Although most people visiting Knysna are here for pleasure, The Moorings definitely has the air of a business hotel. Strange then, that Wi-Fi is not openly offered as it is in so many South African hotels. I only found out on check-out that a free coupon was available, having attempted to log in to the network and been asked to sign up (and pay for) an account.

Reception service is friendly, though staff give minimal information as to the hotel’s amenities. In truth, there isn’t much going on at the Premier Hotel, though it does boast what must be one of the largest swimming pools along the Garden Route – the kind of pool where you can actually swim rather than just cooling off.

But what the hotel seems to lack in amenities (no gym, spa or bar), it largely makes up for with the rooms. At least in terms of décor – the simple, leather couch look of the ideal bachelor pad, with a few splashes of colour. That said, many of the little touches you expect at a hotel in this price bracket are absent – there are no robes, no slippers, no minibar and while the suites are well-equipped with dishwasher, balcony, oven and fridge freezer, there’s not a single piece of cutlery, crockery or cookware to be found anywhere, making you wonder what the point of the kitchen is.

Location-wise, The Moorings is fairly conveniently located between the town centre and the East Head – a headland that’s one of Knysna’s most visited sights. Some rooms have waterfront views, but for guests staying in the other rooms, you feel like you miss out on some of Knysna’s charms –namely the lagoon and the forest.

Unlike many places, which offer a cold buffet breakfast followed by a plated hot breakfast, everything here is found on the buffet (except eggs, which are cooked to order). The cold selection is more impressive than the hot, though at least the hot buffet is indeed hot, not the barrels of lukewarm bacon that you sometimes find on a hot breakfast buffet. There are a few original additions too – meatballs in sauce and a fish dish, though the lack of labels is rather infuriating. Speciality coffees can be ordered at an extra fee. Stick to tea, for the Premier Hotel serves just about the worst cappuccino I have ever sampled!