The Silo
Where industrial architecture becomes Cape Town's most extraordinary hotel
Reserve this StayBoutique Hotel in Cape Town, Western Cape
/The Silo
The Silo
15 Total Rooms
11 Room Types
4.6 (30 Reviews)
Six stories above the V&A Waterfront, cradled within the pillowed glass windows of a century-old grain elevator complex, The Silo occupies one of the most structurally audacious hotel conversions anywhere in the world. The building's original concrete silos rise through the center of the property like a geological core sample, and around them, architect Thomas Heatherwick inserted bulging panels of glass that catch and refract the South African light in constantly shifting patterns. The effect from inside is kaleidoscopic. From outside, the building appears to breathe. It is a property where the architecture is not backdrop but protagonist, and every corridor, every threshold, every room carries the weight and wonder of an industrial past made luminous.
The Silo houses 28 rooms and suites, each one individually designed and filled with a curated collection of contemporary African art. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of Table Mountain, the harbor, and the city beyond, while the interiors layer bold color, bespoke furniture, and gallery-worthy pieces into spaces that feel deeply personal rather than formulaic. On the rooftop, a heated pool and bar offer panoramic views across the waterfront and the mountain, creating one of Cape Town's most compelling gathering points. The Willaston Bar, located on the sixth floor, serves as the hotel's social anchor with craft cocktails and a intimate atmosphere shaped by the original silo structure. For dining, The Granary Café presents a menu rooted in South African ingredients within a striking space that honors the building's industrial heritage.
The property sits directly above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, which occupies the lower floors of the same grain silo complex. This relationship is not incidental. It places guests in physical proximity to the largest museum of contemporary African art on the continent, and the cultural energy of that institution permeates the hotel's identity. Beyond the building, the V&A Waterfront stretches out with its restaurants, markets, and harbor life, while Table Mountain and the broader Cape Town landscape remain within close reach for those drawn to the region's natural drama.
What stays with you after The Silo is not a single detail but a kind of spatial memory. The way light bends through those extraordinary windows at different hours. The quiet authority of concrete walls that once held grain and now hold some of the continent's most important contemporary art. The rooftop at dusk, Table Mountain turning violet against the last light. It is a hotel that earns its reputation not through opulence but through conviction, a place where bold architectural vision and deep cultural intention produce something genuinely unrepeatable.
Six stories above the V&A Waterfront, cradled within the pillowed glass windows of a century-old grain elevator complex, The Silo occupies one of the most structurally audacious hotel conversions anywhere in the world. The building's original concrete silos rise through the center of the property like a geological core sample, and around them, architect Thomas Heatherwick inserted bulging panels of glass that catch and refract the South African light in constantly shifting patterns. The effect from inside is kaleidoscopic. From outside, the building appears to breathe. It is a property where the architecture is not backdrop but protagonist, and every corridor, every threshold, every room carries the weight and wonder of an industrial past made luminous.
The Silo houses 28 rooms and suites, each one individually designed and filled with a curated collection of contemporary African art. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of Table Mountain, the harbor, and the city beyond, while the interiors layer bold color, bespoke furniture, and gallery-worthy pieces into spaces that feel deeply personal rather than formulaic. On the rooftop, a heated pool and bar offer panoramic views across the waterfront and the mountain, creating one of Cape Town's most compelling gathering points. The Willaston Bar, located on the sixth floor, serves as the hotel's social anchor with craft cocktails and a intimate atmosphere shaped by the original silo structure. For dining, The Granary Café presents a menu rooted in South African ingredients within a striking space that honors the building's industrial heritage.
The property sits directly above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, which occupies the lower floors of the same grain silo complex. This relationship is not incidental. It places guests in physical proximity to the largest museum of contemporary African art on the continent, and the cultural energy of that institution permeates the hotel's identity. Beyond the building, the V&A Waterfront stretches out with its restaurants, markets, and harbor life, while Table Mountain and the broader Cape Town landscape remain within close reach for those drawn to the region's natural drama.
What we love about this stay
There's something almost defiant about a grain silo turned into a place this refined — the industrial bones still show, but they've been dressed in bespoke furniture and African artistry that feels collected rather than decorated. You sense the building's former life in the scale of things, the height, the weight of the structure, and then you look through those vast windows at the Atlantic and the harbor below, and the contrast sharpens into something genuinely stirring. The rooftop pool, glass-walled and sky-mirroring, sits with Robben Island in the distance — a view that carries real gravity if you let it. This is a property for travelers who want Cape Town's cultural pulse without leaving the lobby, and who appreciate that true luxury sometimes means standing inside history reimagined rather than erased.
