Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Brunei's Best Hotel: The Empire Hotel and Country Club

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Have you ever wondered how it's like to stay at Brunei's best hotel? For the last part of our trip to Brunei my darling and I had the pleasure of staying at The Empire Hotel and Country Club, a self-proclaimed seven-star hotel where even the Sultan himself occasionally comes to play polo. The hotel has been welcoming guests since 2000 and has become a symbol of Brunei's cultural heritage with its extravagant and luxurious interior.

 Check the room availability for The Empire Hotel and Country Club

This post is divided into the following sessions:


The Resort Area

Above: Entring the Empire Hotel


The Interior

The first thing you'll notice when you step into the hotel is the pure white and deep black marble that are covering the surface from wall to ceiling. The marble has been imported all the way from Italy, and the glorious interior makes the hotel seem more like a palace of bygone times than a hotel made in the 20th century. For a hotel of this caliber it is not surprising that the lobby even is equipped with a self-playing piano. 



The Exterior

The beautiful surroundings are perfect for those who want to spend some relaxing time in Brunei. With both refreshing outdoor pools and beaches right next to the hotel we could ensure that we got our batteries fully charged during the days at the hotel.
The hotel's location right by the South China Sea also makes it a wonderful place to catch the sunset. Unfortunately we experienced some cloudy weather during our stay, but we did have one day where the condition was almost perfect to enjoy the nice view.
Above: Made friends with a local cat while waiting for the sunset

Above: Getting dark
Above: The hotel grounds has some benches where guests can sit and enjoy the sunset



The Guest Room

For the stay at the Empire Hotel we had booked with an Ocean Room - a 60 m² room where one could choose between double and twin bed. As we soon discovered our room was located separately from the main hotel building, but we had a nice view of the beach from our room. The distance to the other building wasn't more than a couple of minutes of walk though; by walking through the hotel lobby we could practically reach the second building in just a couple minutes, so this wasn't an issue for us. Both my darling and I love to stay active, so we always find it funny how some people would complain about having to use their feet to get to places. Anyway, here's a short introduction to the room:



This hotel room was obviously more than the two of us would need in terms of size. Still this was one of the cheaper room types the hotel had to offer, so for those who have the budget to spend there are definitely more luxurious rooms available (you can even get a $23,000-a-night suite here if you're dying to burn some cash).





Above: The room came with various complimentary snacks and drinks 



Bathroom

The bathroom came with separate toilet and bathtub, and it was possible to pull up the roller-blinds and enjoy the view of the outside from the tub.





Above: Various complimentary amenities prepared on a daily basis for the guests

There are not any restaurants in the near proximity of the hotel, so during our stay we decided to try out as many as possible of the different dining alternatives that the hotel had to offer. I could have dedicated a whole blogpost going into details about the different restaurants and their menus but for this time I've just briefly added some photos from some of the restaurants we dined at below.


Asian Buffet - Pantai

By the beachfront you can find Pantai, a stylish restaurant that offers and Asian buffet combined with daily specials. My personal favorite was the delicious seafood that included a selection of fresh sushi, mussel and crab.

Operating Hours:
Daily Asian buffet dinner from 6 pm to 9 pm
Lunch buffet available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 3 pm
Above: One of my plates with a selection of seafood from the buffet


Chinese - Li Gong

The restaurant Li Gong is situated 4 minutes walk from the Atrium Building towards the hotel's villas. The restaurant is operated by Yi Yuan Ting (义缘亭) and serve a variety of Chinese dishes.

Operating Hours:
- À la carte lunch and dim sum:
Mondays to Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 am to 2.30 pm
Fridays from 8.30 am to 12 noon
Sundays and public holidays from 8.30 am to 3 pm
- Dinner served daily from 6 pm to 10 pm.



Italian - Spaghettini

The Italian restaurant Spaghettini is located in the Main Atrium building. Here you can enjoy a wide range of authentic Italian and contemporary Mediterranean cuisines. The restaurant is serving à la carte dinner from 6 pm to 9 pm, and the dress code is Smart Casual

Operating Hours:
- À la carte dinner from 6 pm to 9 pm



The Lobby Lounge

As you already know Brunei used to be a British colony, and the people of Brunei still take high pride in their English heritage. It is thus no surprise that the Empire Hotel's Lobby Lounge offers a place where guests can unwind and enjoy a selection of refreshments that include traditional English High Tea.

