The Empire Brunei
By the Top3Hotels editorial team. Based on Booking.com guest scores and reviews, location data and reference prices. We did not stay at this hotel. Updated 2026-10-24.
Book it if you want a five-star resort stay with a large lagoon-style pool, a spa and attentive staff, and you accept being a long way from the city sights. If your plan is mosques and museums every day, a central hotel will save you a lot of travel time.
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Sold out? See available alternatives →Who it suits and who should skip it
The Empire Brunei suits travellers who want the hotel itself to be the main event. Guests praise a huge, immaculate lagoon-style pool area with plenty of loungers and room for kayaking. Families may also note that family rooms are listed.
With a 9.1 out of 10 score from 329 reviews, it ranked first of the 4 eligible properties we compared on guest score.
Skip it if you want to explore Bandar Seri Begawan on foot. Guests themselves point out that the quiet coastal setting is far from the city centre, and every sight in our data is more than 10 km away.
Location and getting around
The address is Jerudong, Tutong Muara Highway. The location score is 8.8.
Distances are long. Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is about 10.8 km away (around 135 minutes on foot), Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque about 12.9 km (around 161 minutes), and the Brunei Museum about 15.7 km (around 196 minutes). These are straight-line estimates. All of them are far, so you will need a car or taxi, or public transport where it exists.
Free parking is listed. Beach appears among the provider facilities, but that does not confirm a beachfront position or a walking distance to the sand, so check the map and ask the hotel.
What guests say
Staff get strong comments. Guests describe a friendly, helpful and attentive team who anticipate what people need.
The pool is the other highlight: a large lagoon-style area kept in very good condition, with space to kayak.
The main complaint is distance. Guests like the quiet coastal setting and the grounds, but they note it is far from the city centre. Factor in travel time and taxi costs.
Price and how it compares with our other picks
Reference prices seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 (10 to 12 November, 2 adults, one room) were €247.76 per night. The city sample median was €107.74, so this costs more than double the typical hotel. These are not live quotes. Check today's price for your dates.
Listed facilities include a gym, spa, pool, restaurant, garden, terrace, free parking, family rooms, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Breakfast details are not given in our data, so check whether it is included in your rate.
Our Budget pick, Al Afiah Hotel, was €60.20 per night with a score of 8.6. Our Best Value pick, The Brunei Hotel, scored 8.7 and was €90.85. Both are three-star. The Empire costs far more, and you pay that for the resort facilities rather than for convenience.
Why it made our top 3
We compared 4 eligible properties in Bandar Seri Begawan, a small sample. This hotel had the top review score among them.
For our Luxury slot, five-star hotels come first, and a four-star fallback must score at least 8.5. The Empire Brunei holds an official five-star rating and a 9.1 score, so it was a clear choice.
Before you book
Room size, noise, renovation condition, breakfast inclusion and cancellation terms have not been assessed. Read these on the booking page.
Confirm spa and pool opening times and any fees. Ask how guests usually get into the city and what a taxi costs, since that will add to your budget.
Check prices on Booking.com ↗We may earn a commission if you book. It never changes our pick.
Sold out? See available alternatives →Questions travellers ask
Is The Empire Brunei close to the city centre?
No. Guests say it is far from the city centre, and Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is about 12.9 km away. Plan on a car or taxi.
Is The Empire Brunei on the beach?
Beach is listed in the provider facilities, but that does not confirm a beachfront location or a walking distance. Check the map and ask the hotel.
What is the pool like?
Guests describe a huge, immaculate lagoon-style pool area with many loungers and space for kayaking. Check opening times for your dates.
How much does a night cost?
Reference prices seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 for 2 adults were €247.76 per night. Check today's price for your dates.
Is breakfast included?
Breakfast details are not confirmed in our data. Check the rate description before booking.