This iconic property is one of THE face of Singapore’s hotel landscape. There is no mistaking which hotel is this at one glance for sure. It has also not been on my staycay radar even during this binge as I had the impression that its rooms are well, aged, as is the property. So imagine my surprise when I read that they had done some refurbishments, and in particular to their Deluxe Superior rooms – so with a relatively good rate that popped up, here I come!

Address – 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221. Website.

Contact – Tel: +65 6737 7411. Email: enquiries@goodwoodparkhotel.com.

Location – Located on one end of Orchard Road shopping belt, this iconic property enjoys an ageless-luxury reputation which has withstood the test of times throughout the rise and falls of other hospitality competitors. Although it doesn’t provide direct sheltered access to the next available shopping & food options (starting with Far East Plaza), the location is more than enough for a staycay.

Price – $270++ = $318nett booked under the HSBC WoW Weekend’s promotion for a Premier Deluxe Room which includes the following:

• Set breakfast for 2 persons
• S$100 nett worth of dining credits for a la carte menu orders at Min Jiang and Coffee Lounge
• 15% off a la carte menu orders at the hotel-operated restaurants during the stay
• One Welcome Gift 
• One Goodwood Park Hotel Legacy book (what is this? – I didn’t get this)

Pre-arrival – no pre-arrival email but I reached out to ask for early check in at 12nn and it was confirmed over email. I was asked to enquire about late check out only at check in. Fair enough.

Getting There – As The Milelion correctly mentioned in his review, the ‘main entrance’ to the lobby is closed due to the pandemic and guests have to enter via the side entrance which is located to your left as you climb up the small hill.

Check In – I arrived to an empty and rather sparse looking lobby at 12nn on a weekday and was attended to immediately. Check in was efficient and I was proactively offered a 2pm late check out. I was zipping out to a lunch appointment and the staff offered to have my luggage placed in my room for me – which was a nice touch!

The lift lobby areas and hallway has a certain classiness which I really liked!

Room – My Deluxe Premier (39SqM), Room 166, was confusingly located on the second floor and I have to say the room looks better in person than in pics.

The main bedroom section contains a cushy kind bed with bedside tables on both sides, each with lighting controls. The bed sits facing a non-smart TV with a ottoman-sofa of sorts + a coffee table right in front.

To one side of the bed is a one-seater couch for TV-chilling, then the wardrobe and luggage platform on the other side. While the wardrobe does what it does, it also contains one of the thinnest bedroom slippers I’ve ever seen – not quite befitting of a 5-star hotel I feel.

The bathroom does not seem to be refurbished probably due to structural constraints but its actually very well maintained for its age. A single with reasonable countertop space, a shower-tub (havent’ seen that in a long time!), and a typical non-bidet toilet. Toiletries are home brand – didn’t try as I brought my stolen Valley Wing L’Occitane ones.

The welcome gift in my package is actually a Goodwood Park Hotel branded shot glass – quite nice!

I also had a nice view of the main pool!

There were some slight cleanliness issues – the floor feels sticky at some parts and I spotted a few unidentified hair. And boy was the soundproofing bad – my next door neighbour was snoring through the door and I can hear him flushing and washing. I later realized that the noise was coming through so much due to the connecting doors so you’d be better off requesting for a non-connecting room if you are planning a staycay here too.

Breakfast – served at Lobby Lounge from 6:00am-10:30am, no bookings are required. The space was seeing a few tables full at 8am on a weekday but I was attended to quickly. Food is laid out in an assisted buffet style and you just pick off what is on display. Food quality was rather average with some items cold after sitting out there for so long but nice hot brewed coffee.

Facilities – The property has two swimming pools, a block-ish main pool and another resort-ish one at the Mayfair side. The main pool seems decent enough although the tile colors are beginning to show a yellow tinge. The Mayfair pool though is quite a sad sight due to its neglected greens and presence of numerous abandoned bedroom slippers – I’d avoid it at all cost if I were you.

The Fitness Centre is small and claustrophobic (the mirrors make it look bigger than it is) and does not look well maintained – enough said.

Other Dining – I was informed that in-house guests get 20% instead of the stipulated 15% so my $100 dining credits went a longer way than planned. Yays. And in case anyone is interested although I didn’t get a chance to try, their in-room dining menu is placed as a printed copy placed in your room.

Lobby Lounge (menu) – burned off my credits with a Nasi Goreng kosong ($21) + glass of Chateau Loumelat, Merlot Cabernet ($16) + Goodwood House Champagne – Taittinger Brut Reserve NV ($29). I was proactively given more satay in the absence of rice, and the drinks were as decent as they can be. Service was quite attentive which was nice.

Min Jiang (menu) – I had $38 left for lunch and ordered a light combination of Double-boiled Chicken Consommé with Black Truffle and Dried Scallops ($22) and the Min Jiang Dim Sum Quartet ($16.80) – a cute looking platter of little bites comprising 蒸小白兔饺 Steamed Prawn and Carrot ‘Rabbit’ Dumpling / 脆皮萝卜仔 Deep-fried Pork ‘Char Siew’ and Pine Nuts / in Glutinous ‘Carrot’ Pastry / 鲍鱼凤眼饺 Steamed Prawn Dumpling with Mini Abalone / and Trout Roe 脆皮鸭丝卷 Deep-fried Shredded Duck Roll with Spring Onion. Both were decent but not life changing.

Hotel Grounds – The understated classiness of the hotel shares the same colonial style as Raffles and actually quite nostalgic to visit in person. Most public areas seem to be very well maintained and I can see why it remains the go-to spot for a cosy high tea session. There are also various corners showcasing the history of the property which was quite interesting.

There is also a Tang Treasures Suite located on the lobby level – a display of various Tang dynasty artifacts which should entertain any Chinese history bluffs.

Check Out – Super efficiently done at 2pm on a weekday – I just had to quote my room number and the lady didn’t even look at her screen and chirped that all is settled.

In Summary,

a decent stay in a prime spot with a 1-nighter being enough for me. I appreciated the refreshed room but the spotty cleanliness issues and poor soundproofing marred my experience. Service was great though – staff were mostly smiley and efficient and even when unsure, they still try their best. This is also a property where I see a high number of senior staff members which could mean that they have been in their roles for a long time and proud of what they do. Not a return stay for this one but definitely glad to check this off my list.