A Hidden Paradise for The Empress

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.

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.

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.

Magical Touch of Jari Jari Spa

The entrance of Jari Jari Spa

Most people find it convenient to book a spa treatment at the hotel where they are staying during their holiday, choose among the available offerings, and sometimes just slide into slippers and a robe a few minutes before their appointment. But what if you are residing in Kota Kinabalu and looking for spa treatments outside of a hotel? Well, it would not be difficult for you to find stand-alone spas in Kota Kinabalu as they are like mushrooms –more and more spas are opening here and you can find them scattered across the city.

I have discovered dozens of stand-alone spas but I picked the one that is well-known as one of the favourite neighbourhood spots among the locals as well as expatriates – the Jari Jari Spa. The name itself, Jari Jari, literally means fingers and what an ideal name for a sanctuary where you will be revitalized for total body and mind relaxation.

The reception

The spa is strategically located in Plaza Tanjung Aru which is 10 minutes away from the airport and city centre which is convenient for guests to make a sojourn for some pampering treatments. This tranquil, serene retreat opened its doors on 18 March 2005 and founded by Jennifer Lee, a local lass from Keningau, and Jeanette Tambakau, who is orginally from Ipoh but has considered herself as a Sabahan (being married to her husband who comes from Keningau). The spa features six private suites, which two of them are designed for couples. I was impressed with the awards won by this little yet oustanding spa. In December 2006, Jari Jari Spa’s signature treatment, Dusun Lotud Inan Body Therapy, won “The Best Traditional Treatment” during the Malaysia Spa and Wellness Awards. The following year, Jari jari Spa was named top five for the Award of Excellence in the category Day Spa during The Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards for Malaysia 2007 / 2008. Jari Jari Spa is the only spa in Sabah to promote the little-known treatment of the Dusun, one of the ethnic races in the state.

Awards won by Jari Jari Spa

With so many good things that I hear about this spa, I decided to visit and find out more on what makes Jari Jari Spa well-liked among spa connoisseurs. Entering the spa is like going into the antediluvian age where a massive stone slab more than 50 million years old serves as a symbol of power and prestige by the local ethnic groups local. The sound of tricking water, soft music in the background, smells of local flowers and spices really gave me indisputable inner peace and tranquility.

I was greeted with unusually warm hospitality when I arrived. I asked Jennifer what her secret was and she replied by saying “I take great pride in my team, and we all work well together, because we want to be the best spa not only in Sabah but also in Malaysia.” She also said that being officially affiliated with the Swedish College of Travel and Tourism has contributed to the high standards set by Jari Jari Spa. Jennifer also just recently been appointed to become a representative in Sabah for The Association of Malaysian Spas (AMSPA) which is an organization that promotes professionalism as well as setting the highest standards for the spa industry in Malaysia. This recognition has led Jari jari Spa to become the first spa in Sabah accepted as a member of the premier organization. According to Jennifer, 70% of her customers are expatriates or tourists and only 30% are locals which indicate that the wide range of treatments are widely indulged by a good mixture of community.

Jeanette Tambakau and Jennifer Lee

Unlike most of the spas in town, Jari Jari Spa is the one and only spa in Sabah that preserving the heritage of the Dusun community. Even all of the treatments use local ingredients such as cinnamon (kayu manis), cocoa (buah koko), Tenom coffee (kopi Tenom), fragrant screw pine (daun pandan), lemon grass (serai) and turmeric (kunyit). Well, back in the old days the locals were not exposed to any of the imported and expensive massage oils that are commonly used in spa outlets nowadays. So they make use of whatever they can find in the jungle or their own backyards. I find this very innovative as you don’t really need complicated ingredients to complement a spa treatment.

Local ingredients

Other best-selling treatments at Jari Jari Spa are the Mountain Massage and Palad (The Palm Massage). The Mountain Massage uses firm thumb and palm pressure in a massage that helps relieve tension and tiredness, while calming and relaxing the body and mind. This massage helps reduce stress, soothes sore muscles and improving blood circulation - recommended for jungle trekkers and mountain climbers.

The Palad massage uses the palm to apply pressure that flows rhythmically to stimulate blood circulation and relieve tiredness and stress. Selected Jari Jari blended massage oils such as Relax, Energize, Passion and Spice, are used to address specific needs.

I would say Jari Jari Spa offers wide range of spa treatments not only for individuals, couples and even children – suitable for the whole family. What a great way for to strengthen family bond while being pampered and taken away on a fulfilling journey. Special packages are also available for girlfriends’ getaways and bridal showers. Expatriates living in Sabah can apply for tempting and worth-the-money memberships at Jari Jari Spa.

Since I am just starting to become a spa connoisseur after a spa treatment that I had at a spa outlet not long time ago, I was curious on how to choose which spa treatment that suits or benefit individual spa-goer. Jennifer explained that the the younger women are better off with a soft to hard massage as they can endure the pain compared to the older women. Older women should always go for soft massage because their skins can be very sensitive and bound to get bruised so easily.

With all the information on Jari Jari Spa and based on Jennifer’s recommendation, I was keen to embark on a blissful journey with the signature Dusun Lotud Inan. Jennifer said that this treatment was passed down from generation to generation among the Lotud Dusuns community during the rice-growing seasons. The women spent the whole day of back-breaking paddy-planting works in the paddy field so at the end of the day, this massage helped to ease the aches and pains. In modern days, this massage is also recommended for those who want to relieve tension and tiredness cased by the bad posture associated with working on computers for long hours. I definitely belong in that category!

Foot therapy room

Before the treatment, I was served a glass of soothing ginger tea or layo tea, believed to relax and cool down the body before I had to fill up a set of questionnaires which basically meant to find out more on any of my medical history, stress level, allergies and all sorts of health conditions which help the therapist to determine what techniques to incorporate in the massage. Then my therapist, Ziera, escorted me to the foot therapy room and have me seated on a countoured wooden chair to enjoy the warm Dusunic Floral Foot Soak in a rustic wooden foot tub lined with soothes pebbles. After the floral foot soak, Ziera scrubbed my feet using Tenom coffee which helps to remove dead skins. Right after the coffee scrub was washed off, Ziera dried my feet and legs before she applied the cocoa cream. I was awed on how the coffee and cocoa had really soften my feet and legs after that.

Dusunic Floral Foot Bath

Next, Ziera led me to the treatment room where I was greeted by the refreshing and mixed aroma of lemon grass, fragrant screw pine, turmeric and cinnamon. She slipped out of the room while I get change into a sarong which was readily placed inside the room. When she returned to the room, I have made myself comfortable on the massage bed. Lying face-down on the massage bed, I can still smell the aroma lingered in the air.

Treatment room

Ziera then 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, Ziera'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.

One hour 45 minutes flew by 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. I sat down on the massage bed while sipping a warm and revitalizing layo tea and a glass of warm water. This ritual is believed to nourish the body after losing body fluids or sweats during the treatment. I would definitely recommend this treatment to anyone especially those who have had a long and hectic day at work.

I reluctanty had to return to the real world but I would never forget the magical touch that embraced me throughout a blissful journey far beyond speech – none other than Jari Jari Spa! I would definitely make a comeback one day.

Fact File:Jari Jari Spa
Plaza Tanjung Aru,
2nd Floor, Block B,
Lot 2.1,Jalan Mat Salleh,
Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, Malaysia.
Tel: (60 88) 272 606
Fax: (60 88) 272 604
Website: www.jarijari.com.my