Belvidere Manor Hotel
Knysna, Garden Route, Western Cape, South Africa
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BELVIDERE MANOR
HOTEL -
KNYSNA, THE GARDEN ROUTE
 In these times it seems that Knysna is on everyone's
lips - a place to visit, a place to move to, a place to drive through
(a problem at Christmas), or a place to avoid. But still it seems that
Knysna holds a special place in people's hearts, - memories of family
holidays in year's gone by, festive afternoons spent at Tapas in the
middle of the lagoon, or stolen weekends spent exploring forests and
beaches and then huddling around roaring log fires in winter.
With its popularity has come the inevitable change and development,
and today those memories of the quaint village are becoming foggy, as
that little village has become a bustling town with its myriad of interesting
shops, the Knysna Quays waterfront and a growing population.
But one corner of Knysna still retains
it's olde worlde charm, beauty and serenity and that is Belvidere,
on 10 acres of land on the western shore of Knysna's
lagoon. And at the centre of Belvidere lies the old manor house, Belvidere
House, built by the founder of Belvidere, Thomas Duthie, in 1849. This
stately house has been lovingly restored, proclaimed a national monument,
and is now the focus of Belvidere Manor Hotel, a gracious establishment
which offers the traveller a relaxed and tranquil environment from which
he may contemplate the more frenetic activity at the opposite end of
the lagoon.
The Manor House now houses the reception rooms of the hotel. Two elegant
dining-rooms are situated in the front of the house, and meals are also
served on the verandah when the weather allows. Enjoying the fine cuisine
on a summer's evening, whilst watching the moon rise over the lagoon
is surely one of the most romantic settings in the country. In times
gone by, the small drawing-room on the north side of the house was used
as the Post Office for the area, and a copy of a letter with a Belvidere
postal stamp may be seen in the entrance hall.
A favourite meeting place for the
locals living in Belvidere is The Bell Tavern, a quaint pub housed
in the recently restored original
farmhouse.
A feature is the wine cellar which can be viewed through a glass panel
in the floor, and which was the original cellar in which the game shot
locally was stored by the family. The Duthie family lived in the small
farmhouse from 1835 when the estate was founded, but the small cottage
became a tight squeeze with 12 children, and Mr. Duthie built "New
House" and moved in November 1849 - a 150th anniversary which was
celebrated recently.
Belvidere Manor Hotel is popular with international and local travellers
alike, not only for its relaxed and tranquil atmosphere, but for its
feeling of home away from home. Guests enjoy the privacy of having their
own cottage, but with the advantages of excellent service and superb
cuisine. Amenities such as the sparkling swimming-pool, tennis courts
and boat trips on the lagoon may add to the fun, but a quiet corner to
read a book or a cosy log fire and a glass of wine at the end of the
day is often all that is required.
When the need comes to enter civilisation again, it is but a short drive
to Knysna's many attractions, arguably the best beaches in the world,
and some of the most beautiful forests in the country - all of which
need no further explanation. |
Accommodations  For
images of Belvidere Manor Hotel, click Belvidere
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The accommodation at Belvidere Manor
is in self-contained rural Cape style cottages situated in park-like
gardens overlooking the lagoon. A boardwalk takes one down onto a jetty
where boats are moored, and boys fish.
The accommodation
at Belvidere Manor consists of 30 cottages, some of which have a
view of the Knysna lagoon and some of which have a view of the gardens. Each
cottage is tastefully decorated with comfortable sofas and log fireplaces,
and other fine furniture reflecting the indigenous woods of the area. The
cottages includes a
living-room opening onto
a wide veranda with views across the gardens and the water, a fully
fitted
kitchen, a choice of one, two or three bedrooms, with bathrooms
en suite, television with satellite channels,
and overhead fans. They are fully serviced. A number of the
cottages are double storey, the main bedroom being situated upstairs
with its own balcony offering further
magnificent
views.
Garden Classic
Situated in the grounds above the Manor House, a single storey, 2 or
3 bedroomed cottage.
• 1x 2x twin-bedded rooms
• 2x 1x Queen size bed, 1x twin-bedded rooms
• 1x 1x King-size bed, 1x twin-bedded rooms
• 1x 2x King-size bed, 2x twin-bedded rooms
Garden Deluxe
Situated in the grounds above the Manor House, a double storey cottage
offering the main suite upstairs and the second suite with twin beds
downstairs.
• 4x Queen + twin beds
• 3x King + twin beds
Garden Superior
Situated in the grounds above the Manor House, single or double storey,
double suite cottage with an additional sundeck.
