Bay Hotel: Our full report

The Bay Hotel has one of the best beachfront locations in Cape Town. It is situated at the foot of Table Mountain, across the road from the palm-fringed beach of Camps Bay.

The location of the Bay Hotel is within walking distance of the numerous restaurants and cafes of trendy Camps Bay. A short 10-minute drive takes you to the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town city centre or to the cable car station, from where you can smoothly be whisked about 1000m up to the top of Table Mountain. In short the Bay has an ideal location for exploring Cape Town.

Inside the Bay Hotel feels bright, light and airy; expect an exclusively white exterior to fade only a little inside – softened by natural marble floors and a few beiges and earthy tones. With its sea-front location, and cool, modern décor, the Bay is Africa's answer to trendy spots in southern California and Miami.

The Bay Hotel has 78 guest rooms, all identically decorated in soft, neutral colours. These are divided into about seven different types of rooms, differing mainly in their locations. Note that different locations and views can make a huge different to the price of the rooms.

In summary, the Bay Hotel's basic room types are:

• Mountain room - these face south and east, and have side-views of Table Mountain.
• Classic room - the same size as the mountain rooms, these also have a good balcony. All classic rooms face north or west, and have direct access to the pool.
• Classic club room - the same size as the mountain rooms, but these face north and have partial sea and mountain views.
• Premier room - the same size as the mountain rooms, most premier rooms have great views of the sea, with a handful facing north to Lions Head, and most are split-level, with the separate seating area on a lower level, leading out onto the balcony.
• Luxury room - bigger than the rooms mentioned above, each luxury room has a sitting area and a west-facing balcony, complete with private jacuzzi. The larger bathroom in these rooms includes an oval bath and separate shower.
• Suite - These large rooms have the facilities of the luxury rooms, but with more space and a separate lounge, rather than one that's part of the bedroom.
• Penthouse - on the top floor of the Bay Hotel, there is only one penthouse suite. It's very luxurious and reached from an exclusive staircase and lobby. This penthouse has a private dining room and lounge, complete with plasma TV and a surround-sound stereo system, as well as a separate guest bathroom. The balcony is huge, and has an amazing view of Camp's Bay beach and the ocean.

All the rooms at the Bay Hotel have a small entrance lobby to separate the bedroom from the outside corridor. Inside the room, all have tea- and coffee-making facilities, a mini-bar, an internet connection, and a radio/alarm clock with ipod docking station and remote-controlled air-conditioning. All have en suite bathrooms with cream tiled walls and floors, a toilet, a bath, a shower cubicle and double wash-basins with a range of complementary toiletries.

Along the wide ground-floor corridor to the rooms you will find an art gallery displaying works by local artists which are for sale.

The Bay Hotel has a large outdoor solar heated swimming pool surrounded by a series of wooden decks on different levels, each having plenty of white-and-wood sunloungers under equally pale umbrellas. There are a further three smaller swimming pools in the grounds, allowing guests to find quiet areas to relax and enjoy the Cape sunshine.

A small deli, located in the main hotel foyer, has easy access to the outside pool area and it serves light lunches and drinks. There is also a small wine shop in the foyer selling local wines which offers free wine-tasting every second evening.

In the hotel's main restaurant, Tides, which serves à la carte breakfast and dinner, all is light and airy with large windows that slide open on to reveal views towards the beach. It is decorated in soft creams and browns enlivened by African-print fabrics.

Enjoy cocktails on the deck of Sandy B bar while watching the sun setting over the Atlantic, or - for a quieter drinking experience - visit the more sedate and elegant Traders bar upstairs, a sophisticated bar/lounge with an impressive walk-in cellar.

Our view

The Bay offers five-star accommodation with an unusual combination for Cape Town: a top beach location which also has plenty of buzzy bars, restaurants and nightlife. It certainly best suits a young, lively crowd and the bar here is often visited by Cape Town's smarter residents in search of a chic sundowner spot. Off-season (May-Sept), its rates reduce significantly.

The Bay probably won't suit older visitors, or those seeking peace and quiet, as its location beside the beachfront road in Camp's Bay is far too busy! It's a place to see and be seen, not a retreat for solitude.

Geographics

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Ideal length of stay: 4 - 5 days

Key personnel

Owner: Village and Life

Food & drink

Usual board basis: B&B

Dining style: Individual Tables

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Drinks included: No

Special interests

Honeymoons: For young honeymooners keen to party in Africa's trendiest areas, this could be a romantic hotel. It certainly has ll the facilities to make you feel special on your honeymoon, including beauty treatments and room service – not to mention a special 'honeymoon package' including breakfast in bed on your first morning!

See more ideas for Honeymoons in South Africa

Beach holidays: Set directly across the road from the beautiful palm-fringed beach of Camps Bay, and with four separate swimming pools and a large sun-deck, The Bay Hotel is an ideal spot for a relaxing beach break. It's likely to be the best city beach hotel in Cape Town, with plenty of lively bars and restaurants only a short walk away.

See more ideas for Beach holidays in South Africa

Wellbeing: The Skin & Body Centre at The Bay has four separate treatment rooms, one of which can be used for couples. Treatments can also be done around the pool so as not to loose too much valuable time in the sun! There is also a separate hair salon in the hotel.

See more ideas for Wellbeing in South Africa

Children

Equipment: None

Generally recommended for children: No

Notes: The hotel has no inter-leading rooms; it's really not a family hotel.

Central communications

Power supply: Mains Electricity

Communications: There is business and travel centre with internet and fax facilities for guests to use. The main lobby area has wireless (WiFi) for those who have their own laptops.

TV & radio: Yes – local and satellite.

Health & safety

Malarial area: No

Medical care: There are doctors and hospitals nearby.

Security measures: There is a security guard at the gate and all guests are given a guest pass to allow entry into the property. There are security guards on duty in the grounds 24 hours a day.

Fire safety: Yes there are fire prevention measures in place as befitting a five-star hotel.

Extras

Disabled access: In Place

Laundry facilities: Available at an extra charge,

Money: Money exchange is possible. There are electronic safes in all the rooms.