Amanzi Island Boutique Hotel

Amanzi Island Boutique Hotel stands on Cearn Drive with an infinity pool at its edge and the Knysna lagoon directly beyond. At sunset the two run into one another, which is rather the idea.

The building sits back from the road behind its entrance sign. Inside, an elegant hall opens with a round table beneath a pendant chandelier, and dark wood flooring runs off down a hallway hung with framed artwork. There is parking, and airport transfers can be arranged.

Glass walls, white sofas

The lounges are the best of it: white sofas around a driftwood coffee table in one, armchairs drawn up to a fireplace in another, bookshelves and a staircase in a third, and glass walls giving straight onto the water. A restaurant serves plated dinners and there is a bar with shelves of bottles and stools along it. Croissants appear at breakfast, which can also be brought to the room. Air conditioning throughout.

Driftwood and shell artwork

Rooms are coastal in style without being twee: driftwood art above the bed, a rattan chair in the corner, white bedding under blue accent cushions, a twin with shell artwork and a wicker bench. Several have a seating area and a small desk with a lamp and mirror beside a glass door. One bathroom has a freestanding bathtub against a half-tiled wall; others take a vanity and a glass shower screen.

The pool and the decks

The pool sits on a wooden deck ringed by trees and runs to an edge with the lagoon past it. Covered decks hold loungers, cushioned seating and umbrella-shaded dining tables, and a hanging swing chair is slung on one of them among the branches. A balcony table looks out over green hills. Aloes flower along the terrace.

Kayaks and the causeway

Kayaks and paddleboards are stacked outside for guests and there are rental bicycles by the door. Beaded jewellery is sold on site. Leisure Isle is reached from Knysna by the Armstrong Road causeway. If self-catering suits you better, there are self-catering houses here.

Who checks in

Couples wanting the water in front of them, and families — there is an indoor play area, babysitting and children’s meals.