The Empire Hotel & Country Club: The Most Elegant Hotel in Brunei

Another highlight of our travel to Brunei, other than the Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is the famous Empire Hotel & Country Club. I was fascinated by this hotel from the pictures I’ve seen in the internet, not to mention it’s rated as a six-star hotel so I want to see it for myself.
The Empire Hotel and Country Club is situated beside the world's oldest rain forests in Borneo. It’s a long drive from central Bandar Seri Begawan but I was not bored because I enjoyed looking at the structures along the way. We had the hotel driver drove us to the hotel as part of the negotiated package of B$20.00.
There’s no gate or security guard going to the hotel so we didn’t have a hard time entering. We were dropped off at the entrance, took a few pictures and went straight to the hotel.  From the outside I find it simple and wonder why it’s rated a 6-star.
The hotel was completed after six years of planning and construction, with over 300 highly skilled designers, technicians and craftsmen. It was finally opened on October 16, 2000 and since then it has become synonymous with Brunei's majestic and cultural heritage. Currently the hotel has more than 800 employees, some of them are Filipinos whom we’ve meet during our visit.
 
The employees who opened the door for us were friendly and just for a moment I felt like I belong there (LOL). As soon as we entered I knew how it’s rated 6-star. If the main hall (Atrium) is as this grand, I wonder how the rooms look like.
Based on reviews, this hotel truly is one of the finest beach resorts in Asia Pacific. So I’m more curious about their beach than the hotel itself. I’ve been to Boracay, Calaguas, Laiya and Pagudpud in the Philippines, so I expect that the hotel’s beach is more beautiful than these.
Only to be disappointed as it’s not what I expect it to be. The sand is fine but it’s not white. I just had high expectation but maybe it’s their hotel and country club that is rated 6-star not the beach. Or maybe I haven’t seen most part of the beach.
From the beach we kept walking until we got to the swimming pool. The pool is not that big but maybe it’s just one of their small pools. It’s actually the perfect place to take pictures of the hotel. We wanted to have pictures of the three of us so I politely asked one of the employees to take pictures of us.
We had no idea that he’s a manager there. He took pictures of us, but after that he asked us if we are guests or just visiting. And when we told him that we’re just visiting, he said that the pool is exclusive for hotel guests only.
We apologized and left the pool but that didn’t stop us from taking pictures over and over again. In my mind, I know I have to take a lot of pictures because this is an opportunity and I might not be able to come back.
The property has its own cinema featuring the latest movie releases. It has a state of the art theater for live performances and presentations. One of my friends in music industry was able to perform there years ago for the Sultan’s birthday and she said it’s really beautiful.
Recreational facilities include a lagoon beach and pools, a kids club called E Kids Club, tennis courts, a fully equipped fitness centre, the Empire Spa, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and a well-established world class Country Club.
The hotel with its 180 hectare tropical garden estate features 420 spacious guestrooms, all with balconies and superb views. I wished I can see even just one of their rooms to see hot it looks, but I know it’s just a wishful thinking.
 
These are the accommodations at the Empire Hotel and Country Club:



Ocean & Superior

Elegant furnishings. Beds fit for a king or queen, with comfort truly unmatched. Spacious marble clad bathrooms with walk-in showers and bathtubs to enjoy spectacular views. Superior Rooms are found in the Lagoon and Waterfall Wings; meanwhile Ocean Rooms are located at Sea view building
Deluxe Rooms
Italian tailored bed linens using the finest cotton together with the most luxurious down feather pillows and duvets provide a perfect night's sleep every night at the Empire. Complete with exquisite furnishing and hand-tufted wool carpeting, every deluxe room is designed to ensure absolute comfort
Emperor Suite

Voted "The World's Leading Presidential Suite" by the World Travel Awards 2003 & 2004, the suite's private elevator provides guests with access to privacy and security unrivaled anywhere else. Equipped with a private swimming pool, steam room and sauna, guests could almost be forgiven for not leaving the suite for the duration of their stay.
Villas

Private getaways, family holidays, sixteen villas set in beautiful gardens. Twelve 2-bedroom Garden Villas. Three 3-bedroom Ocean Villas, sharing a swimming pool and private beach.



The Royal Villa provides guests with a pool of their own and concealed outdoor area for their exclusive use. Step into the realm of celebrated living and experience a privileged world with your own personal butler and private pool.

Overlooking the 8th fairway, the 3-bedroom Royal Villa brings exclusive travel accommodation to new heights with elegant furnishings and impeccable service truly fit for royalty and an elite level of privacy available only to the very few.



Please visit their website for the room rates: http://www.theempirehotel.com/
Ambassador & Empress Hotel

With access to all E-Club facilities, these suites boast private Jacuzzi and bespoke Asprey bath amenities. Adding to the sense of luxury living are the Italian silk covered walls.
Dining in is not a problem in the hotel as it has a lot to choose from.



Atrium Cafe 

Is located at level 3 in the Main Atrium building with spectacular views of the ocean, amidst grandiose marble columns. Serving buffet breakfast and lunch only, with selections of international and local fare.
Bunker Bistro

Overlooking the putting green and South China Sea on one side, and Hole 1 of the luxurious floodlit 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed championship golf course. Ideal venue for late breakfast, lunch, dinner or simply for light snacks. Menu features a range of international and regional a la carte dishes.
Lobby Lounge

The perfect place to unwind with a selection of refreshments throughout the day and traditional English High Tea in the afternoon. On weekends a tempting high tea buffet with mouth watering pastries and cakes are featured. Take-away cakes and bread may also be ordered through the Lobby Lounge.

Pantai

A stylish dining option featuring a semi buffet combined with daily specials.  Located at level 1, beachfront.

  
Pantai
An exclusive dining experience, offers some of the best and most authentic Japanese food outside Japan. The excellence of dishes cooked by our chefs will make this journey unforgettable. Located beyond Pantai restaurant.


Pool Deck

Enjoy refreshing mock tails and delicious snacks served by the poolside. Located by the sea.



Zest

Located at Empire Arcade, level 5, this stylish cafe serves pastries, cakes, sandwiches and savory treats, confectionery and chocolates, all crafted fresh daily from the finest quality ingredients.



For more information about their dining, please visit their website: http://www.theempirehotel.com/categories/dining
Being a Country Club, Empire Hotel is well known for its 7,029 golf course that winds along the costs with spectacular and breathtaking sea view. It’s the perfect place also to take pictures of the hotel and the six-storey glass atrium.
And for those who want to just relax and distress after a long day, you can try their spa. Feel like a royal with their unique spa massages and scrubs designed to cater all relaxation and rejuvenation needs. They also offer manicure and pedicures, body scrubs, scalp treatment and invigorating facials. 

For more information, please visit their website: http://www.theempirehotel.com/spa
For those who have longer time, you can try their facilities and other sports activities such as Tennis, Squash, Bowling, Badminton, Swimming Pool, etc… 

For more details, please visit their website: http://www.theempirehotel.com/countryclub
If you want to feel like a Royal for a day, visit this hotel and explore to your heart content.
 
Address: Jerudong BG3122, Negara Brunei Darussalam
Telephone: +673 241 8888
Fax: +673 241 8999

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