Exterior

Reviews of Fairmont Empress

4.5 out of 5
Fairmont Empress
721 Government St, Victoria, BC

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 873 out of 1311 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 228 out of 1311 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 120 out of 1311 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 48 out of 1311 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 42 out of 1311 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Christine

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
It was a nice experience. The rooms were smaller than what I expected. It is an older building and it didn’t have the same feel as the other Fairmont hotels. However I really appreciated its history and the location was perfect in downtown Victoria .
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

Kristine

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
The staff was great and welcoming. We stayed in a 2 bed room. The furnace didn't work properly, one of the outlets didn't work, there's no counter space to accommodate more than 1 person. There is no microwave. Not my best stay, I stay in alot of hotels and this one is overpriced compared to others that have better rooms. The hotel amenities are great and the hotel ambiance is wonderful.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniela

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

George

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Central location with a cozy restaurant and very helpful valets (we had to park two bicycles and the guys were available and handled our request on the spot).
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Lisa

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice property, booked during busy holiday (Victoria Day) and Car Show! Top notch service as always!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

NOEMI

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent location. City view rooms had fairly acreage views, despite being in a better category (king deluxe) - next time we will pick the smaller room with the water views which are stunning. Enjoyed our stay, everything and everyone at the hotel was super lovely
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patricia, Calistoga

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A wonderful stay here at The Empress. We hope to return.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

craig

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Liked it all
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

2/10 Terrible

Razan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
We were there for our first day
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

8/10 Good

John, Brampton

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Did not allow late check out plus a lot of issues when trying to cancel a week in advance for my wife
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Hi John, thank you for bringing this to our attention. We'll ensure a seamless experience on your next stay.

10/10 Excellent

Colleen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Had an amazing time !! We recommend the Empress Hotel !
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
It was our pleasure to have you as our guest Colleen, and we are thrilled to know that you had a wonderful experience. We can't wait to welcome you back in the future!

8/10 Good

Daniel

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
No water pressure in the shower. Room smelt like mold. Otherwise great hotel and experience.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Hello Daniel, thank you for bringing this to our attention. We'll ensure a seamless experience on your next stay.

8/10 Good

Javier

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great service thanks
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review Javier, we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back again in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Indira

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Went over the Thanksgiving holiday Lots of great tourist attractions within walking distance. The Christmas parade goes right past the Empress
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
We are delighted you had a wonderful experience and can’t wait to have you back Indira!

6/10 Okay

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness
Loud room outside a trash Machine
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Thank you for your feedback Alan. We're constantly striving to improve.

8/10 Good

QIAN

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice staffs! Great services that included in Fairmont Gold.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review Qian, we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back again in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Graham, Ancaster

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A very good hotel. Friendly and helpful staff. Easy to walk into Victoria and to see all the sights. The room was perfect.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
We very much appreciate your kind review after your stay at The Fairmont Empress Graham. We look forward to warmly welcoming you again in the near future.

10/10 Excellent

Trish

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The bed was so comfortable and service was impeccable
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Thank you for the great review Trish, we are thrilled you enjoyed your stay at Fairmont Empress.

10/10 Excellent

Steve

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
One of the finest hotels on the planet. Definitely worth it to stay here and enjoy the incredible, competent and kind staff.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Hello Steve, we sincerely appreciate your kind words and for taking the time to mention our staff members in your review of The Fairmont Empress. We can't wait to welcome you back in the future!

6/10 Okay

Connie

Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
We appreciate your review, and we'll work on providing better value for your next visit.

8/10 Good

Paula

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the Gold room amenities and experience. Friendly and helpful staff.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Hi Paula, we sincerely appreciate your kind words and for taking the time to mention our staff members in your review of The Fairmont Empress. We can't wait to welcome you back in the future!

10/10 Excellent

Kym

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Empress Hotel was excellent, as always. However, the surrounding area has deteriorated to the point that it no longer feels safe to walk the streets. There is now open drug use in the area, and we saw needles as well as used Naloxone kits very close to the hotel. We used to visit Victoria and the Empress regularly, but I cannot recommend a trip based on our most recent experience.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience Kym, we are sad to hear the surrounding city did not make you feel comfortable. Hopefully you will give us another chance in the future.

8/10 Good

Bruce

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Grand old hotel with a modern update and rooms. Great location, the surrounding area offers shops and restaurants all in walking distance.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Bruce, thank you for your review! We'd love to welcome you back in the future!

8/10 Good

Roger, Woodway

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Check-in was painful as no room for over 2 hours despite arriving on the only fast ferry of the day :-( Surely the hotel can plan this better?
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Thank you for your feedback Roger, We're constantly striving to improve.

