Fairmont Empress Hotel, Victoria - Reviews, Room Options & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

721 Government Street, Victoria, Canada, V8W 1W5

“Staying here was perfect; everything I wanted was within walking distance!”view full review

The 5-star Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria's Inner Harbor combines historic grandeur with modern luxury, featuring the award-winning Willow Stream Spa and a century-old afternoon tea tradition served on Queen Elizabeth II's gifted china.

Island-Inspired Luxury Rooms

Elegant rooms at Fairmont showcase Vancouver Island-inspired décor with modern marble bathrooms and rainfall showers. Each accommodation features harbor or city views, with the exclusive Gold Floor offering complimentary breakfast and evening cocktail canapés.

Local Culinary Excellence

Q at the Empress delivers Pacific Northwest cuisine under Executive Chef Morgan Wilson's 30-year expertise, utilizing local ingredients from seafood to vegetables. The signature afternoon tea service presents house-made strawberry jam using local berries and honey from rooftop hives.

Spa and Event Venues

The Willow Stream Spa offers signature West Coast treatments, including the Salish Sea Vitality with seaweed scrub and sea kelp massage. The Crystal Ballroom features turn-of-the-century vaulted ceilings and antique chandeliers.

Central Harbor Location

The Fairmont Empress positions guests within 0.3 miles of British Columbia Parliament Buildings and Miniature World. The Royal BC Museum stands 0.3 miles away.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Deluxe Room One Queen Bed Harbour View

Max:

2 persons

32 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Coffee machine

room details

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One Bedroom King Suite Harbour View

Max:

2 persons

51 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Coffee machine

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Executive Suite Two Queen Beds City View

Max:

2 persons

54 m²

Bed options:

2 Double beds

Coffee machine

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

A guide to all available transportation options

City Centre

Victoria800 m

Airports

Victoria Inner Harbour (YWH)500 m

Victoria (YYJ) 26.4 km

Facilities

Experience a variety of amenities at the boutique hotel, crafted to ensure your comfort and unforgettable moments

Really good Dining Experience

“During my stay, I had the pleasure of dining at Q restaurant, where Joseph, my server, provided the best service I've ever experienced. He was kind and genuine, making our meals truly nice. The food was top-tier, and it added significantly to my overall experience.” view full review

Relaxing Spa Time

“I loved spending time at the heated pool, which was impeccably clean and a fantastic perk during my visit. It provided a great space to unwind after a long day of sightseeing, and I appreciated how well-maintained the exercise room was as well.” view full review

Gold Room Delight

“I stayed in a gold room with lounge access. The room, though small, was beautifully appointed with a king-sized bed. It was well-decorated, making me feel comfortable and pampered throughout my stay, especially with the partial sea view it offered.” view full review

High Tea and More

“One of the highlights of my trip was the traditional high tea, which was running exceptionally well, even with the hotel being busy. It was an experience I truly enjoyed, and it's something I would recommend everyone to try when visiting the Fairmont Empress.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Locker room
Allergy-free rooms
Lift
Currency exchange
ATM/Cash machine
Barber shop
Vending machines
Smoke detectors
Electric vehicle charging station
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Cycling

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Valet parking
Pet amenities available
Room service
Housekeeping
Car hire
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Special diet menus

Business

Business centre
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Babysitting/Child services
Children's menu
Children's pool

Spa & Leisure

Indoor swimming pool
Sun loungers
Garden area
Spa & wellness centre
Sauna
Steam room
Jacuzzi
Massage

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
Direct dial telephone
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

721 Government Street, Victoria, Canada, V8W 1W5

Map view

721 Government Street, Victoria, Canada, V8W 1W5

City landmarks

Park

Beacon Hill Park

1.6 km

Castle

Craigdarroch Castle

2.3 km

Park

Fisherman's Wharf Park

1.4 km

Museum

Helmcken House

630 m

Stadium

Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

1.5 km

Landmark

The Maritime Museum of British Columbia

1.1 km

Landmark

Chinatown

1.0 km

Church

St Andrew's Cathedral

820 m

Landmark

Craigflower Manor and Schoolhouse

1.5 km

Public Building

Victoria City Hall

1.1 km

Landmark

Black Ball Ferry Line

710 m

Landmark

Old Town

630 m

Landmark

Terry Fox Statue

1.5 km

Landmark

Fan Tan Alley

920 m

Church

Christ Church Cathedral

890 m

Garden

Government House

2.4 km

Museum

Emily Carr House

910 m

Landmark

Point Ellice House

2.4 km

Nearby

Museum

Royal BC Museum

370 m

Public Building

British Columbia Parliament Buildings

310 m

Victoria

Inner Harbour

150 m

Museum

Miniature World

300 m

Zoo

Victoria Bug Zoo

360 m

Victoria

Government Street

310 m

Square

Bastion Square

510 m

Shopping Area

The Bay Centre

520 m

St-Ann's Academy Office 835 Humboldt St 2nd Floor

St. Ann's Academy National Historic Site

560 m

Gallery

Bateman Foundation Gallery of Nature

340 m

Government Street and Belleville Street

Emily Carr Statue

130 m

Victoria

Wharf Street

510 m

Restaurants

Q at The Empress

20 m

721 Government St The Fairmont Empress

The Tea Lobby

30 m

721 Government St

The Old Spaghetti Factory

330 m

703 Douglas Street

10 Acres Bistro Bar

300 m

611 Courtney St

Browns Socialhouse

360 m

809 Douglas St

Red Fish Blue Fish

480 m

1006 Wharf St

Cora

420 m

850 Douglas St Unit 150

Milano

220 m

817 Government St

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

60%

enjoyed the hotel and would happily stay again

6.0/10

Guest rating

Rooms

7.8

Location

9.6

Service

7.8

Dining

6.8

4/5 based on 5060 reviews

#23 of 45 hotels in Victoria based on Tripadvisor

Jesse

United States, March 2025

5.6/10

Staying at the Fairmont Empress was quite the experience! The historic charm and beautiful location by Victoria Harbour were definite highlights. However, I did encounter some bumps, like a health club that's not quite up to par and a few service hiccups at check-in. Overall, it's a lovely spot, but it has room for improvement.

