Francis Rattenbury designed the Empress for Canadian Pacific Railway, and the hotel opened in 1908. Its chateau-style architecture belongs to the era when grand railway hotels helped introduce travelers to Canada's cities and landscapes. The building is a National Historic Site of Canada, with a history that remains visible in its public rooms rather than confined to a plaque outside.

The Heritage Hall gives that history more detail through displays about the hotel's past. Outside, the harbor has its own activity, including ferries and floatplanes. Expect a prominent city hotel with restaurants and public spaces that attract local visitors, not the seclusion of a coastal lodge.

The Fairmont City View Room measures 230 to 330 square feet and overlooks the courtyard. Bed configurations include a king, queen, or two doubles. These are relatively compact rooms in a historic building, with a Nespresso machine, air conditioning, and a rain shower. Some have a bathtub, available on request, so a bath is worth confirming if it matters to your stay.

A Harbour View category changes the outlook rather than automatically providing a much larger room. Fairmont, Deluxe, and Signature options allow you to compare both floor area and view. If watching the waterfront is part of the reason for choosing the Empress, reserve the relevant category instead of relying on a general request. Courtyard-facing accommodation remains a sensible option when museum visits, shopping, and day trips will fill most of your time.

Junior Suites offer more living space, although layouts vary. Some City View Junior Suites have a split-level design with a sunken sitting area; the Harbour View version has an open-plan arrangement. A One Bedroom Harbour View Suite separates the king bedroom from the living room, making it easier for two guests to keep different hours.

For a family, the Signature Two Bedroom Harbour View Suite is a more substantial step. Its 1,250 square feet include a king bedroom, a second bedroom with two queens, and a sofa bed. A living room separates the bedrooms, and three bathrooms reduce the need to share facilities while getting ready. The suite accommodates up to six guests, with harbor views and hardwood floors. That combination makes it useful for a multigenerational visit as well as parents traveling with children.

The Royal Suite takes a different approach, with 1,600 square feet on the second floor and views toward the Parliament Buildings, Royal BC Museum, and harbor. A king bedroom, walk-in closet, marble bathroom, and living and dining areas give it the feel of a private residence. The dining table seats eight, but sleeping capacity is four, using the king and queen sofa bed. A decorative Victorian fireplace and chandelier add character without disguising the suite's practical layout.

Fairmont Gold guests have a dedicated first-floor reception and concierge, together with access to a private lounge. Breakfast, daytime snacks, and evening canapes are part of that accommodation experience. The lounge's exposed brick arches and original ceiling beams retain a connection to the building's early years.

Gold is particularly relevant if you expect to spend time in the hotel between excursions. It provides somewhere beyond your bedroom to read or have breakfast, away from the public dining rooms. This is a separate accommodation category, not a service included with every room. Alcoholic drinks from the lounge's honor bar carry an additional charge.

Afternoon tea has been served here since the hotel opened. In the Lobby Lounge, the ritual involves loose-leaf tea, finger sandwiches, pastries, and freshly baked scones with house-made strawberry jam. Honey comes from the hotel's beehives, and the tiered service gives the table a sense of occasion without needing an elaborate meal.

Allow time to enjoy it rather than fitting it into a narrow gap between tours. The hotel recommends reservations, which also lets you organize the rest of the day around tea. It can be a pleasant pause after a morning exploring Victoria, particularly when several generations are traveling together. The tradition is central to the Empress, but staying here does not mean every afternoon has to follow a formal schedule.

Q at the Empress looks toward the Inner Harbour and focuses on British Columbia's seafood and regional ingredients. A raw bar and seasonal dishes give the restaurant a coastal emphasis, supported by wines from the province and further afield. Lunch, dinner, and bar service make it an option for a full meal or a drink without leaving the hotel. The menus change with the ingredients, so the appeal lies in the regional approach rather than a particular signature dish.

Breakfast is served at The Bengal. Heritage-style beams, velvet seating, and windows toward the garden give this room its own character. It offers a distinct start to the day before the more ceremonial tea service in the Lobby Lounge.

Fairmont Spa offers massage, facial, and body treatments, with a spa ritual that includes a Finnish dry sauna, steam room, and mineral pool. A treatment can fit naturally into a city stay after time spent walking or traveling around the island. The spa facilities are separate from simply having access to the hotel's swimming pool.

The health club includes a heated indoor pool, whirlpool, children's wading pool, and two saunas. Its gym has cardio equipment, free weights, and weight machines, with 24-hour access for registered hotel guests. The swimming facilities are especially useful for families when an outdoor excursion gives way to an afternoon indoors.

The central address makes short outings easy. Government Street leads into downtown shopping, while the Parliament Buildings and Royal BC Museum are close by. Chinatown and Beacon Hill Park extend the walking possibilities. Butchart Gardens and excursions farther along the coast need transport and a larger part of the day, rather than a quick walk from the lobby.

Victoria International Airport is about 26 kilometers from the hotel, with road access via Highway 17. Allow for traffic when planning a transfer. The Inner Harbour floatplane terminal is approximately a five-minute walk away, an especially convenient arrival point. Travelers using BC Ferries arrive at Swartz Bay outside the city and continue by road; the terminal should not be confused with the downtown harbor. These different arrival routes are worth settling before choosing how much time to leave for Victoria itself.