Luxury Travel

The Silo Resort, Cape City (South Africa)

05/04/2023

Wednesday newsletters all the time function a resort or flight evaluate.

Final February, I loved a elegant vacation that I’ll bear in mind as my most epic journey ever: a visit to Cape City (South Africa) and Antarctica (the seventh Continent). You’ll be able to learn my journey experiences right here:

Right now: Assessment of The Silo Resort, Cape City (South Africa)

Topping Cape City’s Museum of Modern Artwork Africa (MOCAA) on the bustling V&A Waterfront, the family-owned Silo Resort hits all of the excessive notes. The previous grain elevator was reimagined from tough concrete into diamond, with crystalline home windows and a whimsical magnificence. Visitors can watch the bustle beneath whereas soaking in a freestanding tub in one in all 28 lofty rooms, designed with a daring combine of colours, prints, and textures. Champagne and carving trolleys roll by the resort’s signature restaurant The Granary Café, and the spa is sumptuously serene. A spotlight of the resort is its spectacular wraparound rooftop terrace, which options an infinity pool, two bars and several other lounge areas.

The Silo Resort Cape City options in my high 10 lists of the finest luxurious inns in Cape City and the world’s most instagrammable luxurious inns.

Have you ever ever stayed at The Silo Resort Cape City? In that case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

I made a YouTube video with a full tour of The Silo Resort Cape City, which you’ll be able to watch right here:

On this evaluate (extra data and pictures beneath my YouTube video):

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PROS & THINGS I LIKE

The Silo Resort enjoys an wonderful location on the outskirts of Cape City’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The latter is a energetic hub of world-class eateries, designer retailers, proficient avenue performers, family-friendly actions, and genuine arts & crafts from the Cape, all gathered collectively on the historic working harbour within the shadow of Desk Mountain. Each ocean and mountain actions are in your doorstep when staying at The Silo Resort, for the reason that V&A Waterfront is the middle of all of it, appearing as a departure level for guided whale excursions, sundown catamaran excursions, or stand-up paddle boarding for a self-guided voyage across the harbor.

The Silo Resort is positioned in a historic grain silo constructing, which was accomplished in 1924. The constructing, as soon as the tallest in Sub-Saharan Africa, standing proud at 57 m (187 ft), was used for practically 80 years as a grain silo offering essential infrastructure to the nation’s agricultural and industrial growth. The final cargo of grain to Europe was on board the MV Anangel Knowledge in 1995 and the grain silo ceased operations in 2001. The constructing was reimagined by UK industrial designer Thomas Heatherwick, who included most of the construction’s authentic industrial options. One of many constructing’s most exceptional newly added options are the pillowed glazing panels, inserted into the geometry of the resort flooring, which bulge outward as if gently inflated. The resort is positioned within the grain elevator portion of the constructing – typically dubbed the ‘elevator tower’ – which used to kind the grain earlier than conveying the grain into the 42 storage silos.

Situated on the bottom ground of the silo constructing, the foyer units the scene for the distinction between outdated and new design showcased all through The Silo Resort. Suspended from the double quantity ceiling hangs Haldane Martin’s up to date chandelier, juxtaposed towards the unique grain hoppers. Mohau Modisakeng’s Ditaola sequence, commissioned items by Jody Paulsen, Should be the Rain and So Unique, and Frances Goodman’s Hooded Woman I, II & III assist showcase this contrasting theme. Persevering with as much as Degree Six is the reception space, which is flanked by the Granary Café on one aspect and Willaston Bar on the opposite aspect. All areas show distinctive variations of whimsical inside ornaments, colourful up to date African artwork, and an authentic machine head rising from what was as soon as the distribution ground of the grain silo working home. The big home windows supply birds-eye views of the town, the harbor and the enduring Desk Mountain.

The redeveloped constructing is a fantastically contrasted combination of historic infrastructure and a contemporary decor. This stark distinction between outdated and new is augmented by the energetic and eclectic type of inside design, a unusual distinction from the chilly, uncooked really feel of the constructing’s exterior. The inside had been designed by hotelier Liz Biden, who owns The Silo resort and its father or mother firm, The Royal Portfolio, alongside along with her husband, Phil. Drawing inspiration from her travels world wide, Ms Biden has acquired a singular and diversified assortment of artwork and inside artefacts that enhances that of the Zeitz Museum of Modern Artwork Africa (MOCAA) located beneath The Silo Resort. The gathering highlights each younger, aspiring artists, in addition to established, extremely acclaimed artists corresponding to Cyrus Kabiru, Mahau Modisakeng and Nandipha Mntambo. The resort even contains a subterranean personal artwork gallery – referred to as The Vault – which acts as a hyperlink between the resort and native galleries in Cape City.

