VALUE OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH
To Have Passionate and Expert Staff
This Month in History
This month, we celebrate an eight year milestone since The Silo Hotel first opened its doors on the 01st of March 2017.
To mark the occasion, our team gathered for a special celebration, expressing gratitude to every staff member for their dedication and contributions over the years. Their commitment has shaped The Silo Hotel into the beacon of excellence it is today.
A heartfelt thank you also goes out to our fellow properties and head office for their unwavering support. Together, we continue to grow, setting new standards of service as we move from good to great. Here’s to many more years of success!
PRIMROSE HOUSE
Human Resources
A special welcome also goes out to Hoon Kim, who has transferred from La Residence to Head Office to join the Sales team. We look forward to seeing you thrive in your new role!
In addition, congratulations to Tanya Munyati (Reservations Agent) and Ntombi Mkhizwana (Reservations Agent), who are both embarking on their journey into motherhood and have started with their maternity leave.
To streamline operations, we have centralised the Finance functions across the group. While Stock Controllers and some Cost Controllers will remain on-site at each property, head office will now oversee the other financial functions. For further details, please reach out to the Finance team or HR. If you missed last Wednesday’s training session, please watch the recording or connect with your on-site team.
We also have four exciting training sessions lined up for March. Let’s make the most of these opportunities to grow and enhance our skills.
Sales
It’s been another dynamic month, with the Sales team making significant strides across multiple regions. Last week, we took advantage of having the entire Sales team in the Cape, even bringing Ian Taylor (Sales and Revenue Manager) back from Hoedspruit for a few days. We gathered at Franschhoek House for a team strategy session, where Matt and Simon shared company direction and future plans. While some of the team took on an early morning mountain climb, others chose a more relaxed start to the day. The key focus remains on improving room nights sold and reducing seasonality across all properties.
Site inspections and educational stays have kept the team exceptionally busy. The Silo Hotel continues to be in high demand for these visits, and it’s always rewarding to make time for them. We’ve also had numerous trade visitors at Primrose House, showcasing our head office to industry partners while enjoying plenty of cake in the process.
Across our various markets, the feedback from trade partners has been exceptional. Beyond securing future bookings, it’s been wonderful to hear how well our teams on the ground treat every trade partner with the same care and attention as our most valued guests. A huge thank you to everyone for going above and beyond.
Anton Noll (Sales Manager - UK & Europe) has spent much of February in Cape Town, with Edward Morton (Ambassador) leading numerous site inspections of Franschhoek House. A highlight of the month was the launch of our first-ever personalised German newsletter, which offered a sneak preview of Franschhoek House to a select audience before the broader announcement. Thank you to the Marketing team for making this happen.
In Latin America, Felipe Bonahora (Sales Manager - Latin America) had a productive trip through Brazil and Mexico, securing great meetings and new business opportunities. Simon joined him at an event in Mexico City, strengthening our presence in the region.
Meanwhile, in the US, Werner Krause (Sales Manager - USA) was on the move across Florida, attending a trade show and making valuable sales calls to Agents.
Marketing
We have a lot to share this month, from behind-the-scenes content to exciting media features and creative projects. The team has been busy with multiple photo and video shoots at Franschhoek House, capturing stunning visuals that showcase the property in its best light. While there’s always a little chaos behind the scenes, it’s all part of the fun in creating compelling content.
The Silo Hotel continues to receive great media attention. Recent articles have highlighted the art concierge experience and unique art stories, while several pieces have focused specifically on the hotel.
Our Executive Head of Sales, Nigel Pace, has also been prominently featured in local trade news following his appointment at The Royal Portfolio.
We recently hosted a media launch at Franschhoek House where 13 journalists were flown in by helicopter from the Waterfront to La Residence. They enjoyed a luxurious lunch on the patio, followed by a site inspection and an opportunity to meet Liz Biden (Founder and Co-Chair), Matt Biden (Chief Executive Officer) and Simon Mandy (Managing Director). The experience offered a wonderful introduction to the property and its unique offerings.
Our content strategy continues to showcase guest experiences and award-winning properties. Malewane Lodge, recently recognised as the world’s leading luxury lodge, was featured in a dedicated blog post. We are also highlighting wellness, wildlife, and safari experiences, ensuring that our content reaches a broader audience and drives traffic to our website.