Operating Hours:
Daily Afternoon Tea from 2 pm to 6 pm
 The Lobby Lounge had a set course for visitors that featured various pastries and cakes which we tried out on our last day at the hotel. 
 Above: The daily afternoon tea set included a glass of alcohol-free sparkling wine
Above: A variety of pastries from the afternoon tea set.
Above: Spending some relaxing time together with my hubby in the Lobby Lounge



Above: Area map of the hotel

One of the things that characterizes the Empire Hotel is their huge selection of recreational facilities. The hotel is particularily well known for its Jack Nicklaus Designed Championship Golf Course, and with its 7,029 yards the hotel has been awarded Best Golf Resort in Asia Pacific a number of times. But whether you're a pro golfer or just a tourist looking for some fun activities during your stay in Brunei you can find it here at the hotel.
Above: The hotel has been awarded Best Golf Resort in Asia Pacific multiple times 

Tennis Court

Operating Hours
6:00am – 10:00pm daily
*B$20 per hour per court (before 6pm)
*B$25 per hour per court (after 6pm)

Squash

Operating Hours
6:00am – 10:00pm daily
B$15 per 45 min per court

Badmington

Operating Hours
6:00am – 10:00pm daily
Two professionally equipped courts with soft cushioned wooden flooring

Bowling

Operating Hours
10:00am – 10:00pm daily
Price: B$6 per game per person.

Gymnasium 

At the hotel's gymnasium staying guests can join a number of activities such as aerobics, step and body power classes. There are also free weights and other exercise equipment available, and you can enjoy the view of the South China Sea while doing your workout.

Swimming Pool

Operating Hours
6:00am – 10:00pm daily - 17m Indoor Spa Pool
7:00am - 7:00pm - River Pool
7:00am - 7:00pm - Salt Water Lagoon Pool
7:00am - 8:30pm - Wet Edge Pool
9:00am to 8:30pm - Children's Pool

Kayak 

Operating Hours
9am to 5pm daily
There are 3 Single and 2 Double Kayaks. Rental fee are as follows:
Single: $5 per 30 mins 
Double: $8 per 30 mins

Pool Tables 

Operating Hours
6:00am – 10:00pm daily
- Next to the badminton court
Table Hire:
B$15 per hour per table


Children's Club 

Children between 4 to 12 years can join the fun daily activities of the children's club.
Operating Hours
9:00am - 6:00pm daily



We spent some relaxing and fun days at the Empire Hotel and Country Club. In the end the stay here became one of the memorable things about our visit to Brunei, both because of the iconic architecture, delicious cuisine and the many activities we could take part in at the hotel. It is clear that this hotel also has become a symbol of Brunei in itself, which makes a stay here an exciting experience in itself.
Above: The Empire Hotel has become a symbol of Brunei's cultural heritage. Here you can see magnets sold in a souvenir shop downtown with the Empire Hotel as motif.

That's all for now, but hopefully my series of posts about Brunei can be of help to some of you out there considering a visit to the country.

 ◆Basic Info◆


Related blogposts


Recommended Hotels in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan
The Empire Hotel and Country Club
The Empire Hotel
★★★★★ → review		The Brunei Hotel
The Brunei Hotel
★★★		Star Lodge
Star Lodge
★★★★		Palm Garden Hotel
Palm Garden Hotel
★★★ → review

This page contains affiliate links, and if you follow a link and make a hotel reservation through these links you help support this blog without any additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your kind support!


Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below
- Anette
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Discover The Best Places For Live Music Around The World

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Our friends at VegasSlots.co.uk recently carried out an in-depth study into the 50 best cities on Earth for watching live music. The study looks at the number of venues and gigs as well as average capacities and ticket costs and then looking at how it compares against their area.

A city is defined by many things; its food, its skyline and, of course, its music scene. In a city, genres can originate and bands can be founded all as a direct result of performance venues both big and small.

VegasSlots.co.uk have used the overall areas of cities around the world to determine which ones are offering more to its inhabitants and visitors.

Among The Top Places For Live Music Are:

Paris - The ‘City of Lights’ tops our rankings, with a relatively small area for a city, big venues (1,560 average capacity) and fairly cheap average tickets (£38.62) putting the French capital in pole position. Beyond the famous Moulin Rouge, Paris also offers a unique experience for fans of Rock and House music.

Chicago - The ‘Windy City’ has existed as a pioneering force throughout the last century. Its strong musical tradition helped birth jazz, blues, house and soul and still provides the cultural heartbeat of the city with over 2,000 gigs on offer in the next year.

Seattle - In 6th place comes the Emerald City which gave the world Nirvana, but also a sound that defined a generation. It's abundant live music scene honors this artistic tradition!


London - Live music and England’s capital have been harmonious for decades which makes it an unsurprising addition to the list. With over 1,270 across its huge radius, London comes in at 10th on our list.

