Hotels · Knysna, South Africa
St James of Knysna
Overview
The St. James of Knysna is an independent, owner-run five-star country house on the banks of the idyllic Knysna Lagoon.
With its waterside gardens, awe-inspiring views across the Lagoon to the Knysna Heads, luxury suites, guest lounge (with lending library and board games), exclusive gift boutique, two swimming pools and numerous seating areas it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the casual and relaxed Knysna lifestyle.
Only 2.5 km from the centre of town – we offer a complimentary shuttle to The Knysna Waterfront, which has loads of restaurants and shops.
And if you love the water the Lagoon’s right there at the end of our lush and expansive gardens. We have a putting green and a Gym on site
As guests of the St. James, you’ll be treated to a complimentary, 90-minute cruise on our pontoon barge, ‘The Boat,’ which departs from our private jetty to explore the upper reaches of the Lagoon. A romantic, relaxing introduction to the Knysna River estuary in the central region of South Africa’s largest unfenced wildlife preserve: the Garden Route National Park.
After taking breakfast in our airy, light-filled dining room - with its views of the Lagoon and our Manor House gardens - the hardest decision you’ll have to make while you’re here may well be deciding where to base yourself for the day:
* On a lounger or picnic table on our expansive, lagoonside deck;
* Basking in the sun at the water’s edge, or by our Courtyard or Manor House swimming pools;
* Tucked away with a good book in a secluded spot in our lush, formal and informal gardens;
* Or in our chic and modern lounge and bar - where you’ll find a wide variety of great South African wines and locally made gins, as well as an excellent selection of the whiskeys you deserve.
* Feeling peckish, our bar menu has lots of tasty treats which can be enjoyed in the garden, dining room, patio or as room service.
* New additions are our Gym & Tonic fitness center, Green Tea, Golf putting green.
* Enjoy a complimentary shuttle to The Knysna Waterfront
If you’d prefer to spend your time exploring Knysna and the Garden Route - well, our staff will happily advise you, and help make your bookings for local adventures, golf, and other attractions.
We’re here to make your stay as comfortable as possible!
Suites & Rates
Choose how you stay
Deluxe Suite - Garden Facing - 2
This air-conditioned garden facing Deluxe Suite in the Manor House offers two Double beds, an en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; smart TV with Netflix; a mini-bar with tea and coffee station;...
Deluxe Suite - Garden Facing - 3
An air-conditioned Deluxe garden-facing Suite with a King size bed, en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; smart TV with Netflix; mini-bar with tea and coffee station; electronic safe and direct-dial telephone.
Deluxe Suite - Lake Facing - 10
The air-conditioned Deluxe Suite on the ground floor of the Courtyard has a King size bed, a separate seating area, an en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; smart TV with Netflix; a...
Deluxe Suite - Lake Facing - 11
The airconditioned Deluxe lake-facing Suite on the ground floor in the Courtyard has a King size bed, separate lounge, en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; smart TV with Netflix; mini-bar with tea...
Deluxe Suite - Lake Facing 12
The air-conditioned Superior Suite on the ground floor of the Courtyard has a King size bed, en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; a separate lounge area with smart TV with Netflix; a...
Deluxe Suite - Lake facing 4
This air-conditioned suite on the first floor of the Manor House has a King size bed, en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; smart TV with Netflix; mini-bar with tea and coffee station;...
Deluxe Suite - Lake facing 5
This air-conditioned suite on the first floor of the Manor House has a King size bed, en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; smart TV with Netflix; mini-bar with tea and coffee station;...
Junior Suite - Courtyard Facing - 8
The airconditioned Courtyard-facing Junior Suite has two double beds, en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; smart TV with Netflix; mini-bar with tea and coffee station; electronic safe; direct-dial telephone. The seating area...
Junior Suite - Courtyard Facing - 9
This air-conditioned garden facing Junior Suite in the Courtyard has 2 double beds, an en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; smart TV with Netflix; mini-bar with tea and coffee station; electronic safe...
