WHAT'S IT LIKE? In one word: lavish. Set amid 180ha of greenery, the aptly named Empire, which opened in 2000, is a massive project by a meticulous planning and design team of over 200. A total of 370 pieces of Tiger Eye are inlaid into the main atrium’s gold-plated stair rails; chandeliers are made of Swarovski crystals; bathrooms are marble-slabbed; and semiprecious stones like lapis lazuli and malachite are embedded in the suite furnishings.
Guests will appreciate an 18-hole, Jack Nicklaus-designed championship golf course which overlooks the South China Sea, a driving range, eight swimming pools, a 700-person theatre, gym, bowling alley, cinema, spa, scuba dive centre among other facilities. The distinguished guestbook includes Brunei’s adored Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Chinese president Hu Jintao and former US president Bill Clinton.
WHERE IS IT? A 15-minute drive from Brunei International Airport and 20 minutes from the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.
HOW MANY ROOMS? 420 rooms, suites and villas, all featuring private balconies with views of the ocean, lagoon or golf course. Rooms measure 60sqm in the Superior and Deluxe categories and up to 666sqm in the Emperor Suite, which comes with its own private elevator, pool, Jacuzzi, 42-inch TV and grand piano.
ROOM FACILITIES: An oversized bed, a large-screen TV, workdesk, minibar and spacious bathroom are room standards. All suites feature Bang & Olufsen sound systems, Jacuzzis and Bvlgari bath amenities. The balcony, a feature of our ocean-facing Executive Suite, was perfect for alfresco dining or for unwinding and reflecting on the day’s activities.
RESTAURANTS: Li Gong is a freestanding pavilion offering Chinese cuisine; seafood at Pantai and Italian at Spaghettini – alcohol (BYO) may be consumed at all three. Atrium Café and Bunker Café have all-day dining.
BARS: The Lobby Lounge carries light meals, while the Pool Deck serves “mocktails”. Spike Lounge caters only to guests and country club members.
BUSINESS FACILITIES: Grand ballroom can take up to 500 theatre style or for cocktails; 11 function rooms and a business centre.
LEISURE FACILITIES: Take your pick – basketball, table tennis, badminton, tennis, squash, snooker, pool lounge, playground and a mall add to the already-long list.
PRICE: From US$124 nightly on the internet for a mid-January weekday stay in the Superior Room.
VERDICT: The staff’s warm hospitality is part of the package. That every guest is treated like royalty goes without saying.
CONTACT: Jerudong BG3122, Negara Brunei Darussalam, tel 673 241 8888, www.theempirehotel.com
Julian Tan
