Majestic harbor views frame the historic Fairmont Empress, where afternoon tea service is a celebrated Victoria tradition. The indoor pool and spa offers serenity after exploring downtown. Gold Floor guests enjoy exclusive lounge access with panoramic vistas and personalized service.
Located on the waterfront, Fairmont Empress is in Downtown Victoria neighborhood and is connected to the convention center. Victoria Harbour and Victoria Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Market Square and Chinatown. Traveling with kids? Don't miss Victoria Bug Zoo and Butchart Gardens. Kayaking and sailing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking and hiking/biking trails nearby. Guests love the hotel's location for the sightseeing. Visit our Victoria travel guide
V8W1W5, BC, Victoria, 721 Government St
What's nearby
Government Street
1 min walk - 0.0 km
Royal BC Museum
3 min walk - 0.3 km
Victoria Conference Centre
3 min walk - 0.3 km
British Columbia Parliament Building
3 min walk - 0.3 km
Chinatown
12 min walk - 1.0 km
Getting around
Victoria Intl. Airport (YYJ)
32 min drive
Restaurants
Milestones
2 min walk
The Sticky Wicket Bar & Restaurant
6 min walk
Browns Socialhouse Victoria Falls
4 min walk
The Old Spaghetti Factory
4 min walk
Q At The Empress
1 min walk
About this property
Fairmont Empress
Luxury family-friendly hotel near British Columbia Parliament Building
Located close to Maritime Museum of British Columbia and Victoria Bug Zoo, Fairmont Empress provides a terrace, an art gallery on site, and a shopping mall on site. Adventurous travelers may like the cycling at this hotel. Treat yourself to a facial, a hot stone massage, or a manicure/pedicure at the onsite spa. At the two on-site restaurants, enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and American cuisine. Stay connected with free WiFi in public areas, with speed of 25+ Mbps, and guests can find other amenities such as a garden and a hair salon.
Other perks include:
An indoor pool and a children's pool, along with sun loungers
Limo/town car service, full breakfast (surcharge), and bike rentals
Valet parking (surcharge), an electric car charging station, and access to a nearby indoor pool
Express check-out, express check-in, and a vegetable garden
Guest reviews give top marks for the helpful staff, proximity to shopping, and first-rate property condition
Room features
All 431 rooms have comforts such as premium bedding and laptop-friendly workspaces, in addition to thoughtful touches like air conditioning and bathrobes. Guest reviews highly rate the clean rooms at the property.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillowtop mattresses, and down comforters
Bathrooms with designer toiletries and tubs or showers
32-inch flat-screen TVs with cable channels
Wardrobes/closets, recycling, and electric kettles
Awards and affiliations
Sustainability Certifications
This property is certified by these third-party sustainability certification schemes: Biosphere and Green Key Global. For more information on what these certifications require and verify, please visit their websites.
The property is a member of Historic Hotels of the World.
Yes, this property has an indoor pool and a children's pool. Pool access is from 5:00 AM–11:00 PM.
How much does it cost to stay at Fairmont Empress?
As of Oct 23, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Fairmont Empress on Nov 1, 2026 start from ¥33,034, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Fairmont Empress pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking?
Self parking is available for CAD 39 per day. Valet parking is available for CAD 53.00 per day.
What time is check-in at Fairmont Empress?
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. A fee applies for early check-in (subject to availability).
What time is check-out at Fairmont Empress?
Check-out is at 11 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).
Where is Fairmont Empress located?
This family-friendly Victoria hotel is located on the waterfront, within a 5-minute walk of Maritime Museum of British Columbia, British Columbia Parliament Building, and Victoria Bug Zoo. Victoria Harbour and Market Square are also within 10 minutes.
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
Fairmont Empress Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
We always look forward to our stays at the Empress and the staff go out of their way to make every guest feel so cared for. One highlight this year was breakfast at The Bengal. This beautiful, historic space has a special place in our hearts. Wonderful location, amenities, staff & service; it's one of a kind.
A beautiful, relaxing stay at the Fairmont Empress.
Perfect location, beautifully appointed rooms, comfortable beds and highly professional, friendly staff make for an excellent weekend away in Victoria. My only regret is that we couldn't stay longer.
I had a great stay at the empress. Staff was wonderful! I enjoyed the amenities and afternoon tea as well
My only complaint rooms could use some upgrades. I had to change rooms because of this
Beautiful hotel, room, and we loved the automatic turn down service. The hotel staff were helpful and friendly, and it's the perfect location to walk everywhere. We'll definitely return again.
This place was incredible! Very well appointed and had everything to make our stay perfect. The breakfast buffet was extensive. Then there were snacks all day with complimentary non-alcoholic drinks. There was also a great “ honor system” bar available all day. High tea was also served daily. The location was perfect. The water taxis, ferry and sea planes were right across the street and the pedestrian shopping area was adjacent to the hotel. Couldn’t have had a better time.