Goodwood Park Hotel turns 110, but who's counting with these looks?

It's one of Singapore's most iconic buildings, and after the bastion of British colonialism that is Raffles Hotel, one of the oldest as well. Goodwood Park Hotel celebrates its 110th birthday this year, and for a grand heritage hotel that's been around this long, it looks surprisingly good for its age.

A little history lesson -- Goodwood Park Hotel was built in 1900 as the Teutonia Club for the expatriate German community in Singapore. Three Jewish brothers by the family name of Manasseh bought over the property in 1918, registering it in 1922 as a restaurant-café-entertainment establishment under the name "Goodwood Hall." 

In 1929, the Manassehs turned Goodwood Hall into the Goodwood Park Hotel to cater to traveling businessmen from Malaysia (then called Malaya). The hotel became one of the best-known hotels at the end of the 1930s and among its visiting luminaries from that period was the Duke of Windsor, then the Prince of Wales. 

In 1963, Goodwood Park Hotel was bought over by Malayan Banking Group and in 1968, it changed hands again to become the property of the late Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat, a former managing director of the bank. The hotel underwent massive renovations and expansion when Mrs Mavis Oei, the hotel’s current chairwoman and the eldest daughter of Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat, took over. But one of the biggest milestones for GoodWood Park Hotel was in March 1989, when its tower was gazetted as a national monument by the Singapore Preservation of Monuments Board (now known as the Singapore National Heritage Board). 

The history may not be as grand as Raffles Hotel's, but the hotel has been through some of Singapore's more tumultuous times, including the Japanese occupation of WWII. And to commemorate the 110th anniversary, Goodwood Park Hotel is offering two promotional packages for guests to experience the heritage of the building. 

110th Anniversary Luxury Package

At S$1,100 for two nights, the luxury package will not suit everyone's tastes (or wallets), but you do get to experience the best the hotel has to offer. You'll be put up at the Poolside Suite, which opens out to the hotel’s main pool, and enjoy perks like complimentary late check-out till 3pm, daily room service set breakfast for two, a complimentary bottle of champagne and strawberries and spa treatment for two at J’s Salon. 

110th Anniversary Weekend Rest & Relax Package

For a quick weekend staycation, this package is great value at S$110 per person per night. You'll enjoy the deluxe rooms, buffet breakfast at $11 per person, and if you can, spring for the upgrade to the more luxurious Poolside Suite at an extra S$110 per night.

The promotional packages are valid from now til December 31, 2010. For enquiries and reservations, call reservations at tel +65 6730 1811/1844 or email rmresv@goodwoodparkhotel.com.

getting there

Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road, Singapore
tel +65 6737 7411
www.goodwoodparkhotel.com