Empress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada
Empress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada
Empress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada
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- Usia2014Calgary, Canada1,885 contributionsIconic, historic EmpressThe Empress is a beautiful architectural building. It sits prominently over-looking the inner harbour of Victoria. We enjoyed walking around the impressive lobby, going into the conservatory and checking out some of the high end shops inside. On this trip we also splurged and had afternoon tea but found that to be a disappointment.Visited June 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten May 10, 2023
- Laurie25 contributionsYou must stay hereOnly place I stay in Victoria. Gold Floor is great, except the loyalty membership amenities were the worst ever. FYI the Scottsdale Princess and San Francisco are the best Platinum amenities ever. Tracy on Gold Floor—Shout out as phenomenal!!Visited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten August 15, 2023
- RockiroadsOshawa, Canada1,271 contributionsA beautiful historic place, a must see day or night.A beautiful historic place, a must see day or night. We managed to walk in from many directions day or night. At night, lit up like a Christmas tree. Inside, we went to many shops, some affordable and some not. We got kicked out of the tea room. lol. A nice bar out front at night. A place you would love to stay at in the midst of all the action.Visited July 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 12, 2023
- DCMRDH1979San Jose, California39 contributionsOne night at the Victoria Empress hotelTop notch hotel. Excellent staff that are very attentive and knowledgeable. Our concierge, Deborah Sleno, was great. She arranged two excursions for us, one to the Butchart gardens and the Malahat skywalk. She further made sure we would be able to finish the tour to the skywalk and make it to the ferry returning to Vancouver on time. We were made to feel well taken care of. The hotel was well appointed and the rooms were very clean and comfortable. Well appointed and updated.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 7, 2023
- TansayCalgary, Canada167 contributionsA lovely place to be on a rainy dayWe were in Victoria for 2 nights at The Empress. I last stayed there...55 years ago! I can't say I recall much of that stay :)) This one was fine. We took advantage of the offer by email to be on 'standby' for a 1-bedroom suite overlooking the harbour and were successful. Good choice! The one full day we were there it was raining much of it. We were quite comfortable and content to sit in the living room and read for much of the day. The bedroom, other than the bed, was less comfortable. To get past the foot of the bed to the bathroom was a bit of a squeeze and the window very small. There wasn't good air circulation and the bedroom was stuffy at night. Staff were excellent - everyone we spoke to was most friendly and helpful.Visited October 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 13, 2023
- valeriesimon13 contributionsHigh Tea was wonderfulWe stayed here about 15 years ago. It was great....close to everything, gorgeous view of the harbor. The high tea was excellent for the kids....the last stop of an Alaskan cruise and the perfect ending along with the Butchart Gardens.Visited November 2022Traveled with familyWritten October 22, 2023
- Rainee ESeattle, Washington53 contributionsLovely stay over the holidaysReally enjoyed our stay that the Empress. Spacious and clean room with a view of the Parliament. The hotel Christmas decorations were lovely and made for a festive feel. Be sure to stop at the Empress bar to enjoy the famous Empress Gin or a non-alcoholic beverage.Visited December 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten March 1, 2024
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Popular mentions
4.5
2,320 reviews
Excellent
1,228
Very good
700
Average
283
Poor
77
Terrible
32
Professional-Pilgrim
Alberta, Canada1,400 contributions
Nov 2021
As a historic site, you will have to look hard to see much history. The restaurants (on the Upper Lobby level) are attractively decorated, though. One thing you can do is go to the back of the main floor, and check out the black-and-white photographs of the building being erected 100 or so years ago.
Written December 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChicGiGi
Indianapolis, IN13 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We spent one night in this beautiful hotel last week. It is situated close to the inner harbor. The grounds and lobby are breathtakingly beautiful. We ate in the Q Restaurant there for breakfast, and the Q bar area for lunch. In both cases, the service was pleasant, and the food just okay.
