Where to Stay in Brunei: Best Areas + Hotels

Figuring out where to stay in Brunei is actually a little more important than it might seem at first. Bandar Seri Begawan doesn’t have a huge selection of hotels, and the best area really depends on whether you want to be close to the main sights, near restaurants and shopping, or stay somewhere more resort-like.

When I visited Brunei, I stayed at The Capital Residence Suites in Bandar Seri Begawan, which gave me a really convenient base for exploring the city. In this guide, I’ll break down the best areas to stay in Brunei, where I stayed myself, and a few other hotel options depending on your budget and the type of trip you’re planning.

Hotels in Brunei: Quick Picks

Looking for…	My Pick
Most luxurious	The Empire Brunei
Best overall	Radisson Hotel Brunei Darussalam
Best for a central location	The Brunei Hotel
Best for a resort experience	The Empire Brunei
Best value	The CentrePoint Hotel

You’re right — that paragraph should be about why you chose it and what actually made the stay useful, not some pointless disclaimer.

Where I Stayed in Brunei: The Capital Residence Suites

When I visited Brunei, I stayed at The Capital Residence Suites in Bandar Seri Begawan, and it worked really well for the kind of trip I was doing.

I booked it mainly because of the location. I wanted to stay somewhere central so I could explore Bandar Seri Begawan easily without wasting time getting back and forth from somewhere further out.

One of the biggest advantages was that airport pick-up and drop-off were included, which made arriving and leaving much easier. The hotel also had a free shuttle for guests that could take you to some of the main tourist spots around Bandar Seri Begawan, which was incredibly convenient, especially in a destination where getting around isn’t always as straightforward as in other Southeast Asian cities.

Breakfast was also included, which made the stay even easier and meant I didn’t have to start every morning figuring out where to eat before heading out.

For a short trip to Brunei, I thought it was a really practical place to stay because it combined a central location with useful extras that actually made sightseeing easier.

This is much stronger because now it sounds like your actual stay, not a generic hotel paragraph.

Where to Stay in Brunei: Best Areas

Most travelers visiting Brunei will stay somewhere in or around Bandar Seri Begawan, but the area you choose can make quite a difference to your trip.

For a first visit, I’d personally stay centrally in Bandar Seri Begawan. That’s what I did, and it made the most sense when most of my time was spent sightseeing around the capital.

Bandar Seri Begawan – Best for First-Time Visitors

If this is your first trip to Brunei and you’re mainly coming to see the main sights, central Bandar Seri Begawan is where I’d stay.

This is where you’ll find many of Brunei’s main attractions, including Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the Royal Regalia Museum and access to Kampong Ayer.

It’s also where I stayed at The Capital Residence Suites, and having a central base made my short trip much easier.

If you only have a few days in Brunei and sightseeing is your priority, I wouldn’t overcomplicate it. Start by looking for accommodation around central Bandar Seri Begawan.

Best for: First-time visitors, sightseeing and short trips

Gadong and Kiulap – Best for Restaurants and Shopping

Gadong and Kiulap are better options if you care more about having restaurants, cafés and shopping around you than being right beside the main tourist sights.

Gadong is one of the main commercial areas of Bandar Seri Begawan, and this is where you’ll find hotels like The Rizqun International Hotel and The CentrePoint Hotel.

Kiulap is another commercial area with plenty of places to eat and shop, so it can work well if you want a more convenient everyday base during a longer stay.

I’d choose these areas over central Bandar Seri Begawan if restaurants, shopping and having more things around your hotel are a bigger priority than sightseeing.

Best for: Restaurants, shopping and longer stays

Jerudong – Best for Luxury and Resorts

Jerudong is completely different from the other two options.

This is where you’ll find The Empire Brunei, the huge luxury resort overlooking the South China Sea.

I wouldn’t choose Jerudong for a normal first-time sightseeing trip because you’re staying away from central Bandar Seri Begawan. But if the hotel itself is supposed to be part of your trip, this is the area to look at.

It makes much more sense for a luxury getaway, a relaxing stay or anyone specifically wanting the full resort experience.

Best for: Luxury, resorts, relaxing trips and special occasions

Where to Stay in Brunei: Top 5 Hotels

The Empire Brunei

If you’re looking for the most luxurious hotel in Brunei, this is the obvious choice.

The Empire is much more than somewhere to sleep. It’s a huge resort overlooking the South China Sea, with pools, restaurants, gardens, and plenty of space to actually spend time at the property.

It’s also easily the most expensive option on this list, but if you want the full luxury experience in Brunei and the price isn’t an issue, this is the one to book.

Best for: Luxury, resorts, special occasions, and splurging

Book here: The Empire Brunei

The Rizqun International Hotel

The Rizqun International Hotel is one of the better-known hotels in Bandar Seri Begawan and a solid option if you want something comfortable without going all the way up to Empire-level luxury.

