Sultan Of Brunei's Hotel Empire: Where Is It?

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, owns nine luxury hotels outside of Brunei through the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA). The Dorchester Collection, established in 2006, manages these hotels, which include The Dorchester and 45 Park Lane in London, Coworth Park in Ascot, La Meurice in Paris, Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris, Hotel Eden in Rome, Hotel Principe de Savoia in Milan, the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, and Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. The implementation of Sharia law in Brunei, which includes death by stoning and severing of limbs for crimes such as abortions, adultery, and homosexual acts, has sparked international controversy and calls for boycotts of the Sultan's hotels.

The Dorchester, London

The Dorchester in London is one of the nine hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, via the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA). The BIA is an arm of the Ministry of Finance of Brunei. The Dorchester is part of the Dorchester Collection, which was established in 2006 to manage several luxury hotels in Europe and the United States. The Dorchester Collection owns and manages ten five-star luxury hotels, a mix of wholly-owned and part-owned hotels.

The Dorchester was bought by the Sultan in 1987 and then transferred to the ownership of the BIA in 1991. The Dorchester Group Ltd., which owns the Dorchester Collection, was established in 1996 as the Audley Group to manage the Dorchester and the Beverly Hills Hotel under one company. The Dorchester Collection has since expanded to include several other luxury hotels, including 45 Park Lane in London, Coworth Park in southwest of London, and Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris.

The Dorchester, located in the heart of London's Mayfair, is a prestigious and iconic hotel known for its luxury and elegance. It has been a popular choice for celebrities, business travellers, and tourists alike. The hotel offers a range of amenities and services, including fine dining restaurants, a spa, and luxurious accommodations. It is also known for its architectural design and has become a landmark in the city.

However, the Dorchester has faced controversy due to its association with the Sultan of Brunei. In 2014, the Sultan implemented a Sharia law penal code in Brunei that includes harsh punishments such as death by stoning, severing of limbs, and flogging for crimes such as abortions, adultery, and homosexual acts. This led to widespread protests and calls for boycotts of the Dorchester and other hotels owned by the Sultan. Celebrities such as George Clooney, Elton John, and Ellen DeGeneres have been vocal supporters of the boycott, urging people to stand against the anti-LGBTQ laws and human rights abuses in Brunei.

Despite the backlash and international outcry, the Sultan initially stood firm on enforcing the laws. However, in May 2019, following continued pressure and boycotts, the Sultan backtracked on enforcing the death penalty for gay sex and adultery. The controversy surrounding the Dorchester highlights the complex ethical considerations that arise when businesses are owned by governments or individuals with controversial policies or beliefs.

45 Park Lane, London

45 Park Lane in London is one of nine hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, via the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA). The Dorchester Collection, established in 2006, manages these hotels, which include:

• The Dorchester, London
• The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills
• Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles
• Hotel Plaza Athenee, Paris
• Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan
• Coworth Park, Ascot, UK
• La Meurice, Paris, France
• Hotel Eden, Rome, Italy

The Sultan's implementation of a strict form of Islamic Sharia Law in 2014, which included death by stoning, severing of limbs, and flogging for abortions, adultery, homosexual acts, and theft, sparked international controversy and calls for boycotts of his hotels.

Celebrities such as George Clooney, Elton John, and Ellen DeGeneres have been vocal supporters of the boycott, urging the public to stand against the anti-LGBTQ+ laws and discrimination in Brunei. Despite this, some, like Russell Crowe and Kim Kardashian, have spoken out against the boycott, expressing concern for the employees of the hotels.

The Dorchester Collection has responded to the boycotts, stating that they "understand people's anger and frustration but [believe] 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."

The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills

The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills is one of nine luxury hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, via the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA). The BIA is an arm of the Ministry of Finance of Brunei. The hotel was bought by the Sultan in 1987 and then transferred to the ownership of the BIA in 1991. The Dorchester Collection was established in 2006 to manage the hotels owned by the BIA.