We had a suite on the sixth floor with a western exposure overlooking the inner harbor; this is one of their best and most expensive rooms. The suite had two windows and the shades were up when we entered. The space was very hot, and registered 78 degrees. We turned the thermostat to 68, and lowered the shades, but the room never got any cooler than 74. The cleaning crew had just cleaned our room before we entered (per management), so they had to know how hot the room was. We lowered the temperature the first time just before leaving for an afternoon at the Buchart Gardens, and the second time just before leaving for an early dinner. We had a very limited time in the room each time because of our schedule. Each time when we returned, the temperature was in the mid-70's. It never got below 72, and that was in the morning when we checked out. The only bedding was a thick duvet for covers, so I wore shorts all night and used no covers. I complained upon checkout and was not given any accommodation. I thought this response was not in keeping with a hotel of this stature, and the price I paid. They said I should have called management when the air-conditioning did not work, but then I would not have been able to go to the gardens or make our dinner reservation. By the time we retuned to our room for the evening, we were too tired to call management.
The rooms had been updated and they had Labo Rose 21 toiletries in the room which were fabulous. However, the bathroom doors were very awkward and inconvenient, colliding with the closet door. We had the bathroom fan on all night to draw the hot air out. We aren't sure that we would stay here again, and were happy that we were only there for one night.
We had a suite on the sixth floor with a western exposure overlooking the inner harbor; this is one of their best and most expensive rooms. The suite had two windows and the shades were up when we entered. The space was very hot, and registered 78 degrees. We turned the thermostat to 68, and lowered the shades, but the room never got any cooler than 74. The cleaning crew had just cleaned our room before we entered (per management), so they had to know how hot the room was. We lowered the temperature the first time just before leaving for an afternoon at the Buchart Gardens, and the second time just before leaving for an early dinner. We had a very limited time in the room each time because of our schedule. Each time when we returned, the temperature was in the mid-70's. It never got below 72, and that was in the morning when we checked out. The only bedding was a thick duvet for covers, so I wore shorts all night and used no covers. I complained upon checkout and was not given any accommodation. I thought this response was not in keeping with a hotel of this stature, and the price I paid. They said I should have called management when the air-conditioning did not work, but then I would not have been able to go to the gardens or make our dinner reservation. By the time we retuned to our room for the evening, we were too tired to call management.
The rooms had been updated and they had Labo Rose 21 toiletries in the room which were fabulous. However, the bathroom doors were very awkward and inconvenient, colliding with the closet door. We had the bathroom fan on all night to draw the hot air out. We aren't sure that we would stay here again, and were happy that we were only there for one night.
Written August 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tansay
Calgary, Canada167 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We were in Victoria for 2 nights at The Empress. I last stayed there...55 years ago! I can't say I recall much of that stay :)) This one was fine. We took advantage of the offer by email to be on 'standby' for a 1-bedroom suite overlooking the harbour and were successful. Good choice! The one full day we were there it was raining much of it. We were quite comfortable and content to sit in the living room and read for much of the day. The bedroom, other than the bed, was less comfortable. To get past the foot of the bed to the bathroom was a bit of a squeeze and the window very small. There wasn't good air circulation and the bedroom was stuffy at night. Staff were excellent - everyone we spoke to was most friendly and helpful.
Written October 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BubbaFromAlberta
Alberta63 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Great location, great service, and a grand hotel to explore…but won’t go back.
Main issue is the tiny bathroom which includes a rainfall shower screwed into where a regular shower head would go. The result is a dribble of water that requires you to hit your knee on the water spout to get under.
Pool area won’t land well for families with kids that enjoy pools.
Main issue is the tiny bathroom which includes a rainfall shower screwed into where a regular shower head would go. The result is a dribble of water that requires you to hit your knee on the water spout to get under.
Pool area won’t land well for families with kids that enjoy pools.
Written August 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bkbak
Tempe, AZ1,442 contributions
Oct 2021
This hotel has had two additions to it from its original building. However, all has been done to match its original style which is beautiful. We wandered through the building and grounds in order to get some perspective of its history. It has great ballrooms to peak at. We even got to see the resident dog, Winston. He wasn't very interested in meeting people.