• 1x Single storey King + twins + twins (2 bathrooms en-suite)
• 1x Double storey King + twins + twins
• 1x Double storey King + twins + single
Lagoon Classic
Situated in the grounds below the Manor House, a single storey, single
suite cottage
• 6x Twin bedded rooms
• 1x King
Lagoon Deluxe
Situated in the grounds below the Manor, a single storey, double suite
cottage
• 4x King + twins
• 3x Queen + twins
Loerie Cottage
Situated in the grounds below the Manor House, a secluded single storey,
double suite cottage
• 1x King + twins
It is the policy of Belvidere Manor not
to accept any children under the age of 10 years. Facilities
Relax alongside the pristine swimming pool; order
a picnic to take to the beach or into the Knysna forest. Treat yourself
to tea and scones in the gazebo overlooking the ever-changing colours
of the lagoon.
Knysna is fast becoming a very popular wedding and honeymoon destination
and where could you find a more romantic setting for a wedding,
than right on the edge of the Knysna Lagoon. Wedding packages are
tailor-made to suit the client.
Belvidere Manor provides full conference
facilities for up to 25 delegates.
Dining
Breakfast is served on the verandah of Belvidere House.
Light lunches are available throughout the day, on the verandah and from
The Bell Tavern, which is housed in the original farmhouse. Belvidere House
Restaurant offers a gourmet a-la-carte menu each evening accompanied by
fine Cape wines.
The Restaurant at Belvidere Manor
You are invited to the Restaurant at Belvidere Manor where an à la
carte menu is served each evening. Guests are seated either in the dining-rooms
in the House, or outside on the verandah when weather permits. With the
hue of polished yellowwood, and gentle candlelight the food permeate
the senses.
On the Garden Route excellent natural
produce is sourced, such as locally produced cheeses, ostrich meat
and Karoo lamb. Knysna
is justifiably famous for its oysters, both cultivated and wild, and
Calitzdorp claims to be the Port capital of South Africa. A
selection of dishes is on offer, which will give you a taste of the local
produce.
The Bell Tavern
Knysna's smallest pub is housed on the site of the original Belvidere
farmhouse, and indeed a feature of the pub is the wine cellar viewed
through the window in the floor, where freshly caught game would have
been hung. With a yellowwood ceiling and ironwood block floor, The Bell
is a quaint favourite of the Belvidere locals.
Relish pub meals served outside in the
garden in summer, but in the winter enjoy the cozy warmth of the wood-burning
stove. A wide selection
of beers, wines & spirits are available. Activities
Golf Courses in our Area:
• Sparrebosch (Knysna)
• Knysna
Golf Club: (Knysna)
• Plettenberg
Bay Golf Club
• Goosevalley:
(Plettenberg Bay)
• George
Golf Club
• Mosselbay
Golf Club
• Oudtshoorn
Golf Club
Nearby Attractions
George and Plettenberg Bay airports are
less than 50km away, and helicopter-landing facilities are available
on the estate. Cape Town is 500 km away and Port Elizabeth, only 290
kms.
Enjoy the view
• The ultimate view - Take a Helicopter trip to Plettenberg Bay, or Wilderness or all the way to Storms River. Details
from Reception.
• Take a drive up to the Eastern Heads View Point for a panoramic view
of the town, the lagoon and the Ocean. Or take the road to Brenton-on-Sea
and see Belvidere and the coast from the ridge.
• Go on a Lagoon Cruise - Take a relaxing cruise on "Caroline",
Belvidere's boat and view the prolific birdlife upriver, towards Old
Drift. Refreshments are available on board and bookings may be made at
Reception.
• A number of larger ferry trips on the lagoon are available daily, weather
permitting. Most trips take approximately one and a half hours.
• Take a scenic drive on Knysna's country roads and enjoy a spectacular
ramble along the Outeniqua Mountain ridge through forest and farmland,
over old stone bridges and across mountain rivers. Maps available from
Reception.
• Visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve. A ferry ride across the lagoon
(daily at 10h00 but other times are offered) brings you to the Featherbed
Nature
Reserve where a 4x4-drawn trailer takes you to the top of the Western
Head. You may then choose to walk back to the landing point along the
breathtakingly beautiful Bushbuck trail (an easy 2.2 km walk) or stay
on the trailer. Refreshments are available at the restaurant. The tour
lasts approximately four hours.