The Beverly Hills Hotel has been the site of many celebrity functions and is a popular spot for Hollywood events during awards season. However, due to the implementation of Sharia law in Brunei, which includes death by stoning, severing of limbs, and flogging for crimes such as abortions, adultery, and homosexual acts, there have been calls for boycotts of the hotel. In 2014, a United States national LGBT advocacy organization, the Gill Action Fund, canceled its reservation for a conference at the hotel, and fashion designers Brian Atwood and Peter Som called for wider protests, urging the fashion industry to boycott all hotels owned by the Dorchester Collection.

The hotel management responded by asserting that it does not discriminate based on sexual orientation. However, the protests and boycotts have continued, with celebrities such as George Clooney, Elton John, and Ellen DeGeneres speaking out against the laws in Brunei and asking their followers to boycott the hotel. In 2019, Clooney wrote in a column that:

> "On this particular 3 April, the nation of Brunei will begin stoning and whipping to death any of its citizens that are proved to be gay. Let that sink in. In the onslaught of news where we see the world backsliding into authoritarianism, this stands alone. Are we really going to help fund the murder of innocent citizens?"

The boycotts have had a significant impact on the hotel, with more than $2 million worth of events being canceled as of May 2014. However, there have also been people speaking out against the protests and boycotts, including Russell Crowe and Kim Kardashian, who argue that it is unfair to punish the employees of the hotel.

Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles

The Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles is one of nine hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, via the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA). The BIA is an arm of the Ministry of Finance of Brunei. The Dorchester Collection was established in 2006 to manage these hotels.

The Hotel Bel-Air is a luxury hotel in Los Angeles, California. It is one of two hotels owned by the Sultan in the city, the other being the Beverly Hills Hotel. The Hotel Bel-Air is a favourite of Hollywood stars and other celebrities and has been for decades. It is part of the Dorchester Collection, which includes other luxury hotels such as The Dorchester in London, 45 Park Lane in London, and the Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris.

In 2019, the Sultan of Brunei introduced a strict form of Islamic Sharia law, which included the death penalty by stoning for homosexuality and adultery. This led to widespread boycotts of the Hotel Bel-Air and other hotels owned by the Sultan, with celebrities such as George Clooney, Elton John, and Ellen DeGeneres speaking out against the laws and calling for boycotts. Clooney, in a column for Deadline, wrote:

> "On this particular 3 April, the nation of Brunei will begin stoning and whipping to death any of its citizens that are proved to be gay. Let that sink in. In the onslaught of news where we see the world backsliding into authoritarianism, this stands alone. Are we really going to help fund the murder of innocent citizens?"

The boycott was supported by the city of Los Angeles, with L.A. city leaders announcing they would implement formal measures to steer people away from the Hotel Bel-Air and the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Hotel Plaza Athenee, Paris

The Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris is one of nine luxury hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, via the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA). The BIA is an arm of the Ministry of Finance of Brunei.

The Hotel Plaza Athenee is located in the heart of Paris' upscale Avenue Montaigne shopping district, just steps away from the Champs-Élysées. The hotel is known for its elegant architecture and luxurious accommodations. It offers guests a range of amenities, including a spa, a fitness centre, and fine dining options. The hotel's rooms and suites are decorated in a classic French style, featuring luxurious fabrics and furnishings.

In 2019, the hotel became the subject of controversy when the Sultan of Brunei announced the implementation of a strict form of Islamic Sharia law in the country. This law imposed harsh penalties for homosexuality and adultery, including death by stoning. In response, celebrities such as George Clooney, Elton John, and Ellen DeGeneres called for a boycott of all hotels owned by the Sultan, including the Hotel Plaza Athenee. Many businesses and organisations joined the boycott, and some banks even banned their employees from staying at the hotels.

Despite the backlash and widespread condemnation of the Sultan's decision, the Hotel Plaza Athenee remains a popular destination for travellers seeking luxury accommodations in Paris. The hotel has a long history of hosting Hollywood stars and other celebrities, and its reputation for opulence and sophistication continues to attract guests from around the world.

The Hotel Plaza Athenee's association with the Sultan of Brunei has brought attention to the complex ethical considerations of international travel and has sparked important conversations about human rights and the role of businesses in addressing these issues.

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