Rooms

7.0

My room was good-sized but needed better views. The dog-friendly amenities were a nice touch, especially the cozy dog bed for my pup. However, the room had a small window that didn't allow for much of a view, which was a letdown for the price I paid.

Service

6.0

While some staff were friendly, I ran into issues with check-in and room keys not working right. A bit more attention to detail from the front desk team could make all the difference. There were a couple of staff members who went above and beyond, but the overall service felt a bit inconsistent.

Location

10.0

The location is central and perfect for exploring Victoria, right across from the harbor. I loved being able to walk around and enjoy the gardens. It's tough to beat this spot, making it ideal for a quick getaway.

Dining

7.0

Dining at the Empress had its ups and downs. The Gold Lounge breakfast was private and enjoyable, but my high tea experience was disappointing. The service felt rushed, and the food wasn't nice despite the expectations.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel has impressive facilities, but the health club was lacking due to the hot tub being out of service during my stay. The pool area was busy with families, so I wasn't able to enjoy it as much as I wanted. I appreciated the pet amenities available, though.

Mark

United States, February 2025

6.8/10

I had a lovely stay at the Fairmont Empress with beautiful views and friendly staff, though some amenities were limited during my visit. The location overlooking the harbor is a major plus, but the room I stayed in felt a bit cramped. Dining options could be better, but the breakfast was quite good and the afternoon tea stood out.

Rooms

8.0

I stayed in a gold room which had a king-sized bed taking up most of the space, leaving it a bit small for my taste. The partial sea view was nice, but I noticed the HVAC was very noisy at night.

Service

10.0

The staff was super attentive and friendly, especially the valet and night floor attendant. They really went above and beyond for us, which made the experience much nicer.

Location

10.0

The hotel's location is lovely, right on the inner harbor and close to all the major sights, which was a huge benefit during my stay.

Dining

7.0

Dining was hit or miss; the breakfast was great, but I found dinner at the Q restaurant a bit overpriced and the menu didn't appeal much. Afternoon tea, however, was good.

Facilities

7.0

There were some facilities like the library and the Bengal Room that were closed during my stay, which was a letdown. The pool area was nice and had a good vibe though.

Alan

United States, February 2025

6.0/10

My stay at the Fairmont Empress was truly good, with stunning views of the Inner Harbour and great access to local attractions. The room was spacious and comfortable, although some amenities could use a little improvement. I highly recommend the high tea experience-it's a must-do! Overall, the location and ambiance made up for a few minor issues.

Rooms

9.0

My junior suite was fantastic with beautiful views and a cozy fireplace, but I found the bathroom design a bit outdated.

Service

8.0

The staff were incredibly helpful, especially with booking tours and addressing concerns, though there were occasional mix-ups with our requests.

Location

10.0

The location was perfect; right on the waterfront and close to downtown attractions like shops and restaurants.

Dining

7.0

Dining at the Empress was enjoyable, but keep in mind that it might be pricey and slow if you're in a hurry.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel had great amenities like a lovely lounge and beautiful gardens, although some areas need updates.

Oliver

United States, January 2025

7.0/10

I had an enjoyable stay at the Fairmont Empress, mainly due to its prime location and charming ambiance. The hotel is truly steeped in history, which adds to its allure. While my room had its flaws-like a small bathroom that made it tough to fit two people's toiletries-it was offset by the great service I received. Overall, it's a lovely spot, but just be prepared for some quirks.

Rooms

8.0

My Fairmont City View room was cozy, but the bathroom felt cramped with barely any space for two people's toiletries. I appreciated the architectural touches, but it could've been roomier.

Service

9.0

The staff was incredibly helpful and friendly, ready to assist with all my questions about local activities. Their attentiveness added a personal touch to my stay.

Location

10.0

You couldn't beat the location-everything I wanted to explore was just a short walk away, making it super convenient for sightseeing. The grounds around the hotel were also a delight to stroll through.

Dining

8.0

I enjoyed the world-famous tea service, although I had a bit of trouble with room service. The menu options felt a bit odd for dinner, but overall, the food quality was good.

Facilities

9.0

The hotel has fantastic amenities, including a lovely spa and a welcoming bar area. There's plenty available, which made my stay that much more comfortable.

Jeff

United States, October 2024

5.4/10

I had a mixed experience at the Fairmont Empress. The charming location right on the harbor made it easy to explore Victoria, and the room was clean and comfortable, but I found the bathroom quite tiny. Additionally, the service was unremarkable; there were times when I felt it could have been more attentive, especially given the hotel's reputation. Overall, it was decent, but not excellent.

Rooms

7.0

The room was clean and comfortable, though the bathroom was extremely small, leaving little space for my toiletries.

Service

6.0

The service was okay, but I felt it was more average than really good, with some moments of inattentiveness.

Location

8.0

The location was perfect, right on the harbor front with easy access to shops and restaurants.

Dining

5.0

I found the dining options to be underwhelming for a hotel of this caliber. The food lacked the special touch I had hoped for.