Brunei is a quiet Islamic country renown for its' rich oil reserves and traditional Royal family among Southeast Asians. Situated in the northern coast of Borneo, Brunei boosts a predominantly Muslim population of 400 000 spanning a total area of 2,226 sq. miles.
The Empire Hotel and Country Club is the only luxurious resort in the country. No expense seemed to have been spared from the building of the resort to its staffing and services. It is no wonder that this resort has won several awards for best golf and country club in the region. This resort has something for everyone; from the in house kids' club that organizes arts and crafts to keep the young ones entertained to a luxurious spa set amidst a tranquil environment to keep the women happy while the men teed off at the golf course.
Every visitor that steps into the hotel inevitably becomes awed by the grandeur of the West Atrium. Spanning a height equivalent of a 20 storied building, the West Atrium offers an unobstructed view of the lagoon for guests dining at the restaurants located at the lobby, the cafe and the ballroom at the lower levels. My room was located at the West Atrium that offered a beautiful view of the lagoon and the sunset from the balcony. The room was elegantly furnished with vintage-styled European furniture, plush carpets, duck feathered pillows and soft Egyptian cotton bedspreads. I was very impressed with the bathroom as it was almost as large as the room itself dominated by a bathtub with a sea view. In fact, everything in the resort seemed huge and shiny, from oversize bath towels to super size single beds to the numerous pools (including a sea-water pool) located at the lagoon and in the club, to the gold plated ornaments that decorate the resort. If these ceases to amaze you, then indulge in the many activities offered in and around the resort. From deep sea fishing to diving, from para sailing to bowling to enjoying a movie at the theater, there are no lack of activities to keep even the most skeptic occupied for at least a week while staying in the resort. For food, there is a good mix of local and international cuisines offered at the six restaurants located in and around the hotel. I tried the seafood BBQ buffet at the Pantai (located next to the beach) and was overwhelmed by the variety of dishes offered throughout the course of the night. The atrium cafe also offered an excellent breakfast buffet spread.
If you are tired of the resort, sign on a day trip to the water village or trek into the jungles of Ulu Temburong National park to experience the untouched rainforest at the concierge desk. To move around in the resort, approach the reception desk who will arrange for a buggy.
For reservations: go
here.
For more information on Brunei, go to the
official tourism website.