We chose this hotel as we remembered...
We chose this hotel as we remembered it (especially the steaks in the Gordon Grill) from our days living in Singapore in 1969-70. Although now modernised it is still a delightful place to stay. Good location, 5 minutes walk from Orchard Road and the MRT station. All the staff on reception and in the lobby area were welcoming,friendly and helpful.
We had a Junior Suite which looked very attractive - spacious, furnished in a modern but classic style, with two bathrooms. Lovely view of the garden pool. However, although the bedroom looked so elegant, some of the facilities were not very well planned. The TV was on the side wall, at a right-angle to the bed - impossible to watch it from one side of the bed and not much better from the far side. The lighting, air-con etc was all controlled by a hi-tech touch-sensitive panel but this was only on one side of the bed. I was on the other side and couldn't even switch my own bedside light on/off. The dressing table was the only place in either room to plug in a laptop but there was only a low stool to sit at - not a suitable height for working. This was also the only place to plug in the hairdryer which had a very short cord and needed constant pressure on a stiff switch to keep it on. To dry my hair I had to stand wedged against the side wall, with an aching thumb. Also, no decent light at the table for make-up, working etc. So - a really beautiful room but unfortunately somewhat spoilt by bad planning.
We ate in both the Coffee Lounge and the Gordon Grill. We found the service in the Coffee Lounge to be slow and the staff rather off-hand, as if they couldn't be bothered in serving. Perhaps they didn't like us ordering a la carte when there was a buffet on. In contrast, the Gordon Grill was superb in every respect - wonderful service from very friendly staff and the steaks (cooked at our table) were as good as ever - this restaurant certainly deserves its reputation as one of the best in Singapore. I'd go even further and say I haven't had a steak as good anywhere in the world.
Despite the few niggling problems we would still go back to the Goodwood again. Its elegance outweighs any minor irritations.
