
Guests can indulge in various leisure activities, including canoeing on the Touw River, exploring trails leading to the Wilderness village, and enjoying the hotel’s gardens. The hotel provides facilities for meetings, weddings, and other functions, catering to both leisure and business travelers. Additional amenities include a yoga studio and a bird hide for wildlife enthusiasts.
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Price and Room Availability Calendar
Getting around
A list of all available modes of transport
What our guests says about facilities
General
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free Wi-Fi in public areas
- Parking
- No pets allowed
- Security
- Baggage storage
- Fireplace
- Smoke detectors
- Fire extinguishers
- Key access
Sports & Fitness
- Canoeing
- Hiking
- Cycling
- Yoga class
Guest Parking
- Electric kettle
Services
- Room service
- Housekeeping
- Welcome drink
Dining
- Restaurant
- Bar/ Lounge area
- Picnic area/ Tables
- Packed lunches
Business
- Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Children
- Board games
- Children's menu
- Children's pool
Spa & Leisure
- Plunge pool
- Sun loungers
- Garden area
- BBQ facilities
- Leisure/ TV room
- Back massage
- Head massage
- Full body massage
- Foot massage
- Shallow end
Room features
- Patio
- Terrace
- Garden furniture
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Ironing facilities
Bathroom
- Free toiletries
Self-catering
- Electric kettle
Room decor
- Carpeted floor
Location
Reviews and Ratings
The hotel offers breathtaking views and is great for traveling with kids, but the rooms can get sandy due to the surrounding areas, which is a bit of a downside. The service was superb and very friendly, and the location by the river is quite lovely, although the hotel itself seems a bit outdated. Overall, it’s a decent place, but some areas need improvement.
I had a mixed experience at this hotel. The location was absolutely amazing, right on the river where I could enjoy kayaking and nature trails. The rooms were comfortable and neat, but they changed my room without any prior notification, which was a bit frustrating. While the service had some friendly staff, I encountered one rude team member during breakfast. Overall, great location but some areas need improvement.
The Fairy Knowe Hotel offers a lovely stay with its clean rooms and beautiful river views. The staff is friendly and helpful, making the experience even better. However, the dining could use some improvement as my meal took too long and was undercooked. Overall, a great value for money considering its charming location and facilities.
I had a pleasant stay overall, as the hotel is situated in a stunning location with beautiful views of the river. The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, making my experience enjoyable. However, the rooms could definitely use some refurbishment, and despite my timely request, my room wasn't as conveniently located as I had hoped. The dining options were good but weren't as great as I remembered from previous visits.
The hotel is priced reasonably and offers spacious rooms with a unique vintage charm. The staff was exceptionally friendly and helpful, making my stay enjoyable. However, the cleanliness could use improvement as I noticed some dirt when I walked in with socks. Overall, it's a nice spot with a decent atmosphere, yet attention to cleaning would elevate the experience.
I had a lovely stay at this hotel, nestled amongst the trees by the river, providing a sense of seclusion. The rooms were beautiful and we were particularly happy with the comfort they offered. The service was exceptional, with friendly staff who were always willing to help. One downside was the dining experience, as some aspects felt a bit underwhelming and service was sometimes delayed. Overall, it’s great value for money and the location couldn’t be better.
I had a lovely stay at this hotel, which boasts a beautifully renovated atmosphere and spacious rooms. The staff went above and beyond to make my experience pleasant, and the location right by the river is perfect for outdoor activities. That said, the dining options could use some improvement, and the initial appearance of the hotel didn’t quite match the overall experience.
I had a lovely stay at this hotel, with spacious rooms that offered a beautiful river view. The service was really fantastic, especially when they helped me celebrate my daughter's birthday. The location is peaceful and ideal for nature lovers, just a short walk from the national park. However, I experienced a bit of a hiccup due to an electrical fault during my stay, which was a downside.
The hotel is set in a beautiful location right by the river, making it perfect for activities like canoeing and swimming. I found the rooms decent but lacking in heating and air conditioning, which made my stay a bit uncomfortable at times. The staff was friendly and genuinely helpful, though I had a slight hiccup with the kids' payment that left me feeling a bit insulted. Overall, it's a good spot, especially for families enjoying nature, but there are definitely some areas for improvement.
My stay at the hotel had its ups and downs. The location was absolutely stunning, right on the river with plenty of activities nearby, making it perfect for a relaxing holiday. The rooms were spotlessly clean and comfortable, but they didn't match what I had expected from the pictures online. The service was a mixed bag, with some staff being helpful while others were less friendly, especially during breakfast. Overall, it offers good value for money, but improvements in service and room accuracy would elevate the experience.
The hotel has a stunning view overlooking the river, and the location is truly excellent. The service from staff like Derick and Emma was wonderful, always accommodating our requests. However, the rooms feel a bit outdated, and there were diesel fumes that made our stay less enjoyable. Overall, it's a decent place, but there are areas that need improvement.
I had a lovely stay at this hotel, which offers stunning views and a very peaceful atmosphere. The rooms were pleasant and clean, and the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. On the downside, the dining options were fairly limited. Overall, it felt like great value for money, especially with the little extras like free canoes available for use.
I had a mixed experience at the hotel; it's nestled in a lovely, secluded area by the river, which I really enjoyed. The staff was friendly and accommodating, moving us to another room without any hesitation. However, the rooms could use some maintenance, as some lights weren't working. Overall, it’s a good spot for its peaceful location, but the room upkeep definitely needs improvement.
The hotel has a great location right by the river, perfect for activities like canoeing or swimming. The rooms are clean and comfortable, but they do have a slightly outdated feel. The service can be a bit hit or miss; while some staff are super friendly, I had a frustrating experience regarding my children's accommodation fees. Overall, a decent stay with good value for money, but there are definitely areas for improvement.
I had a pleasant stay at the hotel, with lovely views of the riverside and a friendly staff that made the experience enjoyable. While the rooms were clean, I experienced some inconveniences with water leakage from the shower. The dining was another area that could use some improvement, especially with timing, but the breakfast I had was tasty. Overall, it’s a great location and felt like good value for money.