Brunei's Hotel Industry: Who Owns The Properties?

The nation of Brunei, officially known as the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, has come under fire in recent years for its harsh anti-LGBTQ laws. In 2019, the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, imposed Sharia Law, which included death by stoning, severing of limbs, and flogging for crimes such as abortions, adultery, and homosexual acts. This led to widespread boycotts of Brunei-owned luxury hotels around the world, including The Dorchester and 45 Park Lane in London, and The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. Celebrities such as George Clooney, Elton John, and Ellen DeGeneres led the calls for boycotts, urging people to raise their voices and spread the word. The hotels, owned by the Brunei Investment Agency, a state-owned investment arm of the Ministry of Finance of Brunei, faced intense backlash, with many deactivating their social media accounts due to the personal abuse directed at their employees.

The Brunei Investment Agency owns the Dorchester Collection

The Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) is a government-owned corporation that reports to the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Brunei. It was established in 1983 and is headquartered at the Ministry of Finance HQ in Bandar Seri Begawan. The BIA was set up to hold and manage the General Reserve Fund of the Government and all its external assets. It also controls and manages Brunei's general reserve funds and the growth of external holdings, including the country's income from oil exports.

The BIA owns the Dorchester Collection, a portfolio of luxury hotels established in 1996. The Dorchester Collection manages 9-10 luxury hotels, including a mix of wholly-owned and part-owned properties. The hotels in the collection are:

• The Dorchester, London
• 45 Park Lane, London
• Coworth Park, southwest of London
• Plaza Athénée, Paris
• Principe di Savoia, Milan
• The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills
• Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles
• Le Meurice, Paris
• Le Richemond, Geneva

The Dorchester Collection also has a property in Tokyo, Japan, set to open in 2028.

The BIA's ownership of the Dorchester Collection has raised concerns due to the implementation of Sharia law in Brunei. In April 2014, the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, introduced a penal code that includes death by stoning, severing of limbs, and flogging for crimes such as abortions, adultery, and homosexual acts. This led to protests and calls for boycotts of the Dorchester Collection hotels by LGBT advocacy organizations and celebrities. However, there have also been voices opposing the protests, arguing that it is unfair to punish the employees of the hotels.

The Dorchester Collection manages 9 luxury hotels

The Dorchester Collection is a luxury hotel operator owned by the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA), an arm of the Ministry of Finance of Brunei. The Dorchester Collection manages nine luxury hotels, which are a mix of wholly owned and part-owned hotels. The Dorchester Collection was established in 2006 to manage several luxury hotels in Europe and the United States. The Dorchester Collection is committed to making a difference and actively demonstrates corporate responsibility through fair treatment of its people, responsiveness to guests' needs, environmental responsibility, and ethical business practices.

The Dorchester Collection's hotels are steeped in history and provide a special alchemy created between their unique hotels and the remarkable people who inhabit them. The hotels offer unforgettable experiences, with spacious suites featuring picturesque gardens, grand pianos, private swimming pools, and roof terraces with panoramic views. Each hotel possesses a distinctive narrative that continues to evolve, offering guests a unique journey of discovery.

The Dorchester Collection's properties include iconic destinations such as The Dorchester and 45 Park Lane in London, Coworth Park southwest of London, Plaza Athénée in Paris, Principe di Savoia in Milan, The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, and Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. The company also has a striking building designed by Foster + Partners in Dubai, named The Lana, which celebrates the city's vibrancy and captivating vistas.

The Dorchester Collection's hotels are known for their exceptional dining experiences, featuring world-renowned chefs such as Alain Ducasse, Jean Imbert, Cédric Grolet, Tom Booton, and Adam Smith. The hotels also offer wellness journeys and elevated experiences, ensuring guests feel like the best version of themselves during their stay.

The Dorchester Collection has faced controversy due to its ownership by the Sultan of Brunei, who implemented Sharia law in the country, including punishments such as death by stoning and severing of limbs for crimes such as abortions, adultery, and homosexual acts. This led to protests and boycotts by various organisations and individuals, who disagreed with the laws and called for a stand against the Brunei government. However, there were also voices against the boycotts, arguing that it unfairly punished the employees of the hotels.

Celebrities boycott Brunei-owned hotels over anti-LGBT laws

In 2019, Brunei introduced strict new laws that made gay sex and adultery punishable by death. This triggered an outcry from countries, rights groups, and celebrities far beyond the tiny Southeast Asian nation's shores. In response, celebrities such as George Clooney, Elton John, and Ellen DeGeneres called for a boycott of nine hotels in the US and Europe with ties to Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. These hotels are owned by the Dorchester Collection, a luxury hotel operator owned by the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA), an arm of the Ministry of Finance of Brunei.

