Much has been written about this hotel. I do not think there is a traveller to Cape Town that is not aware that this hotel is the most luxe and unique experience in town, lauded by every travel magazine globally. For a very short time, there is a window of opportunity to stay here before the international tourists descend on CT again.

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A Cross Section of The Silo Hotel & Zeitz MOCAA.jpg

Panoramic of The Silo Hotel and view of Cape Town.jpg

The Silo Hotel in the V&A Waterfront.jpg

Dossier finally had the chance to stay at this majestic property. Here are the things that blew our minds :

When the hotel was launched, in 2017, it was said that the renovation cost $40 million by starchitect (oh I know that word is going to grind some teeth, but this is just an article, relax!) - Thomas Heatherwick. The Heatherwick Studio in London was also behind the Zeitz MOCAA Art Gallery which is part of the building. The original grain Silos at 57 metres high, was once the tallest building in Cape Town (probably Africa) when it was built in 1921. It was decommissioned as a grain silo in 2001, and gradually became derelict. This part of the V&A waterfront was a sexy location just waiting for a good idea. German businessman, Jochen Zeitz, was looking for a museum to house his collection of African contemporary art, and the famed hotelier Liz Biden was on the lookout for a superb property in the centre of CT and thus the two visions aligned to create a unique partnership — Jochen Zeitz's art collection now forms part of the museum’s collection. That is a brief background story. Here are a few mind-blowing unique aspects of the hotel : The windows. Yes, we don’t often go crazy about windows, but this is a feat! Floor to ceiling, convex-shaped windows measuring 2.6 x 4 meters, supported by diamond shaped structures made of 60 x 15 mm thick profiles. In the day, view Cape Town as it glistens and shines, the night sky sparkles likes a multitude of diamonds. It is jaw dropping. Every room and aspect of the hotel is wrapped with these incredible window structures, and that alone is something that sets this hotel apart. I cannot even begin to imagine how stressful the building process was. But alas, that is not our problem. We can just sigh, and enjoy!

Below : The original grain Silos in working condition (1920 to 2001)

The original Grain Silo building in Cape Town.png

The Grain Silo building tallest Sub-Saharan Africa at 57m 1924.jpg

This wonderful image was taken in 1955 by Willie Werth.jpg

For a long time the hotel was known for having the most expensive rooms in South Africa. (Hence our urgency in getting this deal to you). Of course, many things factor into this. There are only 28 rooms. Each room has the same bathroom layout, and that is our number two on the list of why this is a world class experience. Not only do you bath with the grand view of the whole of Cape Town, each bathroom is a delight with Chandelier and grandeur as only Liz Biden can achieve. The rooms vary in size, but the bathrooms remain spectacular in each. Every room was curated by Liz, items collected on her travels, items sourced and repurposed, each room a festival of colours, textures and joy. Each room is different, bold colour shades, whimsical art. But same massive attention to detail. Sparkling wine on ice on arrival, a mini bar with complimentary local wines, snacks. Beautiful objets all over to feast your eye on. It is an interior fire works display.

The Silo’s Granary Cafè is where you can enjoy your lavish breakfast, brunch, lunch and the much Instagrammed high tea - as well as dinner. Breakfast is wondrous, and we suggest you take your time to enjoy it at leisure.

Of course, the roof top pool and bar has been most talked about, take laps with the view of the whole city and mountain from the water. Again, jaw dropping. Cocktails and this view! Yes, that is why it is on all the “top hotel lists” in the world. CNN, Harper’s Bazaar, Travel and Leisure, there is not one publication that has not added it to the “best of” list.

For an art lover, this hotel will make your heart sing. I was taken for a personal art tour by the Silo’s Irene Boaventura, a young and dynamic art curator in the making. The Vault is a small area on the lower floors of the building where up and coming female artists are shown, something which is close to Liz Bidens’s heart -to find and nurture female artists. When you stay at the hotel, ask for Irene, she has the stories behind every marvellous piece in the hotel - so inspiring.