United States
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Fairmont Empress

4 stars
8.9
Very good
based on 1731 reviews
1,731 reviews
721 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1W5, Canada
721 Government Street, Victoria, BC
+1 250 384 8111
Thu 10/8
-
Fri 10/9
2 guests, 1 room
Living room
Other
Restaurant
Conference room
Fairmont Empress Victoria guest room with king bed, sofa, and city-view windows
Lounge
Restaurant
Other
Lounge
Lounge
Bedroom
Other
Conference room
Lounge
Gym
Conference room
Conference room
Conference room
Living room
Restaurant
Bedroom
Banquet hall
Restaurant
Lounge
Bedroom
Bedroom
Lobby
Lounge
Conference room
Conference room
Bedroom
Restaurant
Bedroom
Banquet hall
Other
Other
Bedroom
Living room
Bedroom
Restaurant
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Other
Bedroom
Banquet hall
Other
Bedroom
Restaurant
Lobby
Bedroom
Other
Lounge
Overview
Prices
Amenities
Reviews
Location
When to book
Tips & FAQs
Nearby stays

Overview

For travelers going to British Columbia, finding the best place to stay may not be the easiest task. That is why the Fairmont Empress is a great choice! It opened in 1908 and overlooks the inner harbor. It was newly renovated in 2017 and millions of dollars were spent on this extravagant renovation.

The spa at the Fairmont Empress is one of the main reasons that guests choose to stay here. Guests who are truly looking for a way to relax love taking advantage of the spas services. The spa offers treatments such as body scrubs, facials, scrubs, polishes, massages, couples packages, men’s treatments, manicures, and pedicures.

Every room at the Fairmont Empress features Wi-Fi, air conditioning, in-room safe, terry bathrobes, flat screen televisions, coffee maker, tea kettle, luxurious linens, and a decorative fireplace.

Guests can dine at the Fairmont Empress in many of the eateries here. Q at the Empress, Q Bar, Lobby Lounge, Tea at the Empress, The Veranda, and Empress Torte are all available to guests here.

There is so much to do in British Columbia and the Fairmont Empress is close to it all. Guests can visit Butchart Gardens, Craigdarroch Castle, Emily Carr House, Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Rodd Hill, Royal British Columbia Museum, and Miniature world.

Guests will get excellent amenities here and the staff is one of a kind! The Fairmont Empress makes every guest feel like they are in their home away from home. This is hospitality like no other and guests will know exactly where to stay the next time they are in British Columbia.

8.9
Very good
1731 reviews

Latest deals for Fairmont Empress

Thu 10/8
-
Fri 10/9
Deals from
$176
•Cheapest rate per night
Compare prices for King room, Double room and 70 more Fairmont Empress deals.
King room, 1 king bed
$176
nightly with fees
Double room, 2 double beds
$196
nightly with fees
Double room, 2 double beds
$198
nightly with fees
Double room, 1 king bed
$217
nightly with fees
Queen room, 1 queen bed
$254
nightly with fees
Queen room, 1 queen bed
$260
nightly with fees
Queen room, 1 queen bed
$263
nightly with fees
Deluxe room, bed type unknown
$277
nightly with fees
Double room, 2 double beds
$283
nightly with fees
Queen room, 1 queen bed
$285
nightly with fees
Queen room, 1 queen bed
$294
nightly with fees
Queen room, 1 queen bed
$296
nightly with fees
Queen room, 1 queen bed
$370
nightly with fees
King room, 1 king bed
$385
nightly with fees
Standard room, bed type unknown
$412
nightly with fees
Queen room, 1 queen bed
$427
nightly with fees
Double room, 1 twin bed
$461
nightly with fees
King room, 1 king bed
$529
nightly with fees
*Total includes estimated local taxes & fees payable on check out.

