The Story Behind The Goodenough Hotel

Tucked away in the leafy calm of Mecklenburgh Square, The Goodenough Hotel is more than just a place to stay in central London. It’s a hotel with a story, one shaped by history, scholarship and a long-standing belief that hospitality can be a force for good.

A Non-Profit Hotel Supporting Goodenough College

What makes The Goodenough Hotel truly distinctive is its non-profit status. Every stay directly contributes to the work of Goodenough College, an educational charity that supports postgraduate students from around the world. Revenue from the hotel helps fund scholarships, accommodation and academic community life, meaning that guests don’t just enjoy a memorable London stay: they actively support education and opportunity.

It’s a rare model in London hospitality, and one we’re quietly proud of; a hotel where comfort, character and charitable purpose sit naturally side by side.

From Georgian Townhouses to a Place of Welcome

The buildings that now make up The Goodenough Hotel began life as elegant Georgian townhouses, reflecting Bloomsbury’s long association with learning, culture and intellectual life. During the Second World War, they took on a new role as a nurses’ home, offering shelter and support during one of London’s most challenging periods.

In the decades that followed, the houses evolved into Fellowship House and the Goodenough Club, welcoming international scholars, academics and visiting members connected to the College. This tradition of hospitality - thoughtful, generous and globally minded - laid the foundations for what would eventually become The Goodenough Hotel, opening its doors to a wider public while remaining true to its original purpose.

A Legacy of Remarkable Guests

Over the years, these rooms and gardens have welcomed an extraordinary community of thinkers and leaders. Among the illustrious former guests associated with the Goodenough community are Desmond Tutu, Helen Clark, and Seamus Heaney: individuals whose work has shaped global conversations in politics, literature and human rights.

Their presence is a reminder that this has always been a place for ideas to be shared, friendships formed and perspectives broadened.

The Goodenough Hotel Today

Today, The Goodenough Hotel offers calm, characterful accommodation in the heart of Bloomsbury... moments from the British Museum, West End theatres and some of London’s most beautiful garden squares. Guests arrive for many reasons: family breaks, cultural weekends, academic visits or business trips with a more meaningful edge.

What unites them is the experience of staying somewhere that feels quietly different. A hotel with history in its walls, purpose in its present, and a future rooted in education and global community.

When you stay at The Goodenough Hotel, you’re not just checking in, you’re becoming part of a story that has been unfolding for more than a century.