Fairmont Empress Hotel | Victoria ★ Book Spa Rooms, Wellness Deals & Guest Reviews

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About the Hotel

721 Government Street, Victoria, Canada, V8W 1W5

“The Fairmont Empress is perfectly located for exploring Victoria's attractions.”view full review

Fairmont Empress, a 5-star Victoria hotel with an 8.9/10 Booking.com rating, boasts a historic elegance and comprehensive luxury amenities. Guests can enjoy unique experiences such as world-renowned Afternoon Tea and the award-winning Willow Stream Spa. Facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, fitness center, and pet-friendly accommodations.

Rooms & Amenities

Rooms at the Fairmont Empress feature luxurious amenities and stunning views over the Inner Harbour, city, or courtyard. Accommodations include spacious suites with spa-like bathrooms and Fairmont Gold options offering exclusive lounge access, daily breakfast, and evening canapés.

Dining & Culinary Experiences

Dining at Fairmont Empress includes Q at the Empress, an award-winning restaurant focusing on Pacific Northwest cuisine, and the elegant Lobby Lounge offering traditional Afternoon Tea. Seasonal dining experiences feature locally sourced ingredients, including notable options like Turkey to go during festive periods.

Leisure & Wellness

Leisure facilities at the Fairmont Empress comprise the Willow Stream Spa, delivering signature West Coast treatments, and a well-equipped fitness center. An indoor swimming pool and a children's wading pool cater to families, while organizational services are available for events and meetings.

Location & Transportation

Located near landmarks like the British Columbia Parliament Buildings and the Inner Harbour, Fairmont Empress offers convenient transportation options, including nearby bus and ferry services. For guests arriving at Victoria International Airport, travel time is approximately 30 minutes by car.

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Choose 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

345 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Coffee machine

room details

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Junior Suite City View 1 King

Max:

2 persons

410 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Coffee machine

Heating

room details

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Executive Suite City View 1 King

Max:

2 persons

410 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Coffee machine

Heating

room details

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Price and Room Availability

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Getting around

Comprehensive guide to transport options for seamless travel

City Centre

Victoria2700 ft

Airports

Victoria Inner Harbour (YWH)1700 ft

Victoria (YYJ) 16.4 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Delicious Dining Experience

“I truly enjoyed dining at Q at the Empress. The ambience was lovely, and the food was exquisite. The service was good, but I did notice that it could get busy during peak times. Overall, the quality of the meals made up for any delays in service, and I look forward to dining there again.” view full review

Thoughtful Kid-Friendly Touches

“I booked the 'Kids Rule the Castle' package, and it exceeded my expectations! Upon arrival, my kids were greeted with a small tent, coloring books, and pajamas that suited their ages. The room service also brought candy, cookies, and milk for them, making their stay extra special.” view full review

Beautifully Appointed Rooms

“During my stay, I was pleased with the beautiful decor and spaciousness of our suite. The furnishings were luxurious, and I especially appreciated the inclusion of fluffy bathrobes and ample toiletries. It felt elegant yet comfortable, truly enhancing the overall hotel experience.” view full review

Ideal Conference Venue

“I attended a conference at the hotel and was impressed by the meeting spaces available. The venue is filled with a rich history and features modern decor that suits a professional environment well. It's a fantastic spot for business gatherings, although peak times saw some elevator issues due to polishing.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Free Wi-Fi
On-site car park
Handicap 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

Wi-Fi in rooms
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

5100 ft

Castle

Craigdarroch Castle

1.4 mi

Park

Fisherman's Wharf Park

4600 ft

Museum

Helmcken House

2100 ft

Stadium

Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

5100 ft

Landmark

The Maritime Museum of British Columbia

3500 ft

Landmark

Chinatown

3300 ft

Church

St Andrew's Cathedral

2700 ft

Landmark

Craigflower Manor and Schoolhouse

4900 ft

Public Building

Victoria City Hall

3500 ft

Landmark

Black Ball Ferry Line

2400 ft

Landmark

Old Town

2100 ft

Landmark

Terry Fox Statue

5000 ft

Landmark

Fan Tan Alley

3100 ft

Church

Christ Church Cathedral

3000 ft

Garden

Government House

1.5 mi

Museum

Emily Carr House

3000 ft

Landmark

Point Ellice House

1.5 mi

Nearby

Museum

Royal BC Museum

1300 ft

Public Building

British Columbia Parliament Buildings

1100 ft

Victoria

Inner Harbour

500 ft

Museum

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

Reviews from guests about their experience.

4/5 based on 5060 reviews

#23 of 45 hotels in Victoria based on Tripadvisor

William

United Kingdom, January 2025

5.2/10

I had a lovely stay at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, and I truly enjoyed the elegant decor and the stunning views of the harbor. The service was excellent, but I did encounter a few minor inconveniences with the bathroom amenities. Overall, it's a fantastic choice if you're looking for a central location combined with classic charm.

Rooms

8.0

I stayed in a suite that was spacious and boasted a magnificent view of the harbor. However, I found the bathroom a bit cramped and lacking some basic amenities like hand towels.

Service

10.0

The staff was very warm and friendly, taking excellent care of me throughout my stay. Their attention to detail made my experience all the more pleasant.

