Goodwood Park Hotel Research

History of Goodwood Park Hotel

In 1900, Goodwood Park Hotel was built as the Teutonia Club – an elite enclave for the expatriate German community in Singapore.

In 1918, the Teutonia Club was bought over by three Jewish brothers from the Manasseh family who renamed it Goodwood Hall after the residence of the Duke of Richmond and Gordon in England. In 1922, Goodwood Hall was registered as a restaurant-café-entertainment establishment.

In 1929, Goodwood Park Hotel emerged from Goodwood Hall, which catered to the travelling businessmen from Malaya. By the late 1930s, this hotel was one of the best-known thus, it had prestigious guests like the Duke of Windsor and the Prince of Whales of England.

In 1941, when World War II arrived, Goodwood Park Hotel was converted to a residence for high-ranking Japanese soldiers, who stayed there till the war ended. After which, the Hotel was used as a British War Crimes Court till it was returned to Mr. Vivian Bath, a Manasseh descendant in 1947. It was then back to business after a 2.5 million renovation that brought it back to its former glory. The hotel also made local history of being the first hotel in Singapore to have a swimming pool in its premise, a visionary idea by Mr. Vivian Bath.

In the 1960s there was a rapid expansion of the Goodwood Park and the introduction of several innovative changes such as air-conditioned Goodwood taxis, the longest bar in Southeast Asia and an air-conditioned wine cellar. Goodwood Park Hotel was bought over by Malayan Banking Group in 1963, only to last 5 years in their hands till 1968, where it changed hands again to become the property of the late Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat, a former Managing Director of the bank.

Under the hands of the late Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat daughter, Mrs. Mavis Oei, Goodwood Park Hotel has played host to many World well-known dignitaries and personalities. The historic tower of Goodwood Park Hotel was gazetted a national monument by the Singapore Preservation of Monuments Board, which has since merged with the Singapore National Heritage Board, in March 1989.

On 21 September 2010, this grand dame celebrated her 110^th Anniversary.

Its transformation through time and space

Under the hands of Mrs. Mavis Oei, the hotel’s current Chairman and daughter of Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat, the hotel underwent massive renovations and expansion. Goodwood Park Hotel has been improved and upgraded continuously to put it among the world’s best. It now presents 233 tastefully appointed guest rooms and suites housed in several wings – Lobby, Mayfair, Tower and Parklane dotted within the lovely six-hectare compound.
The charming hotel had been made even more charming after the contemporary finishing touches which add a touch of exclusivity and uniqueness to the heritage hotel (Goodwood Park Hotel).

Why was Goodwood Park Hotel at 22 Scotts Road?

The location of Goodwood Park Hotel’s location is 22 Scotts Road, which is near Claymore District where in the 1980s evolved into a prestigious district occupied by many prominent European residents, that included the German, and was built in 1900. It was built as a Teutonia Club for the German members that were temporarily residing at Tanglin Club. Once Goodwood Park Hotel was built, it overshadowed Tanglin Club and Tanglin Club’s German membership dwindled. Thus, it can be said that it was built for the Germans so that they can have a place to stay and stay near to their own community, the Europeans. However, when World War I broke out in 1914, Teutonia Club was declared an enemy property and the government seized it.

Credits:

http://www.goodwoodparkhotel.com/location-en.html

http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1167_2009-02-13.html

http://www.goodwoodparkhotel.com/history-en.html

http://www.goodwoodparkhotel.com/accommodation-en.html

Pg 175 Lonely Planet Singapore City Guide-Book