St James of Knysna

There are two large, 'Victorian-esque' structures on the estate: the Manor House and the Courtyard. Between them are manicured lawns with orderly rows of sun loungers, an outdoor patio area around a koi pond, a large swimming pool, and plenty of seating under shady gazebos. The Manor House has a large open lounge with sofas arranged around a wood-burning fireplace. Adjacent to the lounge is the Paquita Bar and Twin Palms Restaurant, with views over the lagoon.

Between the Manor House and the Courtyard, a range of different accommodation options are available. All are comfortably and tastefully furnished, with satellite TV, telephones and en-suite bathrooms. Most rooms have a separate lounge and a garden or lagoon view; some have patios leading out into the garden. The Lady Anne Superior Suite has a balcony overlooking the garden and the George Rex Presidential Suite has a huge marble bathroom with a sauna and a separate lounge with lagoon-facing balcony.

Your hosts will help you navigate the many options that Knysna has to offer, from boating and sailing trips to water skiing, fishing trips, sightseeing tours, hikes and adrenaline activities. The town itself is worth exploring on foot: browse the shops and boutiques, charming cafés and the colourful lagoon front. Venture beyond Knysna to smaller villages like Sedgefield for the exquisite farmer's market or Tsitsikamma National Park to explore the forest from treetop platforms and ziplines. For breaking records, nothing beats bungee jumping off the Bloukrans Bridge; at 650 feet it's billed the highest bungee jump in the world.