Cape Town’s Grain Silo – The Silo Hotel

The Silo Hotel in Cape Town

Design, history, taste, art, and luxury in The Silo Hotel. It captures the past and future of Africa and stands for what Cape Town was, is and will be. Cape Town is famous for commerce, the harbour, and agriculture. The Silo acts as an anchor to agriculture, shipping industry, and trade. Time rendered its function obsolete and useless.

Thomas Heatherwick redesigned the old grain silo building which houses The Silo Hotel and a contemporary art museum. After the grain and shipping industry changed and started using containers, the grain silo remained unused for two decades. In the last few years, the V&A Waterfront mandated Heatherwick Studio to provide new breath into this historic building.

Even though the idea of the museum for Africa’s contemporary art (Zeitz MOCAA museum opens in September) deserves praise, The Silo Hotel stands as a master piece separate from it. The building stands in the middle of the sunset and sunrise, merges vessels and industry with the iconic landscape of Cape Town, fuses existing concrete and steel with classic interior design, and combines proven service with highest existing technological and beauty standards. The history, geography, art and architecture cause excitement in every guest in love with unexpected environments and in search of inspiring places. The Silo is a climax of Cape Town.

Text, pictures & editor rights: Dima Euler

The Silo Hotel’s Interior

The Hotel ticks all the boxes of what you expect for stars: bar, restaurant, spa, fitness, and service. Beyond the boxes, the hotel benefits from the genius of its designer and the character of the building. Concrete and gold embrace you in the foyer. The entrance combines industry chic with classic manufacturing of the interior. The lamps, fauteuil, furniture reflect high manufacturing capacity and understanding of details.

The fitness centre and spa convinces with modern interior and high quality treatment. On the fourth floor the hotel entertains a state of the art fitness centre and spa. It should not hinder you from running outside in the waterfront.

The restaurant and bar offer all drinks you demand and a large selection of wine. On the sixth floor, the hotel contains the reception desk, restaurant, and bar. Guests feel the skeleton of the silo, in form of the old, steel, or space.

Rooms above Cape Town depending on the taste, sunset or sunrise, or even both. The seventh to tenth floors provide different kinds of hotel rooms. All of the rooms are decorated in contemporary African art. Some suites are two floors or/and several rooms. On top, the Silo offers a penthouse. Here, guests experience sunset and sunrise as well as a magnificent view spanning from Table Mountain across to the harbour. The view is above everything you know of Cape Town. You savour the most beautiful place on earth at the best spot possible. The view is massive, unique, and the interior elegant.

The eleventh floor has a boutique bar plus grill, and plenty of space for guests as well as an infinity pool, a recreation area, plus a 360° view from the top where you may sip your Chardonnay of the most decorate South African vineyard Bon Courage whenever you like. The number is limited. Hotel guests have priority.

Zeitz MOCAA and The Silo

You want to be there in September. Then, Cape Town opens the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in this building. It is described as the leading collection of contemporary art from Africa and its Diaspora. However, The Silo provides little information of what a Silo guest may expect from this event or the museum. This museum fills an important gap in contemporary art. If you want to plan this trip, contact The Silo Hotel directly.

The Hotel : http://www.theroyalportfolio.com/the-silo/overview/

June 9, 2017/2 Comments/by Ralph Widmer

Cars

Bergland Hotel Sölden

On a sunny Friday morning, we packed our stuff into the Range Rover Sport and drove up to Sölden. The Bergland Hotel is nestled directly in the town of Sölden. You can park your car in front of the building, whilst the staff arranges your luggage and shows you the beautiful room.

Since the movie ‚Spectre‘ was filmed in Sölden, the town is pretty proud to be part of the whole Bond-Mania. Of course, the Bergland Hotel has also quite a lot of Bond posters which gives it a nice ambiance. After a busy day, you enjoy relaxing at the spa or having a wonderful and delicious dinner in their restaurant. The rooms are comfortable, yet roomy and really cosy.

Sölden is located close to the Italian border in the beautiful 65km long Öztal valley, in Tyrol, Austria. Beautiful Sölden and its magnificent scenery make the perfect hideaway to let your body, mind and soul relax. Besides relaxing, Öztal offers a broad choice of summer as well as winter activities you can perform, such as hiking, climbing, biking, skiing, glacier skiing, and much more.

bergland-hotel-soelden-night

Bergland Hotel Spa

As Spa lovers we highly appreciated the outright and diverse spa area with its finnish sauna overlooking the Öztal valley. Once a day you get to enjoy a slackening scented sauna infusion by the experienced sauna master including peeling and useful advice on ‘how to sauna’.

