Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Health or beauty spa nearby
Electric bicycle charging station
Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great location
Beautiful grounds
Cons:
Plumbing issues
Insects in bathroom
Confusing elevator system

Categories

Cleanliness
8.11
Concern about silverfish insects found in the bathroom and plumbing issues in the shower.
Service
9.58
Friendly staff and exceptional customer service, particularly regarding special occasions.
Location
9.62
Great location with easy access to restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.
Room Quality
8.57
Some issues with the bathroom faucet and initial room size; however, the upgraded room was better.
Amenities
8.6
Beautiful grounds and pool, but confusion with the elevator system and breakfast line.
Value for Money
8.56
Mixed feelings on value; initial room felt overpriced compared to expectations.
Food and Beverage
9.11
Quality food offered, though there was a desire for more menu options for room service.
Overall Experience
9.08
Many enjoyable aspects but marred by a few significant issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-08 11:48

Property Description

Luxury Overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbour

Historic Elegance: The Fairmont Empress Hotel offers elegantly decorated rooms with plush seating areas and picturesque windows.

Relaxation and Dining: Enjoy extensive spa treatments at Willow Stream Spa and indulge in traditional afternoon tea with a view of the harbour.

Convenient Amenities: Swim in the indoor pool, admire the Victorian architecture, and explore nearby attractions like the Royal British Columbia Museum and the Maritime Museum of BC.

Book now to experience the charm and luxury of The Fairmont Empress Hotel!

Important information:

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: YYJ

Property Policies

  • Groups

    When booking more than 4 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed. No extra charges.

  • Parking

    Public parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed) and costs CAD 35 per day.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 17 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children up to and including 17 years old stay for free when using an available extra bed.
    Adults stay for CAD 50 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.9
Based on 1975 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.11
Service: 9.58
Location: 9.62
Room Quality: 8.57
Amenities: 8.6
Value for Money: 8.56
Food and Beverage: 9.11
Overall Experience: 9.08
A
Anne • couple • au
10
A truly memorable stay.
Pros:

It was gorgeous. We had a beautiful large room with a view. The famed afternoon tea was great, as was the breakfast room experience. All the staff were cheery and helpful.

Cons:

What’s not to like?

2026-05-08 • via Nuitee
T
Troy • solo_traveller • ca
8
2026-05-04 • via Nuitee
A
Anne • couple • ca
9
2026-05-01 • via Nuitee
N
Nguyen • solo_traveller • ca
1
Pros:

so so bad

Cons:

service, not enough basic need like water botle , no comb, no toothbrush, no aomthing else....

2026-05-01 • via Nuitee
T
Tony • family_with_children • au
9
2026-05-01 • via Nuitee
A
Akbar • couple • ca
9
2026-04-30 • via Nuitee
S
Simon • solo_traveller • gb
4
A sadly underwhelming experience ....
Pros:

The View .

Cons:

A sadly underwhelming experience . Way above what we can usually afford for a hotel but it was our wedding day so we thought we'd splash out . They sent me an email a week before offering an upgrade but on arrival we didn't get this . Room was half the size we were expecting. The coffee in the room was less than you'd expect in the average motel , & we didn't even get a proper spoon , we now jokingly call a Wooden Stirrer " an Empress Spoon . "
Didn't even have bedside chargers on both sides which should be fairly standard these days .

2026-04-30 • via Nuitee
M
Matthew • extended_group • us
9
2026-04-28 • via Nuitee
I
Insausti • solo_traveller • mx
9
2026-04-24 • via Nuitee
J
Janellen • family_with_children • us
10
Spectacular bucket-list visit - elegant comfort with an overall friendly vibe. Unbeatable view!
Pros:

The view was incredible and really worth asking for the harbour view. The room itself was large, comfortable, and quiet.

Cons:

I never have much to say on what I didn't like, but technically the bathroom did feel a little small. I was fine, but my husband did comment that it was snug.

2026-04-24 • via Nuitee
J
Jennifer • extended_group • us
10
classic and modern combined in a historic building.
Pros:

the room was great with a view of the port and the sunset. we upgraded to gold status and it did not disappoint.

2026-04-22 • via Nuitee
L
Lucy • extended_group • gb
8
2026-04-21 • via Nuitee
G
Gary • couple • ca
9
2026-04-20 • via Nuitee
A
Alicia • solo_traveller • us
10
Fabulous! Raymond my waitstaff for high tea was exceedingly professional and made my experience really special.
Pros:

It’s a beautiful old hotel. The location is tremendous. The Empress is the heart of Victoria.

Cons:

The lobby check in is awkward
To the elevators. If you’re on the far south side you have to cross the entire upper level to get to a second set of elevators to get to the main lobby.
It’s an old hotel so likely that is the issue.

2026-04-20 • via Nuitee
T
Thales • family_with_children • ca
8
2026-04-18 • via Nuitee
K
Kulwinder • family_with_children • gb
10
2026-04-17 • via Nuitee
L
Leeann • couple • ca
5
We will Always Love this landmark hotel, but Victoria has many lovely hotels with rooms you can move in
Pros:

The waiter in the tea room was amazing, the property is beautiful and I have choose to stay here many times over the last 40 years.

Cons:

This last visit was the first time we were put in a broom closet to sleep. You could hardly move in the room, very small

2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
Y
Yuet Kwai • couple • ca
5
Pros:

早餐及下午茶

Cons:

住房近conference Centre,時常聽到搬運桌椅聲音，很嘈雜，像行雷。風筒太舊。

2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
S
Sam • solo_traveller • ca
10
2026-04-15 • via Nuitee
C
Caroline • family_with_children • us
10
2026-04-15 • via Nuitee