Istana Nurul Iman
Istana Nurul Iman
4
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With 1,788 rooms, a banquet hall that can seat over 4,000 guests, a 1,500 people capacity Mosque, 5 swimming pools and a 110-car garage, the 200,000 m² (2.15 million sq ft) Sultan of Brunei's lavish Royal Palace, build by the Philippine's Ayala Corporation in 1984, is the world's largest residential palace, situated on top of a hill overlooking the capital and the Brunei River. Its golden domes and sweeping rooflines make for an awe-inspiring view, even from a distance and are a glittering example of Brunei's enduring royal heritage. Though only accessible to those on official business, the Palace, which name means "The Palace of the Light of Faith", is however open to the public for three days a year, when His Majesty usually holds an "Open House" to greet his subjects and visitors alike on the occasion of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the religious festival following the fasting month of Ramadan. On other days, the sumptuous palace, which is also Brunei's seat of government, can be viewed through the main entrance gates, from the nearby Damuan promenade or from various angles on the Brunei river.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles183 reviews
Excellent
55
Very good
63
Average
51
Poor
11
Terrible
3

Zsuzsa.Guide
Targu Secuiesc, Romania917 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Friends
IT is the oficial residence of the sultan, so IT is impossible to enter (just twice a year). So, just imagine a palace bigger than London's Buckingham Palace. Was designed by Leandro Locsin with islamic motifs. Has more than 1770 rooms, illuminations means more than 50.000 light bulbs and 550 chandeliers.
Written March 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hashrin
Mumbai, India160 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2012 • Business
Told that…. with a price tag of over US$360 millions ! no doubt this 1788- rooms behemoth is the world largest residential palace in the modern world. “Istana Nurul Iman” it more than 4 times larger than Versailles Palace and 3 times bigger than Buckingham Palace. The outside look of a place just like big airport terminal. If you are in Brunei during last days of Ramadan (localy known “Hari Raya festival” you are lucky to go inside the place, otherwise view from “Taman Persiaran Damuan” a large landscape park near the palace or “Pulau Ranggu” a view point in the middle of a river.
Written February 20, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hazwan a
malaysia5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Fortunately, I came to Brunei during Hari Raya, apart from the beautiful decorations at the streets and the bandar, we could also enter the Palace and meet the Sultan and the Royal family in person. This opputunity happens every year during the festive month.

it worths the long waits. because as you get in the palace, they will provide you 10 star quality food while you wait and the place looks so beautiful u can just forget about the time.

We lined up to meet with the royal families and we get to 'salam' or 'jabat tangan' with the royals. They looked very EXPENSIVE (in every good ways) and undeniable beautiful. more than i expected.

they also give away goodies for us to take home which include some candies, beverages and souvenirs for us to keep and remember.

the palace can also be seen from the bandar. (some parts of the building and the dome) this palace is one of the largest in the world. and i agreed, it was very huge and beautiful! even the road there and the gate is lovely and grand!

will definitely come again next year!
Written December 30, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Thangam M
Chennai1,460 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2014 • Couples
Istana Nurul Iman is the residence of the Sultan of Brunei, and the seat of the Brunei government. The palace is located on a stretch of lush green hills on the banks of the Brunei River, a few miles south of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's capital. Quite simply (as certified by Guinness World Records), Istana Nurul Iman also is the " largest residential palace in the world" - and it is occupied by just one family!

In Arabic, Istana Nurul Iman means "Palace of the Light of Faith". With golden domes and vaulted roofs, this palace was designed by Filipino architect Leandro V. Locsin. The palace interiors were designed by Khuan Chew of KCA International whose other most notable work is the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Construction by Ayala International, a Filipino construction firm, was completed in 1984 at a total cost of around $400 million USD.

Work started on the palace in 1980 and was completed in an amazing three years. Based on Islamic-style architecture and located on a 120-hectare site, the palace has long sweeping roofs and glistening domes covered with gold leaf. Built on a hillock surrounded by colourful landscaped gardens, the materials that went into its construction reportedly came from 30 countries including the United States, Denmark, France, Italy, and Britain. Filipino tycoon Enrique Zobel, boss of Ayala International which built the palace described it simply as 'the palace of the century'.

The istana has 1,788 rooms and a banquet hall that can seat upto 5,000! In addition there is a ceremonial dining hall seating 500. A surau (prayer hall) for the Sultan's family and Palace staff accommodates 1,500 worshippers. 257 bathrooms, a 110-car garage, an air conditioned stable for the Sultan's 200 polo ponies, 5 swimming pools, 2,152,782 square feet of floor space, 564 chandeliers, 51,000 light bulbs, 44 stairwells, and 18 elevators are some of the mind boggling statistics bandied about the istana.

