Have just returned from spending 3 nights at The Empire, as part of our honeymoon. The hotel and staff were fantastic.
On our arrival we were warmly welcomed. The entrance hall is spectular and very grand. It does not matter whether you arrive with a rucksack, wearing jeans and trainers or dressed smartly. The hotel staff are very professional and treat everyone the same.
The atrium is unbelieveable and offers a great view during breakfast.
We had received a free room upgrade as we were on our honeymoon. On entering our room we couldn't believe the size of the room. Our bathroom was fantastic. Marble sinks and floors with a massive shower.
The view from the room was breathtaking. It overlooked the lagoon and sea.
The soft drinks are quite expensive. But the mocktails taste marvellous. You wouldn't realise they didn't contain alcohol. Don't be put of with the fact that you are unable to purchase alcohol. Each person is allowed to bring a bottle of spirits into the country or two bottles of wine, for personal consumption. The restaurants in the hotel will cork your wine free of charge, and you are able to drink alchohol in the restaurants.
There is a free shuttle bus into the city and also to the theme park.

If you need a relaxing holiday this is defiantely the hotel to stay in.

This hotel is just outstanding and incredibly luxurious, I have nothing to add to the previous reviews - just look at the pictures!!! You can discuss the taste of the interior architects, but it's class anyhow. The lobby, the lake-sized pool , the rooms, the movie-house are unbelievable... Despite some previous critics about the food, I experienced perfect service in all the restaurants and wonderful meals (after all you are on Borneo in a tiny little country which is the richest of the world, but not cosmopolitan at all)
On top of all: The hotel is never crowded due to the enormous space everywhere, and it's the perfect place to get rid of your alcohol-addiction! Beware, no alcohol in Brunei...

Just like yourselves I too came here and read reviews of the Empire and guess what? It's exactly as it says on the tin -The Empire is THE EMPIRE! There's nothing like it. If you like a bit of gold and grandeur - this is the place to be!

With its majestic lobby, board rooms, lounges, conference rooms, ballroom, arcade, emporium, pavillions, cinema, theatre, restaurants, suites, villas, hundreds of guest rooms and facilities for swimming (indoor & outdoor), bowling, badmington, tennis, squash, golf, gym, spa, basketball and diving - it certainly packs a punch!

Official room rates as follows in Brunein Dollars/night:
Superior 523*
Deluxe 578
Deluxe E-Club 665
Junior Suite 798
Executive Suite 1073(!)

(*Complimentary upgrades from Superior to Deluxe are common!)
So if you can find prices cheaper through your travel agents then go for it!

To my wife's shock & horror I upgraded to the Executive Suite! Shock and horror in the lavish sense of course! The suite contained a kitchen, dining room, spacious lounge, 2 bathrooms, XL-King size bed, jacuzzi, seperate shower room, numerous sinks and a spacious balcony with sunbeds & chairs. Everything operated from a touch a button - curtains, lights, jacuzzi, blah, blah. Not to mention the splendid views of the South China Sea and the swimming pools.

Since the Empire is built in its own vast acres of land it is somewhat out of the way. The shopping districts of Gadong & Yayasan are 30 and 45 mins drive respectively. Yes, distant but the Empire provides a free shuttle service to & fro. Taxis are expensive - so beware!

In conclusion - Great hotel, great staff - a pleasure staying here. Far better than all other hotels i've been to. Would I go back? Yes, yes, yes!
Any questions: adam@issat.am
Do see my photo's!

We only stayed one night on a stopover back from KK to London, but The Empire is simply stunning - the sort of place you want to tell everyone about! From the room (with great view through the electronically operated curtains), to the exceptional breakfast (sitting in the spectacular attrium overlooking the pools and sea), and the amazing man-made beach-pool (which must be at least 300yds long, and we were the only ones in it).

And fantastic value (we got corporate rate staying with an ex-pat who works in Brunei). If you ever get a chance to stay there - jump at it!