Written October 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie H
51 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
This is a beautiful old hotel in the heart of the city. It’s part of the Fairmont chain so quite expensive. The location is incredible. The rooms are fine but the bathrooms quite small. We just got off from a week long yacht cruise and the bathroom at the hotel wasn’t much bigger than the one on our boat. My husband went to dry off from a shower and his ‘luxury” towel literally ripped almost in half. No bottled water in the rooms or in the vending areas. You have to call down and have water sent up. Three hours after checking into our room we still had no luggage. Then the bell stand could not find my husband’s luggage. First, they brought up the wrong ones, and then we had to call down three times trying to find out what the issue was. My husband finally went down and his luggage was sitting RIGHT THERE in plain sight with people standing around. We had waited almost 90 minutes by this time. Not what you would expect from a hotel like this. The bar is very nice and we had a great experience there and Lunch on the veranda was nice as well. So 3 out of 5 stars due mostly to service.
Written June 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DCMRDH1979
San Jose, CA39 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Top notch hotel. Excellent staff that are very attentive and knowledgeable.
Our concierge, Deborah Sleno, was great. She arranged two excursions for us, one to the Butchart gardens and the Malahat skywalk. She further made sure we would be able to finish the tour to the skywalk and make it to the ferry returning to Vancouver on time. We were made to feel well taken care of. The hotel was well appointed and the rooms were very clean and comfortable. Well appointed and updated.
Our concierge, Deborah Sleno, was great. She arranged two excursions for us, one to the Butchart gardens and the Malahat skywalk. She further made sure we would be able to finish the tour to the skywalk and make it to the ferry returning to Vancouver on time. We were made to feel well taken care of. The hotel was well appointed and the rooms were very clean and comfortable. Well appointed and updated.
Written October 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Missit
Phoenix, AZ12 contributions
Aug 2022
We were hesitant to stay here because we're casual people and were concerned we'd be under-dressed and uncomfortable. We couldn't have been more wrong. Everyone from the guests to the staff were so down to earth, dressed casual and all had the same sense of fun and adventure as we did. Our room was a junior suite on the top floor overlooking the harbor. It was so comfortable without being stuffy or overstated. And, the hotel location is perfect. We walked everywhere we went so no taxi fees so, for us, it balanced out the price of the room. We will definitely stay there again...and again!
Written August 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Usia2014
Calgary, Canada1,885 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
The Empress is a beautiful architectural building. It sits prominently over-looking the inner harbour of Victoria. We enjoyed walking around the impressive lobby, going into the conservatory and checking out some of the high end shops inside. On this trip we also splurged and had afternoon tea but found that to be a disappointment.
Written May 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Treker650
Kaysville, UT162 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
We did not stay at the Empress but were told by a friend to stop in to see the historical photographs. The photographs have been relocated to the hallway leading to the parking garage.
We did this and enjoyed ourselves. It is not a destination but because we were strolling along seeing other sites it was a fine quick stop.
We did this and enjoyed ourselves. It is not a destination but because we were strolling along seeing other sites it was a fine quick stop.
Written November 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LandAndSea77
austin, tx314 contributions
We entered thru the hotel lobby entrance (north), and not the one in the middle that appeared to go directly to the tea room or restaurant. We were not impressed by the hotel lobby at all. Should we have gone in thru the restaurant door? Or how can we do a self-guided tour of this beautiful and historic building? Thanks.
Mike
Newport Beach, CA1,123 contributions
I usually enter through the Tea Room, which in my opinion, is quite nice. I think you came and went through a side entrance, which as you noticed is not impressive. That being said, the charm of the Empress are the grounds and the location. Walk across the street and view an IMAX or take in the harbor scenery. There is so much to see and do in Victoria, I would suggest that you get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather.
KJOYN
Los Angeles, CA
Easyist way to get to Vancouver for the day
Mr M
Seattle, WA216 contributions
From Seattle? Drive early in the morning to cross the border.*
If you fly from LA, make it an international flight (there would be a lay-over in SeaTac).
*To clarify, The Empress is in Victoria, B.C. (on Vancouver Island). The city of Vancouver is on the mainland, NOT on Vancouver Island (you would have to take a ferry to Victoria from the city of Vancouver).
Dave195012
Anchorage, AK
Good Day:
I would like to know how to order a teacup from the tea store just outside the High Tea room, that is in the Empress Hotel.
We were recently there and my niece wanted a cup. So I am looking for a site where I can view and order one for her. Could you send me a link please. Thank you very much.
