Fairmont Empress

4.5 star property

Photo gallery for Fairmont Empress

Exterior
Ocean views, serves lunch and dinner
Lobby
Lobby
Ocean views, serves lunch and dinner

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Pool
  • Breakfast available
  • Bar
  • Gym
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

Map
721 Government St, Victoria, BC, V8W1W5
  • Government Street
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Royal BC Museum
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Victoria Bug Zoo
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Victoria, BC (YWH-Victoria Inner Harbour Seaplane Base)
    ‪4 min walk‬

Room options

Fairmont Gold Deluxe City View 2 Queen

  • 35 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Fairmont Gold Deluxe Harbour View 1 King

  • 30 sq m
  • Harbor view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Fairmont Gold One Bedroom Suite City View 1 King

  • 49 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

Fairmont Harbour View 1 Queen

  • 26 sq m
  • Harbor view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Fairmont City View 1 Queen

  • 26 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Deluxe Harbour View 1 King

  • 36 sq m
  • Harbor view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe City View 1 King

  • 36 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Fairmont Gold Deluxe City View 1 King

  • 35 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Fairmont Gold, Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, City View

  • 28 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Fairmont Gold Harbour View 1 King

  • 30 sq m
  • Harbor view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Junior Suite City View 1 King

  • 42 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Fairmont Gold City View 1 King

  • 28 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Executive Suite City View 1 King

  • 44 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe City View 2 Queen

  • 31 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Fairmont City View 2 Double

  • 22 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Double Beds

One Bedroom Suite City View 1 King

  • 51 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe City View 1 Queen

  • 36 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

Fairmont City View 1 King

  • 26 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Victoria

Fairmont Empress is in the heart of Victoria, within a 5-minute walk of Maritime Museum of British Columbia and Victoria Bug Zoo. .This family-friendly hotel is 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from British Columbia Parliament Building and 0.3 mi (0.4 km) from Victoria Harbour.

What's nearby

  • Royal BC Museum - 3 min walk
  • British Columbia Parliament Building - 4 min walk
  • Victoria Harbour - 6 min walk
  • Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal - 9 min walk
  • Chinatown - 10 min walk

Getting around

  • Victoria Intl. Airport (YYJ) - 34 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Milestones - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Q Restaurant at the Empress - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Tea at the Empress - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Chocolats Favoris - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Fairmont Empress

Edwardian Victoria hotel connected to the convention center, steps from Maritime Museum of British Columbia
Fairmont Empress offers 431 air-conditioned accommodations with minibars and safes. Beds feature premium bedding. 32-inch flat-screen televisions come with cable channels and pay movies. Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers, bathrobes, slippers, and designer toiletries.

In-room wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps) is available for a surcharge. Business-friendly amenities include desks, desk chairs, and phones. Additionally, rooms include complimentary newspapers and coffee/tea makers. Hypo-allergenic bedding, change of towels, and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.

An indoor pool, a children's pool, and a hot tub are on site. Other recreational amenities include a health club and a sauna.

Children under 16 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool, health club, fitness facility, or hot tub without adult supervision.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

The onsite spa has 11 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include deep-tissue massages, hot stone massages, sports massages, and Swedish massages. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy and hydrotherapy. The spa is equipped with a sauna, a hot tub, and a steam room. The spa is open daily. Children under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa without adult supervision. Guests under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa. There are hot springs/mineral springs on site.
Make yourself at home in one of the 431 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars and flat-screen televisions. Wireless internet access (surcharge) keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature designer toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, including a health club, an indoor pool, and a hot tub. Additional features at this Edwardian hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands.
Satisfy your appetite with American cuisine at Q at the Empress, one of the hotel's 2 restaurants. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Full breakfasts are available daily from 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, limo/town car service, and express check-in. Planning an event in Victoria? This hotel has 22600 square feet (2100 square meters) of space consisting of a conference center and meeting rooms. Guests may use a cruise ship terminal shuttle for a surcharge, and self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.
Full breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 6:30 AM and 11:00 AM.
Q at the Empress - Overlooking the ocean and garden, this restaurant specializes in American cuisine and serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Guests can order drinks at the bar and enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting). A children's menu is available. Reservations are required.
Lobby Lounge - Overlooking the ocean and garden, this restaurant specializes in American cuisine and serves lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Open daily.
Q Bar - Overlooking the ocean and garden, this bar specializes in American cuisine and serves lunch, dinner, and light fare. Guests can enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting). Open daily.

Awards and affiliations

Eco-Certified Property
This property participates in Biosphere, a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.
The property is a member of Historic Hotels of the World.

Languages

Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Danish, English, Filipino, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: WiFi (CAD 14.95 per night)
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and public transport

  • Self parking on site (CAD 37.00 per day; includes in/out privileges)
  • Valet parking on site (CAD 51.00 per day; includes in/out privileges)
  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Cruise terminal shuttle (surcharge)
  • Ferry terminal shuttle (surcharge)
  • Limo/town car service

Food and drink

  • Full breakfast available for a fee daily 6:30 AM–11:00 AM: CAD 20-40 for adults and CAD 10-20 for children
  • 2 restaurants
  • 1 bar
  • Coffee/tea in a common area

Restaurants on site

  • Q at the Empress
  • Lobby Lounge
  • Q Bar

Things to do

  • Art gallery
  • Bike rentals
  • Bike parking
  • Children's pool
  • Designer shops
  • Fitness centre
  • Full-service spa
  • Indoor pool
  • Sauna
  • Shopping centre
  • Shopping
  • A hot tub
  • Steam room

