Fairmont Empress Review: Victoria's Iconic Grand Dame

Fairmont Empress: Victoria’s Crown Jewel

I recently stayed at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia. The historical hotel, which is named after English queen Victoria, opened its doors in 1908. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway, this French château-style hotel has served as an icon of British Columbia’s capital for over a century. The hotel went through a significant CA$30 million renovation in 2017 to modernize its interiors, which reduced its room count to 464 while preserving its historic grandeur. Its prime location directly on the Inner Harbour offers immediate access to the Parliament Buildings, Royal BC Museum, and numerous local attractions.

How Booked

The hotel is part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR). I used maxfhr website to find a two-night stay in May this year, to be able to use my Amex Platinum Card’s $300 credits from two different cards.

Check-In Experience

We arrived in Victoria from Vancouver via BC ferries and reached the hotel around 4:00 PM on Sunday. We found the reception area somewhat busy, unaware that it was Victoria Day the next day. We were not offered an FHR room upgrade as the staff said the hotel was busy for one of the nights.

Room

We were assigned a King Room on the 5th floor, that had a city view overseeing Humboldt Street. While meticulously maintained, the room and the bathroom were small with steep window-to-celing walls, reminding us that we were in a Château. There were no early communications from the hotel before our arrival but I had mentioned in my FHR booking that we were traveling with our 2 year old kid, and the staff was attentive and included a kid’s crib and a child-sized bathrobe in the room (our little one loved it).

The hotel provided macarons as our FHR welcome gift. Bottled water was provided and replenshied during turndown service, with self-service water stations available near the elevators for convenience.

Service

Service during our stay was mostly positive with smiling faces greeting you on every corner. Breakfast service on the first morning at the Bengal was a bit listless, with missed instructions and orders. The second morning was much better, and the staff was attentive and efficient.

Food & Beverage

It felt like a maze trying to locate the breakfast restaurant - The Bengal. The access was from the second floor via other restaurants - Q at the Empress and Lobby Lounge - and a series of shops. But the breakfast turned out to be delightful on both days. Even though the menu felt small, it offered many vegan choices such as Coconut-Mango chia pudding, Avocado toast, and Soy lattes - all of which were done well. They also had a kids menu, and kids less than 5 year old ate free.

While Bengal only served breakfast, other restaurants on the property served lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea. We missed out on attending the afternoon tea at the Lobby Lounge, or watching one of Victoria’s beautiful sunsets while enjoying a snack from the balcony at the Veranda.

Amenities

The Fairmont Empress features the Willow Stream Spa, offering a range of treatments, alongside an indoor heated swimming pool and a well-equipped fitness center. For parking, onsite valet service is available at CAD 39 per night. Alternatively, during Sundays and holidays, free public street parking can be found within a five-minute walk.

Elite Benefits (Amex FHR)

Our FHR booking included:

• Daily breakfast for two at the Bengal.
• A $100 USD property credit (usable for spa or F&B including in-room dining and converted to CA$130 for our stay).
• Guaranteed 4 PM late check-out.
• Early check-in (when available).
• Room upgrade (subject to availability).
• Complimentary Wi-Fi.

The breakfast and property credit are useful to cut the cost of the breakfast and include a relaxing spa experience. We were able to use the property credit towards purchases at the spa gift shop, which was another great option.

Value

Booking via FHR can offer substantial value beyond the base room rate. While Fairmont properties are part of the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) program, FHR benefits often provide a superior tangible return, especially when utilizing the Platinum Card’s annual hotel credit. During high-demand periods, getting these guaranteed benefits can outweigh standard loyalty program perks.

Who Should Stay

The Fairmont Empress is ideal for travelers seeking a blend of historic charm and luxury, particularly those who appreciate prime waterfront locations and attentive service. It caters well to couples, families (with noted child-friendly gestures), and points and miles enthusiasts leveraging programs like FHR for added value.

Rating

8/10 – The Fairmont Empress delivers a quintessential luxury hotel experience with its unparalleled location, historic ambiance, and strong FHR benefits. While service consistency can fluctuate during peak periods, the overall offering is robust.

Verdict

The Fairmont Empress remains Victoria’s definitive luxury address. Its storied past, stunning architecture, and prime Inner Harbour placement make it a compelling choice. The ability to book via Fine Hotels + Resorts, makes it a solid choice for those looking to use their FHR credits. While room upgrades might be a miss during high-demand periods, you should still anticipate a memorable stay at this grand dame of British Columbia.