LEFT MAY 1, 2010: Sheraton Utama Brunei [Master Thread]
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Programs: MR Gold, LH FTL (*S), Hyatt Plat, HH Gold, Sixt Plat
Posts: 440
LEFT MAY 1, 2010: Sheraton Utama Brunei [Master Thread]
Anyone stayed at the Sheraton Utama already? What to expect?
I booked for 3 nights in January a so called "Executive Deluxe" room - though there don't seem to be large differences between the room types? - Any upgrade to hope for as a Gold?
I booked for 3 nights in January a so called "Executive Deluxe" room - though there don't seem to be large differences between the room types? - Any upgrade to hope for as a Gold?
#2
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Programs: QF QP NB, PC Plat. Amb, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,879
Just following up on Chris26WI's enquiry, there doesn't seem to be a lot of information around about the Sheraton Utama on this board. Happy to hear about anyone's previous experiences (unfortunately the budget doesn't stretch to staying at The Empire this time in town ).
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Programs: MR Gold, LH FTL (*S), Hyatt Plat, HH Gold, Sixt Plat
Posts: 440
I was quite happy with the Sheraton Utama, especially the food was great! (Try the Sheraton burger, or what it was called.. the best I ever ate... yepp, in Brunei.. sounds strange :-) )
Rooms should be renovated now, I assume... when I stayed there, they were already renovating the top floor.
I've posted some photos here.
Rooms should be renovated now, I assume... when I stayed there, they were already renovating the top floor.
I've posted some photos here.
#4
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Programs: QF QP NB, PC Plat. Amb, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,879
Thanks for the quick response on that - certainly hope rooms have been renovated as well then, though it looks more than decent enough for the price even with those pics (I can't seem to find the sub BD$200 rates at The Empire any more unfortunately - otherwise I'd be heading there again, status or not ).
I can believe the burgers would be good at the Sheraton though, I know last time I was in Brunei my friends took me to the Sheraton for cake and it was amongst the best tasting cake I've eaten as well (certainly in South-East Asia anyway ^ ).
I can believe the burgers would be good at the Sheraton though, I know last time I was in Brunei my friends took me to the Sheraton for cake and it was amongst the best tasting cake I've eaten as well (certainly in South-East Asia anyway ^ ).
#5
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,979
Just booked an award for this property early next year.
I was almost 600 points short when I called to make my reservation.
The agent noted this, and comped me 1000 points so I could book the room.^
For the record I was more than willing to pay the $35 for the 1000 points, but she made the first offer.
I was almost 600 points short when I called to make my reservation.
The agent noted this, and comped me 1000 points so I could book the room.^
For the record I was more than willing to pay the $35 for the 1000 points, but she made the first offer.
#6
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Programs: QF QP NB, PC Plat. Amb, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,879
Just to update, I had a pleasant stay here, would certainly return if I was in Brunei again. As a SPG Gold it was the SPG floor for me, nothing much in the way of upgrades, though there was water and a fruit platter there which was nice. Rooms are nicely renovated, slightly unusual with the partition between the bed and the couch, but I liked the layout personally.
Staff were friendly, the front desk was generally thinly staffed but there wasn't much in the way of traffic through the lobby either. Pool was decent enough and the gym had a reasonable selection of equipment, some a little worn, but still servicable.
If you've got the money I'd still recommend the Empire if you're in Brunei, but the Sheraton's not too bad, and if you needed to be located in BSB itself instead of out at Jerudong then the Sheraton's definitely the best pick in town.
Staff were friendly, the front desk was generally thinly staffed but there wasn't much in the way of traffic through the lobby either. Pool was decent enough and the gym had a reasonable selection of equipment, some a little worn, but still servicable.
If you've got the money I'd still recommend the Empire if you're in Brunei, but the Sheraton's not too bad, and if you needed to be located in BSB itself instead of out at Jerudong then the Sheraton's definitely the best pick in town.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Programs: MR Gold, LH FTL (*S), Hyatt Plat, HH Gold, Sixt Plat
Posts: 440
Just to update, I had a pleasant stay here, would certainly return if I was in Brunei again. As a SPG Gold it was the SPG floor for me, nothing much in the way of upgrades, though there was water and a fruit platter there which was nice. Rooms are nicely renovated, slightly unusual with the partition between the bed and the couch, but I liked the layout personally.
Staff were friendly, the front desk was generally thinly staffed but there wasn't much in the way of traffic through the lobby either. Pool was decent enough and the gym had a reasonable selection of equipment, some a little worn, but still servicable.
If you've got the money I'd still recommend the Empire if you're in Brunei, but the Sheraton's not too bad, and if you needed to be located in BSB itself instead of out at Jerudong then the Sheraton's definitely the best pick in town.
Staff were friendly, the front desk was generally thinly staffed but there wasn't much in the way of traffic through the lobby either. Pool was decent enough and the gym had a reasonable selection of equipment, some a little worn, but still servicable.
