Kunyit 7 Lodge

We spent four nights here and felt right at home. Most evenings we sat on the veranda watching the Brunei night sky. Thanks so much for being such a welcoming host, Kem. We'll miss you and all the cats, especially Buyoung.

Kem was a kind, friendly, passionate, and resourceful hostess during my two-night stay. She has great connections and introduced me to a travel agent for a day tour of Ulu Temburong National Park and a river trip to see the mangrove forest and proboscis monkey. The homestay's three co-hosts are Kem's cute cats, who wander freely around the house. I'm grateful for the stay and would highly recommend it if you'd like to experience living on the water. :)

The quiet veranda had wonderful evening views, and water taxis from right in front of the lodge made it easy and cheap to reach the rest of the capital. Staying in Brunei's traditional water settlement gave us a deeper feel for the destination and local life. Host Kem and family were wonderfully hospitable, and the room and bathrooms were clean, comfortable, and functional.

I wish I'd stayed at Kem's place for my whole trip. I was there for a couple of days, and the house is beautiful, comfy, and homey. I kept admiring the artwork and the thoughtful aesthetic. Kem's three cats, counters, bu yong and flea, are lovely too. Her son Martin is wonderful to talk to and always helps her out. Since I rented a car, Kem suggested lots of interesting places to visit, including spots I probably wouldn't have found by just googling "places to visit in brunei". I really appreciated that. If you can drive, I recommend renting a car. It's really cheap, makes it much easier to reach places, and Brunei is a great, safe place to drive. Kem also asked a friend to take me on a hike I was really hoping to do. I'm so glad I got to meet her and try her recommendations. A 10/10 stay, and I'd 100% stay with Kem again when I'm back in Brunei. :'))