Welcome to Kanonkop House.
Boasting breath-taking views of the Knysna lagoon and famous Knysna Heads, a pair of giant sandstone cliffs which dominate the lagoon's entrance to the Indian Ocean, Kanonkop House offers the best of a private and peaceful indigenous forest location yet is only 5 minutes’ drive from the center of Knysna town and all its attractions.
Owner managed and with only 7 bespoke, luxury suites, Kanonkop House is intimate, exclusive and filled with charm and personality.
Founded in 1999 by Chris and Selwyn Sue Conyers as an intimate luxury 3-bedroom guest house, Kanonkop House turned heads from the moment she opened her doors. Chris and Sue's youngest son, Mark and his wife Adele, were passed the mantle of continuing the legacy and are the owner-managers of today. Kanonkop House has undergone several expansions, renovations and upgrades since its inception. But it was on June the 7th of the year 2017, that mother nature would play a decisive hand in the boutique hotels most radical expansion and refurbishment.
The Garden Route was hit by catastrophic wildfires that devastated most areas of the town of Knysna. Many buildings were burned to the ground, and although Kanonkop House suffered some damage, it was miraculously spared complete devastation and mostly stood intact as the fires subsided. Mark and Adele, decided to take the opportunity not to just rebuild what had been damaged, but realize their dream of creating the most magnificent, elegant boutique hotel in the Garden Route.
After 6 months of closure, to rebuild, refurb, expand and upgrade, Kanonkop House re-opened her doors the 2nd November 2017 offering 2 new outside living and entertainment areas, an outside dining area, a new bar with fireplace, a new inside lounge, as well as a breath-taking new luxury suite called Diamond. All of the other suites and guest areas were also all fully renovated and refurbished.
The result, a picturesque building showcasing award-winning interiors, with high ceilings, rich fabrics with bold colour, modern contemporary furnishings alive with texture, finished with the perfect balance of classic and modern artworks showcased throughout.
Most recently during the Corona Virus pandemic lockdown, an outside boma dining area was added and unveiled.
Our Story
Mark & Adele Conyers
Town & Waterfront
The main street of Knysna, lined with small boutiques and shops, forms part of the N2 highway which connects Cape Town with the Eastern Cape and beyond.
Along this same stretch of highway, several local crafters and artists have set up studios, galleries and markets that are well worth a visit.
But it’s the harbor area and the Knysna Waterfront that is home to most of Knysna’s nightlife, with several restaurants and bars where one can enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset over the heads.
The Waterfront also houses a decent selection and variety of boutiques and shops from designer fashion and jewelry to gifts and specialty. If you are in no mood for shopping or eating the Waterfront it is still a great place to stroll around or sit and take in the sights and sounds.