Perched six floors above Cape Town’s renowned Zeitz MOCAA, the world’s largest museum dedicated to contemporary African art, The Silo Hotel is, in itself, a masterpiece. Housed in a historic, converted grain silo, award-winning architect Thomas Heatherwick transformed the raw concrete building into a landmark of industrial minimalism, complete with dazzling, prism-shaped windows. Today, it’s one of the city’s most popular (and stunning) cultural sites, as well as an in-demand luxury hotel.
Inside, every corner of The Silo Hotel—designed and curated by its owner, Liz Biden—celebrates local craftsmanship and art. Original photographs, prints, and paintings by aspiring and acclaimed African artists, such as Cyrus Kabiru, Mahau Modisakeng, and Nandipha Mntambo, decorate both public spaces and rooms. Plush, cloud-like beds, a gourmet mini bar, and bathrooms that are so huge you could charge rent for them in New York City, keep the rooms warm and cozy, and ensure the whole experience doesn’t feel like an actual night at the museum.
Guests who want to discover more about contemporary African art don’t have to limit themselves to Zeitz MOCAA; they can visit The Vault, an exclusive onsite gallery dedicated to an ever-changing roster of up-and-coming artists like Frances Goodman and Beezy Bailey, or arrange a private guided tour of The Silo Hotel’s impressive collection.
Once the tallest structure in all of sub-Saharan Africa, The Silo Hotel still ranks as the highest building on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront—and the views of Table Mountain and Table Bay are just as epic. Head to The Silo Rooftop for a lap in the pool, a cocktail, and a sunset you’ll never forget.
Top Takeaways
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Rating: Five-Star
- The Vibe: A wellness retreat that’s more glam than granola.
- Food + Drink: Guests start every day off right with complimentary breakfast at The Willaston Bar, The Silo Hotel’s all-day dining venue, including the lavish Harvest Table: a platter of yogurt, fresh-baked pastries, fruit, cheese, meat, and salmon that arrives without fail before you even order a main. Next door, The Granary Café serves the most decadent Sunday brunch and afternoon tea in town. The Silo Rooftop is the perfect spot for a pre-dinner snack and drink.
- Amenities: Rooftop pool, spa, gym, sauna, private art gallery, complimentary mini bar, and free wifi
- What’s Nearby? Zeitz MOCAA, Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap, Camp’s Bay, and V&A Waterfront. At the V&A Waterfront, don’t miss the Watershed for designs by South African artisans and Time Out Market Cape Town for a chance to try some of the city’s top chefs under one roof.
- Any Personal Neighborhood Recs? Enlist the services of African Lynx, a luxury, multi-day touring company, to uncover Cape Town’s secrets. Their exclusive experiences—from a Cape Malay cooking lesson to a private ocean safari with a zoologist who guides Nat Geo on local film shoots—are carefully curated to meet each traveler’s personal interests.
- Rooms: 28 across six categories. All rooms and suites are individually decorated with a distinctive color scheme, contemporary African art, and handcrafted furniture, including gigantic crystal chandeliers from Egypt. The building’s enormous pillowed-glass windows showcase panoramic views of Table Mountain and Table Bay harborfront, which are best enjoyed from the bathrooms’ extravagant soaking tubs, a glass of Champagne in hand.
- Pricing: Rooms start at $1,433/night
- Closest Airport: Cape Town International Airport