• Take a ride on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe - the Garden Route's very
own steam train that operates every day except Sunday. The morning train
leaves Knysna station at 09h45, arrives in George at 12h30 and leaves
again at 13h00 for the return journey that ends at 15h35. The afternoon
train is only a one-way trip and leaves Knysna at 14h15. Any one of the
shuttle services listed below will assist you with your return journey.
Take
to the water
• Enjoy the Knysna Lagoon -
swimming, boating, canoeing, fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling are
just some of your options.
• Go Whale
and Dolphin Watching. Prolific sightings between the months
of July and November, but species of these mammals can be seen the year
round. Contact
Reception for the daily report from the MTN Whale Watch, or contact the
Centre for Dolphin Studies in Plettenberg Bay.
• Explore the Knysna Quays, a waterfront development, which boasts fine
vintage wine, fresh seafood, including Knysna oysters, curios and much,
much more. Shop, eat or simply sit on the quayside and watch the boats
rocking on the tide.
• Soak up the sun on any one of our beautiful beaches - Brenton,
Buffalo Bay, Bollard Bay and Noetzie offer soft sand and lazy days.
Head
for the Forest
• The Knysna Forest can be enjoyed on foot,
on horseback, by bicycle or by car. A map of the forest area is available
from reception which shows
all the roads, routes and walks you can explore. The walks range from
easy to difficult and from short (1km), to long (9 km), so that you can
choose which one suits you best. The route in
the Garden of Eden is wheelchair friendly.
Go back in time
• Visit the Holy Trinity Church in Belvidere - a beautiful example of
12th Century Norman architecture. Belvidere's founder, Thomas Duthie
is buried in the churchyard.
• Visit The Old Fort, the most southerly fort built during the Anglo Boer
War 1899-1902, and enjoy the breathtaking view.
• Built to house convicts, the Old Goal Complex is now home to the Knysna
Art Gallery and the Maritime Museum and offers a number of interesting
ways to delight the heart, the tummy and the eye.
• Visit the actual Millwood Goldmines deep in the heart of the forest,
where you can see the mine shafts and old mining equipment.
• At Millwood House Museum unique old photographs of Millwood in bygone
days and scenes of old Knysna bring history to life.
• The original St. George's Church completed in 1855, features exposed
hammer trusses, a timbered ceiling and lovely wide yellowwood floorboards.
• Or simply opt for one of the Historic Walking Tours around
the town which will introduce you to a collection of the quaint and historic
buildings
that give Knysna its unique appeal.
Catch a glimpse of Africa
• Visit the three tame elephants at the Knysna
Elephant Park. The park, which lies 25km from Knysna on the Plettenberg
Bay road, is open every
day from 08h30 to 16h30.
• Go bird-watching at Pledge Nature Reserve or Goukamma Nature Reserve
at Buffalo Bay.
• Catch a glimpse of the famous Knysna Sea Horse at the NSRI
Aquarium on
the road to the Eastern Heads. Open every day from 09h00 to 16h00.
• Visit Monkeyland, a sanctuary devoted to monkeys
of all kinds. Wear comfortable walking shoes as much of your visit is
spent moving through the large
forest-filled enclosures. Open every day from 08h00 to 18h00.
Explore the arts
• If you are an Arts and Crafts
enthusiast, you will find much to delight the eye in the fine range of
local,
national and international
art on
offer. From creative offerings at the flea market to exquisitely crafted
sculptures and spectacular paintings, Knysna has it all and more. An
Arts & Crafts Map is available from Knysna Tourism Bureau.
Eat,
Drink and be merry
• Apart from the Belvidere House Restaurant
and The Bell Tavern, you can wine and dine your way through a formidable
array of fine restaurants,
seafood taverns, pubs, coffee shops and eateries. Ask at Reception for recommendations.
• Almost every evening there is some form of music and live entertainment
- so boogie your way down town.
• For a truly African Experience visit Knysna's vibrant
township and discover
real African hospitality. Guided tours take you into the township where
you can meet a sangoma, taste local food and move to the rhythm of the
Africa beat.
• Visit the Knysna Oyster Farm and get a taste
of the delectable Knysna Oyster, freshly harvested from the lagoon. Open
every day from 08h30
to 16h30.
• Go to the Cinema. Check with Reception for the week's programme.
Take a walk on the wild side
• For the truly adventurous there's canoeing,
abseiling, hiking, biking, fishing, diving, bungi jumping, creeking, paragliding,
low level flying,
etc., all tailor-made for the adrenalin junkie.
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