The Urbanite

The Urbanite has no time for nature, and he or she is not going to apologise for it. They are modern techsavvy travellers (typically millennials) looking for the next unique top to buy, the best meal to post on IG, and city hotels that can accommodate their social media needs. Brunei

Okay we hear you. When you think of big cities, neon lights and a pulsing nightlife, Brunei doesn’t come to mind. But if you’re thinking of hidden corners, trendy spots, and a community of art enthusiasts and entrepreneurs who absolutely know what’s up, then let’s consider Brunei.

First up, stay at a central location, and there’s no place we can consider a better option than Radisson Hotel Brunei, which on top of offering lush accommodations with modern amenities and fantastic service, they also have some of the best Indian food in the Sultanate (Riwaz is the only high-end Indian restaurant in Brunei) and just great food, period

(Tasek Brasserie will attest to that).

In Brunei it’s less about where it’s at, and more to do with whose Instagram you follow, and because of that, pop-up markets are hugely popular here. Make sure to follow event organisers like @thecollectiveartevents and @bigbwnproject, who always have a unique weekend market happening at different locations around Brunei. If you’re looking to view some of our local art, follow @soundncanvas, @creative.space.

brunei and @ks.bn (Kaleidoscope Studio) to see if they have an art exhibition opening up, or just visit the Royal Wharf in the city center to see what art they’ve got on display there.

All those aside, there are plenty of brick and mortar malls to visit in the country’s most populated areas, such as the Seri Q-lap Mall in Kiulap, Times Square Shopping Complex in Kg Jaya Setia, Yayasan

Shopping Complex in the city center, and the biggest one, The

Mall in Gadong. We would recommend dining at the promenade with a view of the river at One Riverside, which has a wide selection of trendy restaurants to dine in!

Sabah

Would you doubt a city that everyone in Borneo goes to for a shopping weekend? Kota Kinabalu is a city that has so much going on, all you need to do is walk from Point A to Point B and you’ll find yourself a very satisfied urbanite.

There is truly no shortage of great accommodation in downtown Kota Kinabalu, most with a fantastic sea view for a quick bit of zen before you set forth to expend some purchasing power, but we’re going to direct you to one of the newer hotels with a view. The

Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel is located smack dab in the heart of the central business district, along the city’s famed Waterfront, and its stylish rooms offers panaromic sea views – a view you really cannot put a price on. With the tranquility of the view from your room to the hustle and bustle of the district outside, it really does offer you the best of both worlds.

But lets step out of the comfortable confines of the hotel and into the city itself, and you’ll find there’s plenty to do here, most within walking distance. The magnificent glass structure that is the main entrance of Suria Sabah might be your first destination (check out the lovely graffiti art on pillars just across the road from here). From there to the large

Imago Shopping Mall, located at the other end of Jalan Tun Razak, you’ll find other distractions along the way. Step into Centre Point Sabah, Wisma Merdeka and Oceanus Waterfront Mall for other shopping complexes to visit, or just wander through buildings and check out what’s going on.

Markets are a mustvisit as well, and the Gaya Street Sunday Market,

Pasar Besar and Filipino Market are worth a look into just to engage with some of the locals and to buy a handicraft or quirky item or two.

There are also plenty of places to dine at. Laundroluxe is located along that road and is the epitome of urban chic. The humble but well-known Sri Latha Curry

House along Jalan Berjaya is a great option for delicious Indian food. But no one goes to Kota Kinabalu without sampling some of their fresh seafood, so head down to the waterfront such as the Todak Waterfront Hawker Centre for some cheap seafood with a great view!

Sarawak

There is no city quite like the Cat City. Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, is a city with people that take pride in their culture and heritage, and you’ll see this in the unmistakably unique Kuching hospitality.

It’s also a very compact city, with everything from food to sight-seeing to shopping reachable by foot or by river. Speaking of river, we suggest you get your bearings by taking a boat ride down the Sarawak

River, the center of this lovely city, and see what Kuching has to offer. You’ll see Malay villages, a Victorian fort, a golden-domed mosque, and 19th century Chinese shophouses within a backdrop of picturesque mountains and hilltops.

Then get down and head on over to the narrow streets that comprise the city centre, where you’ll find a plethora of hidden

gems. Just a walk will show you a mishmash yet seamless blend of culture, from ornate Chinese temples, some colonial-style architecture, and a number of museums like the historic Sarawak Museum.

Visit the Main Bazaar – a row of traditional shophouses that face the water, and a great place to shop for Sarawakian handicrafts. And when you’re hungry, visit Kai Joo Lane Night

Market: two rows of 32 shops offering a variety of local food.

If you’re ready for an airconditioned window shopping experience, head to the malls. Check out The Hills, the Vivacity Megamall, The Spring Shopping Mall, Plaza Merdeka and the most recently opened AEON Mall Kuching Central to get your shopping fix!

Kuching really is a kaleidoscope of new and old, and the renovated Old Court House is a prime example of this. Built in the late 19th century as an administrative centre, it now houses a café and bar, the Ranee Museum, and is a prime venue for arts and performances.