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 offers a luxury experience with elegant rooms and a renowned spa, situated in the heart of Victoria. This 5-star hotel features an award-winning restaurant and a historic tradition of serving Afternoon Tea. Family-friendly services are also available.

Rooms & Amenities

Accommodations at Fairmont Empress include 431 rooms and suites with spa-like bathrooms and views over the Inner Harbour, city, or courtyard. The exclusive Fairmont Gold floor features complimentary breakfast and private check-in for discerning guests.

Dining & Experiences

Dining options include Q at the Empress, focusing on Pacific Northwest cuisine and local ingredients. The world-renowned Afternoon Tea is served on fine china gifted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1939 and features freshly baked scones and delicate pastries.

Leisure & Family Services

Fairmont Empress features the Willow Stream Spa with unique West Coast treatments and an indoor pool complemented by a fitness center. Family-friendly amenities include scavenger hunts and the Kids Rule the Castle package for young travelers.

Local Area & Transportation

The hotel is well-connected via nearby transport links, including bus stations within a few minutes' walk. Landmarks such as Chinatown and Beacon Hill Park are easily accessible, providing guests with cultural and historical explorations.

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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

2 persons

32 m²

1 King-size bed

Coffee machine

room details

Executive Suite Two Queen Beds City View

2 persons

54 m²

2 Double beds

Coffee machine

room details

Junior Suite City View 1 King

2 persons

38 m²

1 King-size bed and 1 Sofa bed

Coffee machine

Heating

room details

Executive Suite City View 1 King

2 persons

38 m²

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

Victoria800 m

Airports

Victoria Inner Harbour (YWH)500 m

Victoria (YYJ) 26.4 km

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
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

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

500 m

Restaurants

Q at The Empress

20 m

721 Government St The Fairmont Empress

The Tea Lobby

30 m

721 Government St

Milestones

170 m

812 Wharf St

The Old Spaghetti Factory

330 m

703 Douglas Street

Bartholomew's English-Style Pub

390 m

777 Douglas St Entrance on Humboldt Street

Steamship Grill & Bar

330 m

470 Belleville Street

Browns Socialhouse

360 m

809 Douglas St

Milano

220 m

817 Government St

The Courtney Room

310 m

619 Courtney Street

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.