For many cities, it is its modest size or its cheap average ticket cost that can see them rank well. To discover how the likes of Detroit, Edinburgh and New York have fared, use this link to visit their website.


Photo Credits: VegasSlots.co.uk
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Monday, November 6, 2017

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park Honored By U.S. Mint

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The United States Mint will hold its official launch ceremony for the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park quarter on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 10:00 a.m. at the Riverfront Pavilion at 102 N 2nd St. in Vincennes, IN.   Event highlights include performances by the George Rogers Clark Fife and Drum Corps and Vogel Elementary School Choir.

The United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program, a 12-year initiative that honors 56 national parks and other national sites authorized by Public Law 110-456.  Each year, the public will see five new national sites depicted on the reverses (tails sides) of the America the Beautiful Quarters.  The United States Mint is issuing these quarters in the order in which the national sites were officially established.

Before the ceremony, the United States Mint will host a coin forum on Monday, November 13, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. (ET) at the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park Visitor Center, 401 S. 2nd St., Vincennes, IN 47591.  The coin forum is an opportunity for the public to learn about upcoming coin programs and initiatives, and express their views about future coinage.

Atteding The Festivities Will Be:

Dave Motl, Acting Deputy Director, United States Mint
Suzanne Crouch, Lieutenant Governor, Indiana
Tony Goben, Regional Director, for U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly
Brenda Goff, District Director, for U.S. Senator Todd Young
Carol Jones, District Director, for U.S. Congressman Larry Bucshon
Patricia Trap, Midwest Regional Deputy Director, National Park Service
Frank Doughman, Superintendent, George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
Dan Ravellette, City Council Member, Vincennes, Indiana

United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Frank Morris, designer of the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park quarter, will also attend. $10 rolls of newly-minted George Rogers Clark National Historical Park quarters will be available for exchange following the event.

Learn More About The Ceremony At The George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

For news on the United States Mint, America the Beautiful Quarters Program, and George Rogers Clark National Historical Park follow these links.

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Saturday, November 4, 2017

UNESCO Designates San Antonio ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’

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 San Antonio is only the second city in the U.S. to earn the distinction of ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’, and is the first in Texas. The city’s culinary heritage is significant for its confluence of many world cultures such as Mexican, Spanish, German and French, as well its geology and geography. Recognizing this diversity, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated San Antonio a Creative City of Gastronomy, making the city part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

Drawn to San Antonio’s river running between the coastal plains and hill country, for 13,000 years indigenous people foraged roots, harvested pecans and hunted game. Trails and river ways brought trade with other groups who introduced gulf coast game. In the 1700s, Spanish colonists and Canary Islanders introduced new traditions and tastes. Other new flavors, spices and ingredients from Europe, Asia and Africa came with German and other European settlers in the 1800s.

Today the city’s culinary scene has since blossomed in its richness, with chefs honoring and celebrating its culinary heritage through preservation and innovation. Beyond the famous River Walk and historic walls of The Alamo, San Antonio’s culinary scene has historically been firmed planted in blends of Tex-Mex, but has now progressed to “Tex-Next.”

“This is an exciting time for the culinary arts in San Antonio—the designation reinforces the creativity and hard work of every individual who participates in and supports the local culinary community and the philanthropy of so many groups, like the Chef Cooperatives and our chapter of Les Dames D’Escoffier,” Chef Johnny Hernandez of Grupo La Gloria said. “From showcasing our culinary heritage to sharing local innovations and leading the way with San Antonio’s brand of culinary diplomacy, the opportunities afforded us as a City of Gastronomy are all reasons for San Antonio to celebrate today.”

As a gateway to Latin America, San Antonio is uniquely positioned to showcase and celebrate the richness of this cuisine. The third campus of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is located in San Antonio. Dedicated to the foundations of culinary instruction as well as specializations in Latin cuisine, this campus takes advantage of San Antonio’s cultural influences and access to indigenous ingredients. The CIA campus is located at Pearl, a 22-acre indie food haven in a repurposed German brewery built in 1883. With 18 concepts, including a robust weekend farmers market and the city’s first food hall, Pearl is a destination onto itself.

UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network promotes international cooperation and encourages the sharing of experiences and resources to promote local development through culture and creativity. The local food movement and enthusiasm for sustainable programs spurred the dramatic evolution of San Antonio’s culinary landscape and inspired a comprehensive effort to apply for the UNESCO designation in June 2017.

“Travelers are increasingly seeking a destination with a robust culinary scene as a way to really get to know the heart of a city,” said Casandra Matej, President & CEO of Visit San Antonio. “The UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation confirms what millions of visitors have known all along—San Antonio’s cuisine is truly unique and authentic to our region.”