The Silo Resort options solely 28 spacious rooms that are available 6 classes, together with a spectacular one bed room penthouse. The rooms are extra spacious vertically than horizontally because of the distinctive structure of The Silo and specifically the ingenious design of the pillowed window bays that are one of many resort’s key architectural options. Every room has been individually designed and opulently adorned with up to date African artwork by Liz Biden, with colourful and eclectic items juxtaposing the fashionable, industrial structure. Throughout my go to, I stayed in a Duplex Suite on the resort’s sixth ground which got here with a beautiful view of the harbor. The suite had an upstairs space with a sitting room & eating nook and a downstairs space with a bed room, small balcony, and a palatial toilet geared up with standalone bathtub, walk-in bathe and double vainness. The suite felt extra like a lavish luxurious house in Cape City than a resort room.

The Silo Resort contains a gorgeous wraparound terrace on its high ground, which provides spectacular 360° views of the town, harbor, Atlantic Ocean, and Cape City’s three well-known mountain peaks: Lion’s Head, Satan’s Peak and Desk Mountain. One a part of the al fresco area is reserved for in-house company: it contains a glossy, glass-sided swimming pool on the terrace’s western aspect, in addition to a snack bar with some sitting areas and sunbeds straight dealing with Desk Mountain. The opposite aspect of the rooftop is open to the general public and contains a classy bar and lounge zone dealing with the harbor and Atlantic Ocean (it might probably get very busy and crowded right here within the late afternoon). Having fun with a poolside meal alongside a glass of bubbly, high-quality South African wine or sipping on a crafted cocktail whereas absorbing the final of the day’s sunshine rank among the many most interesting moments that company can expertise whereas staying on the resort.

The Royal Portfolio properties are famend for his or her eating, and The Silo Resort doesn’t disappoint. The property options two eating places, that are open to each resident and non-resident company:
- Situated on the sixth ground is The Granary Café, the resort’s signature restaurant, which provides uninterrupted views by its 5.5 m (18 ft) excessive pillowed-glass home windows. The venue serves up to date dishes created by Govt Chef Veronica Canha-Hibbert and her passionate workforce, that are complemented by a rigorously curated, unique wine checklist. Every morning, an à la carte breakfast can be served at The Granary Café.
- Additionally positioned on the resort’s sixth ground is the Willaston Bar, a vibrant area with eclectic interiors and a rigorously curated wine checklist. Right here, company can unwind with a crafted cocktail alongside a collection of basic bar snacks, small plates or lunch. The Willaston Bar is known as after the primary ship to hold grain from the silo advanced to Europe in 1924, the SS Willaston.

The Silo Resort options an intimate wellness middle on its 4th ground. The spa represents an oasis of peace and leisure within the metropolis middle, providing a regenerative journey in direction of enhanced wellbeing. Services embrace a number of therapy rooms (together with one double-treatment room), a sauna and a devoted manicure and pedicure space. Visitors can profit from the most recent therapies, spa strategies, and signature therapies which may be personalised to fulfill particular wellness necessities. Skilled therapists use high native and worldwide merchandise together with Ling and Black Pearl. The spa’s signature therapy is a 24 Carat Physique Ritual, comprised of a vanilla and patchouli physique polish adopted by a 24-Carat Gold therapeutic massage, encouraging leisure of drained muscular tissues. Subsequent to the spa is a well-equipped health middle, which permits for work-outs with metropolis views.

The Silo Resort is a part of the Royal Portfolio, a group of South African luxurious inns and personal residences owned and run by the Biden household. The story of The Royal Portfolio started in 1999 when Liz and Phil Biden transformed their household vacation dwelling into Royal Malewane in South Africa’s Higher Kruger Nationwide Park, providing an unmatched luxurious safari expertise alongside Africa’s most certified guiding workforce. The Bidens quickly opened Birkenhead Home within the whale watching paradise of Hermanus, providing a coastal expertise targeted on the area’s fantastic seashores. La Residence in Franschhoek adopted, a tranquil and opulent wine property within the coronary heart of Franschhoek – South Africa’s gourmand capital. The Silo Resort is the most recent chapter within the story. It completes the circuit of quintessentially South African luxurious journey experiences including Cape City’s artwork, tradition and design to the resort group’s present choices.

