Just like most Singaporeans, the inconsistent, wishy-washy measures and restrictions the government is rolling out recently is taking a toll on me. It’s really frustrating, I’m not even going to start. Since we are unable to dine out with our group of friends, we definitely have to find other ways to genuinely spend our quality time doing things that are essential for our mental health.
As for me, I love being in nature and serenity to keep my mental health in check. I love pools, I love the lush greeneries and also, madly in love with historical architecture. Is there any way that I could combine all that into one?
You’re at the right place and the answer is, yes!
Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore
I recently booked my stay at one of the oldest heritage hotels in the city, located near the busy street of Orchard. The building itself was built in 1900 for the rich businessmen and interestingly the first ever hotel in Singapore to have a swimming pool in the property.
The exterior design of the hotel is unique, a very colonial-gothic vibe if you may. It really looks like a castle to me, very distinct from the modern skyscrapers and malls around it.
However! The phrase, “don’t judge a book by its cover” really plays a part here. The exterior facade may seem very interesting and elegant but sadly, the lobby of the hotel isn’t. The lobby looks old and dated, and not furnished to impress either. It generally looks empty and unimpressive with tacky arm chairs around the area, with piano at the side that looks like it hasn’t been touched in years. It reminded me of those tacky hotels from Gordon Ramsay’s Hotel Hell series.
Normally, hotel lobbies are designed to look inviting and charming. And the reason is mainly because it will give the guests a first impression of the hotel’s service and charm but I guess it doesn’t work like that here.
There was also a mini museum located near to the lobby. There’s an exhibition of artefacts and items salvaged from the Tang Shipwreck. I love it. I used to work in a museum that acquired the largest Tang Shipwreck treasures so this definitely gave me a nostalgic experience.
Why are the artefacts here you ask? The aim or goal rather, is to share parts of Singapore’s history to the guests and visitors.
While the check-in was a fast process, it also lacked interaction and personal touch. It felt very transactional and rushed. I was then escorted to the suite by Nathan, the concierge staff. Unlike the front desk agent, he was friendly and really informative.
I felt like I was on a museum tour as he was sharing with me the history of the iconic hotel. Nathan also explained that they have two pools in the property, and there is another private one that only suite guests has direct access to. So yay!
Currently managed by the WorldHotels Collection brand, the Goodwood Park Hotel is a 5-star property, with a total of 233 guest rooms.
I was assigned to the newly-furbished Deluxe Poolside Suite and there is only 5 of these pool suites in the property, so it was really an honor!
Unlike the underwhelming lobby, the suite was just phenomenal and charming. Not as extravagant as other heritage hotels, but it really was beautiful. Simple, yet elegant. Something about wooden floorings really excite me. The clean design with the elegant furnishing is just an absolute pleasure to look at.
“The suites evoke a sense of lightness with a neutral colour palette, accentuated by natural wood tones, contemporary white quartz and plush fabrics.”
– The Goodwood Park Hotel’s official website
The suite is 65 square metres big, visibly large and spacious and also has a separate living room. When you open the front door at the entrance, the bright living room will be what you’ll see first.
Accompanied with a large flat-screen television, it’s a perfect place for you to entertain guests if you have any. There wasn’t any function for screen-mirroring on the television so I had to use my own HDMI cables, but that wasn’t really a big deal to me. Although for a 5-star branded hotel, they really should make an effort to stay current and get on with times because gone are the days where guests actually watch the normal, local satellite channels. I mean, do you?
Well, only if Nurul Aini is on the screen for me.
What was interesting to me is that, there are two bathrooms in the suite! Some may call the one nearest to the entrance, a guest bathroom but I think it’s called a powder room?
If you’re a shy pooper, like me, you don’t need to worry at all! I literally made the powder room just for my private pooping space, while the other main bathroom for anything, everything and anyone else.
The hotel team also prepared a complimentary high tea set, served in the room which was really a nice surprise. The best thing about having high or afternoon tea is always about the buttery, flakey scones.
Do note that the food offered in the hotel isn’t halal certified! But, if you’re not particular about the food not having halal certificates by MUIS, do inform the staff about your diet restrictions and you’re good to go.
Adjacent to the living room is the bedroom and unlike the junior suites in Grand Hyatt, the separate living room is not divided by a sliding door so it’s technically a huge open space.