Marketing efforts have been in full swing, with a strong focus on promoting upcoming events, including the Franschhoek Literary Festival and Bastille Weekend, to encourage RMC member bookings.
Our Design team, Chanel Breytenbach (Designer) and Ashley Louw (Mid Weight Designer), have been hard at work creating new materials, including wedding content for private residences, updated fact sheets, maps, menus, and trade invitations.
Lourenco Afonso (Wildlife Photographer & Content Creator) has captured breathtaking images of the bush, with lush greenery and moody landscapes that perfectly complement the wildlife. Waterside has also received well-deserved recognition, winning Best Design and Décor at the Luxe Awards. The Marketing team has created stunning visuals and video clips to celebrate this achievement.
In addition, conservation efforts remain a key focus and Lourenco has also been documenting essential work in biodiversity and community engagement. These powerful images and stories will be featured in future mailers and blog posts, further integrating our conservation initiatives into our brand messaging.
Events
The events team has been busy at La Residence with a variety of events. From corporate gatherings like the Mining Indaba to birthday celebrations, proposals, and special moments, the team has once again gone above and beyond to create incredible experiences.
One particularly special event was an elopement where the couple enjoyed a seamless journey between La Residence, Birkenhead House, and The Silo Hotel. A huge thank you to the Birkenhead House team for adding such a personal touch by placing a framed wedding photo in their room — it was a complete surprise and deeply appreciated by the couple. This kind of thoughtful attention truly elevates the guest experience and reinforces what makes The Royal Portfolio so exceptional.
PROPERTIES UPDATE
Birkenhead House
February has been an incredibly busy month. We are over the 90% occupancy mark, focusing on keeping this machine running. While we haven’t done much outside of the hotel, we have managed to squeeze in a few things. One of our highlights was a beautiful evening where guests enjoyed dinner outside during sunset. When the wind isn’t blowing, it’s the perfect setting.
Customer satisfaction remains our priority, and guests truly appreciated the experience. A special birthday was celebrated with balloons and a beautifully set-up table, adding to the warm atmosphere. Our team has also been working hard behind the scenes to ensure every guest has a memorable stay. A returning guest, who visits four to five times a year, was back on the golf course, enjoying his complete experience with us.
For Valentine's Day, we turned up the charm and went all out. Heart-shaped cookies were served at the coffee bar, heart-shaped strawberries adorned cupcakes, and we repurposed our Christmas tablecloths to create a romantic setting. Some of the team even dressed up to add to the fun.
One of the highlights of the celebration was our in-house jeweler, who also happens to be our Maintenance Manager, Roux Du Preez. He engraved guests’ initials onto small padlocks, which they then locked onto a specially created wire fence before throwing the keys into the ocean. We ensured the locks were safe for the environment, and guests loved this symbolic gesture of locking their love.
Rooms were decorated with romantic touches, including biodegradable, light-up heart balloons. Turn-down service featured heart-shaped cookies and a bottle of bubbly with a unique gift — date dice. Guests had fun rolling the dice to decide on their evening plans, making for a memorable experience.
At the same time, we are sad to say goodbye to Wayne Spencer (Deputy General Manager) who is moving on to a new role as the General Manager at Masiya's Camp and to Miriam Njikilana, who has secured a position as Breakfast Waiter at The Silo Hotel to be closer to her family in Cape Town.
Valentine’s Day wasn’t just for guests—our team was also celebrated. It was a time to reflect on the love shared between colleagues, the love for the hotel, and the appreciation we receive from our guests in return.
A special congratulations to Rita Msongelwa (FOH Duty Manager), who has been a shining star at Birkenhead House for 10 years. We hope to celebrate many more years with her. Well done to Khutso Mashile (Receptionist) as well for being named Employee of the Month for January 2025.
The Silo Hotel
Customer satisfaction remains at the heart of what we do, and as always, we received a plethora of positive reviews throughout February. One particularly special review came from a bridal shower group, who described their experience as nothing short of royalty. They praised the wonderful and welcoming staff, the ambiance, and the incredible food. Despite their various dietary requirements, our team exceeded expectations, making their celebration truly special. Another memorable review from the rooftop highlighted a guest’s delightful evening, where they were warmly welcomed by friendly and attentive staff. The evening featured cocktails, a mezze platter, and a delicious poke bowl, all enjoyed with a stunning view of Cape Town. Their friends from the UK were thoroughly impressed and deemed the rooftop a must-visit spot. At the Granary Café, one guest shared that it was the best dining experience they had ever had in South Africa. From arrival to departure, the service was flawless.