The constructing which homes The Silo Resort is taken into account as a murals and an architectural jewel, providing its fantastically reimagined construction as an industrial canvas that highlights the easiest of African artwork and design. The constructing can be dwelling to Zeitz Museum of Modern Artwork Africa (MOCAA), which occupies the flooring beneath the resort in addition to the area containing its 42 colossal, concrete silos. The primary museum on the African continent dedicated to Twenty first-century artwork from Africa and its diaspora, Zeitz MOCAA homes 100 galleries devoted to a everlasting assortment; momentary exhibitions; and facilities for artwork schooling, pictures, a Costume Institute and extra, all supporting the emergence of artists and placing a world magnifying glass on African expression. The museum additionally contains an Atelier artist residency, a retail store, rooftop restaurant and a espresso store. Personal museum excursions may be booked through the resort’s concierge desk.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

The Silo Resort is a deeply private mission of proprietor Liz Biden, who has designed each a part of the interiors herself. The result’s a wonderful, sudden and visually overwhelming decor that’s all about artwork and Africa. Whereas some company will love the quirky design, it may not match the style of others, though one factor is for positive: it is going to depart an impression that you’ll not simply neglect.

The resort’s rooftop terrace – with its pool and lounge areas – is a showstopper, providing magnificent views of Cape City’s cityscape, Desk Mountain and Sign Hill. Nevertheless, it might probably get a bit of crowded right here, particularly on heat summer season days, and there isn’t a variety of seating by the pool (solely 4 sunbeds in addition to some lounge areas, that are reserved for resort company). Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful place to hang around and luxuriate in a glass of wine, particularly round sundown.

The room charges at The Silo Resort are extraordinarily excessive (and better than its different 5 star opponents on the town: Ellerman Home and One&Solely). For instance, throughout the busy summer season months, the entry room charges are above 1200 euros per room per evening. Some will say that you simply can not justify spending that sum of money per evening in a metropolis like Cape City, the place different (albeit much less spectacular) luxurious inns may be booked for lower than half of the value. Nevertheless, needless to say Liz Biden and her household have creating an iconic venue that clearly surpasses all different inns in Cape City. The main target of the property is on structure, design and views whereas by no means scarifying consolation, and that’s what you might be in the end paying for.

All rooms are positioned on the silo’s higher flooring, so all of them take pleasure in panoramic views. Nevertheless, solely half of the rooms has a direct view of Desk Mountain, whereas the opposite rooms face the opposite method and look out over the harbor, which isn’t practically as spectacular because the view of Desk Mountain. Sadly, the resort’s web site makes it not very clear which rooms have mountain views. If I had been to remain once more, I’d undoubtedly ask for a room with view of Desk Mountain, as the alternative view simply wasn’t as fairly.

MY VERDICT

Location: 9/10
Design: 10/10
Pool: 9/10
Rooms: 10/10
Meals: 8/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Worth for cash: 8/10
Total expertise: distinctive 9/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Get monetary savings: get complimentary VIP perks when reserving through Virtuoso (e.g. improve, each day breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD meals & beverage credit score).

Get monetary savings: learn right here my suggestions for getting the most effective deal at a luxurious resort like The Silo City (and/or obtain many free perks).

Learn my suggestions for getting ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Cape City’s sizzling, dry summer season months run from late October to early April. Temperatures attain their peak between December and February, and that is typically seen as when to go to Cape City for the most effective seashore climate. In the course of the winter months (June to September), the climate may be moist, chilly and overcast (limiting out of doors actions).

HOW TO GET THERE

The Silo Resort is a 25 minute drive from Cape City Worldwide Airport. The latter is served by a number of main European, American, Asian and African airways. Verify the Wikipedia web page of Cape City Worldwide Airport for a constantly up to date checklist of airways that supply direct flights to Cape City.

PHOTOS

Beneath is a collection of my pictures of The Silo Resort Cape City. To view extra pictures (together with breakfast and dinner at The Granary Café), click on right here.