The Silo Hotel in Cape Town opened in May 2017, the newest member of The Royal Portfolio Collection, and it has since become THE hotel everyone wants to visit in the city. Iconic and luxurious in equal measure it is a must see building in town perched on the edge of the V&A Waterfront. The Silo is found within the same building as the groundbreaking Zeitz Mocaa museum, housing Africa’s largest collection of contemporary African art, and art and creativity is very much at the heart of the hotel.
The Silo has been built in the grain elevator portion of the historic grain silo complex, and occupies six floors with it’s bedrooms and state of the art facilities. The exterior of the building (both hotel and museum) was designed by Thomas Heatherwick, and the unusual glass window structure is a magnificent feat of architectural brilliance.
The hotel has 28 bedrooms in total, including the penthouse. Each room has been individually designed by Liz Biden (who started the Royal Portfolio collection of hotels in 1999 with her husband Phil Biden). Liz has an eye for the extraordinary and original… every room is different, an eclectic mix of colour clashes and inventive patterns.
Our room was a Superior Suite on the 7th floor, decorated in shades of vibrant and muted pink, I absolutely adored it. The suite was split over two levels, with a grand and elaborate living room and bar on the lower floor, bedroom, bathroom and wardrobe above. I quickly noticed the attention to detail, modern artwork, vintage furniture and quirky ornaments everywhere you looked.
Sadly we only stayed for one night at The Silo so I didn’t have the chance to experience many of the hotel’s other special features. The 4th floor Silo Spa offers a sauna, 5 treatment rooms, gym, manicure/pedicure area and a shop showcasing handpicked South African beauty products. The Willaston Bar is a lovely place for drinks and bar snacks on the 6th floor and the Granary Cafe is ideal for more formal dining (including Royal Tea and Sunday Roasts.) In good weather the Silo rooftop bar is a spectacular spot for drinks and home to the hotel’s swimming pool.
After a deep and restful sleep we relished the opportunity to have breakfast in our room. An amazing spread of food was delivered promptly, a range of continental and hot dishes.
Those not staying should stop by The Silo for a sundowner cocktail on the rooftop bar, a relaxing treatment in the pristine spa or a meal at the restaurant, it is so much more than just a hotel.
More information and book a room at The Silo Hotel here.