The Empire Brunei
| The Empire Brunei | |
|---|---|
 The Empire Brunei in 2023 | |
 | |
| Former names | The Empire Hotel & Country Club |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Luxury hotel |
| Location | Jerudong, BG3122, Brunei |
| Coordinates | 4°58′05″N 114°51′13″E / 4.9680443°N 114.8535211°E |
| Construction started | 1994 |
| Completed | 2000 |
| Opened | 16 October 2000 |
| Cost | US$1.1 billion |
| Owner | Brunei Investment Agency |
| Grounds | 180 hectares (440 acres) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | McKerrell Lynch |
| Other designers | Jack Nicklaus |
| Other information | |
| Number of rooms | 532 |
| Website | |
| theempirebrunei | |
| References | |
| [1][2][3] | |
The Empire Brunei is a luxury hotel located in Kampong Jerudong, near the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, in the Brunei–Muara District of Brunei.[4] Originally funded by Prince Jefri Bolkiah and completed in 2000, the hotel encountered financial difficulties that resulted in government investment and a transfer of ownership.[5] Relaunched in 2019 with updated branding,[6] the hotel offers a range of accommodations, including the "Emperor Suite".[7] The hotel has won some awards, including for its golf course, and has hosted a number of ASEAN events.
History
[edit]In the 1990s, Prince Jefri Bolkiah financed the construction of a hotel valued at approximately US$1.1 billion.[1] The financial strain on state resources led the government to invest in what was initially intended as a private enterprise.[8] Construction commenced in 1994 and spanned six years, involving 220 architects and designers from the Australian firm McKerrell Lynch.[3] Initially owned by Amedeo Development Corporation,[9] and led by the Prince,[1] ownership was transferred to the Brunei Investment Agency following Amedeo's collapse in 1998.[1]
The hotel was formerly known as the Jerudong Park Hotel.[10] The Empire Hotel and Country Club, developed over a period of six years with the collaboration of approximately 300 designers, technologists, and artisans, officially opened on 16 October 2000.[5] The opening of the hotel was scheduled to precede the November APEC Brunei Darussalam 2000 meeting, to help address a lack of hotel space in Bandar Seri Begawan.[10]
On 30 October 2019, the hotel was rebranded as The Empire Brunei to mark its 19th anniversary. The rebranding, managed by & SMITH, maintained the original name "The Empire" while adding "Brunei" to emphasise its location. The updated logo incorporates the national flower, bunga simpur, surrounded by lilies and employs a gold and teal colour scheme to represent the sea and woods.[6]
Design and features
[edit]The hotel is situated on a 180-hectare (445-acre) beachfront property overlooking the South China Sea.[11][unreliable source?] It offers both rooms and conference facilities.[2] It has been considered a "six-star" hotel.[12]
Recreational facilities include an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course,[13][14] other sports facilities, two private beaches,[15] restaurants, and a three-screen movie theatre.[2] The "Emperor Suite", the hotel's most expensive accommodation,[7] spans 665 or 675 square metres (7,160 or 7,270 sq ft)[16][3] of the seventh floor,[17] and includes features such as a private dining area, swimming pool, grand piano, sauna, Jacuzzi, private elevator access, and a movie theatre,[18] as well as security features, bulletproof glass, and private elevators.[18] Rates range from $16,600 to $23,000 per night.[19][better source needed] The suite is often reserved for high-profile guests.[18] Its first guest was United States President Bill Clinton who stayed there during the APEC Brunei Darussalam 2000 meeting. Other former guests include the then-Prince Charles.[7]
Events
[edit]The 25th ASEAN Summit was held at the Empire Hotel on 18 March 2015, in the hotel's largest conference room.[20][unreliable source?]
A meeting of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community was hosted at the hotel by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports from 28 to 29 May 2024.[21] In August 2024 the hotel hosted an ASEAN Cooperation on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM) meeting.[22]
The hotel's golf course hosted the Brunei Open.[23]
Awards
[edit]The Empire Hotel has been recognised and awarded the following:
- Brunei's Leading Hotel (2004–2017; 2020–2024)[24]
- Asia Pacific's Best Golf Resort (2010–2011)[23]
- World's Leading Hotel Suite (2003–2005)[24]
- Asia's Leading Golf Resort (2004–2005)[24]
- Asia's Leading Resort (2003–2004)[24]
Gallery
[edit]-
Map of the hotel complex -
The atrium at dusk -
The atrium's exterior -
The west atrium wing -
The right atrium wing -
Corridor to the West atrium wing -
A mosque model in-front of the main entrance -
The atrium's mosaic tiles
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d WainStaff, Barry (13 August 2001). "Auction of Assets of Brunei's Amadeo Offers Little Solace to Most Creditors". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ a b c The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2010. Oxford Business Group. 2010. p. 213. ISBN 978-1-907065-29-3.
- ^ a b c Berthelsen, John (1 September 2006). "A Stately Pleasure Dome". Asia Sentinel. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ Martin, Keith (24 October 2017). Strange But True Tales of Car Collecting: Drowned Bugattis, Buried Belvederes, Felonious Ferraris and Other Wild Stories of Automotive Misadventure. Motorbooks. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-7603-5360-8.
- ^ a b "The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Brunei". Royal on the Park. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ a b "'The Empire Brunei' unveiled". Darussalam Assets. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Nicholson, Sarah (12 September 2015). "Palatial Emporer Suite at Brunei's Empire Hotel has hosted Bill Clinton and Prince Charles". www.escape.com.au. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (Travel Guide eBook). Apa Publications (UK) Limited. 1 June 2018. ISBN 978-1-78919-418-0.
- ^ Far Eastern Economic Review. Review Publishing Company Limited. 2001. p. 27.
- ^ a b "Brunei's Empire Hotel to open before APEC". Travel Weekly Asia. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Henderson, John (16 January 2008). "Brunei's $23,000-a-night hotel room blows minds as much as budgets". johnhendersontravel.com. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ Megan Flamer (1 March 2012). "Six-star hotel offers luxury surrounds, shame about the service". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ "Sultan of bling". The Sunday Times. 25 January 2004. Retrieved 19 July 2021.[dead link]
- ^ Footprint Borneo. Footprint. 2006. p. 259. ISBN 978-1-904777-60-1.
- ^ Rajna, Lisa Niver; Rajna, George (14 July 2013). Traveling in Sin: Eleven Months, Twelve Countries, Sixty Pounds and One Proposal. Lisa Niver Rajna. ISBN 978-0-9897119-0-6.
- ^ Jenkins, Keith. "Inside the most opulent suite I've ever seen!". velvetescape.com. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ Nick Boulos (18 January 2014). "Brunei: A kingdom of gold and green". The Independent. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Nowell, Iris (28 June 2004). Generation Deluxe: Consumerism and Philanthropy of the New Super-Rich. Dundurn. pp. 196–197. ISBN 978-1-55002-972-7.
- ^ Scher, Brent (22 May 2015). "The Clintons and the Sultan of Brunei Have a History". The Washington Free Beacon. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ Gilmore, Mike (28 February 2014). Levels of Power: The Diplomat. AuthorHouse. p. 176. ISBN 978-1-4918-6658-0.
- ^ "Meeting focuses on climate change, biodiversity". Borneo Bulletin. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ "Brunei outlines strategies and activities". Borneo Bulletin. 6 August 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Luxury Golf Escapes at Brunei's Luxurious Empire Hotel & Country Club". Luxury Travel Magazine. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d "The Empire Brunei". World Travel Awards. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
External links
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