Standard Double Room - Garden Facing - 1
An air-conditioned garden-facing Standard Double Room in the Manor House with a King size bed, en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; smart TV with Netflix; mini-bar with tea and coffee station; electronic...
Superior Suite - Garden Facing - 15
This air-conditioned spacious Superior Suite in the Courtyard has a King size bed, en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; a separate lounge area with smart TV with Netflix; a mini-bar with tea...
Superior Suite - Lagoon Facing - 16
The air-conditioned Superior Suite on the first floor of the Courtyard has a King size bed, en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; a separate lounge area with smart TV with Netflix; a...
Superior Suite - Lagoon Facing - 17
The airconditioned Superior Suite on the first floor of the Courtyard has a King size bed, en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; a separate lounge area with smart TV with Netflix; a...
Superior Suite - Lake Facing - 18
The air-conditioned Superior Suite on the first floor of the Courtyard has a King size bed, en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; a separate lounge area with smart TV with Netflix; a...
Superior Suite - Lake Facing - Lady Anne
The air-conditioned 42m² suite on the first floor of the Manor House has its own lounge and balcony overlooking the Knysna Lagoon. Features: king-size bed; en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; smart...
Superior Suite - Lake facing 6
This air-conditioned suite on the ground floor of our Manor House has a King size bed, en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; smart TV with Netflix; mini-bar with tea and coffee station;...
Superior Suite - Lake facing 7
This air-conditioned suite on the ground floor of our Manor House has a King size bed, en suite bathroom with bath, shower, and bathrobes; smart TV with Netflix; mini-bar with tea and coffee station;...
The Sylvester Executive Suite
Stunning view of the lagoon from this one bedroom penthouse apartment. Private office and two dressing rooms, wonderful place to enjoy either a short visit or a long stay
Details
Good to know
Accommodation & amenities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Fan, Fridge, Heated Towel Rails, Heater, Internet Access (Complimentary), Iron / Ironing Board, Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Verandah
Languages spoken
Afrikaans, English, French, Xhosa
Ideal for
Adventure, Beach / Coastal, Birding, Cycling, Fishing, Flora, Golf, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Shopping, Watersports, Wine
On-site activities
Bird Watching, Boating, Boules, Canoeing, Fishing, Gourmet Picnic
Services
24-hour Security, Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Meal on Request, Room Service
Nearby activities
Adrenaline Activities, Animal Encounters, Art Galleries, Beach, Big 5, Bird Watching, Boat Cruises, Boating, Boules, Bowls, Canoeing, Catch-and-release Fishing, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Cycling, Deep Sea Fishing, Elephant-back Safaris, Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Garden Tours, General Sightseeing, Golf, Health and Fitness Centre, Helicopter Rides, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Hiking, Horse Riding, Kayaking / Paddling, Kite Surfing, Marine Adventures, Marine Tidal Pool, Mountain Biking, Museums, Para Sailing, Paragliding, Quad Biking, River Cruises, Safaris, Sailing, Scuba Diving, Sky Diving, Squash Court, Surfing, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided), Water Skiing, Wildlife Tours, Windsurfing, Wine Tasting
Property facilities
Bar, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Library, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Vegetarian
Location
Where you'll be
Video
See the stay
Activities
What you can do
Complimentary Lagoon Cruise
Enjoy a complimentary 90 min cruise on "The Boat" at the St James. Skipper Alex Mvandaba will take guests upriver to the Belvidere and the White bridge section of the lagoon. This section is only really accessible by private boat as most of the other cruises are to the Heads and back. This area is steeped in history – in fact the early ships used to moor in front of the Belvidere area, rather than the current harbor area. The Knysna Estuary is biologically the richest estuary in the Cape, and one of the largest. “A remarkable diversity of species is recorded here, the highest of any South African estuary. It is of course also home to the unique Knysna Seahorse, Hippocampus capensis.”
Green Tee
Our Golf Putting Green, is great fun, even if you are not a serious golfer.
Gym & Tonic
Well equipped gym for your daily workout
Ready to plan your stay?
Tell us your dates and we'll handle the rest — flights, transfers and the lodge itself.
Enquire nowKeep exploring