Deborah Rebischke
Nancy P
Nanaimo, Canada148 contributions
Just contact empress for tea room they will get you teacup and ship to you
Vicki H
Clearwater, FL36 contributions
We'll be arriving by cruise ship in the evening, 7pm to 10pm. Is the hotel close to the pier? Is it within walking distance to the RC British museum? We would love to take a look at both places!
sashakeena
Vancouver, Canada11,513 contributions
Recommend that you take a cab from Ogden Point terminal, as you only have a few hours. Both facilities are very close together. Location is classified as the Inner Harbour of Victoria. Taxi driver should have no issues with taking you.
What is the best Indian restaurant near the Empress hitel
Rob M
Victoria, Canada21 contributions
There are several Indian restaurants within walking distance, or a short cab ride. Two are: 1) the Sizzling Tandoor Restaurant and 2) the Varsha Indian Kitchen. Are they good? That's completely up to the diner's preference.
trc1952
Wilmington, NC6 contributions
Visiting Victoria and the gardens in Sept 5th 2017. Will the flowers be in bloom then?
Is Victoria wheelchair accessible?
saildancer0711
Glorieta, NM USA39 contributions
We specifically asked at Buchart Gardens and they said the flowers here bloom almost all year. Most places are wheelchair accessible, including Butchart Gardens.
Tennis courts?
Karen P
Victoria, Canada84 contributions
no tennis courts. There are tennis courts in Beacon Hill Park a couple of blocks away but not sure of the condition of them. Hope this helps and enjoy your visit. if I can help anymore just ask.
caskiados
Vienna, VA2 contributions
We will be staying at the Vancouver Marriott Pinacle Downtown hotel in August. We have reservations for a tour departing at 10:00 am from the Fairmont Empress Hotel. I have been told to take the float boat to the Fairmont Empress Hotel. How do I make reservations? Or do you have a better suggestion?
RonL511
Airdrie, Canada225 contributions
I copied Jeff's post because his is actual fact and great directions. If you take the fairy over and then a cab it will cost you in the cab more than the Harbour Air flight that gets you DT. The cab will cost you over 75.00 to DT Victoria. Thanks Jeff.
Ron11
I have stayed at the Pinacle several times, the absolute best way and the quickest way from the Pinacle is to go out the back door of the Pinacle and about 2 blocks away you can take a float plane right to the Empress, the plane lands about 1 block away from the Empress ...the flight is 20 minutes, and cost about 58-68 dollars (canadian) or about 41 U.S.
If you take helijeting then you have to cab it to the helijet terminal (not worth the Hassle) and cab it to the empress..
You can make reservations on Harbour air from Vancouver Coal Harbour...to DT victoria to assure you have a seat...the planes leave pretty regular..but each one holds 14 people
Hope this helps
It is the easiest, simplist and quickest..
Jeff Stewart
Vancouver Canada
1 hour ago
caskiados
Vienna, VA2 contributions
We will be staying at the Vancouver Marriott Pinacle Downtown hotel in August. We have reservations for a tour departing at 10:00 am from the Fairmont Empress Hotel. I have been told to take the float boat to the Fairmont Empress Hotel. How do I make reservations?
Peterval2019
Vancouver, Canada37 contributions
You can take Harbour Air. You can book online in advance. You need to reserve in advance because this is used as a commuter aircraft and since you need to leave early to get to Victoria on time you should catch an early flight.
The flight time is usually about 40 minutes. The planes land in the inner harbour in Victoria which is an easy 5 minute walk (practically across the street) from the Empress hotel.
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Claim your listingEmpress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Empress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Empress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada:
- The Ultimate Group Package Tour of Victoria (From $644.06)
- Two Hour Luxury City Tour of Victoria (From $234.89)
- Victoria City and Butchart Gardens Private Half-Day Tour (From $439.47)
- Victoria Self-Guided Audio Tour (From $15.29)
- Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour from Vancouver (From $188.67)
- Hotels near Empress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada:
- (0.10 mi) Union Club of British Columbia
- (0.13 mi) The Magnolia Hotel And Spa
- (0.04 mi) Fairmont Empress
- (0.14 mi) DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Victoria
- (0.16 mi) Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
- Restaurants near Empress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada:
- (0.00 mi) The Tea Lobby
- (0.01 mi) Tea at the Empress
- (0.02 mi) Q at The Empress
- (0.07 mi) Milestones
- (0.13 mi) Bartholomew's Public House