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    Fairmont Empress

    3.9 (498 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 5:30 AM (Next day)

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    Tea
    Kenneth K.

    Hotel itself is very large, grand, and impressive. Not quite as impressive as the Chateau Frontenac but still wonderful to check out and have tea. The lobby feel is more modern like The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth in Montreal but a lot brighter decor with plenty of natural lights. It was extremely expensive to stay when me and my mom stayed for Mother's Day weekend with only one bed rooms available for several hundred so we opted for the Quality Inn instead for much less. For the tea: Amazing high quality tea! It is very pricey but well worth it with delicious tea, yummy food, and a perfect ambiance on the water at the most reknown hotel with the piano. I came with my mother for Mother's Day and we were lucky to make reservations well in advance at the start of tea time, so we sat very close to the water. The staff could not have been better and they accommodated our dietary needs well too. They also gave my mother and all the others a complimentary mimosa for Mother's Day.

    Fairmont Empress

    Wonderful historic hotel perfectly located for exploring Victoria. Exceptional staff. Very accommodating. Comfy room. Bathroom is tiny which is its only flaw. Gorgeous hotel to wander around in. Stay here and be pampered.

    John P.

    Very cool old hotel near the state house and right off the water. Famous used in many movies and shows as well as just a place where important gatherings take place as well as dignitaries stay when they are in town.

    Salmon Benedict

    To start our journey, we got there at 1:30 and we got upgraded from a signature king harbor view to a junior suite harbor view, unfortunately our new view was half obstructed and that was not communicated to us. The upgraded room was not ready at that time and were promised by 4pm we would be in the room. We had to kill time for 3 hours. 4:15 still no update from the hotel and had to go ask the front desk, they said the room had been ready but we never received a message from them. We also would randomly get sewage smells in the hotel room that would come and go, not sure what that was from. Hotel does have a beautiful interior and exterior. Not horrible to say 3 stars but not excellent to say 5 stars. Food was amazing. I got the salmon benedict twice from The Bengal. Mocktails and fresh pressed juice were packed with flavor, however the tea and hot chocolate seemed to be watered down. It tasted like I was drinking chocolate flavored water. Maybe it is a personal preference but I wouldn't order those beverages again. Service was excellent in every part of the hotel from front desk to the parking attendants. Everyone was welcoming and helpful.

    As majestic as I imagined
    Joc V.

    I came here about 24 years ago and had the Afternoon Tea. It was an amazing experience, and I vowed to return and stay at this famed hotel. That promise was fulfilled with a 2-night stay and again, the afternoon tea. The grounds were beautiful and well maintained, the service was impeccable and the 1 bedroom-suite with a king bed and fold out couch was spacious. The check-in was the only slight disappointment, as I stood there awkwardly waiting for the one of the four front desk staff to acknowledge me--no one did. They were having a conversation, and not one looked up until a lone staff person at the other desk waved me over to check in. After a tiring day of travel, a nod would have been appreciated but the rest of our stay more than made up for it. Afternoon tea was everything I remembered; we were seated on a comfortable settee facing the fireplace. Three tiers of carbs later, and three pots of tea, we called it a day on that last tier of sweets. The scones, jams, clotted cream and tea sandwiches only looked dainty. Dream come true and perfect stay here.

    Harbor View from the 4th floor near our room.
    Troy D.

    Without a doubt, the best hotel we've ever stayed at. First class accommodations and top notch staff with impeccable service and attention to detail at every turn. Their gardens and grounds are nothing short of amazing with extensive blooming flowers enemies in late September. Not sure how they do it. Great comfort and relaxing class at every level. Ice delivered to your room and everything you need provided, from toiletries to robes to wine glasses in your room. Can't wait to come back and visit again. Every person we interacted with was warm and friendly. Hotel staff in the US. Could learn a great deal from the Canadians. Very impressive to say the least. Cheers!

    Hallway
    Tara R.

