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A Kingdom Within A Kingdom
The two gentlemen who opened the gigantic doors of the Empire Hotel and Country Club looked bright and spirited even at one in the morning. In spite of the urge to immediately check in and rush to my room for a few hours of sleep, I had to stop for a moment and gaze at a mural. It depicted the arrival in Brunei of the chronicler Antonio Pigafetta in 1521. Sailing aboard the Victoria as part of Ferdinand Magellan's world voyage, Pigafetta was afforded a royal welcome full of splendor set amid lush rainforests and calm waters. While we may be centuries apart, I felt that Pigafetta and I shared a common feeling of excited anticipation as we stood at the threshold of a uniquely imperial experience. A few steps into the grand lobby and words like "palatial", "majestic" and "regal" started to compete in my mind as I searched for the most appropriate description of the magnificent surroundings. No rush, I told myself. After all, I had three days to immerse in luxury and somewhere along the way the right words would come to mind. The Empire generously provided a De Luxe room that is specially designed for traveling business executives. Instead of the usual fruit basket, the welcome treat was a blend of East and West: tiny rice cakes and chocolates! I nibbled on the sweets as I slowly soaked in the opulence and comfort of my little kingdom. Finally, I managed to drag myself onto the king size bed and sank in the Italian down feather pillows. In a few seconds, I was in dreamland in a dreamland. Just like my welcome sweets, the breakfast buffet at The Atrium was a veritable East to West spread with its mouthwatering array of freshly baked breads and pastries to Asian noodles and rice dishes. Equally delightful is the view from my table that featured an unobstructed view of the towering six-story gilded marble columns and floor to ceiling windows. The feeling was like dining inside a giant crystal cube with an expansive view of the sea and sky. A quick tour of the Empire helped me discover what it was like to be transported to the inner chambers of one of the world's opulent palaces. The Empress Suite, is a 345 square meter paradise with Italian silk covered walls, rich furnishings, a private jacuzzi, state of the art home theater system, and a grand piano. The Emperor Suite is what makes The Empire an empire. At six hundred sixty six square meters, the suite is equipped to satisfy the demands of heads of state and members of the royalty whose apparent satisfaction warranted 'The World's Leading Presidential Suite' from the World Travel Awards in 2003 and 2004. From the private elevator access to the private swimming pool, the Emperor Suite is designed for those who rule kingdoms and preside over superpower nations. It took a while for my hosts to drag me away from the suites and onto the Villas. These freestanding, two storey structures were meant for those who really cherish their privacy. Each villa is accessible via individual driveways and guests have a choice of gardens or the ocean for a view. With almost two hundred square meters of living, dining and sleeping areas, each villa is big enough for a large family or group whose privileges include a personal butler and a private swimming pool. On the way to the Country Club, we passed by the 700-seat Theater and Cinema. This is the first resort I visited that has a movie house showing the latest from Hollywood! The kid in me insisted that I should go and grab a bucket of popcorn and spend a couple of hours in the cinema. However, the adult in me and the schedule in my hands dictated that I should keep my appointment at the Country Club with the General Manager himself. The other half of the Empire's namesake is Country Club and the owners were serious when they claimed that the Club is fit for kings. From aerobics to badminton, basketball to bowling, squash to tennis, indoor or outdoor, club members and guests have access to excellent facilities and professional assistance. The premier feature is the Country Club's signature Jack Nicklaus Course. It was said that the master himself did not just submit a set of blueprints but personally supervised the construction of this multi-awarded course that has become the home of the annual Brunei Open since 2005. The front nine holes are set on high ground overlooking the ocean while the back nine reach into the sea. The signature 15th hole, a 549-yard par five, takes players along the beach. Designed to follow the contours of the forest edge and the beach, the course challenges and rewards players who keep on coming back both to relax and to polish their game. Ah, lunch at the Bunker Bistro. Overlooking hole number one, the newly refurbished Country Club restaurant is manned by young men and women dressed in plaid vests, pants and caps designed from old school golf outfits. Lunch was also an opportunity to chat with the bon vivant Resident Manager Sean Boyle and the