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Book Fairmont Empress if you want a historic Victoria luxury hotel with 431 rooms and suites, Inner Harbour views, Fairmont Gold, Tea at the Empress, Q at the Empress, and Fairmont Spa. Choose another hotel if you want a modern minimalist design or a remote island resort.

Room to consider

Book a harbour-view room if scenery matters. Choose Fairmont Gold if you want lounge access, extra service, and a quieter rhythm inside the hotel.

Insider tip

Fairmont Empress offers Q at the Empress, Q Bar, and the Lobby Lounge for Tea at the Empress. The dining focus is Pacific Northwest flavor, cocktails, and classic hotel style.

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Fairmont Empress Victoria

Victoria's Inner Harbour is the daily backdrop at Fairmont Empress. This historic hotel at 721 Government Street puts the British Columbia Parliament Buildings, Royal BC Museum, and waterfront walks close to your door. Its 431 rooms and suites range from compact rooms overlooking the courtyard to larger suites facing the water. Afternoon tea brings visitors into the Lobby Lounge, while Fairmont Gold provides a private lounge for guests staying in that category. For a first visit to Vancouver Island, the appeal is practical as well as architectural: you can explore central Victoria on foot and return to the hotel between outings.

Luxury
4.6/5 101 Member Reviews 74% Upgrade Rate

Rooms

  • 431 431

Hotel Style

  • Charming Charming

Leisure

  • Fitness Fitness
  • Pool Pool
  • Spa Spa
  • Sauna Sauna

Experiences

  • Culture Culture
  • Adventure Adventure

Facilities

  • Pet Friendly Pet Friendly

Rooms & Suites at Fairmont Empress Victoria

Fairmont Room
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Fairmont Room

237 sqft
From 432 USD

Blue accents and softly patterned walls give these rooms a lighter take on the hotel’s traditional style. A desk makes room for a laptop or...

Deluxe Room
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Deluxe Room

334 sqft
From 507 USD

A seating area gives you somewhere to settle with a book or sit over coffee away from the bed. In one layout, a rectangular table...

Harbour View Room
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Harbour View Room

248 sqft
From 577 USD

A chair and small table at the window give you a place to linger away from the bed. Blue accents, white bedding and a patterned...

Junior Suite
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Junior Suite

409 sqft
From 577 USD

The open-plan interior gives the sitting area a place of its own without closing it off from the bed. A sofa and low glass-topped table...

Fairmont Gold City View Room
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Fairmont Gold City View Room

226–269 sqft
From 579 USD

A round table and two high-backed chairs make a sitting corner beyond the bed. The design mixes pale walls with purple curtains and cushions, while...

Fairmont Gold Deluxe Room
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Fairmont Gold Deluxe Room

323 sqft
From 607 USD

The designated sitting area makes this room more useful when you want time out of bed. In the two-queen layout, a sofa and low table...

Executive Suite
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Executive Suite

409–581 sqft
From 614 USD

The living room stays separate from the bedroom, so there is space to read or work while someone rests. A desk beside the window and...

Signature Harbour View Room
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Signature Harbour View Room

344 sqft
From 642 USD

Original architectural details give this category a character of its own. Arches, circular turret seating nooks and crown molding appear in different layouts, making the...

1 Bedroom Suite
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1 Bedroom Suite

441 sqft
From 649 USD

A separate living room lets the bedroom remain a private place to rest. The sofa faces a low glass-topped table, with a desk at the...

Fairmont Gold Harbour View Room
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Fairmont Gold Harbour View Room

280 sqft
From 670 USD

A curved table and high-backed chair sit beside the window, giving you a spot to read or work. Purple curtains and cushions add color to...

Fairmont Gold Deluxe Harbour View Room
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Fairmont Gold Deluxe Harbour View Room

377 sqft
From 712 USD

The lounging area stretches toward the windows, with a sofa, low table and a separate chair around a round table. This gives you a choice...

Fairmont Gold Suite
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Fairmont Gold Suite

420 sqft
From 791 USD

The bedroom and living room are separate, giving the suite a useful division between rest and time together. The bedroom has purple curtains and a...

Deluxe Harbour View Room
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Deluxe Harbour View Room

334–377 sqft
From 908 USD

An open sitting area gives the room a comfortable place to pause between outings. The furnishings have nautical touches, with blue accents running through the...

Fairmont Gold Harbour View Suite
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Fairmont Gold Harbour View Suite

474 sqft
From 1’174 USD

A residence-style layout gives the bedroom and lounge distinct roles, with room to retreat or spend time together. A sofa and low table furnish the...

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.

Why we love this hotel

Why we love this hotel

Fairmont Empress still owns Victoria's Inner Harbour view. The setting gives the hotel its grand arrival.

Afternoon Tea is the ritual to keep. It has carried the Empress story for more than a century.

Q at the Empress adds a more current West Coast note. Seafood, local produce, and harbour light suit the room.

Location of Fairmont Empress

721 Government St, Victoria BC V8W 1W5, Canada

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Weather at Fairmont Empress Victoria

Victoria

What to Know About Fairmont Empress Victoria

Is Fairmont Empress Victoria worth it?

Yes. Fairmont Empress Victoria is worth it for travelers who want a landmark hotel on Victoria's Inner Harbour, with 431 rooms and suites, Fairmont Gold, famous afternoon tea, dining, and spa facilities. The hotel is best for guests who value history, location, views, and a classic sense of occasion. It is one of Canada's most recognizable railway hotels.

Where is Fairmont Empress located?

Fairmont Empress is located on Victoria's Inner Harbour in British Columbia, close to the Royal BC Museum, Parliament Buildings, downtown shops, restaurants, and waterfront walks. The location is one of the main reasons to book. Many of Victoria's key sights are walkable from the hotel, which makes short stays easy to plan.

How many rooms and suites does Fairmont Empress have?

Fairmont Empress has 431 luxury rooms and suites. The room categories include classic rooms, view rooms, suites, and Fairmont Gold accommodations. Harbour-view categories are the most memorable for first-time visitors. Fairmont Gold is the better choice if you want lounge access and a more private experience.

Is Fairmont Empress a historic hotel?

Yes. Fairmont Empress is a historic Canadian railway hotel and one of Victoria's most famous landmarks. It opened in the early 20th century and still defines the Inner Harbour skyline. The hotel blends restored heritage with modern rooms and service. It is ideal for travelers who want their hotel to be part of the destination, not just a place to sleep.

What is Tea at the Empress?

Tea at the Empress is the hotel's famous afternoon tea experience, served in the Lobby Lounge with traditional tea service, scones, pastries, sandwiches, and harbour views. It is one of Victoria's signature experiences and often books up. Reserve ahead, especially during weekends, holidays, cruise season, and summer travel periods.

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