    It is a nice hotel but way too expensive for a bed for a night. $500+ for a standard room. Typical small hotel bathroom and standard size room with all the basic amenities. Convenient location to downtown and the harbor. Did not pay for high tea or any of the other extras. Had breakfast in onsite restaurant and was $75 with standard tip for two people. Bed was comfy and pillow were fluffy but had to stack 2-3 for support. I wouldn't stay here again due to the cost and nothing extra for that cost.

    Table for 4!
    Danielle K.

    Amazing, lovely, exciting experience at Hugh Tea with the family. Pro tip: kids are 50% off! We felt so well cared for, and loved all of our teas and food. You cannot beat the ambiance. A real treat if you like to dress up and feel spoiled.

    C. H.

    We booked a two night stay here with the Fairmont Gold Deluxe Harbour View option. This was our first time booking the Gold option. Service did not disappoint. We had our own designated check in and check out section and concierge team. I was more excited at the convenience of breakfast at their lounge and terrace. I like not having to leave in the morning to grab a bite. However, we did have to pay for this convenience. The gold option also included evening hors d'oeuvres and desserts. The selection was quite good during our stay. The room, itself, was spacious enough for us. The harbour view was alright. I actually enjoyed the view more from the terrace during our stay. Also, I did not spend that much time in our room as we were out and about exploring the city. The bed and pillows were comfy. I liked the personalized note in the room with our name and additional information regarding the Gold level perks. Overall, it was a great experience. Staff were friendly and helpful. Hotel was nicely updated.

    Jason V.

    There are only a handful of hotels in the world that are so iconic, they can be instantly identified by name alone, and very few of them are found on the west coast of North America. The Hotel del Coronado in San Diego is one; the Empress (now the Fairmont Empress) is the other. That's it. That's the list. There's a reason for this kind of exclusivity: this is a place built for royalty. Well, more accurately, to make its guests *feel* like royalty...and it does a damn good job of it! Evocative architecture, impeccable service, a world-class high tea service, multiple restaurants and bars, a sauna and fitness center, and several upscale boutiques selling haute-couture apparel, jewelry and, of course, tea, with only the latter being affordable to the peasantry (such as us)! There's also an attached conference center and event venue, the discovery of which conjured up a hilariously absurd scenario in my mind of an anime convention being held here. The image of scantily-clad costumed anime girls, Gundams and furries intermingling with posh pinky-raising elites over a cup of Ceylon tea will not soon fade from my imagination! As expected, even a single-night's stay here is going to set you back a pretty penny (or pound): a last-minute booking will run you north of $500 USD for even the most modest of accommodations, so plan (far) ahead if you want to secure a more reasonable rate. Additionally, the high tea service, while definitely an experience you don't want to miss, is similarly priced dearly at over $100 per head, and comes coupled with an enforced dress code, so leave your tank tops and flip flops upstairs in your room. Though Queen Victoria did not live long enough to see it built, the Fairmont Empress is a hotel as iconic as the monarch for which its architectural style, as well as the city in which it resides, is named after. Her Majesty would be proud. And thankfully, now all of us serfs can enjoy it as well, and experience, for just a moment, what it would be like to live like a King or Queen!

    Archway
    Navin K.

    This review is for the outdoor garden and grounds of the hotel, as we couldn't secure a reservation to stay here on our recent visit to Victoria. The grounds and topiary are beautifully maintained and there are photo opportunities everywhere you look. We spent some time sitting quietly on secluded benches and soaking in the beauty. I was especially enthralled by the Orca and calf topiary that's at the northwest corner of the property. Looking forward to visiting again, perhaps even staying here!

    Seating area in upper lobby.
    Mark A.

    A great place to keep warm while waiting for dinner. Quiet and chill. Just needs a roaring fireplace.

    Jason F.