The hotels include some of the most exclusive in the world, such as the Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, the Dorchester in London, and the Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris. In a column published on Deadline, Clooney wrote, "Let's be clear, every single time we stay at or take meetings at or dine at any of these nine hotels, we are putting money directly into the pockets of men who choose to stone and whip to death their own citizens for being gay or accused of adultery."

The boycott has had a significant impact, with many individuals and organizations choosing to cancel events and reservations at the affected hotels. In addition, the social media accounts of these hotels have become inaccessible following online criticism, and review sites like TripAdvisor have banned reviews for the hotels on their platforms. The boycott has also spread to other industries, with Virgin Australia ending a deal with Royal Brunei Airlines, and STA Travel taking a stance against the airline.

While some have criticized the boycott, arguing that it will only hurt the hotel staff and not the Sultan of Brunei, others have defended it as a necessary stand against human rights violations. The United Nations has also condemned the laws, with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, calling them cruel and inhumane punishments that breach international human rights law.

In response to the boycotts, the Dorchester Collection released a statement saying, "We understand people's anger and frustration, but this is a political and religious issue that we don't believe should be played out in our hotels and amongst our 3,630 employees." However, due to the backlash, the Sultan of Brunei backtracked on enforcing the laws in May 2019.

Sharia law in Brunei punishes homosexuality with death by stoning

In 2019, Brunei introduced Sharia law, which punishes homosexuality with death by stoning. This law was enacted by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, who is one of the world's richest leaders with a personal wealth of about $20 billion. The law has sparked international condemnation, with many celebrities and human rights groups calling for a boycott of Brunei-owned hotels.

The implementation of Sharia law in Brunei is not a new development. In 2014, the country first introduced Sharia law, despite widespread condemnation. This initial introduction gave Brunei a dual legal system with both Sharia and Common Law. At the time, the Sultan stated that the new penal code would be fully implemented over several years. The first phase, covering crimes punishable by prison sentences and fines, was implemented in 2014. However, Brunei delayed the final two phases, which cover crimes punishable by amputation and stoning.

In March 2019, the government of Brunei announced that the Sharia penal code would be fully implemented, including the punishment of death by stoning for homosexuality and adultery. This announcement sparked outrage and condemnation from the international community, including human rights groups such as Amnesty International. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, called the laws cruel and inhumane punishments that breach international human rights law.

In response to the boycott calls, the Dorchester Collection, which operates some of the world's top hotels owned by Brunei, stated that they do not tolerate any form of discrimination. They emphasised their commitment to equality, respect, and integrity in their operations. However, celebrities such as George Clooney, Ellen DeGeneres, and Elton John have continued to call for corporate boycotts of Brunei-owned hotels.

The impact of the new penal code has been felt within Brunei's gay community, with people expressing fear and concern for their safety. One gay man stated that people are afraid to use dating apps anymore, as they might unknowingly talk to a police officer pretending to be gay. Another individual, who has renounced Islam, expressed fear and numbness in the face of the laws being implemented, feeling powerless to stop them.

While the laws have sparked international outrage and condemnation, there are varying opinions on the likelihood of their enforcement. Some believe that the strict requirements for prosecution, such as the need for four Muslim witnesses, make it very unlikely that these punishments will be carried out. However, the impact of the laws on the LGBT community in Brunei is undeniable, and the international community continues to urge the country to reverse course.

The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles is owned by Brunei

The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, California, is one of the world's most famous hotels, attracting Hollywood stars and celebrities since it opened in 1912. It is owned by the Dorchester Collection, a group of nine iconic hotels founded in 2006, which is itself owned by the Brunei Investment Agency, a sovereign wealth fund controlled by the Sultan of Brunei.

The Brunei Investment Agency was established by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, who is one of the world's richest men. The Sultan owns a number of other businesses, including an airline and a bank, as well as polo fields and properties in Kensington and Ascot. The source of his wealth is believed to be Brunei's vast oil reserves.

The Beverly Hills Hotel was first purchased by the Brunei Investment Agency in 1991 and then by the Sultan himself in 1987. It has been run as part of the Dorchester Collection since 1996. The hotel has 210 rooms and suites and 23 bungalows, and is known for its famous pink exterior. It has been the setting for several films, including "Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?", starring Dean Martin, and "California Suite".

In 2014, the Sultan of Brunei began changing the country's legal system to include aspects of Sharia law, and in particular, the persecution of homosexuals. This led to a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel, with many celebrities and organisations cancelling events and demanding refunds. The hotel management responded by asserting that it does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. Despite this, the boycott gained support from LA City leaders, who implemented measures to steer people away from the hotel.

Frequently asked questions