Fairmont Empress

4.5 star property

Photo gallery for Fairmont Empress

Stunning waterfront marina with historic landmark building and serene atmosphere.
Experience grandeur in our spacious lobby, featuring a stunning chandelier and high ceilings.
Enjoy the city views from our rooftop terrace, featuring a central fire pit and comfortable seating areas.
Enjoy a classic atmosphere in our elegant dining area, featuring high ceilings, ornate detailing, and beautifully set tables.
Experience the grandeur of a luxurious space with a soaring ceiling, elegant columns, and a stunning chandelier.

Popular amenities

  • Bar

Explore the area

Map
721 Government St, Victoria, BC, V8W1W5
  • British Columbia Parliament Building
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Victoria Harbour
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Victoria, BC (YYJ-Victoria Intl.)
    ‪33 min drive‬

Room options

Fairmont Gold Deluxe City View 2 Queen

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 35 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Fairmont Gold Deluxe Harbour View 1 King

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(7 reviews)
  • 30 sq m
  • Harbor view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Fairmont Gold One Bedroom Suite City View 1 King

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 49 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

Fairmont Harbour View 1 Queen

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(19 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Harbor view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Fairmont City View 1 Queen

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(65 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Deluxe Harbour View 1 King

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(20 reviews)
  • 36 sq m
  • Harbor view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe City View 1 King

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(17 reviews)
  • 36 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Fairmont Gold Deluxe City View 1 King

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 35 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 28 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Fairmont Gold Harbour View 1 King

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(18 reviews)
  • 30 sq m
  • Harbor view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Junior Suite City View 1 King

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • 42 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Fairmont Gold City View 1 King

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(16 reviews)
  • 28 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Executive Suite City View 1 King

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 44 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe City View 2 Queen

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(41 reviews)
  • 31 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Fairmont City View 2 Double

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(89 reviews)
  • 22 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Double Beds

One Bedroom Suite City View 1 King

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(4 reviews)
  • 51 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe City View 1 Queen

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(9 reviews)
  • 36 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

Fairmont City View 1 King

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(128 reviews)
  • 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 - 0.3 km
  • British Columbia Parliament Building - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Victoria Harbour - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Chinatown - 12 min walk - 1.0 km

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 transport

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Cruise terminal shuttle (surcharge)
  • Ferry terminal shuttle (surcharge)
  • Limo/town car service
  • Parking on site (CAD 37 per day; includes in/out privileges)
  • Valet parking on site (CAD 51 per day; includes in/out privileges)

Food and drink

  • Daily full breakfast available 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee: CAD 20 to 40 for adults and CAD 10 to 20 for children
  • 2 restaurants
  • A bar/lounge
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Restaurants on site

  • Lobby Lounge
  • Q at the Empress
  • Q Bar

Things to do

  • Art gallery
  • Bicycle rentals
  • Children's pool
  • Designer stores
  • Full-service spa
  • Health club
  • Hot tub
  • Indoor pool
  • Sauna
  • Shopping centre
  • Steam room

Family friendly

  • Children's pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Hair salon
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 24-hour business centre
  • Conference centre (22,600 square foot of space)
  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • On the waterfront
  • Picnic area
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace
  • Vegetable garden

Full-service spa

  • 11 treatment rooms
  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Facials
  • Hot stone massages
  • Hot tub
  • Hot/mineral springs
  • Hydrotherapy
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Prenatal massages
  • Sauna
  • Spa open daily
  • Sports massages
  • Steam room
  • Swedish massages

Accessibility

  • No lift

More

  • 100% renewable energy
  • 8 floors
  • At least 10% of profits reinvested in community and sustainability
  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • At least 80% of food locally-sourced
  • At least 80% organic food
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet hall
  • Biodegradable coffee stirrers available
  • Biodegradable drinking straws available
  • Built in 1908
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Edwardian architecture
  • 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 drink bottles
  • No plastic water bottles
  • Reusable cups
  • Reusable tableware
  • Vegan dining options
  • Vegetarian breakfast available
  • Vegetarian dining options

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Designer toiletries
  • Dressing gowns
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (on request)
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels
  • Pay films

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Cleaning products are eco-friendly
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Free daily newspapers
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • LED lighting
  • Phone
  • Portable fan
  • Recycling
  • Safe
  • Water-efficient showers
  • 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 carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, 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

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 1607 out of 2203 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 332 out of 2203 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 148 out of 2203 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 63 out of 2203 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 53 out of 2203 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

Steve

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kyle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel is well located with nice spacious rooms and top tier staff.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

Haobo

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel facilities are too old. The internet speed is only 20mbps. the definition of the TV is only 720p. the bathroom is very problematic, we changed three rooms and the exhaust fan didn't work in all three rooms. It was only after we went to the manager that we were finally able to change to a room where all the amenities were working properly. The manager who changed the room was very frustrating, we contacted the hotel manager from 8pm until 11pm
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christy

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Well it’s hard to complain about 5 star service! From our incredible complimentary upgrade to the valet parking to the incredible food… everything was GOLDEN! Staff are very friendly and welcoming/accomodating! The views of the parliament building lit up, and the gorgeous gardens are a highlight for sure!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

George

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Elsa

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent hotel and great staff
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ron

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

brian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
First time staying there and was very happy my accommodations
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey Tyrone

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Empress lives up to the hype -- especially the Empress Gold! One gets the experience of what life is like as royalty. Imagine your best experienc.... Now multiply it by 5!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karl

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Was like staying in a park on the water front, well maintained grounds and property, the staff was friendly and made you feel like you were part of the family.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie

Wonderful staff and property is gorgeous
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff know how to treat you right. They constantly check on you without seeming to. We were there for three nights and the only negative was that we couldn’t stay longer!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Alicia

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel room was clean and had nice finishings. I especially enjoyed all the tulips and other flowers planted on the grounds around the hotel. My one complaint was that the bathroom felt a bit cramped. I did get one of the less expensive rooms though so maybe the more expensive rooms have larger bathrooms.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Kerri, Sammamish

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eileen

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfection. Kids loved the pool and hot tub. Afternoon tea was dreamy and wonderful. Beds were comfy and pillows excellent. Couldnt have asked for a better stay.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chelsea

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Seth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
nice but shower was bit dirty
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Harma

Breakfast restaurant: stained banquettes, uncomfortable chairs and chipped tables. Room has no ambiance. No better than a highway diner! Guest room: poorly decorated, no better than a 3 star hotel. Given the price@ cad $ 339.00 per night: way overrated. Corridor carpet at certain spots: worn out. This hotel is not a 5 star.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anthony

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolute Perfection. 6 stars.

8/10 Good

Angel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The surrounding environment of the hotel is beautiful.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025