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Where you'll be staying
Silo Square, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA
Hear it from other travelers
Guest
OCT 2025Had a fantastic private tour with Luhambo Tours. We were picked up in Cape Town and then spent the day traveling down the peninsula going to Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point and to see the Penguin colony. Then we worked our way back up to the Constantia area and went to several wineries. Cedric was most excellent in providing information and most importantly spotting wild game. We were able to pull over to the side of the road often and take in the beautiful scenery and get a history of the area from Cedric. IT was casual, full of information and fun. Cedric is extremely knowledgeable about the area and provided great guidance to us about the wine region. Given his background previously operating safari's, finding game on the route was easy (I would even give him a call to get the low down on the best safari's to consider!). I highly recommend the Luhambo Tours.
Guest
OCT 2025We visited Cape Town and the Garden Route because several friends strongly recommended it. And we had the greatest vacation ever. Of course, you must see the the ‘must-see’ and do the ‘must-do’ – it’s easy enough to get a list of these and fit it into your schedule and preferences. We spent 3 days in Cape Town, and then ventured out into the winelands of Stellenbosch & Franschhoek, before taking in the amazing Garden Route, a drive which is a feast for the senses and the spirit. But what made our trip memorable was the “experience”. We arranged a private tour through Wayne Milne, Director of Take 2 Tours. In addition to visiting the sights, we experienced many little joys along our 12-day journey. Wayne introduced to a winemaker off the main tourist circuit and introduced us to cafes, food stalls and home-cooked meals that a typical tourist would just drive through. We stayed at a real farm, and had the most wonderful home-cooked barbecue dinner, sitting around a long table with other guests, regaled by the stories of our hosts. Driving through the Overberg was visually stimulating and emotionally powerful. We spent a few days at Knysna, and just soaked in the local hospitaliyy and good food. We drove through Tsitsikamma National Park on our way to Scotia Safari while staying at Cosmos Cuisine. We had great food and wonderful wine everyday, usually at owner-run restaurants or home-style kitchens. We stayed at small inns or bed-and-breakfasts: beautiful, homey, welcoming, cozy and personal. It is one thing to be a tour guide. It is quite a different thing to be a friend and host. Wayne was the latter. He is clearly passionate about South Africa, and because of that, we have fallen in love with this beautiful country and its very warm people. South Africa isn’t just a beautiful place. It is a magical place to be experienced, to be immersed in. One must feel it, taste it and breathe it. We are most thankful to Wayne Milne and Take 2 Tours (www.take2tours.co.za) for arranging not just a tour, but an experience of South Africa up close and personal. This was our first visit to South Africa, but it felt like we were visiting old friends, rather than just tourists. My advice: don’t rush through South Africa and try to see everything in one trip. Take it slow, experience it. And come back for more. We are definitely coming back. Definitely!!!
Guest
OCT 2025Quaint. Lots of shopping and lots of places to sit and have a drink
Guest
JUL 2011I consider myself lucky to have travelled extensively, but no matter what destinations I add to my list Cape Town remains top of the pile. Be it the scenery, or the range of Hospitality establishments, this city and its surrounding areas have so much to offer. Wherever you go Table Mountain towers above the skyline, which helps one's orientation, quite apart from its natural beauty. Whether I stay in a B&B, Guest House or hotel the choice is vast and the quality is invariable high. Prices have risen in recent years, but are still reasonable. From a gastronomic point of view, I found myself in 7th heaven. Excellent service, fresh produce and beautiful locations to choose from. Quite often, I travel just a few miles out of town and I find myself amongst picturesque vineyards and mountains. There, most vineyards don't just offer superbwines but good Restaurants with outdoor seating. I cannot wait to go back.
Guest
MAY 2011We stayed in Cape Town for five days after touring across South Africa with Virgin Atlantic. It is vibrant with every nationality. The people, the hotels and restaurants are amazing, and the places of interest easily accessible. There are two 'hop-on, hop-off' buses, red and blue, depending where you want to visit, which run from 9am until 6pm every day. Beaches are very clean and can be reached by the red and blue buses, also Kirstenbosch Gardens, in the shadow of Table Mountain, where you can spend a whole day amongst the trees, shrubs and proteas. Table Mountain and the cable car is a must - the views from the top are fantastic - you can even buy a coffee from the cafe. Entertainment at the Water Front is cultural and very professional. There is nothing better than enjoying a meal at the Water Front with the evening lights shining on the water and the stars beginning to twinkle. A return visit is essential!
What you need to know
2:00 PM
We understand that plans can change. The cancellation terms below describe the standard policy. Your specific booking’s eligibility for cancellation and refund is determined by the terms shown at the time of booking. **Standard Refundable Terms** For reservations that are marked as refundable: - Guests may cancel up to 48 hours before check-in to receive a full refund - Cancellations made less than 48 hours before check-in may be eligible for a partial refund No refunds are issued for: - No-shows - Cancellations made after check-in - Non-Refundable Reservations Some reservations may be marked as non-refundable. - For these bookings, cancellations or no-shows are not eligible for a refund, regardless of timing. **Refund Processing** Eligible refunds are processed to the original payment method and typically appear within 5–10 business days, depending on your payment provider.Reservation Changes Changes to reservations, including date modifications, are subject to availability and may incur additional charges and must be made up to 48 hours before check-in
11:00 AM
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