The Graywood Hotel Garden Route

The 3 star Graywood Hotel is situated in the picturesque town of Knysna on South Africa's beautiful Garden Route. Knysna remains a characterful village set in an area of magnificent natural beauty offering a vast array of leisure activities and sightseeing attractions.

The Graywood Hotel in Knysna is centrally situated in walking distance from both the centre of town and the Knysna Waterfront.

The Graywood Hotel's 49 en-suite hotel rooms provide comfortable and convenient accommodation, which is suitable for leisure travellers, corporate guests, honeymoon couples and families. This hotel in Knysna provides a bar, a swimming pool, a full breakfast buffet and secure parking.

The timberlog building of The Graywood Hotel in Knysna reflects the town's proud heritage as a woodcraft centre, a skill that survives to this day thanks to the surrounding indigenous forests. An extensive collection of original railway and steam train memorabilia recall a bygone era, while the hotel's selection of historic photographs provides visitors with a deeper insight into Knysna's locomotive past.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
Due to the hotel's courtyard design, The Graywood Hotel provides a tranquil oasis where guests may relax in the comfort of their hotel room, refresh in the swimming pool or sit back on the sun deck and surrounding gardens with a drink.

Accommodation at The Graywood Hotel, Knysna

The Graywood Hotel's 49 tastefully decorated en-suite hotel rooms invite its guests to unwind in comfort, style and tranquillity. Each hotel room at this Knysna hotel features air-conditioning, electronic safes, remote control TV's (DSTV), direct dial telephones, hairdryers and tea and coffee facilities. The Graywood Hotel's rooms are decorated in a bright and uncluttered contemporary style, with crisp bed linen and fresh, clean en-suite bathrooms. Guests may choose from twin or double rooms, triple rooms with an extra day bed or family rooms with an extra sleeper couch.

The following rooms are available at the Graywood Hotel in Knysna:

• 6 Triple rooms: Master bedroom with Queen and day bed, and en-suite bathroom
• 15 Triple / Family rooms: Master bedroom with Double bed and sleeper couch, and en-suite bathroom
• 28 Standard twin / double rooms: Master bedroom with Double / Twin beds and en-suite bathroom

Facilities and Services at The Graywood Knysna Hotel

Guests may enjoy their sumptuous breakfast buffet in the Goose Restaurant or on the wooden sundeck overlooking the lush courtyard garden at The Graywood Hotel in Knysna.

• Internet facilities and fax services are available at the reception
• The hotel can arrange a shuttle service to and from the George Airport
• Health and Beauty: House doctor and massage therapist available on request.
• Appointments at Spa's or Beauty Salons can be arranged
• Gym: Access to the local gyms can be arranged
• Travel & Tours: Assistance for travelling arrangements available at reception
• Laundry service
• Licensed bar
• Swimming pool
• Wooden sundeck
• Secure undercover parking
• DSTV

Leisure activities in and around Knysna, Garden Route South Africa

The quaint Garden Route town of Knysna nestles on the banks of the beautiful lagoon. Surrounded by ancient indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and white sandy beaches, this popular holiday destination is a haven for nature lovers and is a world-class playground for adventure and outdoor enthusiasts.

At the same time, Knysna also provides alternatives for those who prefer to immerse themselves in culture, history, arts and crafts, shopping and the pursuit of culinary excellence.

The Graywood Hotel is a short 300m walk from both the town centre and Knysna Waterfront, which is the departure point for boat cruises and ferry rides to the Knysna Heads and Featherbed Nature Reserve.

Other activities in and around Knysna include:

Golfing

The Garden Route is the golfing mecca of South Africa. Championship courses designed by Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Ernie Els combine with local public and mashie courses to cater for every skills level and budget. Three major golf courses in Knysna include Pezula Golf Course, Simola Golf Course and the Knysna Golf Course. In Plettenberg Bay, one finds the Goose Valley Golf Estate and the Plettenberg Bay Golf Estate. In George there are the different golf courses at the Fancourt Hotel & Golf Estate ( Montague Golf Course, Outenique Golf Course, The Links Golf Course and Bramble Hill), the Oubaai Golf Course and the George Golf Course.

