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Fairmont Empress Hotel Victoria, Victoria
139US$
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Key details
About the Hotel
721 Government Street,
Victoria,
Canada,
V8W 1W5,
British Columbia
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 0.2 miles of British Columbia Parliament Buildings and Miniature World. The Royal BC Museum stands 0.2 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
Experience a variety of amenities at the boutique hotel, crafted to ensure your comfort and unforgettable moments
Wi-Fi
Parking
CAD 35 per day
Baggage storage
Baggage storage
Locker room
24-hour services
24-hour reception
24-hour security
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
Baggage storage
Locker room
Allergy-free rooms
Elevator
Currency exchange
ATM/Cash machine
Barber shop
Vending machines
Smoke detectors
Electric vehicle charging station
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Sports & Fitness
Fitness center
Cycling
Guest Parking
Electric kettle
Services
Valet parking
Pet amenities available
Room service
Housekeeping
Car rental
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Welcome drink
Dining
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Special diet menus
Business
Business center
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying
Children
Cribs
Babysitting/Child services
Children's menu
Children's pool
Spa & Leisure
Indoor swimming pool
Sun loungers
Garden area
Spa & wellness center
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
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Location
721 Government Street,
Victoria,
Canada,
V8W 1W5,
British Columbia
Map view
721 Government Street,
Victoria,
Canada,
V8W 1W5,
British Columbia
City landmarks
Parks
Beacon Hill Park
5100 ft
Castle
Craigdarroch Castle
1.4
mi
Parks
Fisherman's Wharf Park
4600 ft
Museums
Helmcken House
2100 ft
Stadiums
Save-On-Foods Memorial Center
5100 ft
634 Humboldt St Bc
The Maritime Museum of British Columbia
3500 ft
500 Fisgard St
Chinatown
3300 ft
Church
St Andrew's Cathedral
2700 ft
800 Johnson St (Vancouver Island -- 90 minute ferry ride from Vancouver)
Craigflower Manor and Schoolhouse
4900 ft
Public Building
Victoria City Hall
3500 ft
430 Belleville St
Black Ball Ferry Line
2400 ft
Victoria
Old Town
2100 ft
20 Douglas Street Southwest end of Beacon Hill Park by Mile Zero monument.
Terry Fox Statue
5000 ft
Chinatown
Fan Tan Alley
3100 ft
Church
Christ Church Cathedral
3000 ft
Garden
Government House
1.5
mi
Museums
Emily Carr House
3000 ft
2616 Pleasant St
Point Ellice House
1.5
mi
Nearby
Museums
Royal BC Museum
1300 ft
Public Building
British Columbia Parliament Buildings
1100 ft
Victoria
Inner Harbor
500 ft
Museums
Miniature World
1000 ft
Zoo
Victoria Bug Zoo
1200 ft
Victoria
Government Street
1100 ft
Square
Bastion Square
1700 ft
Shopping Area
The Bay Centre
1800 ft
St-Ann's Academy Office 835 Humboldt St 2nd Floor
St. Ann's Academy National Historic Site
1900 ft
Gallery
Bateman Foundation Gallery of Nature
1200 ft
Government Street and Belleville Street
Emily Carr Statue
500 ft
Victoria
Wharf Street
1700 ft
Restaurants
Q at The Empress
100 ft
721 Government St The Fairmont Empress
The Tea Lobby
100 ft
721 Government St
The Old Spaghetti Factory
1100 ft
703 Douglas Street
10 Acres Bistro Bar
1000 ft
611 Courtney St
Browns Socialhouse
1200 ft
809 Douglas St
Red Fish Blue Fish
1600 ft
1006 Wharf St
Cora
1400 ft
850 Douglas St Unit 150
Milano
800 ft
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
Guest reviews
6.0/10
based on 5 reviews
4/5
based on 5060 reviews
8.9
8.9/10 based on 1256 reviews
#23 of 45 hotels in Victoria based on Tripadvisor
Jesse
United States of America,
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 of America,
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 of America,
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 of America,
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 of America,
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.
Facilities
6.0
Facilities were adequate with room service and housekeeping, but I expected more luxury amenities that weren't included.
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