History

Our Journey Through Time

The Hotel

Originally designed as a suite of townhouses by Joseph Kay in the early 19th century, the buildings now occupied by The Goodenough Hotel were used as a nursing home during the Second World War. After an extensive renovation to provide guest and visitor accommodation, the buildings were re-opened as the Goodenough Club in 2001, before being renamed The Goodenough on Mecklenburgh Square in 2018.

In 2022 our hotel went through a major refurbishment of all 65 bedrooms. Great care and attention was taken throughout the process to maintain the property’s historic charm and features. Each room has been styled and designed with a strong onus on the historical Georgian colours. In the Georgian period, choosing a colour for your home was often a matter of price; no expense was spared with The Goodenough Hotel refurbishment, resulting in our bold and striking colour palette.

Goodenough Hotel is owned by Goodenough College, an educational charity dedicated to bringing together many of the worlds’ brightest international minds in one community. Any income from the Hotel, and the College’s venue hire business, goes towards serving Goodenough’s charitable objectives – so when you stay at The Goodenough Hotel you are supporting the College’s work in enhancing international understanding and aiding talented students with limited means.

Goodenough College was first established in 1931 by Frederick Craufurd Goodenough (1866-1934), Chairman of Barclays Bank, to serve students from abroad who were new to the UK. Today, Goodenough College is an international institution, offering single student and family accommodation, and an extensive extra-curricular programme of conferences, lectures and social activities.