In terms of floor space it is more than four times the size of the Palace of Versailles and three times larger than Buckingham Palace! Among other facilities, there are three royal guest suites, 12 apartment suites for His Majesty's children, an audience room, clinic, multi-sports complex, helipad and underground parking for 300 cars. This is on record, public information - because very few could actually have seen all, or even part of the istana!

As the seat of Government , the istana has the office of His Majesty who is Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, the office of the Deputy Minister of Defence and the Minister of Home Affairs. A special conference room is dedicated to the meetings of the Pehin, or titled persons. The Privy Council also meets here in its own conference room. The Sultan takes his official audiences at the palace which is also used for all state functions of the government of Brunei.

The palace is not open to the public except at the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri (the festival at the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan) when His Majesty throws open the doors to meet his subjects. Guests are given food, mementos and small packets containing money. An estimated 110,000 visitors come every year to visit the istana and receive a gift from his eminence over this three-day period.

For the record, Hari Raya is on right now - so if you're planning on visiting Brunei soon, time your visit such that you get the chance to wish the royal family "Selamat Hari Raya" during Istana Nurul Iman's open house - while you need to check this out to make sure, we think the 3-day Open House this year starts on July 29, 2014.

To get an idea of what Open House is like at Istana Nurul Iman, do see this video clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwnqJDRxDKU
(In this clip you can also see their Majesties the Sultan and the Crown Prince)

We were told that the best way to "see" the palace on the other 362 days of the year, is to take a water-taxi cruise (which we did), or to stop by the riverside pavilion at Taman Persiaran Damuan a landscaped park a kilometre beyond the palace, along the river bank off Jalan Tutong (which we did not). Obviously with Istana Nurul Iman being possibly the highest security zone in all of Brunei, visitors are not encouraged - all we could see of it from the river was its glistening dome, and from the road in front of it we saw high ornate wrought iron gates emblazoned with the Sultan's coat of arms and the long stately driveway leading into his magical home!
Written July 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CitizenJournalAzim
London, UK194 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2014
Despite being 7th, I rate His Majesty's palace as numero uno.

And not cause of the monument but because of the opportunity.

The palace is only open for three days in the few days of Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Eid Fitr!

And you have the chance to shake hands with the royal families.

The sultan himself for the men and the queen for the women!

I one met a Bulgarian tourist, who arrived to Brunei, oblivious of something happening at the palace until a taxi driver told him - he managed to go to the palace and meet His Majesty.

Imagine that luck.

The pros:

Free flow of food, drinks and cakes - though dont expect fine dining, food's for mass production for the thousands that come.

Also quite colourful and you can admire the majesty of the designs.

The cons however there is clearly no significant notice or advise or instructions.

For example where to go after eating, because one path leads to meet His Majesty while the other does not.

No arrows showing where to go, where to ask for directions or help. Some just sit and eat and don't know where to. Eventually they follow behind people.

I think with better communication, labeling, the palace experience would be perfect.
Written September 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SusanPie
Montreal, Canada11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2011 • Friends
The palce is known as the largest palace in the world. The old kingdom dynasty surely built this place show their strength and wealth. Its architecture is unique and, somehow, will never runs out of date, a timeless structure indeed.
Written November 22, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

born2travelit
Cesena, Italy17,219 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2012 • Couples
we saw it from outside from our boat. i dont know actually if it's possible to visit it but according to my LP it's one of the biggest building of the world. born2travel.it
Written March 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yan T
Borneo44 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
it has got to be one of the most amazing place in Brunei... you can visit His Majesties home during Hari Raya when it is open to public... yes OPEN TO PUBLIC to meet and greet the royal highnesses themselves!!
Written January 14, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bonjet
Quezon City, Philippines61 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2015 • Friends
We were not allowed access to the Palace of the Sultan. But we were allowed to take photos from the outside. The guard wqs kind enough to accommodate our request to pose with us and take a picture with him. A grand palace.
Written February 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LV_Lee
Las Vegas, NV1,063 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2014 • Couples
We did a terrific day tour with Borneo Trekker (see also review for Borneo Trekker) but were only able to see the very top of Istana Nural Iman during the tour. It is sprawling, but do not expect an inside tour of this location, as it is not open to the public.
Written January 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Istana Nurul Iman - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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