Welcome to the Belvidere Manor Hotel - South Africa´s most romantic - and most relaxed - getaway. Enjoy the beguiling tranquility of the west shore of the Knysna Lagoon. Relax by the swimming pool in our beautiful colonial-style gardens (the Estate is a nature-lover´s paradise with more than 270 species of birds) or retreat to the secluded comfort of the fireplace or the terrace in your own Cape-style cottage. Mealtimes can be deliciously drawn-out affairs; the morning is made for taking things easy and the afternoon is designed for rest and recovery... There´s every reason to stay at Belvidere. Trouble is, there´s absolutely no reason to leave.

Accommodation

Garden Classic: Situated in the grounds above the Manor House, a single storey, 2 or 3 bedroomed cottage. Garden view
Garden Deluxe: Situated in the grounds above the Manor House, a double storey cottage, offering the main suite upstairs and the second suite with twin beds downstairs. Garden view.
Garden Superior: Situated in the grounds above the Manor House, a single or double storey, double suite cottage, with an additional sundeck. Garden view.
Lagoon Classic: Situated in the grounds below the Manor House, a single storey, single suite cottage. Lagoon view
Lagoon Deluxe: Situated in the grounds below the Manor House, a single storey, double suite cottage. Lagoon view
Loerie Cottage: Situated in the grounds below the Manor House, a secluded single storey, double suite cottage. Lagoon view Belvidere Manor
All tariffs are based on a rate per person, per night sharing, and are inclusive of a farmhouse breakfast

Guests have the option of dining at the historic Belvidere House, or at the Bell Tavern restaurant, both serving superb cuisine accompanied by Cape wines. Belvidere is the perfect destination to unwind. The large gardens are ideal for taking a stroll, or just relaxing next to the pool.

For those wishing to explore the area, the Garden Route offers a vast array of activities, such as lagoon cruises, canoeing, sea kayaking, hiking along the beach, dolphin and whale watching, amongst many others. The area is also well known for some of the country's best golf courses.

Dining

Caroline's at Belvidere - We invite you to our restaurant where we serve an à la carte menu each evening. Guests are seated either in the dining-rooms in the House, or outside on the verandah when weather permits. With the hue of polished yellowwood, and gentle candlelight we let our food permeate the senses.

On the Garden Route we are able to source excellent natural produce such as locally produced cheeses, ostrich meat and Karoo lamb. Knysna is justifiably famous for its oysters, both cultivated and wild, and Calitzdorp claims to be the Port capital of South Africa.

We prepare a selection of dishes which will give you a taste of our local produce and which we hope you will enjoy. Venison may be a new taste to you and we recommend that it be lightly cooked, medium/rare to medium.

The Bell Tavern - Knysna's smallest pub is housed on the site of the original Belvidere farmhouse, and indeed a feature of the pub is the wine cellar viewed through the window in the floor, where freshly caught game would have been hung. With a yellowwood ceiling and ironwood block floor, The Bell is a quaint favourite of the Belvidere locals. Relish pub meals served outside in the garden in summer, but in the winter enjoy the cosy warmth of the wood-burning stove. A wide selection of beers, wines & spirits are available. Bon appetit!

Conferencing at Belvidere Manor

We have pleasure in introducing you to our Executive Conference venue, where we hope to create an atmosphere of calm and peace, enabling the busy executive to group his thoughts and put across his ideas to his peers. The Duthie Room is 8,4m long, 5,4m wide and 2,4m high, and can comfortably seat 24 school room style, and up to 40 cinema style. Belvidere Manor is suitable for any type of conference, from workshops to teambuilding breakaways. Knysna offers a large variety of adventure options for team building exercises, from abseiling trips to mountain biking. . Use of the conference facilities is inclusive of the following:

° Accommodation
° Farmhouse Breakfast
° Morning and Afternoon tea & biscuits
° Luncheon

Evening dinners are at an extra cost, and dependant on the function.

Weddings

Knysna's most romantic view ~ Let us host your wedding in our gardens overlooking the lagoon. Watch the moon rise as you celebrate your union. Relax in your honeymoon cottage with private deck, frequented by the Knysna Loeries. Packages for 2 to 40 people are tailored to suit your requirements. Personal advice and recommendations are offered by our experienced staff.

A Short History

The story of Belvidere begins in 1830 when the land was acquired by George Rex, the "squire and proprietor of Knysna" who settled here and became the foremost timber merchant in the district. When a young Scotsman named Thomas Henry Duthie married George's third daughter, Caroline, in 1833, he bought the farm named Belvidere from his father-in-law for £750.

In April 1835 the young family, now with a first baby, named Caroline after her mother, moved into their cottage, which was situated where "The Bell" now stands. At that time it would have had timber walls and a rush roof, and the cellar which now houses the wine would have been used as storage.

By 1848, the family had quite outgrown the cottage. There were twelve children in all, and plans were made to build a larger house. Foundations were laid on 2 October 1848, and in November 1849 the family had their "first dinner out of New House". At that stage it was a single storey building with a thatched roof, dormer windows and small bell-turret. A drawing of this building can be seen in the Hall. The raising of the walls to create a second storey, replacing the thatch with corrugated iron and the additions of the verandahs were done by Thomas' second son, Archibald, in the 1870's.

In its life, Belvidere House was an official post office serving the local community, with business being transacted from the glass door in the drawing room. It was a centre of gracious hospitality, welcoming every person of note who visited the Knysna area, a tradition which we hope continues to this very day.

Golf Courses in our Area

Pezula (Knysna): Tel:044 302 5300
SIMOLA GOLF CLUB: (Knysna) Tel: 044 382 0944
Knysna Golf Club: (Knysna) Tel: 044 384 1150
Plettenberg Bay Golf Club Tel: 044 533 2132
Goosevalley: (Plettenberg Bay) Tel: 044 533 5082
George Golf Club: Tel: 044 873 6116
Mosselbay Golf Club: (Mosselbay) Tel: 044 691 2379
Oudtshoorn Golf Club: Tel: 044 272 4201

  Fact Sheet