The Fairmont Empress - Victoria

First room location very poor and requested change. Next room only slightly better but all they had. Next day manager got involved but again nothing special so chose not to relocate. They did try to accommodate us and I appreciated that a lot. Most of staff terrific, some not so.

Great stay at the Fairmont Empress, amazing setting in a great location. Will definitely be back.

room was in original part of hotel not facing the harbour view, tall ceilings, ceiling fan but not aircon. wifi usuallly charged, for 1 person bit small for 2. Very helpful staff. BC Natural history museum 5 mins mammoth exhibit superb!

took family for a 3 days trip to Victoria and stayed in this hotel. The hotel looks great from outside and is located in very convenient location, close to everything. Now the issues: 1. Worst doorman and valet parking. There's this Asian (Korean) doorman who apparently hates his job and the Asian guests who are not driving a luxury car. Just showed us his poker face the entire time during our stay. I wonder how he was able to get the job in the first place. When we checked out and asked for the car back, it took 30 minutes for them to pull it to the front door when there was no other guests waiting. 2. No AC in the room and window can barely be opened. Maybe some rooms have AC, but 2 rooms we were assigned to, it gets hot in the day time. 3. Internet costs 25 cad per day per device if you want to stream any video or movies. It's a good experience to stay in a hotel with long history. But we won't be back and won't recommend it to anyone else.

I thoroughly enjoyed Victoria and the Empress hotel is in the ideal location. My only disappointments were the dining room, bar and tea room. The hotel has beautiful wooden windows and woodwork. This is a very traditional hotel. The dining room had recently been updated to very "Euromodern" which totally did not fit the dignity of the hotel. Same with the bar. The Tea room was noisy, uncomfortable and there was no dress code enforced even though the hotel says dress should be "dress casual". Most people were in shorts, t-shirts and many had sandles on. Such a downfall for a once great residence.