Scenic views

Take a walk along the Knysna Heads or travel the lagoon by ferry for an alternative viewpoint. The surrounding area is dotted with picnic sites that offer panoramic views of the ocean or indigenous forests.

Beaches

Swim in the lagoon at Knysna's Leisure Isle or enjoy the golden sands and ocean breakers at nearby Brenton-on-Sea, Buffalo Bay and Noetzie.

Surfing

Buffalo Bay draws surfers from far and wide. Hire equipment and learn from scratch or hone your skills.

Diving and snorkelling

Diving along the Knysna coastline and snorkelling the lagoon is a great experience. Several reliable operators offer equipment hire and courses.

Sailing and boating

With over 18 square kilometres of lagoon and a tidal system of over 1.7 metres (five feet) Knysna draws sailors from far and wide who enjoy swapping stories at the third oldest yacht club in South Africa, with its most hospitable 'bar'. Hire a yacht / boat for the day or opt for the ferry cruise.

Marine and lagoon animals

Join an ocean safari to view whales and dolphins in their natural environment or see the endangered Knysna Sea Horse (Hippocampus Capensis) on Thesen Island Harbour or at Featherbed Bay.

Bird watching

Birds of Eden is the Garden Route's very own world class, free flight bird sanctuary. The unique two hectare dome (the world's largest) spans a gorge of indigenous forest. Or grab your binoculars and scan the trees and skies for the brilliantly plumed Knysna turaco (or Knysna loerie) as well as the Knysna warbler, two of the many other unusual species found in our area.

More animal encounters

Monkeyland is a unique primate sanctuary that offers a comfortable new life to many species from several continents that were bred in captivity. Experience elephants much closer than is possible at The Kruger Park or Addo Elephant Park - visitors are allowed to touch and feed these wonderful creatures.

Horse Riding

Knysna offers breathtaking trails. There are a number of riding schools in the area catering for both the novice and experienced riders. Each school offers unique horse riding trails, so choose between forest, coastal, fynbos and mountain views.

Hiking

Besides the area's long stretches of sandy beach, the Garden Route boasts many nature reserves and protected areas with trails and rambles of varying lengths - enjoy the view and the fresh air of this much loved region.

Cycling and Mountain Biking

The Garden Route is host to the "Cape Epic Mountain Bike Race", "Pick `n Pay Knysna Cycle Tour" and "Karoo to Coast Mountain Bike Challenge". Work up a sweat speeding downhills or explore the forests at leisure along the many marked cycle routes.

Canoeing

Join an organised trip or, if you are experienced, enjoy the peace and quiet of a paddle around the lagoon.

Abseiling, paragliding, paintballing, quad biking

Get an adrenalin rush! Reliable operators ensure a fun day out.

Craft routes and art galleries

Fabric painters, weavers, ceramicists, wood and metal workers, fine artists - the choice is wide and the quality outstanding.

Restaurants and gourmet experiences

This is oyster country so indulge in locally farmed fare, or opt of any one of the many top-notch restaurants catering to every taste and budget. Don't forget to try the beers from Knysna's own Mitchell's Brewery.

History

The town has a proud history and several museums and restored buildings bring the past to life. Visit the Millwood House Museum and Goldmines, or one of the churches with a "long memory".

Festivals

From the "Pick and Pay Oyster Festival" in July to the "Gastronomica Festival" in September and the "Pink Loerie Mardi Gras" in April, Knysna knows how to throw a party

Distances

The 3 star Graywood Hotel in Knysna is centrally located and is ideally situated for sightseeing.

• 5 minutes walk from the Knysna Waterfront (300 m)
• 5 minutes walk from Ferries (300 m)
• 6 minutes walk from Knysna Station for Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Steam Train (330m)
• 5 minutes walk from the Knysna City Centre (300 m)
• 45 minutes drive from George Airport
• 25 minutes drive from Plettenberg Bay