Liz Biden, who was born and raised in South Africa, has made an indelible impact on luxury travel. Each of her three contrasting properties, dotted across South Africa, have a string of accolades to their name: Royal Malewane is home to three of only ten master trackers in the world, whilst The Residence and Birkenhead House were included in the Top 5 Hotels in Africa 2016 by Conde Nast Traveller.
I remember you saying back in 2009 that you were on the look out for a Cape Town property…how did you find the Silo as a potential property and how long has it been a project in the making?
Yes, we have always wanted to open a hotel in our home city of Cape Town but we were waiting for the perfect property and opportunity to arise. When the silo opening came along we knew it was the right time to realise our dream and to complete The Royal Portfolio’s circuit of quintessentially South African luxury travel experiences. When the grain silo complex ceased operations in 2001, the V&A Waterfront, together with Heatherwick Studio, had a vision to redevelop the building into a museum of contemporary African art with a luxury hotel above. It has been in the making for four and a half years
You have almost single-handedly designed each of your properties: can you enlighten us to the concept and ideas behind Silo?
Heatherwick’s inspiration for the building was for it to be an iconic feature of the Cape Town skyline, in the same way the Sydney Opera House or Eiffel Tower have become such prominent features in their respective countries. Heatherwick wanted the redeveloped building to appear as if it were gently inflated like a glowing beacon in the harbour. In terms of the interiors we have decorated each of the 28 rooms in unique, eclectic ways. I have tried to contrast the stark exterior of the building with warm colours, vibrant fabrics, exciting ornaments, and contemporary art.
The Silo Hotel was one of the most anticipated hotel openings for this year and you always come across as so calm. Do you ever feel the pressure of a new opening? What was the biggest challenge?
We were faced with many challenges, the biggest being the limited space inside the building. We were restricted by the two core elevator shafts running through the building as well as the cubic geometry of each floor. Creating a comfortable, accommodating and luxury hotel within the stark industrial space was another unique challenge. Another major stress was the fact that despite being nearly six months behind schedule in terms of building finishes, we had to open since we had bookings to fulfil. This meant the last few weeks were chaotic, but our amazing team managed to pull everything together just in time!
All four of your properties are filled with exquisite furniture from all over the world. Do you have a best-loved designer?
As is predominantly the case with our other properties, almost all of the furniture for The Silo Hotel was manufactured for us locally in Cape Town. Each room’s bed has its own unique and beautiful headboard made by Moorgas and sons.
What is your preferred South African wine?
Pinot Noir – Hamilton & Russel Pinot Noir is a personal favourite.
Apart from your own properties, what is your number one hotel in the world?
Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli – sublime location on Lake Garda mixed with a truly opulent stately home.
Can you share with us a few of your favourite shopping hot spots in Cape Town?
Delos, Private Collection, and Block & Chisel.
Which is your top-choice restaurant for a ‘family Sunday lunch’?
Our front verandah at home, surrounded by family and friends.
What is the strangest request you have received from a guest?
We once had to scatter two hundred fresh red roses from the front door of the suite to the guest’s bed.