Location

10.0

The location is simply lovely, right facing the Inner Harbour and close to numerous attractions like the Royal BC Museum and the Parliament Buildings. It's safe and easy to walk around, making it ideal for leisurely exploration.

Dining

8.0

I had dinner at the hotel bar, but I found the food overpriced for the quality. The mussels were tough and the salad was not fresh. I didn't have breakfast, but I've heard it's worth trying next time.

Facilities

9.0

The hotel's facilities were impressive, including the pool and sauna. Though I didn't use them, I appreciated the available amenities such as room service and pet-friendly options.

Oscar

United Kingdom, December 2024

6.4/10

My stay at the Fairmont Empress had its ups and downs. The hotel's location is unbeatable, right along the Inner Harbor, making it easy to explore downtown Victoria. However, I encountered issues with the cleanliness and maintenance of my room. While the staff were generally friendly and the dining options offered some highlights, the overall experience didn't live up to the luxury standards I expected.

Rooms

5.0

My room had brown water stains on the ceiling and mold on the baseboards, which was disappointing. The bathroom was also quite small, and there were limited toiletries provided. On the positive side, I appreciated the spacious fridge and the modern decor after the recent renovation.

Service

6.0

The staff were friendly and helpful, but I felt like the service didn't meet the expectations for a hotel of this caliber. I encountered some confusion regarding my requests, particularly about getting a crib for my baby, which added unnecessary stress.

Location

9.0

The location is fantastic, right by the Inner Harbor and in the heart of downtown Victoria. It's perfect for walking to shops, restaurants, and ferry terminals. I couldn't have asked for a better spot to enjoy the views.

Dining

6.0

While room service was commendable, I had a less impressive experience at the in-house dining. The service was slow, and the menu options felt somewhat limited. However, the eggs with bacon I ordered were delicious.

Facilities

5.0

The facilities were decent, but I noted that housekeeping seemed to be lacking, as basic requests took time to fulfill. The indoor pool was a nice touch, offering a clean and relaxing space.

Juliet

United Kingdom, December 2024

5.4/10

My stay at the Fairmont Empress was beautiful overall, highlighted by the perfect location and friendly staff. However, the high price did not feel justified given some of the shortcomings, like slow service and mediocre room service. While certain aspects, like the breakfast, were good, I felt a bit underwhelmed considering the cost. 🌊✨

Rooms

6.0

I stayed in a Fairmont King room, which was clean and functional, but not extravagant for the nearly $600 price tag. The room had some nice amenities, like bedside reading lights and two chairs, but overall did not feel special enough for the price.

Service

5.0

The staff were friendly and accommodating, which I appreciated, but the slow check-in process and lack of prompt responses at the concierge desk left much to be desired.

Location

10.0

The hotel's location is ideal, right in the heart of Victoria with beautiful views of the harbor and close to main attractions. I loved being in such a lively area.

Dining

6.0

The breakfast at the restaurant was very good, but I found room service to be mediocre and not up to par with what I expected based on the hotel's reputation.

Facilities

7.0

The amenities were decent, but I encountered minor issues, like the phone in my room not functioning. I did enjoy the good afternoon tea experience, which was a highlight.

Mason

United Kingdom, December 2024

5.0/10

My stay at the Fairmont Empress was nice, thanks to its beautiful location and history. The hotel has a classic feel, and the ambience is warm and inviting. However, I did find the room a bit small for what I was expecting, and there were a few minor service hiccups that detracted from the experience.

Rooms

8.0

The room I stayed in was tastefully renovated and spacious for an entry-level room, though it felt a bit small overall. It had a partial water view, which was nice, but I expected more from a luxury hotel.

Service

7.0

The staff were friendly and helpful throughout my stay, from check-in to the valet service. However, I did notice some lapses in attention to detail, particularly regarding room amenities.

Location

10.0

The location is perfect, right in the heart of Victoria near the Inner Harbor, restaurants, and shops. Everything I wanted to see was within walking distance, making my stay even more enjoyable.

Dining

8.0

I tried the afternoon tea, which was excellent but quite pricey. While I expected a bit more value for the cost, the experience itself was good, though I felt a glass of sparkling wine could have added a nice touch.

Facilities

8.0

The amenities were solid, with room service, valet parking, and other conveniences available. However, I did wish for a coffee maker and tea bags in the room to complete the experience.

Luna

United Kingdom, October 2024

5.8/10

My stay at the Fairmont Empress was really good overall. the recent renovation has truly transformed the hotel's ambiance. While the service was mostly fantastic, a couple of minor interactions left room for improvement. The location was perfect, allowing easy access to the harbor and local attractions, making it a good getaway.

Rooms

9.0

I enjoyed my harbor view room, which was beautifully appointed, although the bathroom felt a bit cramped. The soft sheets and comfortable bed made up for it, though.

Service

9.0

Most of the staff were incredibly friendly and eager to help. the Fairmont Gold Lounge team went above and beyond in coordinating details for my stay.

Location

10.0

The hotel's location is unbeatable. just a short walk to shops and restaurants, right in the heart of Victoria.

Dining

8.0

I had a wonderful experience with breakfast in the Gold Lounge. but I found the hotel dining options a bit pricey for what was offered.

Facilities

9.0

The amenities were lovely, and I appreciated the various services like valet parking and room service. but I did notice some street noise early in the morning.