Twenty-eight rooms with bubble-glass windows rise above Africa's largest collection of contemporary art, in a century-old grain elevator reimagined by Thomas Heatherwick on Cape Town's harbour.
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Overview
Six Floors, Above a Museum
The Silo occupies the elevator tower of Cape Town's historic 1924 grain silo, its bulging pillowed-glass windows designed by Heatherwick Studio rising directly above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.
Once the tallest building in Sub-Saharan Africa, the grain elevator processed South African maize for export until operations ceased in 2001; today its lower floors house Zeitz MOCAA, Africa's largest collection of contemporary art, while six floors above hold The Silo's 28 rooms and suites. Owner Liz Biden's interiors are bold and eclectic — Persian carpets, Egyptian chandeliers, giraffe prints and acid-bright velvets set against transparent tables and contemporary African artworks. Every room's multi-faceted glass bay, up to 5.5 metres high, frames Table Mountain, the city or Table Bay harbour, with the bathtub itself positioned to share the view.
Part of The Royal Portfolio. The Silo sits alongside La Residence and Birkenhead House within The Royal Portfolio, Liz Biden's small collection of design-led South African hotels.
28
Rooms & Suites
6
Floors Above the Museum
57m
Height of the Original Silo
1924
Grain Silo Completed
Rooms
Bubble Windows, Every Room
Seven room categories range by size and view, but every one shares the hotel's signature pillowed-glass windows and individually curated art and furnishings.
The Penthouse — Table Mountain View
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The Silo RoomsAt 41 square metres including a balcony, double-volume ceilings bring floor-to-ceiling glass windows up to 5 metres high, framing the harbour.
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Superior & Deluxe Superior SuitesMezzanine-level bedrooms sit beneath the same soaring glass, with mountain or harbour views depending on the floor.
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Family SuitesTwo-storey suites on the 7th floor include a smaller kids' room, with views over the old harbour or the V&A Waterfront.
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Royal Suites & The PenthouseTriple-aspect Royal Suites face the Atlantic, Robben Island and the mountains, while the top-floor Penthouse adds a 24 square metre balcony facing Table Mountain.
Experiences
Africa's Largest Contemporary Art Collection
The Silo's identity is inseparable from Zeitz MOCAA below it — art threads through every part of a stay, guided by an in-house art concierge.
Culture
Zeitz MOCAA
Direct hotel access to Africa's largest collection of contemporary African art, housed across the museum's lower floors.
Curated
Private Art Tours
An in-house art concierge leads private tours through the museum and the hotel's own curated collection.
Leisure
The Rooftop Infinity Pool
A heated infinity pool and lounge on the hotel's highest point offer sweeping views from Table Mountain to the Atlantic.
Wellness
The Silo Spa
Massage therapists and a fitness centre provide a quieter counterpoint to the V&A Waterfront's energy below.
Family
Kids Hotel Amenities
Dedicated family-friendly rooms and tailored amenities make a stay accessible for younger guests too.
Nearby
V&A Waterfront & Robben Island
The hotel sits five minutes from the Waterfront's shops and restaurants, with the Robben Island ferry practically on the doorstep.
Dining
Grain, Reimagined as Gastronomy
Three distinct venues take their cues from the building's industrial history, from breakfast pastries to rooftop oysters and champagne.
01The Granary Café, for breakfast and classic grills
02Willaston Bar, for small plates and cocktails
03The Silo Rooftop, for oysters, tempura and sunset views
04In-room dining, available throughout the day
The Silo Rooftop — Oysters & Champagne
Location
The Heart of the Waterfront
The Silo rises above Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, the city's most visited precinct, with Table Mountain, the harbour and Robben Island all visible from its upper floors.
Located in Silo Square, within the historic grain silo complex at the V&A Waterfront.
Five minutes' walk to the Waterfront's shops, galleries and restaurants.
The Robben Island ferry departs a short walk from the hotel's entrance.
Designed by Heatherwick Studio, with local architecture by Rick Brown and Associates.
Fly
Cape Town International Airport is roughly 20 to 30 minutes from the hotel by car.
Arrive
The hotel sits within the pedestrian-friendly V&A Waterfront, an easy walk from most Waterfront entrances.
Explore
Table Mountain, Robben Island and the City Bowl are all a short drive or ferry ride away.
Art, Architecture & Design
A Museum You Can Sleep Above
Few hotels anywhere combine architecture, art and harbour views quite like The Silo, rising directly above Africa's largest contemporary art museum.