Family friendly

  • Children's pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • ATM/banking services
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet hall
  • Free newspapers in reception
  • Front-desk safe
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Vending machine
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels (on request)
  • Concierge services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Dry-cleaning service
  • Hair salon
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 24-hour business centre
  • Conference centre (22600 square feet of space)
  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Pool sunloungers
  • Terrace
  • Vegetable garden

Spa

  • 11 treatment rooms
  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body treatments
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment room(s)
  • Facials
  • Hot springs/mineral springs
  • Hydrotherapy
  • Manicures and pedicures
  • Massage - deep-tissue
  • Massage - hot stone
  • Massage - prenatal
  • Massage - sports
  • Massage - Swedish
  • Massage/treatment rooms
  • Sauna
  • Spa open daily
  • Hot tub
  • Steam room

Accessibility

  • This property does not have any lifts

More

  • 100% renewable energy
  • At least 80% of lighting from LEDs
  • At least 80% of food locally sourced
  • At least 80% organic food
  • Biodegradable coffee stirrers
  • Biodegradable drinking straws
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Humane treatment of captive wild animals
  • Local artist showcase
  • Locally owned and organised tours and activities
  • No plastic coffee stirrers
  • No plastic drinking straws
  • No plastic soft drinks bottles
  • No plastic water bottles
  • Reusable cups only
  • Reusable tableware only
  • Vegan dining options
  • Vegetarian dining options

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning
  • Bed sheets
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Portable fan
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Bath or shower
  • Designer toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Towels
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (on request)

Entertainment

  • 32-inch flat-screen TV
  • TV channels
  • Films for purchase

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Minibar

More

  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products provided
  • Energy-saving switches
  • Free newspapers
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop-friendly workspace
  • LED light bulbs
  • Phone
  • Recycling
  • Safe
  • Slippers
  • Water-efficient showers only
  • Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 19

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets stay free
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
2 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Food and water bowls are available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
3 children, up to the age of 17 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for full breakfast: approximately CAD 20 to 40 for adults, and CAD 10 to 20 for children
  • Fee for in-room wireless internet: CAD 14.95 per night (rates may vary)
  • Self parking fee: CAD 37.00 per day (in/out privileges)
  • Valet parking fee: CAD 51.00 per day (in/out privileges)
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Cashless transactions are available
This property uses solar energy, plus a grey water recycling system
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards
This property affirms that it follows the cleaning and disinfection practices of ALLSAFE (Accor Hotels)
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
The photos are representative of rooms offered and may differ from the actual room received.

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Pool access available from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Children under 16 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool, health club, fitness facility, or hot tub without adult supervision
Guests under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa, and guests under 18 years old are only allowed with adult supervision
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Property is also known as

Empress Fairmont
Fairmont Empress
Fairmont Empress Hotel
Fairmont Empress Hotel Victoria
Fairmont Empress Victoria
Empress Hotel Victoria
Fairmont Hotel Empress
Fairmont Hotel Victoria
Fairmont Victoria
The Fairmont Empress Hotel Victoria
Victoria Fairmont
The Fairmont Empress
Fairmont Empress Hotel
Fairmont Empress Victoria
Fairmont Empress Hotel Victoria

Fairmont Empress Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 1283 out of 1825 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 296 out of 1825 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 141 out of 1825 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 57 out of 1825 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 48 out of 1825 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Michelle

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stay was excellent except for the sofa bed in our suite very uncomfortable would recommend to stick with beds only!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent birthday stay!!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Travelled with partner
Loved the attention to detail and friendliness of staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Genghis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good to be back!
The manager upgraded our room with a gorgeous marina view. We enjoyed our stay. Needless to mention, the location is great.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Avtar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Always a great stay at the Empress, excellent spa service.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

jemma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Audrey

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Corey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Hannah

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a beautiful and historic hotel that is located right in the heart of downtown Victoria. Stay here for the location, the excellent customer service, and the history. The only caveat is that, due to the age of the hotel, the rooms and the bathrooms, while beautiful appointed, are quite tiny. If that’s an issue for you, you may want to consider staying at one of the other hotels in downtown Victoria that are newer and visiting the Empress during the day or booking a reservation in the tea room.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Davis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Omar

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Vishay

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Miri

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel is very nice!! Great location for anyone traveling to Victoria without a car. Close to both the clipper and blackball ferries. Also, close to the really cute downtown. Super dog friendly if you want to travel with your furry family. I would have given it 5 stars but there was an issue with housekeeping services while we were there and they didn’t do turndown or make up the room the following day, even though we were asked if we wanted those services at checking. I know those sound like petty issues but when you stay at a property such as this you expect certain services. However, the restaurant and bar were both good. I do recommend this hotel to anyone traveling to Victoria.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hyunsuk

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

4/10 Poor

Briana

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melissa

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Everything about our stay was fantastic. The bell staff was soooo friendly and efficient and the bartenders at the Q were so great! The charcoal popcorn is a must try! We will definitely be back one day!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

4/10 Poor

Ana

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Service wasn’t good. The best live music at the bar - restaurant
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ralph

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ronald, Duncan

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Gold Floor exceptional with lovely food and beautiful lounge areas. Staff so accommodating and friendly. Bedding and room amenities great. No complaints at all.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Michelle, Surrey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Close to everyone good service
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matt

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert M

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Location is perfect
Best location for a trip to Victoria and the service is top notch
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent location and amenities
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024