721 Government Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1W5 Canada
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What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About
#24 of 46 hotels in Victoria
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
4.5
Service
4.5
Value
3.8
Travelers' Choice
GreenLeaders Gold level
Regarded as a Condé Nast Readers' Choice and Gold List hotel, and honoured with the Travel + Leisure distinction as a top Canadian hotel, the Fairmont Empress graces Victoria's sparkling Inner Harbour with an iconic presence. The Fairmont Empress, Victoria B.C.’s most iconic hotel, has just unveiled a $60 million dollar restoration.This luxury hotel offers 464 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, and expansive meeting and wedding space adjacent to the conference centre. Located on the picturesque West Coast of Canada, this is the ideal location to explore all the natural beauty of Vancouver Island.
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Property amenities
Electric vehicle charging station
Free internet
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Babysitting
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Valet parking
Paid private parking on-site
Wifi
Paid wifi
Hot tub
Pool / beach towels
Indoor pool
Heated pool
Fitness / spa locker rooms
Sauna
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Special diet menus
Kids club
Airport transportation
Taxi service
Business Center with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Full body massage
Massage
Salon
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Currency exchange
Gift shop
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Shops
Butler service
Doorperson
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Allergy-free room
Air conditioning
Additional bathroom
Desk
Housekeeping
Coffee / tea maker
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Room service
Safe
Iron
Wake-up service / alarm clock
On-demand movies
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Room types
Ocean view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Smoking rooms available
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Luxury
Historic Hotel
Languages Spoken
English, French, Chinese
Location
Full view
100Great for walkers
Grade: 100 out of 100
166Restaurantswithin 0.3 miles
70Attractionswithin 0.3 miles
Contact
721 Government Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1W5 Canada
Getting there
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5092Reviews44Q+A100Room tips
Reviews
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Most Recent
We stayed six nights. The hotel itself is magnificent. The staff is friendly, accommodating and relaxed. We were met by a young woman on her break; she helped us with our luggage and guided us to the reception area. It was the perfect start to a perfect stay. She set a high standard of expectation; the rest of the staff met that standard as well.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Bad service at the restaurant with long waiting lists for breakfast and diner. Also there are items not available on the breakfast menu. The luggage service at departure was not on time. We had to rush to catch the taxi. This is not the service at the level of a 5 star hotel.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We have stayed in hotels throughout North America and Europe. I have never experienced such a level of care and attention to detail. All the staff, from the reception, concierge, cleaning, and restaurants exuded pleasantness and cordiality. All of our needs were met with speed and effectiveness. Our fantastic corner room provided a view of both the parliament building and the marina. The food and drinks were top-notch, better by far than some very highly rated local restaurants. I strongly suggest taking the time to eat at The Veranda, the Empress outside patio. Our only regret is the brevity of our stay. There is no question that when we come back to Victoria we will be booking the Empress. I would like to once again thank Mitchell Hughes and the wonderful staff for such an incredible stay.…
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Date of stay: August 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Fairmont Empress, General Manager at Fairmont Empress
Responded 4 days ago
We look forward to your return and thank you very much for the wonderful review. We sincerely appreciate your comments.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Spent two nights at Fairmont Empress. Really impressive how Fairmont has maintained this historic property that opened in 1908. The only thing that was disappointing was there was no hot water for showers at 6:00pm. Hotel appeared nearly full so I guess everyone was showering for dinner. Afternoon tea was a lot of fun. Light dinner on the Veranda at sunset was delightful. Within walking distance of Victoria harbor and other points of interest.. We especially liked Winston the yellow lab although he was really most interested in staff with a treat.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: try for a harbor view room, but be willing to pay for it.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Fairmont Empress, General Manager at Fairmont Empress
Responded 4 days ago
Our apologies for the water issue you encountered. I have forwarded your feedback to our Director of Engineering for follow up. We are so pleased you enjoyed your stay. Thank you!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Location could not be more beautiful and walkable. Food was wonderful, afternoon Tea was delightful and delicious. Rooms are nicely furnished and very clean. Worth it for a night or two, more if you can afford it.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Ask for Harbor View room, worth the extra cost.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Fairmont Empress, General Manager at Fairmont Empress
Responded 4 days ago
Thank you kindly for the lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your visit and we look forward to your return.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
At least it was gorgeous, before they "renovated" it. I can't believe they cut those gorgeous trees in front of the hotel down. They were what made this hotel the Empress. Been there several times, but will not go back after they cannibalized the Exterior and the Interior. Remember people: a good renovation should not change the ambiance of the existing place. So disappointed!
