Brunei Accommodations
With a penchant for lavish and upscale accommodation, Brunei offers some of the finest hotels money can buy. The most opulent establishments were built with oil-generated wealth and are adorned with marble and extravagant architecture. Budget hotels are available though they're still a bit pricey.
Brunei has traditionally been a destination for those with money to burn. Its hotels were all top-enders until recently, but today cheaper hotels and even backpackers can be found in the capital. Bandar Seri Begawan is the main accommodation base and has the best range of hotels, from top to bottom.
What You Can Expect & Availability
Budget / Backpacker
The cheapest place in Brunei for backpackers is Pusat Belia on Jalan Sungai Kianggeh in downtown Bandar Seri Begawan. Apart from one other in Bangar, this is the country’s only youth hostel and dorm beds can be had for a reasonable charge per night. It even comes with a swimming pool but has separate quarters for males and females, so couples beware.
Flashpacker
A better budget option is KH Soon Resthouse on Jalan Pemancha in Bandar. It has a good location near the bus station is also near to an internet café and ATM. Prices here are nearly double that of a room at a backpackers for a double air-conditioned room. There is one or two others in this price range in Kuala Belait in the south of the country.
Mid-Range
Midrange hotels in the cheaper bracket can be had out of town for around the same price as a flashpacker hotel, but the general starting price for a three-star place in either Bandar or Kuala Belait is higher. LeGallery Hotel in Bandar and the Riviera Hotel in Kuala Belait are in this category.
Luxury Resorts and Hotels
Brunei does particularly well with its top-end hotels and although prices are usually quoted in US dollars, they are not excessive. There is a Sheraton and several other similarly priced places in the capital, as well as the Empire Hotel and Country Club overlooking the sea in Jerudong. The best in Kuala Belait is the Seaview Hotel.
Hostels
There are several cheaper guest houses in Brunei, but only a couple youth hostels with dormitories. The main one is Pusat Belia on Jalan Sungai Kianggeh in Bandar Seri Begawan. It is super-cheap for Brunei and comes with a pool. Popular guest houses include Nazira Guesthouse, KH Guesthouse, and Asean-EC Guesthouse - all in Bandar. You’ll be hard pushed to find any cheaper accommodation outside Bandar.
Accommodation Options
Hotels
Hotels are the mainstay of accommodation in Brunei and they range from budget up to super-luxury. Most of them are located in the capital city, Bandar. Seria, Bangar, and Kuala Belait also have a few hotels but they only go from mid-range and up and are pricier for what you get.
Homestays
The concept of homestays to Bruneians is quite alien and there are no official ones available.
Camping
There is not that much in the way of camping in Brunei, with little opportunity to spend your time hiking and pitching your tent. There is, however, some camping available in Ulu Temburong National Park. Avoiding the rainy season in the summer is a must.
Special Options
The only specialty accommodations open to tourists in Brunei are available on private tours. Popular eco-tours take in the Temburong district by boat, where you can stay in a traditional longhouse. These tours also usually involve canopy walking and tramping in Belalong National Park.
Backpacker Hangouts
There are no popular backpacker hangouts as such in Brunei. It’s not really a destination for backpackers, with only one or two youth hostels and not very cheap travel in general. Jalan Sungai Kianggeh in downtown Bandar is perhaps the only real haven for backpackers, in the loosest sense of the word.
Best Bets
The 'best of the best' section lists the best accommodation available while 'value for money' looks for establishments with ample services at lower prices.
Best of the Best
Bandar Seri Begawan
Empire Hotel: This extravagant hotel and country club cost more than a billion dollars to build. Everything about this place is palatial and extravagant, and guests enjoy some of the finest amenities available in a city known for its upscale hotels.
Sheraton Utama Hotel: This hotel delivers Sheraton-brand luxury in an excellent location. Guests of the Sheraton Utama can walk to all of the main attractions in the city center. Rooms are spacious, well-appointed and complemented by excellent service.
Centrepoint: This luxury establishment sits away from the riverfront but delivers some of the finest service and amenities in Brunei. The interior is laid out in marble and features an upscale restaurant serving Chinese cuisine, sport facilities and a business center. Guests can shop at the neighboring Gadong shopping center.
Value for Money
Bandar Seri Begawan
Brunei Hotel: This hotel may have the best and most central location in the entire city. Rooms are luxurious and the level of service is high. The best value is available in the off season, when rates drop substantially.
Crowne Princess Inn: A small hotel near Edinburgh Bridge, the Crowne Princess Inn is a good value for money option with comfortable rooms and plenty of amenities. Discounts are regularly available.
Jubilee Hotel: Guests of the Jubilee Hotel receive complimentary breakfast and enjoy clean, comfortable rooms with spacious bathrooms. Onsite facilities include restaurants and a shopping market.