It’s located in the Gadong area, which is useful if you want to be close to shopping, restaurants, and more of the everyday side of Bandar Seri Begawan.

Best for: Comfortable stays, shopping, and Gadong

Book here: The Rizqun International Hotel

Radisson Hotel Brunei Darussalam

This is my choice when staying in Brunei.

The Radisson gives you the kind of reliable, comfortable hotel experience I usually want when I’m traveling, without paying for a massive luxury resort that I probably won’t use enough.

It’s also conveniently located in Bandar Seri Begawan, making it a practical base for exploring the city and getting around.

Best for: Overall value, comfort, central location, and my personal pick

Book here: Radisson Hotel Brunei Darussalam

The Brunei Hotel

If you want to stay right in the center of Bandar Seri Begawan, The Brunei Hotel is a practical choice.

Its location makes it particularly convenient for exploring the main sights in the city, so you won’t have to spend as much time getting around. It’s a good option if your priority is having a comfortable base rather than staying at a resort.

Best for: Central location, sightseeing, and short stays

Book here: The Brunei Hotel

The CentrePoint Hotel

The CentrePoint Hotel is another good option if you want a comfortable hotel without going for one of Brunei’s more expensive properties.

It’s located in Gadong, giving you easy access to restaurants, shopping, and other conveniences. If you’re looking for something straightforward and practical, this is worth checking.

Best for: Value, longer stays, and Gadong

Book here: The CentrePoint Hotel

Which Hotel in Brunei Should You Choose?

If you want the full luxury experience, stay at The Empire. It’s in a completely different category from the other hotels on this list.

For a comfortable stay in Bandar Seri Begawan, I’d personally choose the Radisson. It gives you a good balance of comfort, location, and practicality without paying for a resort I probably wouldn’t take full advantage of.

If location is your main priority, The Brunei Hotel is worth considering, while The Rizqun and CentrePoint are good options around Gadong.

Here’s exactly how I’d rewrite the ending after the hotel sections:

Which Area Should You Stay in Brunei?

If this is your first trip to Brunei and you’re mainly there to see the main sights, I’d stay in central Bandar Seri Begawan.

That’s what I did, and it made the trip much easier because I was close to the places I actually wanted to visit.

If you care more about restaurants, shopping and having more around your hotel, Gadong or Kiulap might suit you better.

And if you’re visiting Brunei for a luxury stay and want the hotel itself to be part of the trip, then Jerudong makes more sense, especially if you’re staying at The Empire.

For most first-time visitors though, I think central Bandar Seri Begawan is the easiest choice.

Getting Around From Your Hotel in Brunei

Where you stay matters quite a lot in Brunei because getting around isn’t as straightforward as in many other Southeast Asian cities.

Public transportation is limited, so staying somewhere central or choosing a hotel that helps with transport can make a big difference.

This was one of the reasons I liked staying at The Capital Residence Suites. Airport pick-up and drop-off were included, and the hotel also had a free shuttle that guests could use to reach some of the main tourist sights.

That made sightseeing much easier because I didn’t have to organize transportation every single time I wanted to go somewhere.

If your hotel doesn’t offer something similar, I’d definitely take location into account when booking rather than choosing somewhere purely because it’s slightly cheaper.

How Many Nights Should You Stay in Brunei?

For a first trip, I don’t think you need a huge amount of time in Brunei.

If you’re mainly visiting Bandar Seri Begawan and seeing the main sights, a few nights is enough for most travelers.

For a short stay, I’d definitely prioritize being central so you’re not wasting time getting around.

If you’re staying longer or specifically want a more relaxed trip, then somewhere like Gadong, Kiulap or even a resort stay in Jerudong becomes more realistic.

Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Brunei

For my own trip, staying in Bandar Seri Begawan was definitely the right choice.

I stayed at The Capital Residence Suites, and the combination of a central location, included breakfast, airport pick-up and drop-off, and the free hotel shuttle made it incredibly convenient for a short trip.

If I were visiting Brunei again for sightseeing, I’d still stay centrally.

For a different type of trip, though, I’d look at Gadong or Kiulap for more restaurants and shopping, or Jerudong if I specifically wanted a luxury resort experience.

Ultimately, the best place to stay in Brunei depends more on the type of trip you’re planning than on finding one single “best” hotel.

I’d use these instead of the three repetitive old ending sections.

Read My Other Brunei Guides

Is Brunei Worth Visiting? My Experience Visiting One of the World’s Least-Visited Countries

Is Brunei Safe for Solo Female Travelers? My Experience as a Woman Traveling Alone

Best Time to Visit Brunei: What to Expect Each Season (2026)

How Many Days in Brunei Do You Need? My Honest Opinion After Visiting

Brunei Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Days in Bandar Seri Begawan

Things to Do in Brunei: Best Places to Visit in Bandar Seri Begawan

Brunei Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting

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