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Date of stay: September 2021
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Fairmont Empress, General Manager at Fairmont Empress
Responded 1 week ago
We are sorry that your experience was not as anticipated, and do hope that you will return some day.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Fairmont was one of the major reason for our most satisfying vacation in Canada. The reception was polite and positive for extra discounts at our requests, for an online matching deal, which otherwise also was a decent package. The concierge was very helpful for and shared her personal experiences for the Whale watching. The onward journey bookings were scrutinized for us for the best ticketing deals.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: The junior king suites were quite spacy and comfortable.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Fairmont Empress, General Manager at Fairmont Empress
Responded 1 week ago
Thank you for your lovely comments. Whale watching is an amazing adventure to experience while in Victoria.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Beautiful hotel in a wonderful location. Food, beverages, and service was very good. High Tea was a great experience. We utilized Valet parking without any incident. We will definitely return in the future.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Fairmont Empress, General Manager at Fairmont Empress
Responded 1 week ago
We are delighted to read your lovely feedback. We look forward to welcoming you again sometime.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed with you at the Fairmont Empress in order to attend the Pride and Prejudice Midsummers Ball. The hotel and location are beautiful, from the Restaurant to the Crystal Ballroom. The staff at the hotel were also extremely friendly and accommodating. That said, I don't believe it's worth the money. We ordered room service as we needed to get dressed and ready for the evening ball, and the food was mediocre at best - underseasoned and undercooked in some cases. My wife and I made a pact to never order room service again, with the exception of beverages. We stayed in a standard Fairmont King room, costing close to $600 per night. The room was nice. Nothing fancy, nothing extravagant... Just nice. I have no complaints about it at all - It was clean and functional, but again, not worth the price. Had I known this, I would have spent the extra money on a better room. In my honest opinion, if you're going to stay here, spend the extra money on a "fancier" room, or better yet, find a beautiful Boutique Hotel and save yourself some money.…
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Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Fairmont Empress, General Manager at Fairmont Empress
Responded 2 weeks ago
Thank you for providing your feedback. The Pride and Prejudice event sounded wonderful. I will share your feedback regarding the food quality with Chef.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is an old building that has been renovated. It is really quite beautiful. The hotel is very well situated in the heart of downtown Victoria. It was very simple to walk to our pick of shops and restaurants as well as the museam and the parliament buildings.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled on business
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Fairmont Empress, General Manager at Fairmont Empress
Responded 2 weeks ago
Our location is truly superb and within walking distance to so many venues. We hope we shall welcome you back again soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
$326 - $540 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the fairmont empress hotel victoria, fairmont hotel victoria, fairmont hotel empress, empress hotel victoria, fairmont victoria, victoria fairmont, fairmont empress hotel
LOCATION
CanadaBritish ColumbiaVancouver IslandVictoria Capital Regional DistrictVictoriaDowntown
NUMBER OF ROOMS
464
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Fairmont Empress
Which popular attractions are close to Fairmont Empress?
Nearby attractions include Axe and Grind (0.1 miles), Russell Books (0.2 miles), and Inner Harbour (0.06 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Fairmont Empress?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an indoor pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Fairmont Empress?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Fairmont Empress?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Fairmont Empress?
Yes, paid private parking on-site, paid public parking nearby, and paid public parking on-site are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Fairmont Empress?
Conveniently located restaurants include Legislative Dining Room, Finn's, and Fishhook.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Fairmont Empress?
Yes, guests have access to an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a sauna during their stay.
Does Fairmont Empress have airport transportation?
Yes, Fairmont Empress offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Fairmont Empress?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are pets allowed at Fairmont Empress?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does Fairmont Empress offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business center, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.