Caledonian Hotel

By Chia, Joshua Yeong Jia written on 19-Jun-2006
National Library Board Singapore

Comments on article: InfopediaTalk

 

Caledonian Hotel was listed as one of the principal hotels in early 20th century Singapore. It was also described as being the only British hotel in Singapore at that time. However, like many of the early hotels, it did not survive for many years.

History

It would appear that Caledonian Hotel was associated with Central Hotel that was set up in the 1890s. The hotel was first listed in Singapore and Straits Directory, 1904, with its address at 77 Bras Basah Road. It operated from the site formerly occupied by the Central Hotel. When it was set up, its owner was T. M. Connolly who was also the former proprietor of Central Hotel.  From 1910 onwards, there was no further reference to the hotel. The location was probably incorporated into the grounds of the Bethesda Gospel Hall demolished in the 1990s. Today, the Carlton Hotel stands on the former site of Caledonian Hotel. 

Description

Caledonian Hotel was listed in Handbook to Singapore as one of the principal hotels in early 20th century Singapore. An advertisement in Souvenir of Singapore described the hotel as being "the only British hotel in Singapore".  It was also described as a beautifully decorated hotel with recent renovations, including 40 well-ventilated bedrooms with electric bells and attached bathrooms.  It also had a spacious billiard room "with six new tables and full equipments".  The hotel reportedly served excellent cuisine, as well as "the choicest brands of wines and spirits".  Thomas Sargeant and T. M. Connolly were listed as its proprietor and manager respectively. 



Author

Joshua Chia Yeong Jia



References

Reith, G. M. (1985).  Handbook to Singapore (p. 85).  Singapore: Oxford University Press. 
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 REI) 

Singapore and Straits directory for 1902 (p. 109) [Microfilm: NL1181]. (1902). Singapore: Printed at the Mission Press.

Singapore and Straits directory for 1904 (p. 114) [Microfilm: NL1181]. (1904). Singapore: Printed at the Mission Press. 

Singapore and Straits directory for 1909 (p. 119) [Microfilm: NL1183]. (1909). Singapore: Printed at the Mission Press

Souvenir of Singapore: A descriptive and illustrated guide book of Singapore (p. 105) [Microfilm: NL 16348].  (1905).  Singapore: Printed at the Straits Times Press.



The information in this article is valid as at 2007 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject.  Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic. 

Subject
Recreation>>Places of Interest
Commerce and Industry
Caledonian Hotel (Singapore)
Hotels--Singapore--History
Business, finance and industry>>Industry>>Services>>Tourism and hospitality

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