At Kanonkop you could easily feel like a guest in a wealthy friend's house as the family Conyers sets about making you feel comfortable, relaxed and rather privileged. Perched high on the hill overlooking the large lagoon and impressive Knysna heads, is a small, intimate and luxurious guest house for discerning travellers wary of impersonal hotels.

The seven suites are large, individually decorated by top designers and open out onto a view over the lagoon with a flourish. The sensational Paradise suite occupies the entire third floor and absorbs the wonderful view all the way into the luxurious bathroom. The standard suites remain significant even by comparison, with large terraces, lagoon-views and modern décor.

The house has a wonderful bar, stocked with wines, whiskies and malts galore; a breakfast terrace at the poolside looks out over the lagoon preparing you for a day of sight-seeing and inclement weather will see you inside the cosy dining room. The Knysna Heights Villa is an uber-luxurious triple-storey fully serviced house higher up on the hill available with breakfast included or self-catering for complete privacy.