There’s a new kid on the hotel block in Cape Town that is continuing to wow both locals and tourists with its unique design and offering.

Of course, I’m referring to The Silo Hotel, which was recently visited by a Forbes correspondent who described it as the latest and greatest in Cape Town – with a glowing review to boot.

The hotel, built in the grain elevator section of the now defunct but recently refurbished silo grain-complex, is at the heart of a current revival in that area at the V&A Waterfront, a renaissance which will soon see the addition of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in September. At one point this building was the tallest in Sub-Saharan Africa – a record then at 57m when it was opened in August 1924 after three years of construction.

 

The original silo grain complex that ceased operation in 2001. Do you remember it?
The Silo Hotel as we know it today. Notice the incorporation of the defunct grain silo in its design.

Luxury travel writer Laurie Werner has paid tribute to The Silo Hotel in her Forbes story, describing its striking architecture and modernly bold finishes throughout. When it comes to five-star establishments, it’s all in the detail, and in this case, there is mention of these well-thought-out touches, various aspects of the 28-suite hotel where attention has been paid to in great detail.

One such example would be the slab of ginger found next to the Nespresso machine in Laurie’s suite – a clever and unusual touch for weary travellers in need of a ‘pick me up’ – a steaming cup of ginger tea.

The Granary Cafe at the hotel is a fresh addition to Cape Town’s food scene. Described as a ‘quality operation’, its dinner menu boasts exciting dishes like a hearty bouillabaise. Breakfast is a harvest table affair complete with continental classics, while Sunday afternoon roasts are becoming quite the talking point lately among Capetonians too.

It’s going to be exciting to see how this space develops over the next few years. Not too far away changes are happening at the Foreshore. The Silo Hotel is one of the first to shape the future of this historical area.

Photography The Silo Hotel

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