The Silo—Luxury Industrial-Chic

In a few words: beautiful 360-degree views, exceptional service, attention to detail, elegance and sophistication, in a breathtaking location that makes this a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

In Cape Town, South Africa, there sits an iconic 6-storey building with its adjacent 11-storey elevator tower, once known as the tallest building in Sub-Saharan Africa. Originally a granary built in the 1920s, it was abandoned in 2001. Following extensive renovations from 2014–2017, the elevator tower now houses The Silo luxury hotel.

The Silo is in The Royal Portfolio collection, a family-owned group of boutique hotels located in Cape Town, Franschhoek, Hermanus and Kruger National Park. The Biden Family is passionate about its products, and it shows!  Liz Biden, founder and CEO, personally designs and decorates the hotels. Her love of art is apparent throughout, with hand-picked pieces meticulously placed in optimum positions. Room décor is elegant, opulent and luxurious, but also allows the natural surroundings of the location to reflect in your experience. The Silo brilliantly incorporates industrial architectural vernacular with outstanding luxury. Breathtaking bird’s-eye views of the Mother City are framed by pillared windows. The hotel is a stone’s throw away from the V&A Waterfront, from which viewpoint the building resembles a maritime lighthouse when illuminated at night.

The Royal Portfolio knows a thing or two about making you feel special. From the second we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and genuine eagerness to assist. The Silo staff’s passion for the brand is a true testament to the quality of The Royal Portfolio. We felt . . . liked!  And by every single staff member!

An informative check-in and room orientation was followed by a delicious lunch at the 11th floor, Rooftop Cafe—with amazing views of the city, Table Mountain, Signal Hill and Lion’s Head, the stadium and the harbour. Very popular with hotel guests and locals are the 6th floor the Granary Café, where we ate breakfast, and the impressive Williston Bar, where we at dinner—brilliant all round! We took advantage of the rooftop pool, sipping a cocktail and soaking in the views. What more could you ask for?!

Other amenities include a sauna, a gym, and a spa—a perfect inclusion for your romantic getaway, offering an array of packages and treatments in a tranquil setting. One of its five treatment rooms is adaptable to accommodate a couple.

We visited the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, housed in The Silo’s adjacent structure. Not only were we impressed by its exceptional art collection, but we were blown away by the clever juxtaposition of artistic creations and the building’s architectural form. This is a full cultural Cape Town experience in its own right.

Comprising only 28 rooms, uniquely fitted out, The Silo offers a very intimate experience. It is an excellent choice for a luxury stay, honeymoon or romantic getaway. Young or not so young, what better way to celebrate your special time together than in this incredible luxurious setting—pampered from start to finish! Its four family suites are ideal for families with small children, or small groups travelling together.

Why not combine The Silo with her sister products to create a mind blowing itinerary? Add a few days in the winelands at La Residence, two-hour road trip to a coastal retreat at Birkenhead House, and end your stay with a safari like no other… at Royal Malewane. Let us assist you in putting it all together from start to finish.

We will remember our time at the Silo very fondly and we would love to help you to experience its wonderful hospitality. Contact Tailored Ventures to have us include The Silo in your vacation itinerary!