Luxury Hotels Bali
Luxury Resorts Hawaii Luxury Resorts Hawaii Luxury Resorts Hawaii Luxury Resorts Hawaii

Please enter your details into the form to subscribe for access to all of our news and competitions.





The Empire Hotel & Country Club

Home » Hotels & Resorts » Asia » Brunei » All Other Regions » The Empire Hotel & Country Club


Details:

Nothing quite compares to the grandeur of the Empire Hotel and Country Club. It is one of the most luxurious properties in South-East Asia and a magnificent beachfront resort overlooking the South China Sea. Located 15 minutes from Brunei International Airport and 20 minutes from Bandar Seri Begawan, the hotel offers a perfect escape into an opulent realm that spans across 180 hectares of pristine tropical gardens. The hotel boasts nine pools, a retail arcade, country club and a cinema complex. Accommodations comprise of over 500 magnificent and spacious guestrooms, suites and private villas.

The hotel, a member of World Hotels Deluxe Collections, has won numerous prestigious awards including second place for best golf resort in Asia by Asian Golf Monthly Awards 2009. No expense was spared during its construction. Upon arrival guests are sure to be mesmerised by the grandeur and extravagant décor of the main lobby with spectacular Swarovski chandeliers that hang high above the mosaic marble floors.

The atrium soars 53 meters from level one to the roof apex—higher than a 12 storey building. Supporting columns are adorned with 21k gold plated detail and encrusted with tiger-eye stones, lapis lazuli and malachite.

Live like royalty
Guestrooms are all elegantly and lavishly furnished. Each has its own spacious balcony that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean, lagoon, gardens, or golf course. All rooms have large marble bathrooms, multi-channel colour television, an in-room safe, two-line international direct dial telephone with voicemail, control panel for lights, air-conditioning, a fully stocked refreshment bar and tea and coffee making facilities. Linens of the finest Egyption cotton, made in Italy, are used on all beds.

Suites offers guests a comfortable and luxurious living space where they are spoilt for choice and can truly enjoy the Empire's deluxe living arrangements. Each suite features its own private jacuzzi with luxurious bath amenities and top-of-the-range Bang and Olufsen sound system. Suites come in four categories—Executive, Ambassador, Empress and Emperor. The largest of these, the Emperor Suite, a generous 666 square metres, boasts its very own pool and grand piano.

The villas, set amongst the hotel's beautiful gardens, offer the experience of an intimate private retreat. Your personal butler service ensures all your needs are met without having to lift a finger. The three-bedroom Ocean Villas share a pool and private beach while the Royal Villa gives guests their very own pool and private outdoor area.

Recreation and relaxation
The Empire Hotel caters to leisure and business travellers, offering them a variety of activities and excursions, whatever their preference. The hotel's country club features an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course as well as three state-of-the-art floodlit tennis courts, squash courts, bowling alley and fitness centre. The Empire Country Club was home to the Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters in 2008 & 2009 also the Asian Tours Brunei Open since 2005.

The exclusive E-Club, with its private retreat on the sixth floor, offers a royal atmosphere and exclusive services for guests staying in deluxe E-Club rooms, suites and villas. Guests can relax and mingle on the balcony with spectacular views of the South China Sea and the resort's pools, while complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, evening mocktails, hors d'oeuvres and coffee and tea are served.

Kids will enjoy staying and playing at the E Kids Club that provides all-day care and entertainment including its very own pool complete with a waterslide. The Empire also has its own cinema complex featuring the latest movie releases, plus a state-of-the-art theatre for various performances.

Couples can laze by unspoilt beaches or one of the nine pools. Watersports on-site include kayaking and sailing or head down to the PADI scuba diving centre that offers excursions to discover and explore Brunei's spectacular underwater reefs and shipwrecks. In close proximity to some of the world's oldest rainforests in Borneo, the Empire Hotel will happily arrange rainforest excursions and jungle treks for adventurous guests. Visits to architectural sites and mosques can also be arranged.

