Inside the R220,000-per-night hotel room in Cape Town – BusinessTech

The Silo Hotel is one of, if not the, most expensive hotel in Cape Town, South Africa – with its penthouse suite costing up to R226,000 per night.

The hotel offers luxurious accommodation with a rich history tied to its distinctive architectural heritage.

Situated in the historic grain silo complex at the V&A Waterfront, a significant site in Cape Town’s industrial and maritime history, the hotel boasts a unique historical background.

Originally constructed in 1924, the building functioned as a grain silo and stood as the tallest building in Sub-Saharan Africa for many years, playing a pivotal role in South Africa’s agricultural economy.

Comprising forty-two concrete tubes, the complex represented an extraordinary feat of industrial architecture designed for the storage and export of grain, fostering connections between South African agriculture and global markets.

In the early 2000s, as the use of grain silos declined, there was interest in repurposing the buildings.

The V&A Waterfront, along with developer Liz Biden of The Royal Portfolio, recognised the potential to turn the silo into a luxury hotel.

British architect Thomas Heatherwick and his firm, Heatherwick Studio, led the redevelopment.

The project involved a complex and meticulous renovation process to preserve the building’s industrial heritage while incorporating modern luxury and design elements.

The Silo Hotel officially opened in March 2017.

The hotel occupies six floors above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), adding a significant cultural landmark to Cape Town.

The hotel is widely celebrated for its unique architectural style, which includes curved glass windows that project outward, providing breathtaking vistas of Cape Town, Table Mountain, and the harbour.

Inside, the décor is described as seamlessly combining industrial features with opulent furniture and modern African artwork.

The Penthouse

The Silo Hotel offers 28 rooms, including a penthouse, each uniquely designed and decorated. Amenities include a rooftop bar and swimming pool, a spa, and fine dining options.

Rooms include the “Duplex suites” (R31,400-R39,300) “, Deluxe Superior” (R37,500-R48,100), “Family suites” (R51,000-R64,500), and “Royal suites” (R80,500-R107,000).

The “Silo” rooms are the hotel’s cheapest offering, with an off-season charge of R24,000 per night, climbing to R30,900 per night during the festive season.

The Penthouse, however, is the hotel’s most expensive suite. It costs between R126,500 and R226,000 per night, depending on the season and whether you choose to stay in a one- or two-bedroom suite.

As of March 2025, this will be even more expensive, as its rates sheet for the 2025/26 financial year has pencilled in a 9% increase, meaning the penthouse will cost up to R246,500 per night during the festive season.

The Penthouse enjoys panoramic views of Cape Town and includes a cinema room, a spa treatment room, two walk-in wardrobes, two marble bathrooms, and two 24m2 (258ft²) private balconies, turning into a two-bedroom layout on request.

It also includes Wi-Fi, a TV, a Telephone, international adaptors and hairdryers, and a limited mini-bar.

Other amenities include:

• Concierge Services
• 24-Hour Guest Services
• Breakfast
• Parking
• The Granary Café
• The Willaston Bar
• The Sky Terrace
• Rooftop Restaurant
• Rooftop Swimming Pool
• The Silo Spa (Five Treatment Rooms, Sauna, Change Rooms)
• Gym
• Airport Transfers (at an additional cost)
• Private Meeting Rooms / Private Dining Rooms (The Wisdom Room Seats 22)
• Private Art Gallery

The Former Marketing and Communications Manager of The Royal Portfolio noted that the identity of the guests who stayed in the Penthouse is never disclosed due to the hotel’s strict privacy policy.

Pictures of the Silo’s Luxury Penthouse can be viewed below.

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