Situated atop the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town, The Silo is a converted grain silo and as such makes for a unique place to stay in the city.
Overview
With a façade remodelled by British designer Thomas Heatherwick, and styled by Liz Biden, who mixes eclectic pieces such as British chesterfields, Egyptian chandeliers and Persian carpets with an industrial style and bright colours throughout the shared areas and bedrooms, The Silo possesses a personality all of its own. The pillowed glass windows throughout glow at night above the harbour and by day let in plenty of light. There is a rooftop pool and bar, a small library, meeting rooms and direct access to the MOCAA below. The Silo Spa includes a gym, sauna and a dedicated manicure and pedicure area. One room is adapted for wheelchairs. Children can stay in one of several family suites.
Food & service
Food is taken very seriously at The Silo and Executive Chef Veronica Canha-Hibbert and her team have designed a number of contemporary menus for every meal of the day including a wonderful Sunday Roast. Seasonal and local ingredients are celebrated in her menus. The Willaston Bar offers a selection of bar snacks over drinks, while The Granary Café is more formal with a simple, but delicious dinner menu of five main courses. The Silo Rooftop is ideal for a sunset cocktail or a light lunch.
Rooms
Rooms at The Silo vary from a 211m2 penthouse to a 41 m2 silo suite, but all include balconies and each of the 28 rooms has been individually decorated by Liz Biden. All have at least one of Heatherwick’s enormous pillowed windows with a view of the harbour, city or Table Mountain. The bathtubs are set against a window with a view of Cape Town below, and touch-pad blinds control light and privacy. All rooms include a TV, Nespresso machine, kettle/tea station, minibar, air-conditioning and Penhaligon’s toiletries.
Activities
The Silo is just minutes from the Robben Island ferry, the V&A shopping mall, and being above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA), offers guests instant access to some of South Africa’s greatest art collections. There is a beach in Cape Town, whale watching in Hermanus, or cage diving with great white sharks off Gansbaai on offer. The botanical gardens of Kirstenbosch are within easy reach, as well as wine tasting at several legendary wine estates.
Impact
Commerce
There is the ongoing task to empower local entrepreneurs through the continuing outsourcing of services and suppliers. In addition, The Silo sources its kitchen ingredients from small-scale, local businesses that in turn has positive knock-on effects for immediate communities.