IF the Garden Route has a soul, then it must surely exist at the iconic sandstone cliffs – The Heads - which guard the ebb and flow of the Indian Ocean into the lagoon upon which the town of Knysna has based its good fortune. And it is along the picturesque road to the nearby Heads that the traveler will encounter the idyllic new Premier Hotel Knysna - The Moorings, the latest in stylish lodging on the Garden Route. 

Apart from the perfect picture-postcard effect, it is the botanical cornucopia which often defines the Garden Route and at The Moorings it all comes together in the Japanese-modern gardens – where ancient Milkwood trees stand alongside climbing aloes and asparagus ferns are heavy with violet berries – which provide an earthy, heady perfume alongside the lagoon.

Indeed, it is here that you can rediscover that most valuable commodity of life – time itself.
The first property in the region for the Premier Hotel & Resort group, The Moorings offers a range of luxury waterfront accommodation for both leisure and business, from 24 Studio suites to 20 One-bedroom suites and 26 Two-bedroom suites, all set on the banks of the reflective lagoon.
Beautifully finished with all the conveniences of a modern holiday home, all rooms have en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning and select DSTV bouquet within a décor which fuses the luxe life with clean contemporary lines.

Befitting its luxury four star status, other hotel facilities, meanwhile, include a business & conference centre, laundry, room service, internet access, business centre services and 24 hour reception.

A new signature restaurant, Salmon, is the place for contemporary Meditteranean cuisine fused with fresh Cape produce, with its light, airy feel given over by the floor to ceiling windows onto the resort’s large, blue swimming pool.

Built in a modern architectural style but keeping within a sense of place, The Moorings is also about immersing yourself into the mood of the Garden Route and in turn is situated within beautifully conserved, enchanting woodland gardens.
Here on the banks of the lagoon, meanwhile, all manner of outdoor leisure activities are possible from fishing to swimming, boating or bird watching while golf courses and the town of Knysna itself are only minutes away as are the pursuits of the region, from ancient forests to nearby beaches.
Premier Hotel Knysna - The Moorings also presents itself as a destination conference venue with state-of-the-art conference rooms that can accommodate groups of 10 to 150 delegates.

Apart from its range of hotels across South Africa, the Premier Hotel & Resort Group is undergoing significant expansion presently with new openings at OR Tambo International in Johannesburg and the new East London International Convention Centre and adjacent Cascades Hotel due to open in 2010. www.premierhotels.co.za