We felt in very close touch with nature lying on the comfortable hay beds, looking over the beautiful valley and scenting the freshly cut hay that fulfills the spacious and private relaxation chambre. Pure bliss unlike anywhere compareable!

spa-bergland-hotel-soelden

ICE Q Sölden

The world famous ICE Q Restaurant is located 3,048 metres above sea level. Surrounded by over 250 superb three-thousand metre mountains. A masterpiece of architecture, where freedom reaches for the stars. It is not less than the breath-taking shooting location for the James Bond Spectre movie. Where innovative architecture meets futuristic design, is the place where sophisticated gourmet delights combine with fine wines and dreamy panoramic views to create one exceptional symbiosis. The ICE Q contains a panorama terrace where you get to experience what is unique.

ice-q-soelden

Range Rover Sport – By SIXT

No doubt, the Range Rover Sport is the ideal car to drive up to the mountains. It’s roomy, powerful and looks very sexy. SIXT car rental services are available all over the world. You can easily rent your beloved car, by requesting it on the SIXT page.

The sun was out on an amazing Autumn day, which was an ideal chance to drive up to the glacier.

Glacier Road, 1377 – 2800 meters over sea level

Öztal Glacier Road with its 15km length is one of the highest roads in the Eastern Alps. The road connects Sölden at 1377 meters over sea level with the glaciers Rettenbach and Tiefenbach over 2800 meters.

Plenty of breathtaking views, the unique glaciers and the moonlike scenery on top of the mountains make the summer jurney with the powerful Range Rover Sport up the glacier road incomparable.

sixt-range-rover
sixt-range-rover-sport

October 7, 2016/2 Comments/by Ralph Widmer

Cars, Gourmet, Travel

Hotel Paradies – A Relaxing Hideaway

Hotel Paradies – Our Journey

For the first time in our lives we drove a vintage Ford Mustang to spend a week-end in Graubünden. The sun was out and we started our trip towards ‘Engadin’ in the late afternoon. A perfect day to ride convertible in a relaxed mood towards our destination – ‘Hotel Paradies’.

It requires some patience until you arrive at a place called ‘Ftan’, a hidden village very close to the border to Austria. The Hotel is wonderfully nestled in a terrific and quiet rural environment. It’s surrounded by mighty mountains and deep canyons where the water shines in a very unique way. On the way there, we came past plenty of tiny, sweet villages with a typical ancient Swiss architecture.

Hotel Paradies Lobby

Hotel Paradies – About The Place

The Hotel comes up with a warm and charming atmosphere. The fireplace in combination with the antique furniture turns it into an even cosier venue. During spring and summer you can spend your time outside on the sun terrace – ideal to smoke a cigar and enjoy the peaceful time. Our Hotel suite was huge, almost bigger than my flat. The free-standing bathtub, a rain shower plus the private garden and terrace make you feel like queen and king. The spa is up on the rooftop with loads of space – sauna and steam bath get nicely prepared whenever you like to use it.

Hotel Paradies Garden

Hotel Paradies Terrasse Hotel Paradies Suite

Freestanding Bathtub

Hotel Paradies – The Food

Impossible to not talk about the outstanding, paradise-like food we had. It was extraordinary delicious. The ingredients for every single course get carefully selected from regional and organic food – astonishing. Each plate is manually prepared and marvellously decorated. The meat is from animals that had plenty of space and healthy food. The chef told me that he often selects them by himself. We were very happy with the huge wine selection – especially local ones from ‘Bündner Herrschaft’ – I had to take a case home.

Hotel Paradies Food

Chasa Da Fö – Cooking Cottage On 2’200m

Saturday evening, we were invited to join a cooking class very high up in the Mountains. The whole course was guided by Daniel Stütz – one of the greatest cooks I have met so far and besides that, just a lovely person and a big all-knowing oracle what ever question you have.

We cooked the whole dish on a wood stove and he kept explaining every single detail. There are more cooking classes coming up!

Chasa Da Fö

Chasa Da Fö Kochkurs

Vintage Ford Mustang – The Ride

Oh trust me, I was kicked back to my times at the Silvretta Rallye. We had a great time with this vintage Ford Mustang. Thanks to my business partner we rented our first oldtimer. A 65′ convertible Ford Mustang. In case you’re close to Zurich – RENT YOUR OLDTIMER HERE

Vintage Ford Mustang

1965 Ford Mustang

A Gentleman’s Closing Word

‘Hideaway’ describes this place in it’s best possible way. It’s a marvellous spot to let your soul go and find peacefulness and silence. The food is hand selected and prepared with a lot of love – which makes this Hotel a real paradise.

