Fairmont Empress Hotel

Victoria


One of the most famous hotels in Canada, the Empress was built in 1908 in French-chateau-esque style. There have been numerous renovations and a who’s-who of famous guests, from movie stars to royalty, prancing through in the years since. Modern-day guests can still expect classic decor and effortlessly solicitous service.

It's as much a historic monument as an accommodations option, so expect plenty of company (read: tourists) in the grandiose communal areas.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Victoria attractions

1. Miniature World

0.07 MILES

Tucked along the side of the Fairmont Empress Hotel, this huge collection of skillfully crafted models depicting important battles, historic towns and…

2. Royal BC Museum

0.11 MILES

Arguably the finest museum in British Columbia and carrier of a ‘royal’ prefix since 1987, Victoria’s flagship sight mixes the cream of BC’s provincial…

3. Victoria Bug Zoo

0.13 MILES

It’s not big, nor are its resident critters (although some of them are alarmingly colossal by insect standards); however, this diminutive indoor ‘zoo’ is…

4. Robert Bateman Centre

0.17 MILES

Colonizing part of the Inner Harbour's landmark Steamship Terminal building, this gallery showcases the photo-realistic work of Canada's most celebrated…

5. Parliament Buildings

0.18 MILES

This dramatically handsome confection of turrets, domes and stained glass is British Columbia's working legislature and is also open to visitors. You can…

6. Bastion Square

0.3 MILES

This square once held a jail, gallows and a brothel. Many of its scrubbed stone buildings are now restaurants, boutiques or offices. There's also a summer…

7. Christ Church Cathedral

0.37 MILES

This early-20th-century Gothic-revival cathedral is one of Victoria's most attractive buildings. The third Anglican cathedral to be built in the city, the…

8. Johnson St Bridge

0.48 MILES

Victoria’s much-loved bascule bridge across the Inner Harbour reopened in March 2018 with a handsome new streamlined structure replacing the steel-and…