February was also a busy month for staff engagement. A group of 15 team members embarked on an early-morning Lion’s Head hike to catch the sunrise. For Valentine’s Day, Cupid made a special appearance, delivering gifts as staff showed their appreciation for one another. Our Purpose and Values Committee welcomed new leadership, with Rhoda Daniels (Guest Relations Officer) appointed as Chairperson and Leonie Brink (Senior Spa Therapist) as Vice Chairperson.
Several team members were also recognised with Silo Stars awards for going above and beyond to create exceptional guest experiences. Additionally, our quarterly staff induction took place, immersing new team members in the history, values, and purpose of the Silo and the Royal Portfolio, leaving them feeling inspired.
Social responsibility remains a priority. This month, the head office team and The Silo team joined forces with Friends of Child Protection, packing 504 care packs and 30 snack packs. Just after Valentine’s Day, our bi-weekly visit to Leilieblom encouraged children to create artwork centered around love and kindness. We also received messages of gratitude from Mandisa's Kitchen, showcasing how they benefit from the monthly goods and products we donate.
Lastly, The Silo team faced a heartbreaking loss with the passing of Duty Manager, Thomas Munyuri. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues. He was truly passionate about the Silo, the team, and the Royal Portfolio as a whole, and he will be greatly missed.
La Residence
We are delighted to share some wonderful updates from La Residence, where we’ve had a vibrant mix of returning guests, special events, and exciting developments.
Our Valentine’s Day celebration was a standout this year, with a charming French-inspired theme, "Bisou Bisou," creating an intimate and romantic atmosphere. From a live accordion player to beautifully curated décor and Chef Cheslin Cornelissen (Executive Chef) incredible culinary touches, the evening was truly unforgettable. Guests were captivated by the thoughtful details, including a 1920s French film projected onto a linen-draped backdrop.
We’ve also had the pleasure of welcoming back several beloved guests. A Dutch family who visited nine months ago returned for another memorable stay and now plans to book an entire property for their next visit. Constantine and Jason, who were married at La Residence six years ago, returned once again. To make their stay extra special, we recreated elements of their wedding, including a miniature replica of their original wedding cake, a personalized bottle of bubbles, and printed wedding photos. It was an emotional and heartwarming reunion for all.
A major highlight was hosting Olympic Gymnast, Simone Biles and her husband, Jonathan Owens. Given Simone’s incredible presence on social media, we made sure every detail of their experience was impeccable. From a personalised embroidered bottle of rosé to curated treats and wedding photos from their special day, we aimed to create an unforgettable stay. They were so enchanted that they extended their time with us, sharing their experiences with millions of followers.
On the employee engagement front, we recently bid farewell to Hoon Kim (now Sales Manager - Asia Pacific) with a fantastic lawn bowls afternoon—an underrated but incredibly fun activity! While we will miss him at La Residence, we’re grateful to still have him as part of the TRP family.
In leadership news, we are thrilled to announce Chantell Du Toit as our new Deputy General Manager. With her deep expertise in hospitality and her passion for La Residence, we couldn’t be happier to have her take on this role.
Our commitment to social responsibility continues as well. Long-time guests, the Bentons, who have supported education initiatives across Africa for years, recently visited one of the libraries they helped establish. Their generosity and dedication to making a difference remain truly inspiring.
A huge thank you to our team for their hard work and dedication to creating these extraordinary experiences. The magic of La Residence continues to shine because of all of you!
Royal Malewane
It has been an eventful and memorable time in the Bush, filled with joy, surprises, and heartwarming moments. Guests continue to have incredible experiences, and our team remains dedicated to creating unforgettable memories. A special mention goes to Kenneth and Hazel, who visited us and were overjoyed by a Newcastle United-themed drink stop we set up for them. Kenneth, a passionate Newcastle United fan, was moved to tears and took numerous pictures to share with fellow fans back in the UK. The experience left them truly blown away.
Another magical moment unfolded when Jonas proposed to Julia during a drink stop in the Bush. She, of course, said yes, and we celebrated with a congratulatory toast. These moments remind us of the special place we hold in our guests' lives.
