Fairmont Empress

4.5 star property

Photo gallery for Fairmont Empress

Exterior
Property preview
Meeting facility
Lobby
Ocean views, serves lunch and dinner

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

Explore the area

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

Room options

Fairmont City View 2 Double

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

Deluxe City View 2 Queen

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

Fairmont Gold Harbour View 1 King

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

Fairmont City View 1 Queen

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

Deluxe City View 1 King

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

Fairmont Gold City View 1 King

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

Junior Suite City View 1 King

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 42 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

One Bedroom Suite City View 1 King

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

Fairmont City View 1 King

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(141 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 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

Executive Suite City View 1 King

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

Fairmont Gold Deluxe City View 1 King

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

Fairmont Gold Deluxe City View 2 Queen

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

Fairmont Gold One Bedroom Suite City View 1 King

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 49 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

Fairmont Gold Deluxe Harbour View 1 King

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

Fairmont Harbour View 1 Queen

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

Deluxe Harbour View 1 King

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

Fairmont Gold City View 1 Queen

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

One Bedroom Harbour View Suite 1 King

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

Fairmont Gold Harbour View Executive Suite 1 King

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Executive Suite City View 2 Queen

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 2 Queen Beds

Signature Harbour View 1 King

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Harbour View 1 Queen

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

Deluxe Harbour View 2 Queen

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

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 At The Empress - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The Sticky Wicket Bar & Restaurant - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Tea at the Empress - ‬1 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 Green Key Global, 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.

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

Reviews

Fairmont Empress Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

9.4/10

Amenities

9.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.2/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 1772 out of 2392 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 345 out of 2392 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 162 out of 2392 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 60 out of 2392 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 53 out of 2392 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

cheryl

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful, historic hotel. Grounds were amazing
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Evan

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I want to give a shout out to the Fairmont Empress and the staff and specifically Mark . I accidentally booked a non redundable trip for 1 night for the wrong night. Mark and the staff worked with Expedia to resolve the issue and allow my friend and I to atay at the hotel as intended within our budget for our West Coast bucket list trip. It really made our trip that Mark and the Fairmont Staff csme through and resolved the issue even though theybwere under no obligation to do so as i made the booking mistake.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ben

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff extremely welcoming and helpful, I'm amazed it's not 5 star. Everything felt smooth and professional. Pool is great for kids loads of room. Air con works well in rooms. Doors a little thin to rooms so some noise from hallway. Had to bail on hotel breakfast as the queue was too long. Bar and dinner food was great. Few quirks like small bathrooms and lifts to pool difficult to navigate, but justified as an old historic building.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ellen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect location.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

steve

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our stay was great. The historic building was beautiful. Our bed was very comfortable. The bathroom was very clean. We had a nice view of the garden below and the parliament building. Toilet did not work. Maintenance guy came up said he needed a new part. He would not be able to get the part until tomorrow. But that it would be sufficient to use. It was not we had to call front desk again, maintenance guy showed up with a new part and fixed it.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

David

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Duyen

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Joanna

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service

skip it

Awful staff at every turn, front front desk to concierge to restaurant. The lates updates took away historical charm so I was very disappointed with that. Worst stay at historic hotel anywhere.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joe, Bonney Lake

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved our stay so much we became award memebers
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

jim

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
All facets First Class!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Oleg

Travelled with partner
Icon hotel with so much to see and explore. Great location
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Christine

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
Placed in a terrible gold floor room with “view” of brick wall.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Fred

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

The Empress Rules!!

The Empress Rules!! She does not disappoint. Stellar hotel and city! Do not miss the scrumptious High Tea, $80 US $109 Canadian. Take taxi to Butchart Gardens and leave at 8:30 am to avoid the tsunami of cruise ship passengers. Opens at 9. Hotel’s only imperfection is no small wooden seat is needed in the shower.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

traci

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Hotel is outdated. Our room was so far away, like a maze from the main entrance. Elderly people would have a hard time finding their way.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stéphane

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
An amazing experience. Staff were wonderful and the sunset view over the harbour are one of a kind.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing hotel and staff!

Absolutely fabulous incredible hotel! We loved it so much
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bruce

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

8/10 Good

Caterina

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

8/10 Good

Liam

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stunning property, great location, although well appointed and comfortable small rooms are not good value for money.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Scott G

Travelled with family
Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I reserved a city view and received an inside building view. the staff was great at lip service, with no results
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

annette

Fairmont Empress disappointed

We were supposed to have a city view room, and they put us in the back of the hotel with a view of the back of the hotel. Ugly, so disappointing. There is no outdoor space to sit and enjoy either. Would not stay there again. Very expensive
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Darin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Dream come true! Five stars? This place deserves six! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Heidi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The room was not as clean as I expected. The bathroom was very small & difficult to move around in. The tub was hard to get in & out of.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janet

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We were travelling with another couple and decided to stay Gold level which includes breakfast, lounge access and evening nibbles. It was so nice to be able to have an area to gather other than our room or a bar. Had a fabulous time, and the staff were above and beyond friendly and helpful. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dennis, Chicago

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a quality hotel and worth the cost. The staff, especially the concierge service, is excellent. They all go above and beyond to be helpful. We will definitely stay here again
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025