Brunei is a sovereign state on the island of Borneo, surrounded by the state of Sarawak, Malaysia. The accommodation ranges from basic, but pleasant, hotels to the exceptionally luxurious.
Top Things about Brunei
Brunei became independent in 1984, having been a British dependency, and, because of its large reserves of gas and oil, it now enjoys one of the highest standards of living anywhere in the world. Ruled by a royal household, the head of state is the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is known to possess a large private fortune. The people receive high levels of subsidy and pay no taxes.
The countryside outside of the capital is mostly mangrove swamps and dense forests, and remains largely undeveloped. With supplies of natural fuels diminishing, today Brunei is diversifying and working to position itself as a centre for eco-tourism and upmarket holidays, and as a financial centre in the global economy.
Best Cities to Visit
For avid sightseers, most of the popular Brunei attractions are in the capital city Bandar Seri Begawan. These include the Tomb of Sultan Bolkiah, Brunei Museum, the Royal Regalia Museum and several notable mosques. The extraordinary ‘Water Village’, or Kampong Ayer, is a complex of houses on stilts connected by wooden walkways built over the Brunei River.
The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is a major landmark.
Brunei Hotels
Basic hotels in Brunei usually offer room service, conference facilities and a restaurant. From the middle to the top end of the spectrum, there are also sports facilities; spa centres with steam rooms, saunas and Jacuzzis; children’s pools; business meeting rooms and services, including wireless internet; and lounge bars.