Ford Mustang 1965

August 18, 2016/6 Comments/by Ralph Widmer

Gourmet

Kameha Zürich Smoker’s Lounge – By Beat Mumenthaler

Kameha Zürich Smoker’s Lounge

The Kameha Zürich is definitely one of my favourite Hotels in Zürich and comes up with an amazing smoker’s lounge. Of course there is a huge variety of drinks to order at the bar.

Now that we made such amazing shots, I have decided to combine them with a few Gentleman’s quotes I absolutely love.

Thanks a lot to Beat Mumenthaler for the brilliant work.

„A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out.“

George Bernard Shaw

“Patience and Diligence, like faith, remove mountains.”

William Penn

“A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone’s feelings unintentionally.”

Oscar Wilde

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”

Winston Churchill

“I never can understand how anyone can not smoke it deprives a man of the best part of life. With a good cigar in his mouth a man is perfectly safe, nothing can touch him, literally.”

Thomas Mann

“Fashions fade, style is eternal.”

Yves Saint Laurent

“Man becomes great exactly in the degree in which he works for the welfare of his fellow-men.”
Mahatma Gandhi

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

Muhammad Ali

March 23, 2016/0 Comments/by gentleman

Travel

Löwen Hotel Montafon – What A Beautiful Stay

The newly renovated Löwen Hotel is located among the breathtaking Montafon mountains. Arriving at this place is a wonderful balance of celebrating life and enjoying mother nature. You’ll quickly realise that life proceeds at a different pace at the Löwen Hotel. Quieter.

Schruns is a lovely and very small town – there are just a few restaurants with typical Austrian food, ideal after a tough skiing day. The Hotel itself is well-situated in the middle of the village, you can walk every distance.

Wooden materials which are being used outside and inside the Hotel transform the whole trip into a very lovely and cosy experience. The rooms are relatively little but that doesn’t change the comfortable atmosphere. Very likely to a typical chalet in the mountains, trust me you sleep very well here. The fresh air and pure silence is meditation for your soul. The bathroom scores with a rain shower and the common theme that has been used for the interior design.

So let’s talk about an outstanding point of the Löwen Hotel – the spa. I have never seen such a roomy spa. It’s 3000m2 large and contains all the fancy options you expect. There is a sauna, steam bath, outdoor pool, indoor pool and a super-scale massage area. It was the best massage I have ever had.

And when you get out of bed early enough, the sun is rising between the mountains and throws the fog of the pool into a fairytale spirit. No place on earth gives me more peace than the mountains.

It was the first time I have travelled to Austria to spend an astonishing spa week-end. And to be honest the whole trip couldn’t have been better. The sun was shining, not a single cloud and a bit of snow was pure romance. The area around Schruns is a dream in winter and in summer. During winter season you can go skiing or snowboarding and in summer season it’s famous for hiking.

The price-performance at this place cannot be better. The room prices are can be a bit higher dependent on the season, but still very fair. We loved this place so much, a week-end trip is going to be a wedding present for some friends.

January 5, 2016/0 Comments/by gentleman

Cars, Gourmet, Travel

A Gentleman’s Trip To Gstaad – Beyond The Expected

It was a wonderful sunny Friday morning in September – autumn was already showing it’s first glance – when we packed the Jaguar F-Type S and drove up to Gstaad.
A perfect chance to film a part of this trip and give you an idea of Switzerland’s diversity, endless perfection of mountains & lakes.

Arriving in Gstaad is a very unique experience. Truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The Alpina Gstaad topped by far every possible Hotel experience I have ever had. Let me explain why…

The Aplina Gstaad is located up on the hill of the village with a spectacular view to the ‘Saanetal’ and the village itself. While driving through the village it suddenly arises on the top of the hill with all it’s shine and charm. You can read my review on Tripadvisor here

When you’re on the road to one of the leading Hotels in Europe with a Jag, you totally transform into James Bond. Over the movie history of James Bond, there is no doubt that he is a perfect gentleman. And a gentleman drives a proper car (Jaguar is a supplier since years).

And if you park your car in front of the entrance (after driving through a tunnel), I think this proofs it again.

