【Feng Jiaxia - A Global Wanderlust After Germany's Working Holiday】Brunei Travelogue 4 - An Imperial-Level Sunset

The final piece of my Brunei travelogue will, of course, be about the most unforgettable attraction in Brunei — the world-renowned six-star hotel, “The Empire Hotel and Country Club.”

To be honest, at first, I thought just like other friends who didn’t know much about this hotel — “It’s just a hotel, what haven’t I stayed in besides Victoria? What’s so special? And I have to take a taxi there?”

But I had pretty much done all the activities from the previous itinerary that interested me, and Andrew also said the Empire Hotel was a must-visit. Tired legs can be an excuse for self-indulgence.



I’ve already explained the transportation to get there in Brunei Travelogue 1, so I won’t repeat it.

As soon as I got out of the car at the main entrance, I felt my outfit — shorts and flip-flops — was totally out of place in such a luxurious setting. I even asked the bellboy, “Aren’t you mistaken? I’m not here for any conference, why would someone dressed like this suddenly show up here?” Surprisingly, Ob (the staff) didn’t seem surprised at all — maybe they’ve seen it all before.

By the way, although the grand entrance lobby is big and beautiful, it didn’t quite give me that “wow, is this really real?” feeling. Some hotels in Macau are even more impressive...

One thing the Empire Hotel is super famous for is Ob’s High Tea.

Wow, for a six-star hotel, you can get a full three-tier afternoon tea set for just over a hundred bucks? It’s definitely the perfect hotspot for ladies to take photos and play at being elegant.

I’m not a woman, but I do get hungry. Sigh, I’ll just treat it as a meal and give it a try.

“Sorry, today’s fully booked.”



What the... Why didn’t I remember to book in advance? Why didn’t any Brunei travel blogs mention this? Why do I always run into such bad luck?

“After 6 PM, this place turns into a bar area. You can come back then. No reservation needed.”

I can’t just hang around here until 6 PM. I guess I’ll just walk around and snack on the chocolate I brought to tide me over.

Wow, I’m eating chocolate in a world-class luxury hotel!!!

The interior of the hotel is beautiful, and I’ve also heard that many golden decorations are actually made of real gold — extremely luxurious.

Not really my thing — I mean, if I wanted to see gold, I could just go to Mong Kok or Tsim Sha Tsui where the whole street is shining with it.

So what’s more appealing is Ob’s massive private beach and infinity pools (yes, there are multiple, hence the plural).

This private beach isn’t just a strip of sand — it also has palm trees, sun loungers, cabanas, and more. There are even some stylish photo spots that make you feel like you could shoot a pre-wedding album here.

For a moment, I thought getting married here would be insanely romantic.

But just for a moment, because then a group of Chinese aunties took over a tree and stayed there for half an hour taking photos...

 

 

 

 

 

After walking just a few steps, I suddenly felt something was off... Everything around me had turned yellowish...

I turned around — wow???? What’s going on????

 

Oh sunny egg yolk, where did you burst out from????

The fierce sunset violently pierced through the thick clouds, shooting out beams of light that painted the entire beach golden.

The dark clouds gradually dispersed, and the sun slowly descended on the horizon, as if exerting its last bit of strength to grant the earth a moment of light. This battle between light and darkness made the seaside sunset at the Empire Hotel feel like the end of the world, yet so breathtakingly beautiful it took your breath away...

Not being arrogant or exaggerating, but I’ve been to over 40 countries and have seen at least a hundred or two sunsets. But this one — it’s definitely in my Top 5.

What are the other four then??????

Er………..c? Calling out to female?? Stepping on the chapter aw~

The Imperial Beach is lit up after sunset, showcasing a different kind of elegant beauty

If I could have dinner with my loved one here, it would surely be an unforgettable beautiful moment~

Ah well, let’s just see how it goes—how many couples actually stroll around without a care for how long they stay??

It’s completely dark now, and when I look at my watch, it’s already 7 o’clock. Alright, let’s go back to the lobby for a drink before leaving~

ee……… Why are all the lights off?

So what I thought was “having a drink” was only available from 6 to 7 pm ja?????? I fell for it again..............

Luckily, the cake shop around the corner is still open. I asked the waiter and was allowed to go upstairs to the tea area to relax slowly~ At least I got to fulfill a little wish~

Woo, the apple pie at the six-star hotel is really top-notch!!!

So satisfied V? Still feeling warm and fuzzy inside?? Walking out of the lobby, I wondered what else??

It’s 8 pm now, and the buses are all gone. Do I really have to call an expensive taxi??

I had already arranged with the guy who picked me up V? to get a ride earlier, just pay 10 Brunei dollars = $60

When I asked the hotel to borrow a phone to make a call, the front desk staff asked me a whole bunch of questions, including whether I was a guest, why I needed the phone, etc.

At first, I was wondering what the heck was going on T? But then I realized they were just being overly helpful, trying to call a hotel shuttle bus to take me back!

Even though I wasn’t a guest, Ob (the staff) was still friendly T? and kindly offered to take me back to any place in the city center for 10 Brunei dollars~

Same price, no need to call a car specially, and even more relaxing~

Other bloggers said to go to the Empire Hotel you had to catch the bus before 6 pm in the afternoon, but I say this way of leaving lets you enjoy the sunset even past 6 pm and stroll leisurely before heading out~

So far I haven’t seen any friends mention this online, so I’ll write a few more words to share~

From having no expectations at all, to being blown away by the sunset, the Empire Hotel is definitely the biggest surprise of this Brunei trip!

I’d even say it’s worth going just for this sunset alone??

Coupled with the reflection of the mosque in Seri Begawan, just these two places are already enough to make one fall in love V? and want to come back~

The round trip from Sabah is tiring, but in summary V?? -------- Totally worth it!



Alright, “Brunei Short Notes” ends here with this chapter~

Before starting another long travelogue, let me write a few more short pieces about Taiwan and Japan first~







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