The Rizqun International Hotel

The Rizqun International anchors Gadong, the commercial heart of Brunei's capital, rising directly above The Mall—the country's busiest shopping centre—and a short walk from the famous Gadong night market, where the city comes to eat after dark. For travellers who want Brunei's daily life at the doorstep rather than resort seclusion, it is the most convenient address in town.

Rooms are large and conservatively elegant, with marble bathrooms and city or hill views, and service carries the unhurried courtesy that characterises Brunei. The club floors add lounge privileges that suit the hotel's steady diet of business and government visitors, while direct mall access makes wet-season days easy.

The rooftop pool and gym are modest but well kept, and the hotel's restaurants—led by a generous international buffet and Malay and Chinese cooking—are reliably strong by local standards, though, as everywhere in Brunei, alcohol-free. The mosque-studded waterfront, Kampong Ayer water village and Royal Regalia Museum are ten minutes away by car. As a comfortable, well-run city base, the Rizqun is Bandar Seri Begawan's most complete hotel.