The rooms are scoring with a super large scale. You have your own fireplace, balcony, a huge king size bed and a TV that you defintely never use:)

The fireplace turns the whole room into a very cosy living atmosphere, such a romantic place to spend holidays with your partner.

Needless to say that one of the highlights of The Aplina Gstaad is the insanely beautiful view you experience in the morning, check this out:

After our breakfast we used the pool outside. The light of the sun broke through the mist on the water and turned this place into a fairytale

Two more outstanding points I absolutely love in this hotel…

The first is for sure the expressive entrance with the beautiful ornament

Another cool fact of this fabolous place is the crazy art they’re presenting. There is art everywhere, the owner shows his affinity for modern art.

The two restaurants (Sommet & Megu) are exclusively delicious. Eating on this level is a mesmerizing experience and kicks the art of cooking into the stratosphere

The service and attention we have received during this week-end is simply unrivaled. The staff is fluent in German, English and French. Each single employee is very friendly and serves you with all the duties you need. Eric Favre, the general manager, welcomes you personally – I highly appreciated this attention.

What an outstanding experience, thanks to The Alpina Gstaad and the staff for these wonderful days. I will return to this place for sure.

The only downside I can find is the spa. The men & women’s sector is separated and that simply means you cannot spend sauna or steam bath together as a couple.

September 15, 2015/1 Comment/by gentleman

Gourmet

Gentleman Jack – The Order Of A Gentleman

We all know this moment. It’s Saturday night and you’re going to a fancy bar and you feel like ordering something different. A drink still classy, not too girly. A gentleman’s choice.

I personally like the classy ambiance of sitting in a dark bar, drinking my Gentleman Jack and Smoking a cigar. It’s just priceless to sit and have one of those long nights discussing about god and the universe.

Location
Kameha Grand Zürich

Pictures by
Anna Zesiger

Gentleman Jack

Found this amazing bottle, what could fit better on my Gentlemen’s Blog?

The whiskey itself comes up with a gently & light amber colour.

The taste is a lovely balance of sweet orange, vanille and mint flavours.

A gentle farewell.

While your company is browsing the un-ending options of drinks, you can go for two very classy gentleman’s drinks. Simple & tasty at the same time.

Gentleman Jack Sour

Very tasty and pleasant mix of sour and sweet flavours.

5cl Gentleman Jack® Rare Tennesse Whiskey

2cl Fresh Lime Jus

2cl Maple Sirup

Gentleman’s Agreement Manhattan

5cl Gentleman Jack® Rare Tennesse Whiskey

2cl Orange Liqueur

2cl Martini Dry

Another classy option combined with a whiskey is this a formidable drink, totally kicks you directly to New York into the society of this pulsating never sleeping city.

Finally, suiting up is like a religion for a true gentleman. I’m wearing a grey suit, this colour is never out of fashion and you always look very dapper in it. Ideally you combine grey with black, it’s my favourite choice.

In order that everything fits ideally, you go for a black & strait tie, black shoes and a black belt.

May 21, 2015/1 Comment/by gentleman

Travel

Piemonte Travel – Where Angels Go

Italy – the country well known for football, good food and best dressed people. Besides that, they produce wonderful wine and the country comes up with the most spectacular landscapes.

I love to travel to Italy. Green hills and beautiful villages where ever your eyes go. It’s an endless paradise where mother earth shows all it’s beauty.

Hotel Review – Antico Borgo Monchiero

The hotel is located in Monchiero, which is very close to Barolo. It is wonderfully located up on a hill. You’re driving along these villages and hills, and suddenly you see it up there, this old monastery where the monchs were living. And the sun reflects within the walls of the church next to the hotel.

Orange stonewalls, yellow roofs and green grass all over the place.

The eye-watering view from the hotel room. On beginning of the horizon you can see the alps. And you you’re sitting there, asking yourself: what a genius is god? how endlessly perfect is his mind?

Even the other villages are coming up with some really impressive castles, churches and much more!

Winetasting – Cavallotto

I grew up in a winecollector’s family, I can’t describe the love I feel for a good glass of wine.

The area around Barolo is very famous for the selection of wine growing there.

Before travelling to Piemont I have phoned up my aunt to advise where to go and what to taste.

And it was worth doing this. It is simply spectacular to feel the energy of such a place. The barrels are huge and up to 40 tonns heavy, that’s impressive!

I use to close my eyes when tasting a wine. In this very moment, everything else disappears. All around me is gone. It’s just you and the glass. It’s you and the hours and months of effort, it is you and the years of steel and wood barrel the wine has been in.

