The scene at the Sandy B Private Beach Club in Camps Bay looked like one from an old Peter Stuyvesant advertisement: buffed and well-oiled boys and girls in tiny neon bikinis and Speedos posing next to an infinity pool. Some were spread across loungers, others lay on floaties on the water.
The scene also reminded me of the days before we were warned about basal cells, squamous cells and melanocytes, when my grandmother used olive oil for tanning. Now we lather on sunblock and cover up.
Nicely set back from Victoria Road directly opposite Camps Bay beach, one of two pool areas at the Bay Hotel provides a little haven away from the sea and sand.
Judging from the books being read and from their accents, most of the sunbathers on the day we visited were foreign. But I am told visitors to the club are a mix of tourists and Capetonians. During the week it is fairly busy, and weekends are very busy.
From the private section we bagged, we watched members bake in the sun while we had the comfort of shade and good seating. The covered patio area works on a first-come, first-serve basis.
It's well worth getting to the club early to reserve this area.
Besides the people-watching, eating and drinking within a couple of strides of a refreshing swim in the sea is a luxurious way to spend the day.
Service was excellent. Light meals are served with sandwiches and wraps, costing between R50 and R80. Access is reasonable. Day memberships cost R140. A monthly membership costs R1400.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 
