The Empire Hotel & Country Club Brunei
Whenever Brunei is mentioned, people always relate it to oil and say that it is one of the richest countries in the world. Apart from being a prosperous Muslim country with ancient monarchy, what is so special about Brunei? I asked myself the same question until the day I visited that country and discovered that there are so many places of interest and things to do over there. Of course most of the architectures such as the mosques are gold-plated! Then, one day I found a hidden upscale piece of paradise that not many people are aware of (which surprised me actually) – The Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Photo by Karen Tukalan-Pinn: The Empire Theatre and Cinema
The Empire Hotel and Country Club is located in Jerudong, about 15 minutes from Brunei Interational Airport and 20 minutes from Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital and central business district. Staying at a prestigious five-star hotel but with seven-star standard was one of my dreams and never thought it could come true with just one email that invited me to stay there for few days. It was an honour and something that I could not refuse!
Photo by Karen Tukalan-Pinn: The Empire Hotel & Country Club Brunei
Driving through the hotel’s main gate, you would love the green landscaped garden and trees – so relaxed and welcoming. On the left side, there is a big building with a “The Empire Theatre and Cinema” sign. Oh my goodness, a hotel with its own theatre and cinema? I must say this is something rare and don’t think you can find many hotels around that provide such facilities.
Driving through the hotel’s main gate, you would love the green landscaped garden and trees – so relaxed and welcoming. On the left side, there is a big building with a “The Empire Theatre and Cinema” sign. Oh my goodness, a hotel with its own theatre and cinema? I must say this is something rare and don’t think you can find many hotels around that provide such facilities.
Photo by Karen Tukalan-Pinn: The Empire Theatre and Cinema
Finally arrived at the hotel, I was warmly welcomed by some genuinely friendly staff. The awe-inspiring architecture with fine marbles from Italy and gold-plated finish is something that would definitely amaze everyone and you will feel like a ‘royalty’ right away.
Magnificent gold-plated architecture
The Main Lobby
Entrance to the Main Lobby
An attentive staff member escorted me to my luxurious suite with separate living room, where I discovered complimentary fruit basket, a platter of freshly baked cookies and something that I cannot resist, the hotel’s signature chocolates placed in a made-of-chocolate salver and sprinkled with edible gold dust. All cutleries inside the suite, in fact throughout the hotel, are made of pure silver.
Photo by Karen Tukalan-Pinn: The Executive Suite
Photo by Karen Tukalan-Pinn: The Empire's signature chocolates placed in a made-of-chocolate salver
I contemplated first the view from the wrap-around balcony over the manicured landscape garden, blue ocean and nine swimming pools. Bursts of colour in the suite mirror the landscape. The spacious suite is covered with carpets made of the finest wool from New Zealand while the bedroom itself can sleep the whole family in there. The bed and beddings are so comfortable that I look forward to my good night sleeps. Everything inside the room is enhanced with modern gadget that is just a click-of-button away. Even to close the curtains, I only had to press a button. I really like the bathroom – so huge and luxurious – clad in light brown and white marble slabs. It seems that the suite is prepared for some romantic getaway as the bathtub is spacious enough for two and a separate glass shower stall leaves the choice to you; and a separate glass cubicle for toilet too. So I bet you can visualize how big the bathroom is.
Photo by Karen Tukalan-Pinn : The view of the landscaped garden from the balcony
Photo by Karen Tukalan-Pinn : Luxurious bathroom with exquisite Italian marble slabs
The Empire’s signature lemongrass bathing poducts are a pleasant surprise, from shower gel to shampoo, conditioner and lotion. After the first application, I was hooked and ready to try the spa!
That afternoon, I was transported by using a buggy to the The Empire Country Club where the “East meets West” fusion spa is located on the basement floor of the building. In a changing room with huge jacuzzi, I got changed and slipped into a bathrobe before my therapist, Utti, escorted me to my treatment room. Basically, you can choose various of selections that you prefer from the extensive spa menu. Yet I chose the Balinese massage, a traditional Balinese massage techniques heightened with Swedish massage. Utti applied some massage oil and used thumbs pressure to the various points of my body especially on the neck, shoulder and back. For a young woman, Utti's touch was strong and deft and she located areas of stress that need unknotting without me having to guide her to them. It was a wonderful feeling to be in the good hands of someone who gave a fabulous massage, checking with me a couple of times to make sure the pressure was just right: It always was.
Rejuvenating spa treatment
The 1 hour and 15 minutes treatment was so relaxing that I actually dozed off for a while (a good sign of enjoying it) and I was awakened by a soft pat on my shoulder. I felt my whole body was as light as the feathers when I got up which was a positive response – the strained muscles have been shifted into place and out of tension. A cup of warm ginger tea after the treatment was a refreshing ending to the revitalizing journey.
Inside The Empire Country Club, you can also enjoy facilities and activities such as tennis, squash, badminton, indoor swimming pool, eight-lane ten-pin bowling, gymnasium and more.
Water slides by the pool
Photo by Karen Tukalan-Pinn: Spectacular sunset - view from the swimming pool
I will never forget the E-Club Lounge on the 6th floor which offers personalised butler services and complimentary breakfast, high-tea, evening mocktails and international hors d’oeuvres to those staying on the E-Club floors.
E-Club Lounge
My "perfect second day" was capped with a fine dinner even without the wine (you do not necessarily need the wine to complement a sumptuous dinner) at Spaghettini, the Italian restaurant. But you can choose to dine at any of the restaurants on site – choices from Chinese to alfresco, international buffet and more.
Spaghettini restaurant
Photo by Karen Tukalan-Pinn: Roasted slice of beef leg with gremolata and Sardinian cous cous
18-hole Jack Nicklaus’ signature golf course is yet another feather at the hotel and you can even enrol in the golf school to improvise your golf skills.
18-hole Jack Nicklaus's signature golf course
But I decided to see more of the hotel and surroundings and indeed was lucky when given a tour inside the Emperor Suite and Empress Suite on the top floor – where the rich and richest icons have stayed before. The best features are the indoor swimming pool and sauna.
Photo by Karen Tukalan-Pinn: The indoor swimming pool inside The Emperor's Suite
Photo by Karen Tukalan-Pinn: Inside The Empress' Suite
My explorations at the hotel were a success and I was left with a whim to reflect back on the unforgettable getaway. Whether you are looking for some excellent food, golfing or the spa, there is always something for everyone.
