Hi
We are wanting to spend two weeks away from home at Christmas time (17 days) and wondered if this is too long to go to Brunei, should we go someplace else too. We are wanting to stay at the Empire hotel and will be with our two girls aged 2 and 9. Is this too long in Brunei or will there be plenty to keep us entertained. Main reason for going is to get away from it all, relax, do some sight seeing and basically family time. Interested in knowing what the "theme park" was like and other attractions.

Many thanks
Rachael

I was in Brunei last year and although by myself had done all I needed to in 4 days - sightseeing, shopping, beaches, market.

With a family you would certainly take a bit longer but 17 days will be a long time, unless you plan to go into Malaysia and do some visiting there as well.

The theme park is fine but you will not want to go more than once, there are buses to beaches at either end of the country but again not too exciting for small children. The town of BS is very small with not a lot to entertain.

I would probably be looking at somewhere with a bit more entertainment for such a long stay, but if you want to just sit by the pool each day with the occasional day trip you will be fine. The hotel is very nice.

I will side more with cfank's post. if you want to get away and rest, traipsing to Sandakan and Mulu caves are not the answer. But bear in mind, Brunei has limited things to do. it is a very compact country.
I used to spend my school holidays in Kuala Belait where my father worked as a doctor, and i still remember my long summer holidays as magical.
Apart from doing the town and taking it easy, you could go down to Kuala Belait which is a rather sleepy town but charming ( rent a car which is even betterm and then stop at Seria on the way and also at the variou villages on the way. A day trip to the temburong park area is very interesting. day trip to labuan is also worthwhile.
when you enter the country, please ask for multiple entry visa, so that you can go an visit Labuan or Sarawak if you like.
There are many south indian restaurants and also a nice food court by the water in Brunei town.
Given the choice between Singapore and Brunei, both claimed to be boring by Asians, I would choose Brunei. The local people are very nice, not fanatic as the ones in Malaysia, I saw people drinking at the hotel i was staying in.
Peooples concepts of holidays are very different, Asians seem to want to do thousand things while they are travelling, but my next trip ( i dont consider travelling between Paris and Cuba as "trips"), is 15 days in Cochin and I am going to do much what you are planning to do: sit by the pool, read the books I have been missing, massage therapy, good food and quality time with those you love. Go to Brunei, with a positive attitude, it is a good place to get away from it all..

Vanakam.

Seriously, don't waste 1 second of your precious time, & even 1 cent of your hard-earned money in Brunei.

For that period (14 ++ days), go to Malaysia, much more value for money, people are a lot more friendly, & best of all, things actually work !!

Distribute your time in Malaysia between KL, Malacca & Penang.

Let me know if you need more assistance.

Cheers.

When you are coming in Brunei? If in july, then it our majesty birthday. A lot of performance going on. Now it is the light festival.
To keep you busy, try to go to Ulu Temburong( there you can climb the canopy, canoeing, waterfall). You can booked throught this local agent. www.freme.com

For me you better not stay more than 7 days.

i definitely wouldn't mind staying for 2 wks at the empire, and my home is just 8kms away! since it is a family holiday and you have 2 kids, why not let them decide. you can check my kampong jerudong pages for empire pixs. you can go on road trips to other parts of Brunei and across into Sabah and Sarawak. let me know if you want a suggested daily itinerary. cheers.

Hi! You can come to Brunei in October, especially on the second, third and fourth day of Hari Raya so that you can visit the Istana (palace) and shake hand with our Sultan and the royal members. Brunei is definitely a safe and peaceful country. Here is the list of interesting places in Brunei:

Brunei-Muara District: Kampong Ayer, Jerudong Park, Royal Regalia Building, SOAS Mosque, Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, Brunei Museum, ancient tombs of Sultan Sharif Ali and Sultan Bolkiah

Belait District: Oil & Gas Discovery Centre, Billionth Barrel Monument

Temburong District: Kuala Belalong

We have many recreational parks, beaches. :)