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 1992 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
C
Charles • couple • gb
9
Visit was part of an anniversary trip and a nice touch by the staff made it all the more memorable.
Pros:

Location and quality of service

Cons:

Queen bed was slightly small - should have reserved a King

2026-05-23 • via Nuitee
A
Angela • couple • ca
8
2026-05-23 • via Nuitee
N
Nicola • couple • de
5
Es ist das Geld nicht wert!
Pros:

Das Personal ist super freundlich und bemüht und das Frühstück war sehr gut. Das Hotel hat eine majestätische lage und die bar und die lobby sind zauberhaft.

Cons:

Wir mussten das zimmer wechseln, da unseres dreckig und staubig war, ohne ein richtiges Fenster mit Blick zur city. Es war eine beklebte Scheibe zum Hinterhof mit Müllcontainer. Die klassische booking.com Falle. Das dann angebotene zimmer war dann mit blick zum Hafen, aber das Badezimmer so groß wie ein gästeklo...bei 2 personen unerträglich krampfig. Es gibt im Zimmer keine Begrüßung, keine Flasche Wasser, kein inhalt in der minibar...einfach nur unpersönlich und nicht willkommen. Das schlechteste Hotel auf unserer Kanada Reise. Schade!

2026-05-22 • via Nuitee
S
Sophie • extended_group • ch
8
Pros:

Le personnel est absolument adorable

2026-05-22 • via Nuitee
T
Tiffany • couple • ca
9
2026-05-22 • via Nuitee
F
FrankVoi • solo_traveller • de
10
2026-05-20 • via Nuitee
H
hailin • family_with_children • ca
9
很好
Pros:

位置以及服务 还有餐饮都很不错

Cons:

房间格局可以提升一下

2026-05-19 • via Nuitee
A
Ankita • solo_traveller • us
9
2026-05-19 • via Nuitee
E
Edwina • couple • us
9
Would like to come again
Pros:

Flowers everywhere. Atmosphere of peace, comfort, very friendly staff

2026-05-19 • via Nuitee
D
Don • couple • us
10
A great experience.
Pros:

The breakfast was great and service was better. We have always stayed at other places around you,but our children stayed with you last month and enjoyed you so much that we decided to come there.We were so glad we did. You will be our hotel in Victoria from now on.

Cons:

nothing

2026-05-19 • via Nuitee
C
Cindy • couple • us
10
Staying at the Empress again was just wonderful. The Gold Floor made us feel like royalty.
Pros:

Fairmont has kept the feel of the old Empress. Thanks!

Cons:

Liked it all.

2026-05-19 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • us
10
About as close to perfect as anywhere we’ve stayed!
Pros:

Extremely comfortable, while honoring its history.

2026-05-16 • via Nuitee
P
paws0810 • Couples • Mesa, Arizona
10
Vacation 2026
Pros:

Third time we walked through the facility it’s very beautiful and clean. The plating and dishes of tea were a pretty amazing. We did not stay for that but just walked through

2026-05-14 • via Tripadvisor
R
Roberts • solo_traveller • ca
10
Pros:

Everything, except the security guard at the maritime conference but I tried to sneak in and he wasn't having it, he did a good job :) The staff were amazing, I can't even name all of the folks who were so helpful.

Cons:

I was waking up to bird song, loved it. The seagulls however need to tone it down.

2026-05-14 • via Nuitee
T
Thalia • extended_group • ca
10
2026-05-13 • via Nuitee
C
cherrycromarty • Couples • Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England
10
Great stay & exceptional service
Pros:

Fabulous, lived up to its reputation in every way! Great room, great view of harbour. Central location to everything. Beautiful gardens. Cocktail bar was great & staff mixed fantastic cocktails with panache! Thoroughly recommend staying here or just book for afternoon tea.

2026-05-11 • via Tripadvisor
C
Chun Zhu • family_with_children • ca
10
Good.
Pros:

Mixing my personal information with another guest makes me confused and uncomfortable.

Cons:

Be careful with guest information during checking in.

2026-05-10 • via Nuitee
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
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