Cape Town, South Africa
The Silo
Cultural significance and cutting-edge design
With sweeping views of the Atlantic, Table Mountain as a backdrop, and the buzz of a working harbour, the Victoria and Albert Waterfront is one of Cape Town’s prime locations. It is here that you’ll find The Silo.
The grain silo was the tallest building in Sub-Saharan Africa when it was built in 1924, and the luxury hotel is located in the former elevator tower. The creative brain behind the project is that of prominent British designer and architect Thomas Heatherwick, whose iconic works include the Cauldron for the London 2012 Olympic Games and London’s new Routemaster bus.
The Silo occupies six floors above the Zeitz MOCAA Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. A partnership between the V&A Waterfront and Jochen Zeitz, this cultural institution focuses on exhibiting cutting-edge contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, with the Zeitz Collection forming its founding exhibition.
Taking its place on Cape Town’s skyline, the hotel is a beacon of modern design. The industrial aesthetics remain with the addition of pillowed glazing panels which bulge outwards as if gently inflated. At night, this transforms the building into a glowing lantern.
Each of the 28 rooms, which include a magnificent penthouse suite, are individually designed and strike the balance between industrial, stylish and comfortable. The creative team have been busy sourcing pieces from Cape Town and across the world, to ensure each room tells its own story without detracting from the natural beauty of the city, which can be seen through the 18-foot windows. Another key feature is the huge grain-shaped atrium carved out of the interior of the grain silos. The art in the hotel is in keeping with the collections in the museum.
Appreciate the 360 degree panoramic views from the restaurant, champagne bar and glass swimming pool located on the rooftop while casting your eye across the ocean, city bowl and mountains. There is also a café, piano bar, spa and fitness centre and when you want to go exploring, the Waterfront itself offers a wealth of shops, restaurants and bars.
Highlights
Explore the bustling V&A Waterfront
Visit the Zeitz MOCAA Museum of Contemporary Art Africa gallery on the ground floor
28 rooms, including one penthouse suite
Rooftop restaurant and champagne bar
Rooftop glass swimming pool
Spa and fitness centre
Trip Inspiration
Plan your trip to South Africa
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Places to combine The Silo with
Mozambique
Azura Marlin Beach is located on the shores of Benguerra Island in Mozambique. The resort’s ten beautifully designed villas blend local craftsmanship with contemporary elegance, creating a seamless harmony between nature and comfort. Choose from beach villas and beach villa grandes or indulge in the exclusivity of villa vista, a spacious private sanctuary featuring two separate suites, a large pool and an expansive entertainment area, ideal for families or friends travelling together. Each villa is curated for both seclusion and connection, with open-air living spaces. The soft ocean breeze drifts through private terraces, while personal plunge pools offer a secluded oasis to bask in the sun.
Thoughtfully designed public areas maximise sweeping views over the Indian Ocean, providing tranquil spaces to relax, dine and take in the beauty of the island. Mornings begin with freshly prepared breakfasts overlooking the water, followed by leisurely afternoons spent poolside, where the sun-drenched deck invites deep relaxation. Evenings unfold with elegant candlelit dinners beneath the starry night, the soft glow of lanterns illuminating the beachfront setting. For a taste of Mozambican tradition, the lively weekly beach bbq is a guest favourite, offering an immersive experience of grilled seafood, local specialties and storytelling under the open sky.
Two Mile Reef, one of the region’s most pristine snorkelling and diving sites, reveals an underwater world of breathtaking colour and movement, where manta rays sweep gracefully through the depths and rare marine species make their home among the corals. PADI 5-Star certified scuba diving excursions, led by expert instructors, offer a deeper glimpse into this extraordinary ecosystem, while deep-sea fishing expeditions provide the thrilling opportunity to seek out the legendary black marlin that the Bazaruto Archipelago is renowned for.
The resort’s open-air treehouse spa provides a haven of rejuvenation, where skilled therapists use traditional African oils and balms to melt away tension.
Rwanda
Wilderness Magashi Peninsula is the sister property of Wilderness Magashi Camp, an exclusive retreat in the heart of Akagera National Park in Rwanda that offers an immersive safari experience. Set within a private concession on the shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga, with the Mutumba Mountains rising in the distance, this eight-bed camp is designed for those seeking unparalleled privacy and connection to nature. Here, the vast landscapes of open plains, acacia woodlands, shimmering lakes and rolling grasslands form the backdrop to extraordinary wildlife encounters. Akagera is a conservation success story, home to one of Africa’s most diverse ecosystems. Over 500 bird species fill the air with their calls, while elephants wade in the lake and hippos bask along its banks.
The camp comprises a stunning four-bed villa and two twin suites, each elevated to maximise the panoramic views over the lake. Private plunge pools invite moments of quiet reflection and the villa’s multi-purpose room is adaptable as a gym, office or family space. Personalised in-villa dining and a dedicated private guide transform each stay into a deeply personal journey, allowing you to explore the wilderness at your own pace. Embark on a morning game drive, glide silently through the waterways on a boating safari or set out on a guided nature walk.
Rooted in sustainability and inspired by Rwanda’s rich culinary heritage, the menu features fresh, local ingredients. Start the day with a signature ‘rolex’ breakfast wrap, a beloved Rwandan street food specialty, and end it with a Kugisha dinner, a communal feast accompanied by traditional storytelling and song.
As with all Wilderness camps, conservation and community engagement are at the heart of Magashi Peninsula. In partnership with the Akagera Management Company, Wilderness supports vital initiatives such as predator monitoring, invasive plant management and educational programs designed to inspire the next generation of conservationists. Magashi Peninsula builds upon this legacy, ensuring that both wildlife and local communities thrive side by side.