Just like the living room, the bedroom is also designed with warm lighting and earth-toned furnishings, making it super calming to not only look at, but to be physically around. Notice how traditional ceiling fans are still able to be used in the room! While the wind from the fan wasn’t that strong, it was nice to have a little breeze together with the right temperature from the air-conditioner instead of breathing in cold, still air.
When you book a suite, you have the choice of either a king bed or twin ones. I personally love a king-sized one! So much space to roll around even when you have your friend or partner on it.
It was so comfortable! I don’t know how high the thread count of the bedsheet was, but that doesn’t matter when the temperature was cold and the weather was just perfect for snuggles.
The left bedside table has an alarm clock and a telephone. There was a physical channel menu prepared too, really convenient for those who loves watching satellite channels cause I too find it annoying that you have to scroll the channels one by one just because the hotel doesn’t wanna provide a physical menu for you to choose from.
The bedside table on the right has all the light and master switches. If you noticed, both sides of the bed has a plug socket and USB ports for you to charge your phone when you’re on bed.
Similar to the living room, there was also a flat-screen television. Again, no screen-mirroring function on this one either. Right by it, is the work desk.
That will be where your welcome letters, sanitizing kit, and other room amenities will be placed. Two plug sockets and two USB ports are available for your usage too! Convenient. If you love ordering in-room dining like me, the menu doesn’t come from a QR code like most hotels do now. I searched high and low for it and I eventually gave up and called the front desk. The physical menu is placed in a compendium, right in the drawer of the desk. Yes, their menu is rather extensive.
The main bathroom was visibly spacious.
For the suites, the bathroom comes with a standing shower and a separate bathtub. Just one little downside, a bidet is not provided.
Though, I find it funny when hotels provide a weighing scale in their bathroom. Like, I don’t wanna get reminded of my weight gain when I’m supposed to be enjoying life!
The toiletries are from a prominent Italian brand, ETRO. I have never heard of them before but apparently they’re well-known in Europe.
“The entrepreneurial venture began in 1968 when Gimmo Etro, the brand’s visionary founder, launched a production of highly prestigious fabrics filled with original designs and innovative colour ways.”
– ETRO’s official website
I wasn’t expecting a lot from the toiletries, honestly. The packaging looks tacky and cheap. The scent of the shower gel and conditioners are just the same quality like the normal bulk ones. It doesn’t really matter to me cause I don’t usually utilise the hotel toiletries. I’m more comfortable using my own personal ones!
A complete set of mugs and glasses is available at the coffee and tea-making station. The teas are from TWG, and coffee pods are from Nespresso. Both brands, I really personally adore.
Room amenities like slippers, laundry bags and shoe horns are placed inside the wardrobe right by the coffee and tea station. An ironing board is also prepared for you.
And of course! What’s a poolside suite if there’s no bathrobes for you to wear before dipping into the pool? They’re placed inside the wardrobe, as well.
Speaking about pools! What’s really great about the deluxe poolside suite is that, you have direct access to the Balinese-inspired Mayfair Pool right from your room!
A back door is located right by the work desk. Just unlock it and your private pool is right outside! By private, I mean of course you have to share it with other poolside rooms and suites.
It was really a beautiful day and the weather was great. It seemed like a great hang-out place with tables and chairs just outside the suite. Sadly, due to the pandemic, only two persons are allowed in any room right now.
The Goodwood Park Hotel is a perfect location for everyone, for any occasions. Did it exceed my expectations? Sadly, no. It’s really a great property that could achieve so much more, if not for the underwhelming and bare design of the hotel lobby. It really has great potential. The service of the front desk team could be improved too! They’re the ones giving guests the first impression of the hotel, literally the faces of the brand.
In my opinion, certain features of the hotel rooms really need to be modernised too. Like including a bidet in the bathroom or as simple as providing a smart TV in all the rooms.
Since it’s the second oldest hotel in Singapore, imagine the fanfare if everything was restored and revamped right, like the Fullerton and Raffles Hotel. That would be so legendary.
Despite that, I truly enjoyed my stay and would surely come back to host a gathering or party in the suites once the strict measures are lifted. Certainly looking forward to some positive changes when I return!
Aliff Daniel 