Pod Camps Bay
"Where is this hotel, and what does it look like?Just off the main Camps Bay beachfront strip is this hip, 17-room boutique hotel run on green architectural principles (it even has its own water supply, for example). From the road, you enter a starkly modern architectural space through an automated glass door. A minimalist indoor-outdoor cocktail bar and lounge leads to a lap pool and terrace with a sea view. Zen-calm, the dining space provides a cool, tranquil counterpoint to the sunshine glare. Books, board games, bean bags, organically shaped solid wood tables and a Smart TV give the lounge a lived-in, rumpus room feeling. Tell us about the other guests; who are they?Sunseekers, either lounging by the pool or heading down to the beach. Mostly European. How was check-in?Seamless check-in by friendly staff. The 17 rooms are compact and therefore highly functional spaces. Speaking of rooms: Give us the details.My room was street-facing with a partial sea view from the small balcony. Natural wood and raw slate add warmth to an otherwise functional, uncluttered space. The design is open-plan to further maximize space, which means from the very comfortable king bed you can see the walk-in double rain shower and large bath tub (but not the separate loo, behind frosted glass). There’s underfloor heating for winter, AC for summer, plus TV, DVD player, Nespresso machine, iPod docking station, and complimentary minibar. Mini mountain-facing rooms are ideal if location (proximity to the beach) counts for more than space and a sliver of a view of Lion’s Head is good enough. Three of the luxury rooms have private plunge pools, and partial sea views. Anything else you'd like to call out?I loved the striped beach bag stocked with sunscreen lotion, towels and beach bats, and the selection of complimentary digital newspapers and magazines available to download. Rates include a fully stocked mini bar, unlimited tea, coffee and mineral water, free wifi, and use of a fully equipped gym in the basement. Choose a movie and get complimentary room-service delivery of popcorn and other snacks. There is a lap pool and sea-view cocktail bar, and secure underground parking. Perfect. How about the on-site dining? Worth it?A generous breakfast is included in the rate—buffet style fresh fruits, cheeses and cold cuts, pastries, fresh smoothies, top-quality tea and coffee, followed by a cooked breakfast. For other meals, there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and tapas bars within walking distance along the Camps Bay seafront. Ask the staff for insider recommendations, or order take-outs and staff will serve it in the dining room. Order a picnic to be sent down to the beach, along with a beach umbrella and chairs. Honestly, nothing beats a buffet-style breakfast—especially a fresh one. Tell us something about your experience there that really stood out to you.Nobody minded when we arrived with sandy feet after a day on the beach with take-out pizza from a nearby restaurant. The manager set up a table so that we could enjoy the last of the setting sun, and opened a bottle of wine. Bottom line: worth it, and why?As a conveniently located bolthole, set back from the busy Camps Bay beachfront without missing out on the cool vibe and ocean views, especially if you don’t want to hire a car. Everything is within walking distance, and you’re on the bus route into the city and to the Waterfront." - Jane Broughton
