Saturday was a busy day down in Camps Bay, with some kind of celebration/event going on. Something by the name of “Spring Tide” – resulting in hordes of youngsters over-populating the Camps Bay strip and beach.

The Muse, The Photographer, Eddie S and I decided to take some refuge in the bar at The Bay hotel. It’s a lovely, cosy little bar with great views – a favourite amongst the Camps Bay locals throughout the winter, and summer.

We got to the entrance and got blocked by a security guard who informed us that only hotel residents were allowed access to the hotel.

The Bay hotel – Camps Bay
Locals not welcome

“I beg your pardon?” I retorted, gobsmacked.

“Only hotel guests allowed. Hotel is full,” our security guard friend informed us.

“I can see inside the bar from here, it is completely empty. Are you joking?” I gave the guard the benefit of the doubt – perhaps we were being Punk’d.

“Instructions from management,” he went on.

I realised that perhaps this was the result of the crazy crowds on the beach that day and maybe a blanket instruction had been given to all staff. With this in mind, I thought a bit of communication was in order.

“No problem,” I said, “this makes complete sense. Could you just make a quick call to the manager from the phone in your security booth and let him know that we are local Camps Bay residents.”

I turned to our little crew and informed them that this is obviously a formality and is surely to do with the mayhem on the beach.

The guy came back from making the call and said, “I’m sorry, local residents are not allowed in the hotel – only guests.”

We stood there, gobsmacked. I didn’t know what to say. All I could muster was, “there must be a mistake – did you tell the manager we are locals, who support the hotel throughout winter, when there are no tourists? Can you check again..”

He made another call, came back and said the same thing.

I asked for the manager’s name.

Mario Gomes, is the name he gave me.

And so, Mario Gomes and The Bay hotel, we would just like to thank you for that. It is very interesting to note how you welcome us with open arms in winter and carry on about how special the Capetonians are to you. But then as soon as summer comes, you refuse to let us in to your hotel – with full knowledge that we are locals and supporters of your hotel. Twice.

Not to mention the amount of friends and family we have directed to your establishment in the past..

What a pity.

But let’s hear what the readers out there think of this. Do you think it’s right that The Bay hotel bans locals during summer, but then let’s them in during winter? Perhaps this is standard around the world? We’d love to hear your thoughts – please add to the comments section – below.