POD Camps Bay

The hotel was built in 2010, and its modern style is a departure from what guests find at the numerous Victorian B&Bs in the area. The three-story building, made of gray stone and glass, sits on a winding street that leads to the beach. Inside the vibe is cool and minimalist, with a trendy Scandinavian-style aesthetic: gray stone, natural wood, and clean-lined furniture extend from the lobby to the restaurant to the fitness center. The sleek wraparound pool has an elevated wood deck above a gray stone patio, and its simple black lounge chairs provide a lovely spot from which to take in views of Camps Bay Beach. Guests are mainly younger couples, though there are compact rooms suited to single travelers as well.

POD Camps Bay offers gorgeous beach and mountain views, and puts guests within close proximity of both. Camps Bay Beach can be reached by foot in a few minutes (umbrellas, towels, and chairs are provided) and Table Mountain National Park is a five-minute drive away. The center of Cape Town is about a 10 minutes' drive. There's a running trail along the beach that begins just outside the hotel. Guests will also find plenty of cafes and bars within walking distance, including beachfront options. The airport is about 25 minutes away by car. 

Guest rooms are air-conditioned and decorated similarly to the rest of the hotel with natural wood, slate-gray stone, glass partitions, and simple white laminate furnishings. Tree trunk bedside tables, soft gray bed frames, and muted brown and gray pillows are nice touches. Most rooms have balconies with views of either Camps Bay Beach or the mountains; Luxury Rooms overlook both, and three on the first floor have private pools. All rooms have robes and slippers, electric laptop-size safes, flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, and DVD players. Most have Nespresso machines. Minibar drinks and snacks are free and restocked daily. Bathrooms have black stone walk-in showers with wood ceilings and rain showerheads; Suites have tubs and dual showerheads. 

The hotel serves a free breakfast with daily specials and cooked-to-order items -- plus fruit, pastries, and fresh juices. Spa treatments and massages are available in the Wellness Room. There's a small fitness center with cardio machines and a sitting area with low-lying tables and shelves lined with curios, all with the same wood and stone decor as the rest of the hotel. The pool wraps around the hotel roof and offers views of the beach. Poolside drink service is available from the adjacent bar and lounge. Eco-friendly features include a tree-planting program. Wi-Fi and parking are free.