The Graywood Hotel
Corner of Gray and Trotter Street, Knysna 6570 South Africa
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About
#23 of 30 hotels in Knysna
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
The Graywood Hotel offers visitors a perfect base from which to explore the village of Knysna and the many adventures found on the Garden Route. The Graywood Hotel is centrally situated halfway between the Knysna Waterfront and town centre. In keeping with the spirit of surrounding indigenous forest the hotel enjoys beautiful woodwork throughout and is complimented by a courtyard garden with a sparkling pool and a wooden sundeck. 48 stylish rooms with crisp white duvet’s are accessorized in warm tones. All usual guest amenities and in-room facilites are offered. Free wi-fi throughout. Secure limited undercover onsite parking available on a first come basis. Secure off site parking. The Graywood Hotel is not wheelchair accessible.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
24-hour security
Non-smoking hotel
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Secured parking
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Saltwater pool
Fence around pool
Bar / lounge
Breakfast buffet
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Sun umbrellas
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Safe
Coffee / tea maker
Electric kettle
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Telephone
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Iron
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TGCSA - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
HOTEL STYLE
Centrally Located
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
Location
Corner of Gray and Trotter Street, Knysna 6570 South Africa
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 86 out of 100
86
46 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
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Detailed Reviews
When I booked this hotel I noticed that it was only rated 3* and that perhaps in South Africa it was of inferior standard. Was I wrong. This hotel is right in the middle of everything in this beautiful little town. The outside is log construction and it seems a bit like a 'Great Wolf Lodge' in some aspects. Rooms were spacious and colourfully decorated. There is a steam train theme throughout which adds a nice touch.
Breakfast was very good with omelettes to order and all of the other features associated with a buffet. It was not as expansive a selection as some other hotels, but we left breakfasts(s) well satisfied. No other meals are available here, but the sister hotel across the street (The Log Cabin) has an in house full service restaurant. Downtown is only a block away, and a nice Chinese Restaurant and a busy pub with great food also are almost next door. The location is perfect to everything!
The Log Cabin Hotel has 4* and I was told this is because they have the full service restaurant, a heated pool and jacuzzi. The Graywood pool was not heated. If that matters to you, perhaps the Log Cabin would be a better bet, but they are virtually the same in appearance and design.
Our room overlooked the inner courtyard of tropical gardens and pool. I would suggest that you request this when booking as your side wall in both the bedroom and bath are a wall of windows (frosted in the bath of course). Otherwise you may be looking out on the buildings next door or behind!
This is a small hotel with considerable 'character' which is so sadly missing in many large chains. I think you'll like the Graywood!
Breakfast was very good with omelettes to order and all of the other features associated with a buffet. It was not as expansive a selection as some other hotels, but we left breakfasts(s) well satisfied. No other meals are available here, but the sister hotel across the street (The Log Cabin) has an in house full service restaurant. Downtown is only a block away, and a nice Chinese Restaurant and a busy pub with great food also are almost next door. The location is perfect to everything!
The Log Cabin Hotel has 4* and I was told this is because they have the full service restaurant, a heated pool and jacuzzi. The Graywood pool was not heated. If that matters to you, perhaps the Log Cabin would be a better bet, but they are virtually the same in appearance and design.
Our room overlooked the inner courtyard of tropical gardens and pool. I would suggest that you request this when booking as your side wall in both the bedroom and bath are a wall of windows (frosted in the bath of course). Otherwise you may be looking out on the buildings next door or behind!
This is a small hotel with considerable 'character' which is so sadly missing in many large chains. I think you'll like the Graywood!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed at the graywood hotel for only one night.
The hotel is in a great location in the center of town....very easy to find if your driving, covered parking for your car.
Built in a log cabin effect, all the room surround a tropical courtyard and pool. Good breakfast.....no other meals served here, but lots of places to eat within walking distance...we ate on the harbour, which was great..overall good value for money, clean convenient....recommended.
The hotel is in a great location in the center of town....very easy to find if your driving, covered parking for your car.
Built in a log cabin effect, all the room surround a tropical courtyard and pool. Good breakfast.....no other meals served here, but lots of places to eat within walking distance...we ate on the harbour, which was great..overall good value for money, clean convenient....recommended.
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Date of stay: February 2007Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
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Check-in / front desk
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
For a 3 star property this hotel is pretty good. Rooms clean and comfortable, although safe is located on bottom of wardrobe and difficult to access, the rooms are well equipped. Good location and pleasant surroundings within hotel, gardens, pool, birds etc. No dinner available within hotel but lots of places nearby, breakfast ok but service a bit confused!
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Date of stay: November 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My heart sank as I walked into the hotel room (32). It was so dark and dingy and the road noise in the bathroom was really loud.
