DESTINATION DESIGN
Cool in Cape Town.
LOOK
POD is all about raw materials. Think exposed stone and untreated timber on t he f loors and walls, and earthy natural f ibres on t he beds and chairs. Perfectly perched at t he Clifton end of glamorous Camps Bay, t he structure has been carefully positioned to allow t he warm Capetonian sun to f lood in from a plethora of angles, maximising light and allowing for breathtaking views of both t he mountains and t he South Atlantic Ocean. Inside, POD nods towards modernism, clean lines and simple, sharply edged f urnishings in a muted palette of greys and white. Downstairs, t he reception area cleverly blends with a welcoming (and very long) bar. Wraparound doors fold back for seamless integration with t he sun deck and pool beyond. A sculpture here and a painting t here all nod to Cape Town’s proud African heritage.
“Perfectly perched at the Clifton end of glamorous Camps Bay… allowing for breathtaking views of both the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.”
EAT
Officially the hotel doesn’t “do food” but, with Camps Bay’s energised strip on its doorstep, there’s a huge choice of eateries to select from. Venture further afield, and Cape Town has some of the finest restaurants on offer in the southern hemisphere. Nonetheless, POD does do breakfast and it does it extremely well. Either in-room or in the main reception area, the hotel puts on a superb buffet and, of course, nothing is too much trouble.
DRINK
The Western Cape is famous for its wine, and Stellenbosch, which neighbours Cape Town, produces some extremely good vintages. POD houses a good cellar and most wines are offered on-the-house to guests of the hotel. It would be rude not to sample them all.
SLEEP
There are just 15 rooms at POD and, similarly to the reception areas, they are furnished in muted tones. Open shower rooms are de rigeur (this really is a couple-centric establishment!) and the larger suites enjoy vast balconies with unsurpassable views, the top three complete with their own plunge-pools.
SPA
There is only a small spa at the hotel and treatments must be booked 24-hours in advance. However, with offerings that slant towards traditional African healing remedies, a bit of forward-planning is well worth it.