Amenities at Fairmont Empress

  • Indoor pool
  • Fitness center
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Room service
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Coffee machine
  • Valet parking
  • Business center
  • Wi-Fi available in all areas

Reviews of Fairmont Empress

8.9
Very good
1731 verified ratings
Wonderful
1018
Very good
261
Good
159
Okay
118
Fair
95
Mediocre
30
Poor
50

Summary of reviews

Guests say
Guests consistently praised the hotel's excellent location, beautiful historic building, and friendly, helpful staff, which contributed to a memorable stay. Many appreciated the well-maintained grounds, comfortable beds, and unique atmosphere. However, several guests were disappointed by the small room and bathroom sizes, noise levels, and inconsistent breakfast quality. Some noted issues with service, such as staff persistence or lack of dietary awareness, but overall, positive experiences with the staff and the hotel's ambiance outweighed the negatives.
AI-Generated from customer reviews
Location10 out of 10
Service9.5 out of 10
Breakfast2.5 out of 10
Room Size1.5 out of 10
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All reviews

6.0
Okay
Brad, May 2026
Beautiful property but our room was a total disappointment. Apparently a city view which was actually overlooking a bunch of commercial HVAC systems. Very noisy. So small that you couldn’t get between the dresser and the bed without risking banging your leg on the bed frame. Not worth the cost.
10
Wonderful
Craig, Jul 2025
Best hotel I'm town.
10
Wonderful
Mariano, Apr 2024
Impeccable service at every turn.
10
Wonderful
Anne, Oct 2023
It has a nice pool and hot tub. The bathroom has been upgraded. Having tea in the Tea Room was great .
10
Wonderful
Anonymous, May 2023
the entire experience was superb! from the moment we checked in Mike T. our Bellman, made sure we were happy. The first room we checked into was small with a lovely harbor view. i did'nt like it, The hotel was full. He negotiated with the front desk manager to change our room 3 days later to a lovely room on the 5th floor. He then followed up and made sure all was right. The front desk clerks dont...
Read more
9.4
Wonderful
Anonymous, Aug 2019
Cons (-) It’s a great old building and staffed with excellent people. At triple the cost of most hotels are we getting triple the returns on our money? Hard to answer.
10
Wonderful
Anonymous, Apr 2019
Pros (+) The staff was extremely friendly and helpful! The hotel is in the heart of downtown Victoria so we were able to walk almost everywhere.
Cons (-) We got a knock on our door after 9pm for turn down service which normally wouldn't be a problem but our children were sleeping at the time.
9.7
Wonderful
Anonymous, Jan 2019
Pros (+) We spent Christmas there and they provided us with a stocking on our door for Christmas Day. The staff was extremely helpful at every opportunity, and very responsive to our needs.
Cons (-) My only smallest complaint would be the expense. The hotel is very expensive, but the service largely drives that expense and it really made for a wonderful experience for me and my wife.
6.0
Okay
Anonymous, Aug 2017
Pros (+) Beds were nice and comfortable, Bartenders were great and had suggestions to get value for your money.
Cons (-) Price was excessive compared to other hotels in the area. Considering the price, wifi was not included.
8.0
Very good
Jaime, Aug 2017
Cons (-) I have a problem with the ATM but they did not help me at all. They only said that the ATM is not of the hotel ,but I think they have to be more helpful in this cases.

Location

721 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1W5

What's nearby

  • Royal BC Museum236 yd
  • British Columbia Parliament Buildings304 yd
  • Greater Victoria Public Library385 yd
  • Royal Theatre0.3 mi
  • St. Andrew's Cathedral0.4 mi
  • Christ Church Cathedral0.4 mi
  • BC Ferries0.5 mi
  • Chinatown0.5 mi
  • Emily Carr House0.5 mi
  • Ogden Point1.1 mi
  • Craigdarroch Castle1.1 mi
  • Government House1.2 mi

Policies

Check-in/Check-out

Check in anytime after 4:00 PM, check out anytime before 11:00 AM

Cancellation/prepayment

Cancellation/prepayment policies vary by room type and provider.

Essential information about Fairmont Empress

Low season

High season

Average price (weeknight)

Average price (weekend night)

January
August
$510
$541
Cheapest month to stay with an average 49% drop in price.
Most expensive month to stay with an average 61% rise in price.
Average Sun - Thu price over the last 2 weeks.
Average Fri & Sat price over the last 2 weeks.

Fairmont Empress

Which month has the cheapest rates at Fairmont Empress?

The cheapest month to stay at Fairmont Empress is January, with an average nightly rate of $235. The most expensive month is August at $579 per night.

What is the cheapest day to book Fairmont Empress?

The cheapest day to book Fairmont Empress is Sunday, with an average nightly rate of $426. The most expensive day is Wednesday at $591 per night.

How far in advance should you book Fairmont Empress?

To get the best price at Fairmont Empress, book around 8 weeks in advance. This could save you approximately 35% compared to booking last minute.

