Silo Hotel Cape Town: Reviews, Photos, and Insider Tips

The Silo Hotel, which opened in March 2017 in a converted 1924 grain silo at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, has become a benchmark for art-led luxury. With only 28 rooms and a reputation as a celebrity hotspot, it commands premium rates. This article synthesises verified data from travel media, booking platforms, and guest reviews to help you research whether this iconic property fits your needs.

Last checked: 2026-08-12

Hotel Name: The Silo Hotel · Location: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa · Number of Rooms: 28 rooms and suites · Unique Feature: Bold contemporary art décor, panoramic harbour and mountain views · Parent Brand: The Royal Portfolio · Awards & Recognition: Member of The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW)

Where do celebrities stay in Cape Town?

The Silo Hotel is frequently named as a celebrity magnet in Cape Town. Its location at the secure V&A Waterfront, combined with the privacy of only 28 rooms and a discreet staff, makes it a natural choice for high-profile guests. Travel media like Business Insider note that the hotel has been called a “luxury lair” by Harper’s Bazaar and one of the best new hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler (Business Insider).

The hotel’s parent brand, The Royal Portfolio, operates a small collection of high-end South African properties, which further reinforces its appeal among luxury travellers. One Mile at a Time describes it as “consistently ranked as Cape Town’s best hotel” (One Mile at a Time).

The bottom line: If you are looking for a Cape Town hotel where celebrity sightings are common, The Silo Hotel offers the combination of design, service, and location that attracts A-list guests.

What is the best hotel in Cape Town?

The Silo Hotel regularly tops rankings. On TripAdvisor it is rated #1 of 253 hotels in Cape Town (as of 2026 data). Condé Nast Traveler named it one of the best new hotels in the world, and CNTraveler described the experience as “like living in a modern art museum” (Business Insider).

However, being the best comes with a price. Entry-level rates during Cape Town’s busy summer months exceed €1,200 per night, according to The Luxury Travel Expert (The Luxury Travel Expert). The Points Guy reports booking a Silo Room for about $1,216 per night including breakfast (The Points Guy). Across sources, published starting prices range from roughly $1,095 to $1,433 per night, depending on season and booking platform (Hotels Above Par).

Pricing band overview

The trade-off: The Silo Hotel commands a clear premium over other Cape Town luxury options. The Points Guy’s reviewer concluded that its “extremely high prices make it hard to justify compared to other Cape Town luxury hotels that cost less than half as much” (The Points Guy).

How many rooms are in the Silo Hotel Cape Town?

The hotel has exactly 28 rooms and suites spread over six floors of the former grain silo. The categories are: Silo Room, Superior Suite, Deluxe Superior Suite, Family Suite, Royal Suite, and The Penthouse (Travelated). All rooms feature the hotel’s signature oversized pillow windows that bulge outward from the cylindrical silo façade, giving guests panoramic views of Table Mountain or the harbour.

The smallest entry-level Silo Rooms are compact – Fodor’s warns that “starting category rooms are small” (Fodor’s Travel). The Penthouse, at about 2,271 sq ft, offers the most space and a dedicated mountain view.

What this means: If you are looking for a large standard room, the Silo Rooms may feel tight. Upgrading to a Superior or Deluxe category adds significant square footage but also significantly increases the nightly rate.

Silo Hotel Cape Town restaurant and rooftop bar

The hotel’s main restaurant, The Silo Restaurant, serves contemporary South African cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients. Its menu changes regularly; recent online listings show dinner options averaging around ZAR 800–1,200 per person. The restaurant is open to outside guests by reservation.

The rooftop bar – often the most photographed spot in the hotel – offers 360-degree views of Table Mountain, Signal Hill, and the working harbour. It is a popular destination for sunset drinks, even for non-guests. The bar menu includes a curated wine list of South African estates and signature cocktails (menu available via official site).

The Points Guy review highlights that “the breakfast buffet is one of the best in town” (The Points Guy).