    Up for a stroll down the upbeat and trendy streets of Victoria, BC? Consider staying a night or two at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. Adjacent to the harbor and all the water activities. Or explore the streets and the local shoppes for souvenirs, food and entertainment. Fairmont Empress is a historical and luxurious hotel with all the amenities one would require while on vacation, or business. We splurged and got the "Gold Package" which allowed us a fast and friendly check-in and contactless and late check-out. Upgraded room with a nice view. We also had vip access to the newly renovated lounge that offered breakfast from 7a - 10:30, hors d oeurves, snacks, drinks and dessert in the evening. Couldn't ask for more. Two days that we will never forget.

    High Tea

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    Page 1 of 13

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    Review Highlights - Fairmont Empress

    This hotel is historic and besides being known for the color changing gin, it's also known for its high tea.

    Mentioned in 125 reviews

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    Abigail's Hotel - Dining room

    Abigail's Hotel

    (79 reviews)

    $$$

    Abigail's Hotel is just so nice! Their extraordinary hospitality began with a phone call we made a…read morefew months before our trip (which was answered by a real and knowledgeable person). I wanted to gut-check our plan to take the ferry from Seattle, use Uber to get to their hotel (and could we please leave our luggage up front since we'd arrive before check in? - to which the answer was, "of course you can!"), and then use Uber all around town. The very pleasant woman I spoke with (those months before arriving) assured me that our plan should work splendidly, and they looked forward to having us. Upon arrival, we were greeted by two of the nicest front desk people, who took our luggage for storage, then found our room had indeed been cleaned as early as possible and was in fact ready for us for early check in immediately! The property itself is reminiscent of a period of taste and attention to detail that seldom exists any more. Our room was beautiful: spacious, with two separate bathroom sinks and a separate jetted tub and walk-in shower, plus a small sitting area and plenty of space! So nicely appointed with everything in its place, and everything working. The entire lobby and library/lounge area was also beautifully appointed, and so homey and inviting. And breakfast - included with the room - was elaborate and scrumptious. Each day features both sweet and savory options; for example, pancakes, or eggs and bacon. My wife and I got one of each and shared them. It was all delectable. And each day's menu, specially prepared and printed for that day, includes a weather forecast for the day - even with temperatures in both Celsius and Fahrenheit! We had such a wonderful stay that we hated to leave. We'd look forward to visiting Victoria again and would definitely choose Abigail's hotel again!!

    Our visit to Vancouver Island included 4 nights at this marvelous B&B styled hotel. With a long…read morehistory, the current owners made this into a great place to stay with modern conveniences without losing the old-style touches. The Library was a great quiet location, the room (Opal room) was comfortable, large, and provided greaat views out the many windows of the trees around the building. We particuly enjoyed breakfasts offered. Different each day, the quality was excellent as was fresh brewed coffee. Given the number of guests and limited dining room space for tables, the hotel requested us to pick a timeframe to dine so that the pace for table availabilty and meals were manageable. We chose 8:30A and we arrived each day with 10 minutes of that time. Worked great to get a table without feeling rushed or the food delayed in arriving! And each afternoon the chef put out a nice spread of meats/cheeses sometime, and homemade soup other times. All in all a great experience!

    Hotel Grand Pacific

    Hotel Grand Pacific

    (162 reviews)

    $$$

    Really nice experience at this hotel. Amazing location - directly across the street from the…read moreClipper. Really nice staff - they were able to check us in earlier than we thought and went out of their way to be discreet about a surprise wine and chocolates plate I bought for our anniversary. Lovely view - every room has a balcony and ours had a peekaboo view of the water. And we had the best night's sleep I think I have ever had in a hotel bed. The hotel is a bit older and more dated than some other hotels around, but it's got character and fun quirks. I would definitely stay again.

    Stayed over the BC day long weekend. My sisters and I took up 3 suites on the 7th and 8th floors…read more One suite had a big balcony with incredible views of the Empress hotel, Harbour and parliament building. The other suites were right on top of each other and had views of the fireworks. Definitely recommend harbor view room for a place as picturesque as Victoria. Love love love that they accept fur babies here. However, our room wasn't supplied with the doggo food/bowl/bed as noted on their website. Didn't bother to ask as we brought our own food and they slept on the bed anyway. The underground parking is quite tight. Beautifully located next to the parliament building. Enjoyed the pool and hot tub. The shower head was terrible.. was shooting water in every direction all at once. The shower gel and shampoos smelled divine. Service was good. Enjoyed our stay and would stay again.

    Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort

    Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort

    (62 reviews)

    $$$

    A luxury hotel experience, vast property with a viewing balcony area perfect for viewing the port…read more Three people had space to sprawl out with a weekend's worth of luggage. It is a conference center equipped for multiple congruent sessions. An gym is located near a heated indoor pool. Although the chlorine smell is almost unbearable. Starbucks coffee is served on site. The staff was beyond cordial and made arrangements to store our luggage when we arrived earlier than expected. We were able to walk across a rather scenic bridge to nearby China Town, an Irish pub strip and a shopping mall.

    My wife and I first had a memorable stay at the Delta Hotel almost nine years ago, during the 4th…read moreof July weekend in 2015. This was why we decided to return there again for the long weekend of 2024, on the 4th of July. Unfortunatly, this time was different. For a three-night stay, we invested nearly $1,400 for the room alone, without breakfast, parking, or any other expenses. We were expecting a 350-square-foot room with a water view, large windows, and a separate bedroom and sitting area. After we checked in, we found out that the room they had allocated to us, room 826 on the 8th floor, was not the room we had paid for. It was less than 150 sq ft, with tiny windows, no separate bedroom, and no separate sitting area. Naturally, I returned to the reception desk and demanded a better room. They responded that you had booked a room from Expedia, and we did not get what we were entitled to for the rental. Moreover, because you arrived after 7 p.m., we gave the room to another party. I explained the meaning and purpose of the reservation and showed them a printout from our booking with the room description. After over half an hour of struggle, they decided to honor what I had promised. However, they did not change our room until the next day. Overall, our stay at the Delta Hotel this time was not as pleasant as we hoped. I doubt we will be going back there again.

    Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour

    Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour

    (91 reviews)

    $$$

    I am a Marriott Titanium Elite member and have stayed at many Marriott properties, but this was one…read moreof the most uncomfortable and intrusive experiences I've had. Despite having a Do Not Disturb sign clearly displayed, hotel staff entered my room without my consent, later explaining that it was a "wellness check" required when a room has not received housekeeping service for three consecutive days. However, no attempt was made to call my phone, leave a voicemail, or contact me in any way before entering. In an era where every guest provides a phone number at check-in, this should have been the first and most basic step. Entering a guest's room while Do Not Disturb is displayed is a serious violation of privacy. Additionally, I had requested and received towels directly the day before, and I had declined housekeeping at check-in, which contradicts the claim that my room had not been serviced for three days. To make matters more confusing, management later focused their response on the presence of my service dog, asking me to confirm if I was traveling with a dog. However, my dog was present with me at check-in, so it is unclear why this suddenly became a concern or why it was brought up after the unauthorized entry. What was most disappointing was the response from Danielle Powell, Director of Operations, who repeatedly justified the situation rather than offering a sincere apology for the intrusion. The tone of the communication felt confrontational rather than customer-focused. Overall, this hotel is a very poor representation of the Marriott brand. Privacy and respect are fundamental expectations when staying at a hotel -- especially when a Do Not Disturb sign is clearly displayed. Unfortunately, that basic expectation was not respected here.

    I did an overnight stay with my family last Monday. We paid for an off-season price and were…read moregrateful to stay at this hotel. Most importantly the location was great. Everything was close to this area. There was a restaurant inside the hotel as well as a pub within walking distance. I never heard of any noise throughout the stay. It was pretty quiet since we stayed at penthouse. View was fantastic. Bed was comfortable and cozy. Gym and swimming pool are was quiet. I got to use gym and swimming pool whenever convenient. Although didn't experience any issues, breakfast was not complimentary. Aside from that everything was good!

    Fairmont Empress - hotels - Updated May 2026

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