A DAY AT THE EMPIRE HOTEL
This school holiday, the kids got more than they bargained for. Just a week earlier, I took them to Singapore, stayed at Park Hotel Orchard and spent a full 3.5 days with the kids at various places of interests and beating the odds of having a good time despite the bad weather.
As if that wasn’t enough, we checked into Empire Hotel a day after Christmas (used up a gift voucher) and spent a full day at the Waterfall where my kids together with their cousins had a splash at the inviting pool. Some of us walked over to the main lobby for the Afternoon Tea.
VISIT MY EMPIRE HOTEL FLASH GALLERY
© Jan Shim Photography
Always a breathtaking vantage point from ground level overlooking the pool facilities and South China Sea. One of many sweet servings whose name I don’t even know.
Sunset glimpse of the main building
Had a quick tour of the Country Club and came across this unoccupied spa. Entrance to Pantai restaurant.
Delicious home-made cheese cake by sister-in-law Wan and personally delivered to the hotel too!
We had other family members join us for dinner @ Li Gong Restaurant where we had the B$25.00 nett per head all you can eat menu—65 dishes to choose from :-O! There were so many of us that we occupied two tables and needed two buggies to take us to the main building after wards.
Unlike my Singapore trip, I wasn’t posting any updates from the hotel. I had left my laptop at home knowing well in advance that there is one hindrance. With everything else at this hotel priced within reason, I find the internet rates somewhat hard to swallow. In comparison I paid $20 for 24 hours and $80 for a week @ Park Hotel Orchard though at Meritus Mandarin, the charges are just slightly higher. Good thing I recently bought a Nokia E51 and was able to read my emails via GPRS packets. That said, living is about choices and certainly, we have alternate services available to us.
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John Lee 12:24 am on December 28, 2007 Permalink |
Sweet photos JAN
Jenison 12:27 am on December 28, 2007 Permalink |
Wow that place looks really nice! They sure got a real treat!
campfiremedia 12:46 am on December 28, 2007 Permalink |
Thanks for sharing. Love the pictures.
Huwaida 8:11 am on December 28, 2007 Permalink |
The cheesecake looks like a dream!
jessie 10:54 am on December 28, 2007 Permalink |
Hahaa.. i went there X’mas Eve:) The cheese cakes is so nice:)
catherineneal2006 12:14 pm on December 28, 2007 Permalink |
The pictures are amazing and I’m green with envy that you got to stay there.
Jan Shim 12:41 pm on December 28, 2007 Permalink |
I’ve stayed at the hotel on numerous times though not on every occasion where I felt compelled to photograph. I have also photographed Golf tournaments organised by my corporate clients Lexus and HSBC at the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. It’s quite common for locals to spend a night or two at the resort.
Jamie 10:30 am on December 29, 2007 Permalink |
Beautiful photographs, love the composition. The photos have a dream like quality, really makes me want to go over there for a holiday.
vincent 12:50 pm on December 31, 2007 Permalink |
how did u take thoose picture so good…what is d secret? teach me..
Ferren 4:55 pm on January 12, 2008 Permalink |
Brunei Darussalam, It’s a country i have always wanted to explore
Emprie hotel, It’s a hotel i have always wanted to visit.
Jan Shim 5:01 pm on January 12, 2008 Permalink |
Vincent,
There’s no secret. It’s like what my wedding client said—MAGIC!
A RESORT IN THE MIST. BEYOND THE POSTCARD. « A Journey Lived 4:07 pm on April 27, 2008 Permalink |
[...] A DAY AT THE EMPIRE HOTEL [...]
» Bunker shots from Lexus Golf Classic Tournament 1:28 am on June 7, 2008 Permalink |
[...] are bunker shots from last weekend’s Lexus Golf Classic 2008 tournament at The Empire Hotel & Country Club in [...]
tommy millar 6:38 pm on July 1, 2008 Permalink |
Fabulous write-up about a fabulous place!!
Stayed there for a 2 nights Jan ‘07 during our honeymoon.
Afternoon tea is superb!
My sister-in-law lives near BSB. We can’t wait to go back to Brunei for a holiday.
Best wishes from Scotland the brave – Tommy.
Jan Shim 8:14 pm on July 1, 2008 Permalink |
Hello Tommy,
That’s Fabulous!
On your next trip, be sure to spend two nights at the Ulu Ulu Resort in Temburong, if you didn’t visit it the last time. Your Brunei experience isn’t quite complete without a stay in the pristine tropical rainforest.
Also, make a trip to the Belait district and savour the local street food such as our popular dry noodles (kolomee and kway teow), rojak, among other local delights.
I’m glad you enjoyed your stay here.
Kim 6:36 pm on July 29, 2008 Permalink |
Hi Jan,
Am a Malaysian living in Hong kong with two boys aged 5 and 7 , looking for a place to take the kids for end of August. Empire Hotel looks great…. do you think the kids will like it? We’ve been to Nexus in KK, Hyatt in Hua Hin, Sheraton Laguna in Phuket, Shangrila Mactan in Cebu, Hilton in Bali so my kids will compare to these. Their fav would be Phuket so far.
Any ideas?
Hafiza@The Empire Hotel 9:52 am on July 31, 2008 Permalink |
Dear Kim,
Thank you for your comments and interest towards our Hotel. The Empire Hotel and County Club is a golf, spa and family beach resort – facilities like bowling, cinema, E Kids club, Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, swimming pools, seasport activities are available to keep families occupied throughout their stay.
If you would like to make a reservation or find out more about our hotel, please email me directly at hafiza.mohamad@theempirehotel.com
Thank you
Regards
Hafiza
Jan Shim 12:03 pm on August 1, 2008 Permalink |
@ Kim
It’s everything you see and more at The Empire. Do drop Hafiza a line if you haven’t already to let her know if you have anything specific in mind. The thing that comes to me as far as kids go is the Sunday Splash activity now called Family Day Splash which takes place on every last Sunday of the month.
Alan Tan 2:08 pm on March 8, 2009 Permalink |
Hi Jan!
Nice write up! Even nicer pictures! I’ve always liked your style of photography! I will never be as good as you but I would love to have you teach me if possible..
How did you get that aerial picture of The Empire? Would love to go up in a helicopter or small plane and cruise the coastline of Brunei looking for waves to surf!
Anyway glad that everyone enjoyed their time in Empire.
sarajane228 12:38 pm on April 9, 2009 Permalink |
Love this place!!! This have already on my must-go list.
sarajane228 10:07 am on May 13, 2009 Permalink |
as I mentioned to you, I am planning to go this summer!!!! My friend had highly recommended me to go
Keith 9:09 am on August 11, 2009 Permalink |
You have done some amazing photographs. Your sense of direction and perspective is pretty much flawless. Really awesome. Now can I have some cheesecake?