The Empire Brunei

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The Empire Brunei
Jerudong 31 May 2023 10.jpg
The Empire Brunei in 2023
The Empire Brunei
Former namesThe Empire Hotel & Country Club
General information
StatusCompleted
Type Luxury hotel
Location Jerudong, BG3122, Brunei
Coordinates 4°58′6″N114°51′13″E / 4.96833°N 114.85361°E / 4.96833; 114.85361
Construction started1994;30 years ago (1994)
Completed2000;24 years ago (2000)
Opened16 October 2000;24 years ago (2000-10-16)
CostUS$1.1 billion
Owner Brunei Investment Agency
Grounds180 hectares (440 acres)
Design and construction
Architecture firmMcKerrell Lynch
Other designers Jack Nicklaus
Other information
Number of rooms532
Website
theempirebrunei.com
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 awards, including for its golf course, and has hosted a number of ASEAN events.

Contents

History

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

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

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

The Empire Hotel has been recognised and awarded the following:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei</span> Country in Southeast Asia

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. Apart from its coastline on the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, with its territory bifurcated by the Sarawak district of Limbang. Brunei is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo; the remainder of the island is divided between its multi-landmass neighbours of Malaysia and Indonesia. As of 2023, the country had a population of 455,858, of whom approximately 180,000 resided in the capital and largest city of Bandar Seri Begawan. Its official language is Malay and Islam is the state religion of the country, although other religions are nominally tolerated. The government of Brunei is an absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan, and it implements a fusion of English common law and jurisprudence inspired by Islam, including sharia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei–Muara District</span> District of Brunei

Brunei–Muara District or simply known as Brunei–Muara, is the smallest as well as the most populated district in Brunei. It has an area of 571 square kilometres (220 sq mi) and the population of 318,530 as of 2021. The district is also home to its administrative centre is Bandar Seri Begawan, as well as the Brunei International Airport and Muara Port, the country's only international airport and deep-water port respectively. The Brunei River flows within this district and is home to Kampong Ayer. As the administrative center of Brunei is located in the district, it remains the most developed in the country with the most up-to-date infrastructure, despite not being the center of Brunei's main economic activity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Jefri Bolkiah</span> Bruneian prince (born 1954)

Jefri Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III is a member of the Bruneian royal family. His elder brother is the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah. Prince Jefri was the finance minister of his oil-rich country from 1986 to 1997. He also served as chairman of the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) which invests much of the country's wealth and was responsible for overseas investments. Additionally, he is the Deputy Chairman 3 of the Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara (JAIN).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerudong International School</span> International school in Brunei

Jerudong International School is a co-educational, boarding and day school in Brunei, Southeast Asia. It has over 1660 students - of which around 200 are boarding students. Less than 50% of its student body are Bruneians, with the remainder fulfilled by students from 45 countries. Jerudong International School first opened its doors for primary education in January 1997 and subsequently for secondary in October of the same year. JIS offers a British International education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Abdul Azim of Brunei</span> Bruneian prince (1982–2020)

Prince Abdul Azim ibni Hassanal Bolkiah was the second son of Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei. He was fourth in line to succeed the throne of Brunei until his death on 24 October 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Masna Bolkiah</span> Bruneian princess (born 1948)

Masna Bolkiah binti Omar Ali Saifuddien III is the sister of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Princess Masna Bolkiah is considered the third most important living woman in Brunei Darussalam after Queen Saleha and Crown Princess Sarah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kampong Jerudong</span> Village in Brunei

Kampong Jerudong is a village in Mukim Sengkurong, Brunei–Muara District, Brunei, about 21 kilometres (13 mi) from the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The population was 3,856 in 2016. It is one of the settlements within Mukim Sengkurong. It is of historical interest as it is considered the starting point for the Kedayan community and where they first introduced rice cultivation. There are various stories about the origins of the Kedayan people, with some suggesting they came from Java. According to one account, Sultan Bolkiah brought the Kedayan to teach rice cultivation to his people, and they first settled in Kampong Pasir, Jerudong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei Super League</span> Top-tier professional association football league in Brunei Darussalam

The Brunei Super League is a professional league for men's association football in the sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. It is at the top tier of the Bruneian football league system, and it is managed by the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD). The football clubs participating in this top tier league need to pass a set of requirements and verification process, particularly related to professionalism and infrastructure feasibility.

