Fairmont Empress

The Fairmont Empress is one of the oldest hotels in Victoria, British Columbia, and is an iconic symbol of the city. Opened in 1908, this gorgeous hotel was designed by Francis Rattenbury and overlooks Victoria’s Inner Harbour. It is now designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, and recognized as one of the Top 21 Iconic Hotels in the World by National Geographic Traveler Magazine, honored by Travel + Leisure as a Top Canadian Hotel, and is a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice and Gold List Hotel. Fairmont Empress has played host to several big names over the years, in politics, entertainment, and royalty. Prince Edward of Wales, his brother and sister-in-law King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip have all stayed at this luxury hotel. As part of the heart of Victoria’s city center, Fairmont Empress is in the perfect location for guests to experience all the grandeur of the historic locale. The hotel sits just steps away from whale watching tour providers, float plane services, the Royal British Columbia Museum, and shops on historic Government Street. It is just a 30-minute drive from the famous Butchart Gardens.