The Fairmont Empress, Victoria

Absolutely Gorgeous!!! Victoria is a wonderful city to visit - but the Fairmont Empress made us feel like royalty! I hope our next trip is 2 weeks long, so we can enjoy our stay that much longer!!! Highly Recommend Staying Here! :-)

Very elegant and nice, both inside and out. We did not stay for long but were left with the impression that we had made a good choice of where to stay. Quite nice rooms. Always cleaned and re-stocked (which is what we expected.) If we return to Victoria, we will most likely stay here again. Great location, and pleasant, relaxing stay. The hallways were a bit 'out-of-date' but we did not mind. Yes, we would recommend this hotel to a friend.

Although the location of this hotel is perfect for a visit to Victoria the hotel certainly leaves much to be desired. The first room we were given was very dirty, including the bathroom. The furniture in the room is very cheap and looks absolutely nothing like the pictures on the internet. We called the Housekeeping Manager and we were moved to a different room but this hotel is over priced and over rated.

We loved our stay there! Loved the package deal from Seattle. Would love love love to come back and stay again!

Elegant treatment by staff and posh, comfy, warm surroundings make this hotel the place of choice in Victoria. Our room overlooked the beautiful marina, had a cozy bed and an excellent fireplace. I didn't like the first room we were given (can't remember why but this was our honeymoon!) so they quickly and very gracefully moved us to another room. High tea and old charm make this a wonderful, well located, home away from home when staying in this beautiful city.

We went to a conference (which adjoins the Fairmont Empress) and even though the hotel was contracted to be the Host Hotel allot of attendees stayed at other facilities. (Smart) It’s a beautiful hotel for being constructed in 1906. It seems that the hotel (Management) once they have you will try to get as much out of you as possible. One attendee to the conference had to leave a day early and when he went to check out he was charged for the date’s he had booked for. I have never seen any hotel try this and when trying to have repeat customers to either come back or have a recommendation to friends to stay here they are going about it the wrong way. If you like the ambiance I would defiantly visit the hotel but my recommendation would be to stay elsewhere.

The Fairmont Empress is one of the finest hotels on the North American continent. Some of the most beautiful grounds, gardens, and greenery you will ever see. Fabulous staff, immaculate rooms, and the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in. Built in 1908, it was recently renovated with all the modern appointments without losing any of its old world charm. High tea is expensive but worth it, and dinner and drinks in the Bengal Lounge are pricey but very very nice. Ideally located right on the waterfront, in the center of everything. Worth every penny and then some. Note-rooms are not air conditioned, but you don't need it in British Columbia-an open window and the ceiling fans are all anyone will ever need to be comfortable. Full line drugstore and pharmacy right across the street from the back door, a few blocks from Chinatown and the cruise terminals. If anyone in your party is interested in gardening, botany, or flowers, they'll love it.

it was an amzing stay at an amazing beautiful hotel tight on the waterfront the service was incredible and catered to every need and opened every door on our way in and out they provided good sites such as museums and restaurants in the area all of them well worth the short pleasant walk through the historic streets of victoria i only wish we had more time to take in all of the hotels amazing decorations and attractions of the beautiful surrounding area

It was the beginning of the month of June-- Summer was not quite there yet and Victoria still had a touch of Spring. My family and I spent 12 nights at the Fairmont Empress. It was a dream to the six of us. We booked three seperate rooms and each one was spacious, tastefully (albeit in an old fashioned manner) decorated and equipped with two Queen-sized beds. That is, extremely comfortable Queen-sized beds. The staff was friendly, though the concierge a little cold. I was mostly charmed by the waitresses at the famous tea room, which is where one can experience the holy tradition of tea and snacks-- with class. The Housekeeping staff also deserves much praise for their excellent work and friendliness. The Building itself was something to behold. My children spent a good deal of their time exploring its rooms, courtyards, gardens and such. The hotel is also very close to town; not a minute's walk even. This was very convenient-- especially if you don't want to spend much money on pedi-cabs or taxis (they're pretty expensive). Conclusively, there was more to like than dislike about the Fairmont Empress. It still feels like a dream whenever I think of those ivy-covered walls...

This elegant exterior was touted and recommended by many from Vancouver to be the best. These folks are all over 70 and more than likely stayed in it during its glory days. Those days are long gone. My fiance booked 2 nights as a surprise gift for me. I used to travel frequently between Hawaii and BC. The junior suite was not clean, cheerios or some sort of cereal was visible in the hallway bet CR and bedroom. To enhance the pleasure even further, no robes were in the closet, only slippers. After a semi pleasant chat with the rude front desk staff, robes were given, but the cereal remained. Nothing was provided or given as a consolation to the mishap, and one of the reasons why I have remembered to write this wonderful review. The Crown Plaza St. James in London was by far friendlier, better appointed, and just as tricky to find your room. The common areas are indeed very nice, bkfst was wonderful, tea time well worth it, but will never recommend or stay in it again because of the challenge exhibited by the staff to otherwise provide basic attitude and taking care of several problems that would have been forgiven. Yes, the outside looks and feels impressive, the pool is marginal, and the price is similar to the Hotel Grand Pacific, the real gem of Victoria, stay there instead for a luxurious pampering.