Is Cape Town safe for tourists now?

Cape Town’s safety reputation varies by neighbourhood. The V&A Waterfront, where The Silo Hotel sits, is widely considered one of the safest areas in the city. It is a secure, tourist-friendly precinct with 24-hour security patrols, CCTV, and controlled access points. The Silo Hotel itself has private security at the entrance and keycard-only lifts (TripAdvisor).

Tourists should exercise normal caution when venturing outside the Waterfront, but the hotel’s location makes it a safe base. Most day trips to the Cape Peninsula, wine region, and Table Mountain depart from the Waterfront area.

What is the safest area to stay in Cape Town?

The V&A Waterfront consistently ranks as the safest neighbourhood for tourists in Cape Town. The precinct includes the Zeitz MOCAA museum, a shopping mall, restaurants, and a marina – all within walking distance of The Silo Hotel. Other safe areas include Camps Bay (beachfront, less secure at night) and the City Bowl (central but more variable).

The Silo Hotel’s location on Silo Square puts guests in the heart of the Waterfront’s secure zone. Getting there from Cape Town International Airport is a direct 20–25 minute drive via the N2 highway, and the hotel can arrange private transfers.

Alternatives to consider

If the price or room size at The Silo Hotel gives you pause, two nearby options offer different trade-offs:

• One&Only Cape Town – Also at the V&A Waterfront, with larger standard rooms, a spa, and family-friendly amenities. Rates generally start lower than The Silo’s entry level.
• Table Bay Hotel – Directly on the harbour with classic luxury décor and more traditional service. Often cheaper per night, but lacking the design-forward edge of The Silo.

One reviewer compared The Silo’s rates directly with Ellerman House and One&Only, noting that The Silo is “higher than competitors” but still scores “exceptional” 9/10 overall (The Luxury Travel Expert).

Pros and cons based on guest and editorial reviews

Who is The Silo Hotel best for?

• Celebrities and VIPs – The privacy, security, and discreet staff make it a natural choice for those who want to avoid paparazzi.
• Art and design enthusiasts – The building itself is an architectural landmark, and the interiors feature a rotating collection of contemporary African art.
• Luxury honeymooners – The romantic setting of the rooftop bar and the personalised service create a memorable escape.
• First-time Cape Town visitors who prioritise location – Staying at the Waterfront means you are steps from the city’s top attractions.

Timeline: from grain silo to luxury hotel

• 1924 – Grain silo completed at Cape Town harbour, once the tallest building in sub-Saharan Africa.
• 2000s – Silo decommissioned; the V&A Waterfront redevelopment plan includes converting the structure into a hotel and museum.
• 2014 – Liz Biden (The Royal Portfolio) begins the conversion; the Zeitz Museum opens in the lower floors.
• March 2017 – The Silo Hotel opens to the public.
• 2017–present – Consistently ranked #1 on TripAdvisor among Cape Town hotels; featured in Condé Nast Traveler, Harper’s Bazaar, and other travel media.

Our pick: who should book The Silo Hotel?

Sources cited

• Business Insider – opening date, Condé Nast Traveler & Harper’s Bazaar mentions
• The Points Guy – architecture, room rate, review verdict
• The Luxury Travel Expert – building history, pricing vs. competitors
• Hotels Above Par – room count, starting price, star rating
• Fodor’s Travel – location, room size warning
• KAYAK – check-in/check-out, sample rates
• Chalo Africa – ZAR rate tables for 2025–2026
• Mr & Mrs Smith – USD price position
• TripAdvisor – address, guest reviews
• Travelated – room categories, starting price
• Goibibo – check-in/check-out, Penthouse specs
• One Mile at a Time – ranking consistency
• The Royal Portfolio (official site) – dining menu

If you are comparing luxury hotels worldwide, you may also be interested in our article on the most expensive hotel in London top luxury suites compared. For another African luxury stay, read our Ole Sereni Hotel review rooms and dining.