I understand that building works were being carried out while we were there, although I didn't hear any noise. However, there was an extremely strong smell of varnish in the hotel foyer for the duration of our two night stay.
Breakfast was provided in the Log-Inn Hotel across the road. On the first morning we went to breakfast at 8.45am and all the hot foods had run out and were never replenished unfortunately.
On the plus side, the garden at the centre of the hotel buildings was attractive.
I'd love to return to Knysna but I definitely wouldn't stay here again.
I understand that building works were being carried out while we were there, although I didn't hear any noise. However, there was an extremely strong smell of varnish in the hotel foyer for the duration of our two night stay.
Breakfast was provided in the Log-Inn Hotel across the road. On the first morning we went to breakfast at 8.45am and all the hot foods had run out and were never replenished unfortunately.
On the plus side, the garden at the centre of the hotel buildings was attractive.
I'd love to return to Knysna but I definitely wouldn't stay here again.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dirty, smelly, and the sofa even for small children really uncomfortable, pictures at the website looks much better. Good things: friendly staff an extraordinary look location, and free wi-fi. if you don't mind that looks and feel dirty, but if you travel with small children like us, I will not recomend
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Date of stay: March 2013Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I stayed here on the way out to the garden route. The staff were courteous and helpful and the room was clean with all the necessities. I wouldn't rate this hotel as one that should be sought out among others but was a convenient and clean place to stay for a night.
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Date of stay: December 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nice British style all wood building. The theme of the hotel os on Railways and the decor is all about railways. Nice calm place. Rooms are really small, just enough to walk with no extra space around.
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Date of stay: October 2013Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Small rooms. Breakfast was good. Willing to help attitude of people.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here as part of our honeymoon. Definitely not to be recommended. The hotel works mainly with tour groups and about two bus loads are arriving every day. This means that you will be woken up at early morning hours by people rattling their suitcases across the wooden floors. Shame because the hotel with its wooden construction is very pretty. Obviously this could have been avoided by not giving us a room directly next to the stairs where everybody goes past!! The rooms are tiny and the bathrooms seriously need renovation. Shower hardly working. Three stars?? No way! In addition the staff was very rude. They knew from the booking that we were on honeymoon. No special attention like some little decoration or attention in the room was made. When we hinted at it the receptionist just gave us a ridiculous laugh. The only person who really made up for all of this was the extremely friendly waiter at breakfast.
In summary: not to be repeated and clear feedback will be given to the honey moon organizer to avoid this hotel in the future. They are just not up to the standard of the other ones they are compared with.
In summary: not to be repeated and clear feedback will be given to the honey moon organizer to avoid this hotel in the future. They are just not up to the standard of the other ones they are compared with.
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Date of stay: April 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The outside of this hotel looks like a wooden fort - quite impressive. The rooms inside however were not the greatest. Our room smelt quite damp, and sadly being encased in wood you can hear everything. If you wish to stay here I would suggest that you book a room upstair and not downstairs, and certainly not rooms 43 to 50 as they sit under the breakfast room. So you will be woken up at circa 5.45 am as we were by the footsteps of the staff preparing the buffet.
Situation-wise however the hotel is handy to the main shopping street and also to the waterfront with some lovely restaurants, bars, and boat tours.
Helen
Situation-wise however the hotel is handy to the main shopping street and also to the waterfront with some lovely restaurants, bars, and boat tours.
Helen
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Date of stay: May 2009
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed for one night. Room basic and requires updating. Shore over the bath which could be difficult if you have limited mobility. Although WIFI in all areas signal very poor in our room. Hotel situated within walking distance of waterfront. Breakfast choice limited.
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Date of stay: November 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Global70492, General Manager at The Graywood Hotel
Responded 02 Dec 2018
Dear Aitchjbee Thank you very much for taking the time to review your recent stay at The Graywood Hotel. We appreciate the feedback. Enjoy the rest of your travels through South Africa. Warm regards, Febena and The Graywood Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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ALSO KNOWN AS
graywood hotel knysna
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeKnysna
NUMBER OF ROOMS
48
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Claim Your ListingTHE GRAYWOOD HOTEL - Reviews (Knysna, South Africa)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Graywood Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The Graywood Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Featherbed Nature Reserve (0.5 km), The Waterfront Knysna Quays (0.4 km), and The Art Café on Queen (0.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The Graywood Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at The Graywood Hotel?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a desk.
What food & drink options are available at The Graywood Hotel?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at The Graywood Hotel?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Graywood Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Freshline Fisheries, 34 South, and The Drydock Food Co.
Are there opportunities to exercise at The Graywood Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Is The Graywood Hotel located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.4 km away from the centre of Knysna.
Are any cleaning services offered at The Graywood Hotel?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at The Graywood Hotel?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa.
Are there any historical sites close to The Graywood Hotel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting St George's Anglican Church (0.5 km).