The 2012 Brunei Super League was the first season of the Brunei Super League. It was organized by the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam and sponsored by DST Group. It began in December 2012 with ten teams vying for the championship in its inaugural edition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei</span> Bruneian prince (born 1991)

Abdul Mateen ibni Hassanal Bolkiah is a member of the royal family of Brunei. He is the tenth child and fourth son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, by his former second wife, Yang Mulia Datin Paduka Seri Puan Hajah Mariam binti Haji Abdul Aziz. Additionally, he is the founder of Jab Boxing Gym and the Deputy Chairman 2 of the Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara (JAIN).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pengiran Muda Abdul Hakeem</span> Bruneian prince (born 1973)

Abdul Hakeem ibni Jefri Bolkiah is a member of the royal family of Brunei. He is a sport shooter from Brunei.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hassanal Bolkiah</span> Sultan of Brunei since 1967

Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah is Sultan of Brunei since 1967, and prime minister of Brunei since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world.

The 2018–19 Brunei Super League is the 6th season of the Brunei Super League, the top Bruneian professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 2012. The season began on 26 October 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isham Jaafar</span> Bruneian physician

Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar is a Bruneian physician who currently serves as the current Minister of Health since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Sufri Bolkiah</span> Bruneian prince (born 1952)

Sufri Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III is a member of the royal family of Brunei. He is the third son of Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei, and Raja Isteri (Queen) Pengiran Anak Damit. He is also the President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) since 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah</span> Bruneian princess (born 1984)

Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah is a polo player and princess of Brunei. She is the eighth child of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei by his former second wife, Puan Hajah Mariam. She made a name for herself in 2017 when she was one of only two female polo players from Brunei in Kuala Lumpur at the 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. As one of the ten ASEAN Women in Sports ambassadors in 2021, Princess Azemah was chosen to represent Brunei as part of the ASEAN #WeScore campaign, which is sponsored by Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abu Bakar Apong</span> Bruneian politician (born 1948)

Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong is a Bruneian aristocrat and politician whom formerly held the position of Minister of Health (MOH) from 1998 to 2005, Minister of Communications (MOC) from 2005 to 2010, Minister of Education (MOE) from 2010 to 2015, and Minister of Home Affairs (MOHA) from 2015 to 2022. He had served in the government for the second-longest period of time after Pehin Isa Ibrahim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yakub Abu Bakar</span> Bruneian politician (1947–2007)

Yakub bin Abu Bakar or also referred to as Dato Yakub, was a politician from Brunei who served as the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports between 2005 and 2007, and Deputy Minister of Finance from 2003 to 2004. He was also among the board of directors of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah from 1992 to 1995.

Pengiran Anak Hamidah Jamalul Bulqiah, also referred to as Hamidah Jamalul Bolqiah, is a member of the royal family of Brunei as eldest daughter of Prince Jefri Bolkiah, fourth son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 WainStaff, Barry (13 August 2001). "Auction of Assets of Brunei's Amadeo Offers Little Solace to Most Creditors" . The Wall Street Journal . Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2010. Oxford Business Group. 2010. p. 213. ISBN   978-1-907065-29-3.
  3. 1 2 3 Berthelsen, John (1 September 2006). "A Stately Pleasure Dome" . Asia Sentinel . Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. 1 2 "The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Brunei". Royal on the Park. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  6. 1 2 "'The Empire Brunei' unveiled". Darussalam Assets. 30 October 2019. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 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.
  8. ↑ The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (Travel Guide eBook). Apa Publications (UK) Limited. 1 June 2018. ISBN   978-1-78919-418-0.
  9. ↑ Far Eastern Economic Review. Review Publishing Company Limited. 2001. p. 27.
  10. 1 2 "Brunei's Empire Hotel to open before APEC". Travel Weekly Asia. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  11. ↑ Henderson, John (16 January 2008). "Brunei's $23,000-a-night hotel room blows minds as much as budgets". johnhendersontravel.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  12. ↑ Megan Flamer (1 March 2012). "Six-star hotel offers luxury surrounds, shame about the service". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  13. ↑ "Sultan of bling". The Sunday Times . 25 January 2004. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  14. ↑ Footprint Borneo. Footprint. 2006. p. 259. ISBN   978-1-904777-60-1.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ Jenkins, Keith. "Inside the most opulent suite I've ever seen!". velvetescape.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  17. ↑ Nick Boulos (18 January 2014). "Brunei: A kingdom of gold and green". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  18. 1 2 3 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.
  19. ↑ Scher, Brent (22 May 2015). "The Clintons and the Sultan of Brunei Have a History". The Washington Free Beacon . Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  20. ↑ Gilmore, Mike (28 February 2014). Levels of Power: The Diplomat. AuthorHouse. p. 176. ISBN   978-1-4918-6658-0.
  21. ↑ "Meeting focuses on climate change, biodiversity". Borneo Bulletin. 30 May 2024. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  22. ↑ "Brunei outlines strategies and activities". Borneo Bulletin. 6 August 2024. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  23. 1 2 "Luxury Golf Escapes at Brunei's Luxurious Empire Hotel & Country Club". Luxury Travel Magazine. 21 August 2013. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  24. 1 2 3 4 "The Empire Brunei". World Travel Awards. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
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