Plan Your Visit To San Antonio 

In 2015, UNESCO designated San Antonio’s 18th century Spanish colonial missions as a World Heritage Site - the first in Texas. In 2018, the city will celebrate its 300th anniversary, honoring its rich past and a bright future focused on innovation and livability. To plan your visit go to visit www.sanantonio.gov.

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Friday, November 3, 2017

Save On Your Visit To National Parks With A Yearly Pass

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Fee increases are not uncommon, and often, they are necessary to provide a better experience for travelers. This is the scenario the National Park Service is considering in their continuous commitment to improve the visitor experience and ensure America’s national parks are protected and maintained for future generations. But, you can save on your visit with their yearly passes.

They are currently looking at increasing fees at highly visited national parks during peak visitor seasons. The proposed peak season entrance fees and revised fees for road-based commercial tours would generate badly needed revenue for improvements to the aging infrastructure of national parks. This includes roads, bridges, campgrounds, waterlines, bathrooms, and other visitor services.


The Proposed Fees And Timeline:

Under the proposal, peak-season entrance fees would be established at only 17 national parks. The peak season for each park would be defined as its busiest contiguous five-month period of visitation. So, during the peak season at each park, the entrance fee would be $70 per private, non-commercial vehicle, $50 per motorcycle, and $30 per person on bike or foot.

These proposed new fees would be implemented at Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Denali, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Olympic, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion National Parks with peak season starting on May 1, 2018.

Fee increases would start at Acadia, Mount Rainier, Rocky Mountain, and Shenandoah National Parks with peak season starting on June 1, 2018.
Also on the list is Joshua Tree National Park, which will see a fee increase starting as soon as practicable in 2018.

Did You Know? Over 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 417 national parks, and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.


My husband and I visit several parks throughout the year, and while we’d prefer not to pay more to visit some of our favorites - we understand the reasoning behind the increases. The current estimates suggest that the peak-season price structure could increase national park revenue by $70 million per year. That is a 34 percent increase over the $200 million collected in Fiscal Year 2016.

Save On Your Visit With A Yearly Pass

Now, if the National Park Service does increase prices there are options for saving on your visit to these national treasures.

Those who enjoy camping and recreation at one park often can get a park-specific annual pass for any of the 17 parks, which would be available for $75. This is a good option for those who plan to visit these parks several times throughout the year, which would pay for your pass in just a few visits.

Another option is the annual America the Beautiful Pass that is the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. This particular Pass provides entrance to all federal lands, including parks for a one-year period, and remains only $80. With either Pass you’re helping contribute to preserving our parks, and save money.

Entrance fees are not charged to visitors under 16 years of age or holders of Senior, Military, Access, Volunteer, or Every Kid in a Park (EKIP) passes. The majority of national parks will remain free to enter; only 118 of 417 park sites charge an entrance fee, and the current proposal only raises fees at 17 fee-charging parks

Plan Your Visit To Our National Parks

For the news on fee increases, view area events and programs, and plan your trip by visiting the National Park Service at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.


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Thursday, November 2, 2017

Don’t Miss Louder Than Words: Rock, Power and Politics

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Opening on Nov.7 in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, “Louder Than Words: Rock, Power and Politics” is a stunning exhibition presented by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The exhibit explores how rock music can change attitudes about patriotism, peace, equality and freedom. “Louder Than Words: Rock, Power and Politics” will open during a Ford After Five evening event, November 7 and runs through February 11, which gives you time to see the collection of artifacts.

This is a rare opportunity because it is the first time that Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Newseum in Washington, D.C., have partnered together. The result is a one-of-kind exhibit that includes photographs, periodicals and videos. Among the artifacts is also Bono’s 2002 Super Bowl jacket, which he wore during a moving tribute to victims of the 9/11 attacks while performing at the Super Bowl.


“‘Louder Than Words’ highlights how artists have used their craft as a platform to express their views and shape public opinion,” said Greg Harris, president and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The exhibit explores how artists exercise their First Amendment rights, challenge assumptions and beliefs, stimulate thought and effect change. Beyond music’s influence on the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War and gender equality, the exhibit also features other significant moments and figures.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to partner with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to bring this exhibition to the region,” said Elaine Didier, director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.  From ex-Beatle George Harrison’s visit to the White House, to stories of Steve Ford playing Led Zeppelin music from the White House roof, rock music had a definite history during the Ford presidency.

The November 7, opening event begins at 6 p.m. Membership to the Friends of Ford is available online at www.geraldrfordfoundation.org/donate, or by calling 616-254-0396. This exhibit will be included as part of the Museum’s regular admission fees.

For more news about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and its traveling exhibits, visit https://www.rockhall.com/visit/exhibits.

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