Hotel
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
Opened in 1899 below Table Mountain, the pink-painted Belmond Mount Nelson is Cape Town's grande dame, set in nine acres of gardens with two pools and…
The Silo Hotel
Set in the upper floors of the converted grain silo above Zeitz MOCAA, The Silo Hotel has bulging glass windows with views from Table Mountain to the harbour.
At a glance
- Type
- Luxury design hotel
- Area
- V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Hotel class
- 5-star
- Official site
- theroyalportfolio.com
Good to know
- Pillowed-glass windows
- Rooftop bar and restaurant
- Granary Café
- Above Zeitz MOCAA
Why we recommend it
The Silo Hotel occupies the upper floors of the historic grain silo at the V&A Waterfront, the same building that houses the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa below. The silo was built in the early 1920s, and its conversion by Heatherwick Studio, completed in 2017, turned a disused industrial landmark into one of the most recognisable buildings in Cape Town. The hotel is part of The Royal Portfolio, a small South African collection of luxury hotels and lodges.
The defining feature is the windows. Huge panes of pillowed glass bulge outwards from the old concrete walls, and from inside they frame panoramic views that stretch from Table Mountain across the city to the Table Bay harbour. At night, the lit windows make the building glow like a lantern above the Waterfront. The hotel sits directly above a museum holding a major collection of contemporary African art, and art and design are central to its identity.
The hotel's dining venues include the Granary Café and The Silo Rooftop, where guests can eat and drink with views over the harbour and mountain. The rooftop is the place to be at sunset. With Zeitz MOCAA directly beneath, art is a theme throughout, and guests can easily combine a stay with time in the museum's galleries.
The Silo suits couples, honeymooners and design lovers looking for a special stay, and its central Waterfront location makes it practical as well as glamorous. Booking well ahead is advisable, particularly for the summer season, and guest enquiries are handled through a form on the Royal Portfolio website, which says it replies within 24 hours.
The Silo District is at the western end of the V&A Waterfront, within walking distance of the shops and restaurants of Victoria Wharf, the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Clock Tower and the Robben Island ferry terminal. The city centre, Green Point and the Atlantic Seaboard are a short taxi ride away, and Cape Town International Airport is around 20 to 30 minutes away by car, depending on traffic.
Staying at the Waterfront means you can do much of your sightseeing on foot, which is a real advantage in Cape Town, where most visitors otherwise rely on taxis. Book a sunset drink on the rooftop even if you are staying elsewhere in the city, as it is one of the best ways to see the building and the harbour views.
The Silo Hotel FAQs
Where is The Silo Hotel?
In the Silo District of the V&A Waterfront, in the upper floors of the grain silo above Zeitz MOCAA.
What is special about the windows?
The rooms have large pillowed-glass windows with views from Table Mountain to the harbour.
Who owns the hotel?
It is part of The Royal Portfolio collection.
Where can I eat at the hotel?
The Granary Café and The Silo Rooftop are among its dining venues.
Is the museum in the same building?
Yes. Zeitz MOCAA is directly beneath the hotel.
How do I make an enquiry?
Through the guest enquiry form on the Royal Portfolio website, which says it replies within 24 hours.
Who designed the building conversion?
Heatherwick Studio converted the silo, which reopened in 2017.
What is nearby?
The V&A Waterfront shops, the Two Oceans Aquarium and the Robben Island ferries.