Knysna is rather more than a beachside hamlet these days, with a steady influx of retirees and pleasure-seekers attracted by its lush surrounds and laid-back charm. Nevertheless, it still serves as an obligatory stop on the Garden Route, South Africa's favourite road trip. Leisure Island Lodge is located on a small island in the Knysna Lagoon on Bollard Bay, with front-row views of the Knysna Heads – the dramatic rocky doorway to the ocean. For five-star service and attention to detail, spectacular views and access to lovely beaches and indigenous forests, this is a trip worth making.