If you've got the money I'd still recommend the Empire if you're in Brunei, but the Sheraton's not too bad, and if you needed to be located in BSB itself instead of out at Jerudong then the Sheraton's definitely the best pick in town.
#8
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Austin, TX -- AA Life Platinum; QF Life Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 5,462
We stayed at the Brunei Sheraton last month on points+cash rate. I'm no-status with SPG so we just got a regular floor, but still had the bottled water/fruit in our room. The room was nice enough, we didn't notice it much as we crashed on arriving having just flown in from the US. Breakfast buffet was BND24 ($17) each. We also went out to the Empire hotel the next afternoon, they were offering a Dorchester High Tea service for BND20, quite nice!
#9
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,681
Has anyone stayed here recently? What is the condition of the hotel?
What sorts of things did you do in the city/country?
What sorts of things did you do in the city/country?
#10
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: SKF, ROP, SPG, SL Golden Circle, Hyatt Gold Passport, Marriot
Posts: 464
It's Brunei, do not expect buzz, just enjoy the tranquility.
#11
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG Platinum/Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 124
Let's get real about Brunei
... was there last summer with my wife and daughter. There is breathtakingly little on offer for the tourist in this tiny nation. It's clean with good infrastructure and most local residents are friendly. And of course the mosques are stunning.
Otherwise there is really no 'there' there, very little to recommend this country in terms of sightseeing - it's not Singapore, Hong Kong or central Tokyo, though about the same size. AND ... wine, beer - alcohol of any description in completely unavailable for purchase ANYWHERE (including hotels) in Brunei.
Kind of puts a damper on vacation lunch and dinner times, especially when it's 95 degrees and very humid outside.
The Sheraton Utama is small but nice enough and suite upgrades are no problem for Plats. What was weird, however, was management's suprise that I was actually in Brunei - with family - on holiday. 'Why', one staff member inquired, 'did you come here'? Evidently most Platinum guests are solo males in country on business ... which makes sense as Brunei is not anything like Hawaii for families on tour.
And one more thing : Sheraton Utama GM should really introduce himself to guests. He runs a very good show but, though we ran into him in the lobby numerous times, he never once 'made our aquaintance' ... even though I'm certain he knew our name, we of the sole child resident in this modest property.
Otherwise there is really no 'there' there, very little to recommend this country in terms of sightseeing - it's not Singapore, Hong Kong or central Tokyo, though about the same size. AND ... wine, beer - alcohol of any description in completely unavailable for purchase ANYWHERE (including hotels) in Brunei.
Kind of puts a damper on vacation lunch and dinner times, especially when it's 95 degrees and very humid outside.
The Sheraton Utama is small but nice enough and suite upgrades are no problem for Plats. What was weird, however, was management's suprise that I was actually in Brunei - with family - on holiday. 'Why', one staff member inquired, 'did you come here'? Evidently most Platinum guests are solo males in country on business ... which makes sense as Brunei is not anything like Hawaii for families on tour.
And one more thing : Sheraton Utama GM should really introduce himself to guests. He runs a very good show but, though we ran into him in the lobby numerous times, he never once 'made our aquaintance' ... even though I'm certain he knew our name, we of the sole child resident in this modest property.
#12
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: New York
Programs: Bonvoy LifetimeTitanium, UA Plat 2MM, LHW LeadersClub, IHGPlat, HiltonDiamnd, ASMVPG100K, WyndDiamnd
Posts: 1,226
Well I will be there next week. Also spending a night at the Empire. Know anything about it? Think it might be the best property in Brunei. I am going on holiday. Will go to Kuching too and will be one of the first guest at the new Four Points.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG Platinum/Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 124
Nevsky
when it comes to the Empire, you will not be disappointed. The beauty - and sheer imposing scale - of this property must be seen to be believed. Aside from the mosques, a tour of this hotel was the highlight of our time in Brunei ... and evidently it's at the very top of tourist attractions in the country - everyone we met and talked with in Brunei insisted we see the Empire.
#14
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,681
choco, I really appreciate the info you are providing. How did you get to the hotel? Taxi? Hotel car?
Nevsky, I'm thinking about a night at the Empire as well. I'd love your report on it. What level room did you book? Rates appear to be heavily discounted.
Nevsky, I'm thinking about a night at the Empire as well. I'd love your report on it. What level room did you book? Rates appear to be heavily discounted.
#15
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG Platinum/Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 124
Thank you, SanDiego1K
We went to the Utama by a taxi arranged by the hotel ... very reasonable fare.
And with regards to this Sheraton property, they have an excellent breakfast buffet and truly outstanding French-style cakes on offer, which are conveniently available for take-out (and certainly a better value than comparable ones sold here in Tokyo.)
And with regards to this Sheraton property, they have an excellent breakfast buffet and truly outstanding French-style cakes on offer, which are conveniently available for take-out (and certainly a better value than comparable ones sold here in Tokyo.)