Empire Brunei Hotel Beach

I recently stayed at a 5-star hotel and I have to say, the property itself is absolutely beautiful. Despite the rooms being a bit dated, they still have a calming atmosphere that made my stay quite enjoyable. The architecture and grounds are truly stunning and the fact that it's right by the beach adds to the tranquility. The only downside is that the hotel is a bit far from the city center, so it may not be the most convenient choice if you have a busy schedule. However, if you're seeking a peaceful getaway, it's almost perfect. But here's the catch. My main issue was with their laundry service. I paid over $100, trusting them to take care of my clothes, only to discover that several items were returned with holes. This was extremely disappointing and not at all what I expected from a hotel that prides itself on elegance and sophistication. When you stay at a 5-star establishment, you expect every service to meet the same high standards, but unfortunately, their laundry service fell far short of that. If you value your wardrobe, it might be worth considering other options for laundry during your stay.

Nice place

The resort and hotel were absolutely stunning. However, the wait time for high tea ended up being much longer than what was initially suggested. To make up for it, the staff kindly offered some extra snacks at no charge. I must say, all the sweets were absolutely delicious and far superior to the desserts I've had at other 6-star hotels, like the gold flake chocolate cake in Abu Dhabi.

Our experience at the beach was deeply disappointing. Upon arrival at the hotel, we were taken to our room, which was extremely dirty. The windows were covered in filth and grime, with patterns drawn on them. We also noticed coffee stains on the table tops. The interior decoration of the rooms was very basic. We expressed our dissatisfaction and were given another room. Although it still had a basic appearance, it was cleaner with only some coffee stains and dirty curtains (possibly chocolate or blood stains, as shown in the photos). The best aspect of our room was the bathroom, which was well-designed and spacious. The food we ordered to the room or bought at the hotel cafe was decent. The cakes, in particular, were of good quality and one of the few highlights of the hotel. It seemed that most of the hotel's budget was allocated to the communal areas, such as the main dining area with its impressive vaulted ceilings. However, other parts of the hotel, including the exteriors of the buildings and the interior bedrooms, appeared cheap and shabby. The staff were friendly, but at times it felt like they were trying to upsell us on additional trips or excursions to make more money. Considering the price we paid, this hotel falls far short of a 5-star rating and barely reaches 4 stars. It is shocking and offers appallingly bad value for money. I cannot recommend it and would never choose to stay here again. After our time in Brunei, we traveled to Mulu and stayed at the Marriot. Despite being cheaper, that resort was far superior and truly deserving of a 5-star rating. If you are staying in Brunei, I would suggest looking elsewhere. You can pay less and receive better value for your money. It is unfortunate that there are no luxury hotels competing with the Empire, as I believe people would avoid it for anything other than golf. Overall, I strongly discourage staying here. It was an awful experience.

The most luxurious hotel in Brunei is starting to show signs of wear and tear. In order to maintain its reputation, this hotel is in need of an upgrade. The only golf course suitable for international competitions is also poorly managed. The greens are in terrible condition, with Bermuda grass overrun by weeds. The bunkers are mostly wet and not properly maintained. Additionally, the facilities are lacking, with no halfway refreshments available. There are not many activities to be enjoyed at this resort, which used to be rated 7 or 5 stars. The cinema is more expensive compared to others, yet offers fewer amenities. They only sell typical popcorn and expensive canned drinks, with no nachos or other options. The service staff is also very disappointing. The food at the restaurant is also a letdown, with limited variety. The high tea experience is not particularly impressive either.