KAYAK's top tips for your stay at Fairmont Empress

  • If you’re after a cheap room at Fairmont Empress, then you should consider staying during the low season. The cheapest deals can generally be found in January and February.
  • Prices can also vary depending on which day of the week you stay. For the best room deals at Fairmont Empress, plan to stay on a Sunday or Thursday. The most expensive day is usually Wednesday.
  • The cheapest price a room at Fairmont Empress was booked for on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $328, while the most expensive was $1,113.
  • How long should you stay at Fairmont Empress? KAYAK users usually book their rooms here for 2 days.

FAQs when booking at Fairmont Empress

  • What are the best rooms to stay in at the Fairmont Empress?

    To stay in a room that is affordable yet scenic, book the Fairmont Harbor View Room, an elegant choice that has windows that directly overlook the water, as well as a small sitting area and work desk. If you will be staying at the Fairmont Empress with your family, consider booking the Deluxe Room, a choice that can fit up to four people and ranges in size from 330 to 430 sq ft.

  • What fitness amenities and activities are offered by the Fairmont Empress for guests?

    If you forgot to pack your workout equipment or would just simply like to be able to have a private workout in your room, there is the Fairmont Fit program, which will provide you with items such as yoga mats, an MP3 player, and workout clothes for a small additional charge. To explore the surrounding region while simultaneously burning some calories, rent one of the BMW cruise bicycles that are available for all guests for free from the front desk of the Fairmont Empress.

  • What are the most popular spa treatments among guests at the Fairmont Empress?

    For guests that would like to reduce the signs of aging and clean out their pores, make a reservation for the Rose Infinity Advanced Facial, a service that will help to boost the production of new skin cells and get rid of wrinkles. If your skin is feeling dull and dehydrated, opt for the Eucalyptus Body Scrub, a sea salt exfoliation treatment that will improve blood circulation and nourish your entire body. To rid your body of stress and allow yourself to unwind, there is the Stress Relief massage that lasts for either 60 or 90min and focuses on your main tension points.

  • What wedding amenities are there for couples to book through the Fairmont Empress?

    When you book your wedding at the Fairmont Empress, you will automatically be provided with several amenities and services, including a wedding menu tasting, a wedding coordinator, a 1h open bar, and a selection of 4 and 5 course menus to choose from. Additional amenities can be booked, such as a custom-made wedding cake, a cocktail hour before the reception, a sparkling wine toast, and wine for each guest to drink during dinner. The hotel also has a list of preferred photographers, musicians, and florists that they can help connect you with.

  • What is the best way for visitors to go from Vancouver International Airport to the Fairmont Empress?

    Due to the distance between the two locations, the best way to travel from Vancouver International Airport to the Fairmont Empress is by driving, which will take you approximately 2h 50min to 3h. While public transportation is also an option, it is important to keep in mind that it will take you upwards of 4h. It is possible to book a private shuttle service and doing so will cost you around 80 CAD per person in a shared van (approximately 60 USD). (Prices checked 15/08/19).

  • Where is Fairmont Empress located?

    Fairmont Empress is located at 721 Government Street in Downtown, 0.4 miles from the center of Victoria. Royal BC Museum is the closest landmark to Fairmont Empress.

  • When is check-in time and check-out time at Fairmont Empress?

    Check-in time is 4:00 PM and check-out time is 11:00 AM at Fairmont Empress.

  • Does Fairmont Empress offer free Wi-Fi?

    Yes, Fairmont Empress offers free Wi-Fi.

  • How far is Fairmont Empress from the airport?

    Fairmont Empress is 0.2 miles from Victoria Inner Harbour Seaplane Base. Fairmont Empress is 15.8 miles from Victoria Intl.

  • Does Fairmont Empress have a pool?

    Yes, Fairmont Empress has a pool onsite.

  • How does KAYAK find such great Fairmont Empress hotel deals?

    KAYAK scours the web for all room deals available at Fairmont Empress in Victoria and lets you compare them to find the best rate for your stay. Many different travel sites will offer discounts or deals at different times for rooms at Fairmont Empress and KAYAK will provide you with prices from a huge range of travel sites. That means that you can always find a great deal for Fairmont Empress.

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Good to know

Distance to city center

Nearest Airport

Distance to airport

0.4 mi
Victoria Inner Harbour Seaplane Base
0.2 mi

More options for your stay in Victoria