The barolo comes up with a bright spectrum of wonderful tastes and odours. Brilliant.

Must Seen Cities

Cherasco – City of the stars and famous for the delicous chocolate

Turin – The word is celtic and means ‘mountains’. You will understand and feel why, when you’re there.

Barolo – The place where one of the best wines in the world is coming from. Plenty of wonderful restaurants and wine bars.

Barbaresco – A few years ago, I had the best wine in my life. A vintage Barbaresco, I hope I will find it again one day.

April 15, 2015/0 Comments/by gentleman

Cars, Fashion

A Perfect Gentleman’s Day

‘A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out.’
George Bernard Shaw

Pictures by Andrea Monica Hug
Make Up: Makeup Artist Maika
Hair: Sven Allenspach
Assistant: Mike Sambuca Akdil
Model: Elizabeta Ljubic Fotogen Model Management
Model: Ralph Widmer Gentlemensfashion
Dogs: Doggen vom Rimensberg
Location: Schloss Schadau – Thun

What is it, that kicks us into a new world of ideas?
Inspiration it is.

What is it, that makes us reaching the highest mountains?
Passion it is.

And what can possibly be better than driving one of the most beautiful and powerful cars in the world?

Before reaching the highest thrones, something very important is missing.
We’re not there yet. We’re moving towards perfection but we’re not there.

What’s missing? You’re right. A beautiful woman. One that let’s the stars shine brighter than ever. One that holds your breath when walking in.

And where can a gentleman and his woman possibly spend their week-end?
In a castle. It’s not just a castle, it’s THE castle. Astonishing doesn’t even describe this marvellous place.

Shine stars, make us brighter. Enlarge our passion. Make us flying through the universe. Deeper into the sea, further into the skies of the universe. Where everything ends and starts. Where all exists, where all is just one. Connected to each other.

Watch H1 – Quai du mont-blanc

How about a kiss my friend? 😉

Laugh, and the world laughs with you.

Fashion Hint – Blue Suit

The blue suit is tailored by Suitsupply.

Sunny from the store in Zürich is beautiful and very competent.

The concept is simple:

– Go to the store

– Get your measures

– Look for the material that feels good in your hands

– Try it

– Find the relevant accessoires (Tie, Pocket Square etc)

– Suitup

Fashion Hint – Black Suit

It’s a slim fit superblack suit by Hugo Boss, most amazing suit I have ever tried.

Coat is also by HUGO BOSS, my personal one.

Car review – Bentley Continental GTC

With a weight of 2,5 tons, this car is huge. And if I say huge, I mean huge in a very good way. Power and elegance, a real car for a gentleman. The purring V8 is producing 560 HP & 650 NM.

Snow? No Problem! It’s four-wheel drive supercar.

Interior Design

The cockpit of the Continental GT Convertible has been designed to provide tactile and visual delight, together with outstanding levels of comfort. Beautiful light brown leather on the seats, the chrome dials are one of the details I have really enjoyed.

Big thank you to Edel & Stark

I hereby would like to thank all of the involved people for the great support and work. We had a very professional crew, and a lot of fun!

From heart, I can recommend the work of my friends & companies I have collaborations, thank you so much.

February 10, 2015/0 Comments/by gentleman

Posts

Cape Town’s Grain Silo – The Silo Hotel

The Silo Hotel in Cape Town

The Silo Hotel’s Interior

Zeitz MOCAA and The Silo

Bergland Hotel Sölden

Bergland Hotel Sölden

Bergland Hotel Spa

ICE Q Sölden

Range Rover Sport – By SIXT

Glacier Road, 1377 – 2800 meters over sea level

Hotel Paradies – A Relaxing Hideaway

Hotel Paradies – Our Journey

Hotel Paradies – About The Place

Hotel Paradies – The Food

Chasa Da Fö – Cooking Cottage On 2’200m

Vintage Ford Mustang – The Ride

A Gentleman’s Closing Word

Kameha Zürich Smoker’s Lounge – By Beat Mumenthaler

Kameha Zürich Smoker’s Lounge

Löwen Hotel Montafon – What A Beautiful Stay

A Gentleman’s Trip To Gstaad – Beyond The Expected

Gentleman Jack – The Order Of A Gentleman

Gentleman Jack

Gentleman Jack Sour

Gentleman’s Agreement Manhattan

Piemonte Travel – Where Angels Go

A Perfect Gentleman’s Day

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