Our guest feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. One guest was so delighted with their stay that they edited their feedback form to say everything was "super excellent." Others expressed their love for the bathtubs, even wishing they could take them home. We also had a special moment with a guest who purchased a large sculpture from our curio shop. It was fondly named Ruth, after our Housekeeping Manager, Ruth Khumalo, and the guest continues to refer to her as part of their home.
Valentine’s Day at Waterside was a golden affair. We set up an elegant gold-themed table for the occasion. Guests enjoyed special treats, with the men receiving a bottle of Amarula and the ladies a beautifully crafted candle. It was a truly romantic and memorable evening.
The Spa team worked their magic in preparation for our staff party, and many of our team members participated in Africa Safety and First Aid training, with 15 staff members successfully completing the course.
The staff party at Royal Malewane was a grand celebration inspired by Casino Royale. Held over two nights, the event featured gaming tables, lively participation, and a wonderful time for all.
During the event, awards were handed out to recognise outstanding contributions.
Staff engagement remains a priority, and we introduced "Munch Mates," where employees are encouraged to sit with different colleagues during lunch to foster stronger connections.
A Culture meeting was also held at Malewane, bringing together champions from both lodges to discuss future initiatives over snacks and drinks.
Our social responsibility efforts continue to make a meaningful impact. The Spa and Kitchen teams worked together to prepare healthy muffins for children at Langetulani Creche, while the Housekeeping team delivered seedlings and plants to local communities. At Waterside, we visited another creche where we assisted with maintenance and cleaning, bringing smiles to both the staff and children.
Recent weeks have been marked by steady rains, turning the Bush into a lush, green paradise. The Safari Department also stepped in to assist Osprey, one of our partner companies, with a flat tire, ensuring guests could continue their journey without hassle.
As we move forward, we remain committed to providing exceptional experiences for our guests while fostering a supportive and dynamic environment for our team. Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to the magic we create here in the Bush.
FOUNDATION UPDATE
Our partners at Birkenhead House have been actively supporting Child and Family Services, demonstrating generosity beyond giving. This collaboration is not just about donations but about truly seeing and understanding the individuals we help. We have engaged in play therapy training and provided thoughtful contributions, from Charlotte Rhys products to gifts for their staff. Our Birkenhead Spa team also extended care by offering treatments to social workers, recognising the importance of their well-being.
At the CRC, we’ve been busy with conservation education, welcoming primary school children for a day of engaging activities. From learning how to use a bird book to building nests, these hands-on experiences foster a deeper appreciation for nature. The children also had the incredible opportunity to embark on game drives, even braving the rain, which made the adventure even more memorable. With ponchos and caps donated, the rain couldn’t dampen their spirits. A special moment arose when one of the students, eager to learn about conservation science, met with real scientists from the Fitzpatrick Institute, an inspiring experience for all involved.
Our Foundation also hosted a monthly talk featuring the Cape Leopard Trust. They shared invaluable insights, with Wendy set to return in May to assist in establishing the research center. Additionally, we welcomed esteemed conservationists, including the global conservation team, supervisors from the Fitzpatrick Institute, and BirdLife experts, who recently ringed over 30 European Rollers. They will return in March to fit tracking backpacks to further our understanding of migration patterns.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AT TRP
Our Careers page is the reference point for all open positions available across The Royal Portfolio group. We accept internal and external applications here, and always, internal applications are given preference.
In order to ensure your application stands out, please apply via the Careers page and let your HOD and property HR Manager know of your desire to develop yourself further.
Feel free to share the site with your industry friends and networks too, in order to help us reach a wider network of exceptional candidates.
You can click here, or scan the QR code to visit the website.
TO BE WELCOMING GENUINE AND WARM
NEW STARTERS
A very warm welcome to the following new, and in some cases, returning, team members across The Royal Portfolio:
TO RECOGNISE, REWARD AND UPLIFT
PROMOTIONS & INTERNAL MOVEMENTS
Congratulations to the below staff for their hard work and for continuing to go above and beyond to ensure that we Give our Guests a Complete Experience and a Perfect Stay!
LONG SERVICE AWARDS - 5, 10, 15, 20 & 25 Years with TRP in February!
Congratulations and thank you to the following staff for their loyalty and hard work over the years:
Roddy Fransman (Night Auditor @ TS) | 5 Years on the 03rd of February 2025
Charles Brown (Farm Worker @ LR) | 5 Years on the 04th of February 2025
Ashwall Samuels (Maintenance Technician @ WS) | 10 Years on the 01st of February 2025
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