The Silo Resort, Cape City (South Africa)

April 5, 2023

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Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a lodge or flight evaluation.

Final February, I loved a chic 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 possibly can learn my journey studies right here:

Right this moment: Overview of The Silo Resort, Cape City (South Africa)

Topping Cape City’s Museum of Up to date 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 class. Company can watch the bustle under whereas soaking in a freestanding tub in one among 28 lofty rooms, designed with a daring combine of colours, prints, and textures. Champagne and carving trolleys roll by way of the lodge’s signature restaurant The Granary Café, and the spa is sumptuously serene. A spotlight of the lodge 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 prime 10 lists of the greatest luxurious resorts in Cape City and the world’s most instagrammable luxurious resorts.

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

On this evaluation (extra data and photographs under my YouTube video):

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 vigorous hub of world-class eateries, designer outlets, 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 integrated most of the construction’s unique industrial options. One of many constructing’s most outstanding newly added options are the pillowed glazing panels, inserted into the geometry of the lodge flooring, which bulge outward as if gently inflated. The lodge 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.

Positioned on the bottom ground of the silo constructing, the foyer units the scene for the distinction between previous and new design showcased all through The Silo Resort. Suspended from the double quantity ceiling hangs Haldane Martin’s up to date chandelier, juxtaposed in opposition to the unique grain hoppers. Mohau Modisakeng’s Ditaola collection, 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 Stage Six is the reception space, which is flanked by the Granary Café on one facet and Willaston Bar on the opposite facet. All areas show distinctive variations of whimsical inside ornaments, colourful up to date African artwork, and an unique machine head rising from what was as soon as the distribution ground of the grain silo working home. The large home windows provide birds-eye views of 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 previous and new is augmented by the vigorous and eclectic model of inside design, a unusual distinction from the chilly, uncooked really feel of the constructing’s exterior. The inside have been designed by hotelier Liz Biden, who owns The Silo lodge and its dad or mum firm, The Royal Portfolio, alongside along with her husband, Phil. Drawing inspiration from her travels world wide, Ms Biden has acquired a singular and diverse assortment of artwork and inside artefacts that enhances that of the Zeitz Museum of Up to date Artwork Africa (MOCAA) located under The Silo Resort. The gathering highlights each younger, aspiring artists, in addition to established, extremely acclaimed artists resembling Cyrus Kabiru, Mahau Modisakeng and Nandipha Mntambo. The lodge even contains a subterranean personal artwork gallery – referred to as The Vault – which acts as a hyperlink between the lodge and native galleries in Cape City.

The Silo Resort options solely 28 spacious rooms that are available in 6 classes, together with a spectacular one bed room penthouse. The rooms are extra spacious vertically than horizontally as a result of distinctive structure of The Silo and specifically the ingenious design of the pillowed window bays that are one of many lodge’s key architectural options. Every room has been individually designed and opulently embellished with up to date African artwork by Liz Biden, with colourful and eclectic items juxtaposing the trendy, industrial structure. Throughout my go to, I stayed in a Duplex Suite on the lodge’s sixth ground which got here with a stunning 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 outfitted with standalone bathtub, walk-in bathe and double self-importance. The suite felt extra like a lavish luxurious condominium in Cape City than a lodge room.

The Silo Resort contains a gorgeous wraparound terrace on its prime ground, which affords spectacular 360° views of 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 house is reserved for in-house visitors: it contains a modern, glass-sided swimming pool on the terrace’s western facet, in addition to a snack bar with some sitting areas and sunbeds immediately going through Desk Mountain. The opposite facet of the rooftop is open to the general public and includes an elegant bar and lounge zone going through the harbor and Atlantic Ocean (it may well get very busy and crowded right here within the late afternoon). Having fun with a poolside meal alongside a glass of bubbly, positive South African wine or sipping on a crafted cocktail whereas absorbing the final of the day’s sunshine rank among the many best moments that visitors can expertise whereas staying on the lodge.

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 visitors:
- Positioned on the sixth ground is The Granary Café, the lodge’s signature restaurant, which affords uninterrupted views by way of 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 crew, that are complemented by a rigorously curated, unique wine listing. Every morning, an à la carte breakfast can be served at The Granary Café.
- Additionally positioned on the lodge’s sixth ground is the Willaston Bar, a vibrant house with eclectic interiors and a rigorously curated wine listing. Right here, visitors can unwind with a crafted cocktail alongside a number of basic bar snacks, small plates or lunch. The Willaston Bar is known as after the primary ship to hold grain from the silo complicated 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 rest within the metropolis middle, providing a regenerative journey in direction of enhanced wellbeing. Services embody a number of therapy rooms (together with one double-treatment room), a sauna and a devoted manicure and pedicure space. Company can profit from the newest therapies, spa methods, and signature remedies which might be personalised to satisfy particular wellness necessities. Skilled therapists use prime 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 rest 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 resorts 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 house into Royal Malewane in South Africa’s Higher Kruger Nationwide Park, providing an unmatched luxurious safari expertise alongside Africa’s most certified guiding crew. 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 connoisseur capital. The Silo Resort is the newest 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 lodge 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 house to Zeitz Museum of Up to date Artwork Africa (MOCAA), which occupies the flooring under the lodge in addition to the house 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 consists of an Atelier artist residency, a retail store, rooftop restaurant and a espresso store. Non-public museum excursions might be booked by way of the lodge’s concierge desk.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

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

The lodge’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. Nonetheless, it may well get just a little crowded right here, particularly on heat summer season days, and there isn’t numerous seating by the pool (solely 4 sunbeds in addition to some lounge areas, that are reserved for lodge visitors). Nonetheless, it’s an exquisite 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 rivals on the town: Ellerman Home and One&Solely). For instance, in the course of the busy summer season months, the entry room charges are above 1200 euros per room per night time. Some will say that you simply can’t justify spending that amount of cash per night time in a metropolis like Cape City, the place different (albeit much less spectacular) luxurious resorts might be booked for lower than half of the value. Nonetheless, needless to say Liz Biden and her household have creating an iconic venue that clearly surpasses all different resorts in Cape City. The main focus of the property is on structure, design and views whereas by no means scarifying consolation, and that’s what you might be finally paying for.

All rooms are positioned on the silo’s higher flooring, so all of them take pleasure in panoramic views. Nonetheless, 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 lodge’s web site makes it not very clear which rooms have mountain views. If I have been to remain once more, I might positively 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
General expertise: distinctive 9/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Get monetary savings: get complimentary VIP perks when reserving by way of 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 ideas for getting the perfect deal at a luxurious lodge like The Silo City (and/or obtain many free perks).

Learn my ideas for making 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 perfect seaside climate. Throughout the winter months (June to September), the climate might be moist, chilly and overcast (limiting outside 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. Examine the Wikipedia web page of Cape City Worldwide Airport for a constantly up to date listing of airways that supply direct flights to Cape City.

PHOTOS

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