Empire's General Manager Desmond Acheson. The two gentlemen personified the highly professional team at the helm of The Empire whose task is to "reflect the country's majestic and cultural heritage" in all aspects of operations. " The Empire serves as the benchmark for Brunei's tourism, " Acheson emphasized. He explained that given the hotel's facilities and resources, it is their job to tailor fit these services to the needs of guests from heads of state on diplomatic missions to company executives seeking to refine their corporate vision. Boyle insisted that we visit the Grand Hall right after lunch. The building was under construction during my visit. Dozens of workers were putting the finishing touches including digital projection screens, thick carpeting, marble floors and a huge stage flanked by intricate Bruneian carvings. The Grand Hall is designed to accommodate about 3,200 guests and could be divided into three separate venues via soundproofed, remote controlled floor to ceiling panels. Mid afternoon and I'm back at the hotel in time for the afternoon tea at the lobby lounge. The uniquely British tradition not only endured but has become a refreshingly delightful afternoon habit for expatriates and locals alike. I allowed the relaxing melodies from the resident pianist at the Fazioli grand as I settled on one of the plush European armchairs. The view from the Lobby Lounge is similar with the Atrium Café: majestic high ceilings, marble columns and soaring windows overlooking the sea. Delicate arrays of dainty sandwiches and sinful cakes as well as hot savories were available but I had to sample the scones and my herbal tea. It was, of course, an excellent choice. True to its essence, the afternoon tea gave me a sense of calm and well-being in spite of my tight schedule. I decided on a leisurely walk around the lobby and see the details that make this place imperial. Standing majestically in one corner is a crystal sculpture of a camel which I learned is one of only four in the world. Two of them are on display at The Empire while the other two are in Saudi Arabia. Beside the front desk is a strange, red piece of rock about two feet high and a foot and a half across. It's a rhodochrosite, a precious stone found in the mines of South America. The specimen in front of me is reputed to be the single biggest piece found so far. Looking at the deep, rose-colored stone can be mesmerizing since the hotel decorators decided to install a few small backlights to heighten the sensation. It must have been the tea or the red stone. Whatever it was, I found myself staring at this singular display for quite sometime until I realized that the skies outside have begun to go dark. The next day, with a more leisurely pace and lots of time to spare, I proceeded to the spa. Subdued lighting and the faint scent of aromatic oils and herbal treatments greeted me as I stepped into the sanctum of bliss and relaxation. After the traditional washing of the feet, my masseur guided me to the massage table which to my surprise was heated. The warmth was just enough to make me feel at ease. I must have dozed off after the first few minutes of gentle yet deep kneading because before I knew it, my masseur was gently telling me that my session was complete. I felt relieved, slightly dizzy and drowsy – telltale signs of expert hands that delivered just the right pressure and strokes. It was time for more indulgence with Executive Sous Chef Agastya Ilango's creations. The chef defined his immense responsibilities in one word: communication. " Preparing dishes is a form of communication, " Ilango opined. " At the end of a meal, the satisfied look on the faces of guests would tell me that we have succeeded in our goal of sending them the right message of expertise, hospitality and impeccable service. " Chef Ilango and his staff are masters in various 'culinary languages' as they prepare authentic Cantonese and regional delicacies at the Li Gong, exquisite Italian cuisine at Spaghettini, delectable grilled seafood at Pantai and the array of signature and all-time favorites at The Atrium, The Lobby Lounge and the E-Club Lounge. Our brief conversation over lunch was a delightful discovery not just about the man but also about the philosophy behind the dishes that could delight kings and commoners alike. To paraphrase the cliché, times flies especially when you're enjoying yourself. It was time to pack my bags with the priceless memories of my stay at The Empire. The bell rang and as I opened the door, a beaming staff member handed me a large box with a note. It was a personal message from the resident manager thanking me for the time we spent over lunch at the Bunker Bistro and asking me to call The Empire my home in Brunei. Together with the traditional welcome letter and the sweets, the charming note and the box of chocolates served as exceptional bookends to my short yet luxurious stay in this opulent kingdom. |
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