Those seeking the ultimate in pampering and relaxation can head to the spa and arrange a day of spa treatments. Choose from a range of choices such as exotic facials, Balinese massages, herbal wraps, and manicures

Fine dining
The Empire Hotel offers guests the choice of seven outstanding dining venues. For superb seafood and wonderful views, dine by the sea at Pantai, or for authentic Chinese cuisine, head over to Li Gong. The Atrium café has breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets while the pool deck offers snacks and drinks for in-between. The Lobby Lounge hosts its very own high tea and picnics can also be arranged. The Country Club's Bunker Bistro, overlooking the putting green, serves a range of authentic international cuisine or head down to Spaghettini for incredible Italian cuisine.





Guide to Brunei

The landscape of Brunei is mainly equatorial jungle cut by rivers, and most human activity is restricted to the coastal areas and estuaries. Brunei's customs and beliefs are very similar to those of Peninsular Malaysia. Islam is the official religion but there is also Buddhism, Christianity and other religions. The official language is Malay, but English is widely spoken. Tourist sights in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's neat, clean and modern capital city, include the minaret crowning the golden-domed Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and the Royal Regalia museum, giving a glimpse of the opulence of the Brunei Monarchy, as well as a number of other interesting museums and impressive Mosques. The Istana Nurul Iman, the Sultan's residence as well as the seat of government, is considered the world's largest residential palace with 1788 rooms. It can be viewed from outside, but for three days during the festivities following the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, the palace is open to the public (subject to confirmation from the Sultan's office). Kampong Ayer, a centuries-old collection of 28 water villages built on stilts in the Brunei River, is reputed to be the largest collection of stilt habitations in the world and is a definite highlight of a trip to Brunei. The Jerudong area is Brunei's recreational park, complete with polo stadium, luxurious stables, a golf course, trapshooting, croquet facilities and a massive amusement park. Outside the capital, there are a number of easily accessible forest reserves and nature parks. Nature lovers can also enjoy an overnight stay in a pristine rainforest when visiting the Ulu Temburong National Park, only two hours from the capital. Mysterious lakes with receding water lines, traditional Malay and Borneo natives' villages and longhouses, waterfalls, mangrove forests and an oil and gas museum complete the tourism offerings packed into this small country. There are also many beaches along the 161 kilometres of sandy coastline fronting the South China Sea. Brunei is known for some of the best golf facilities in South-East Asia, with three 18- hole championship courses. Less known is that Brunei's offshore waters offer some surprisingly good diving sites, with many shipwrecks and pristine coral reefs. Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Italian and western food can be found in many restaurants and hotels. The sale of alcohol is prohibited, but private consumption is allowed for non Muslims who can import (per trip) up to two bottles of wine or spirits and twelve cans of beer.

Where to stay
Accommodation is not readily available outside the main towns. Hotels in Bandar Seri Begawan range from international standard business hotels to middle range tourist class hotels and inns plus serviced apartments. Only 15 minutes from the capital, The Empire Hotel & Country Club is one of the country's top resorts, with palatial rooms and suites, swimming pools and lagoons, restaurants, a cinema, bowling alley, theatre, marine centre and Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course.

Getting around
Transport includes buses, hire cars or taxis. The public bus system is cheap and reliable in and around the capital. Hiring a car is the best option for exploring the hinterland.

Shopping
Brunei is known for its handcrafted silverware, brassware, bronzeware, fine handwoven sarongs, baskets and mats of pandan leaves. Shopping centres in Bandar Seri Begawan, Seria and Kuala Belait offer local products as well as imported items. The Tamu markets in Bandar Seri Begawan are definitely worth a visit.

Currency
The Brunei dollar is divided into 100 cents, on a par with the Singapore dollar. Tipping is optional.

Climate
The temperature In Brunei remains uniform throughout the year ranging from 23˚C to 32˚C with no distinct wet season. Humidity is high and light clothing is suitable to wear all year round you attire should be modest, especially when visiting places of worship.

Entry requirements
A visa is required for some countries. International vaccination certificates for cholera and yellow fever are required if coming from infected areas.