10/10 Excellent

Carl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Carl, thank you for your review! We'd love to welcome you back in the future!

2/10 Terrible

Isher Singh

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Ac stopped working
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
We appreciate your review, and we'll work on providing better value for your next visit.

6/10 Okay

Nanette

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
High tea was good. Housekeeping and concierge were below standard.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Thank you for your honesty Nanette. We hope to exceed your expectations on your next visit.

8/10 Good

John

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
old and pricey but nice and great location
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 3 May 2024
Hi John, thank you for taking the time to share your experience and provide us with the opportunity to improve. We always appreciate feedback on our pricing as it is our goal to have guest's feel they are getting value from the prices they pay.-Fairmont Empress

10/10 Excellent

arpad

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Arpad, thank you for your review! We'd love to welcome you back in the future!

10/10 Excellent

Mary, surrey

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Thanks to all the staff of Empress hotel. Staying at Empress was something I have always wanted and having my birthday there was a dream come through. Though I didn't get all the complementary things they promised me over the phone for my birthday(birthday cake, complimentary wine and one other thing) I only got strawberry dipped in chocolate. Hopefully they'll make up for it next time. I remain humble as always. Thanks Empress for hosting us. The high tea was amazing, the kids dinner menu has the best menu. Adult menu was good too. I love the West coast oysters fermented garden hot sauce, mignonette jelly, citrus. Thank you Empress.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gisell

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Such a Beautiful and Elegant property, staff its so friendly and helpful, the hotel itself and around it its kept very clean
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
Gisell, thank you for your review! We'd love to welcome you back in the future!

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review Karen, we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back again in the future.

4/10 Poor

Sukhjinder

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room size according to Fairmont was not good and washrooms are .not well planned very conjusted
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us regarding our bathrooms Sukhjinder. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the their size and layout. Your insights are valuable, and we want to let you know that we have begun multi-year renovation project to address these shortcomings, focusing on improving the bathroom layout and overall space. We appreciate your understanding and hope to welcome you back to experience the positive changes.

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tina

Travelled with pets, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Had a wonderful 3 night stay with our small dog. The Fairmont was so accommodating and dog friendly. We didn’t get a chance to enjoy the spa but we did use the pool and gym. Both very nice. Staff was so helpful when we asked about dog-friendly restaurants nearby. They have great recommendations. We will be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
Hi Tina, it was our pleasure to have you as our guest, and we are thrilled to know that you had a wonderful experience. We can't wait to welcome you back in the future!

10/10 Excellent

Malva

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Iconic hotel
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
Thank you, Malva! We are thrilled you enjoyed your stay at Fairmont Empress!

10/10 Excellent

Sarah Louise

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
Hi Sarah Louise, thank you for your review! We'd love to welcome you back in the future!

10/10 Excellent

Leslie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
An absolute dream come true, another thing off the bucket list!!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
It was our pleasure to have you as our guest, and we are thrilled to know that you had a wonderful experience. We can't wait to welcome you back in the future!

10/10 Excellent

Vanessa, Moline

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Not now
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
We are delighted you had a wonderful experience and can’t wait to have you back!

10/10 Excellent

Kermit

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
Kermit, thank you for your review! We'd love to welcome you back in the future!

10/10 Excellent

Peggy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff was very friendly
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
Hi Peggy, we sincerely appreciate your kind words and for taking the time to mention our staff members in your review of The Fairmont Empress. We can't wait to welcome you back in the future!

8/10 Good

Sarah-Anne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review Sarah-Anne, we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back again in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Melonie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff is absolutely wonderful. Facility is great. Everyone should stay here at least once!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
Hi Melonie, we sincerely appreciate your kind words and for taking the time to mention our staff members in your review of The Fairmont Empress. We can't wait to welcome you back in the future!

10/10 Excellent

Sean

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Shower head needs replaced and the credenza with the fridge is not a good fit for that room. Corner pieces so the window is more accessible.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
Hi Sean, we greatly value and appreciate your positive and constructive feedback, I will be happy to share it with our team so we can continue to improve. Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we hope to see you again very soon.

10/10 Excellent

Yan

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Thank you for the great review Yan, we are thrilled you enjoyed your stay at Fairmont Empress.

10/10 Excellent

Carol, Vaughn

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved the Gold Deluxe room option that allowed us to access the lounge. The breakfast was amazing, with so many delicious options. The appetizers served in the evening were not your typical hotel snacks. The food was similar quality to what you would find on a cruise. The staff went over and above to meet our needs and assist us. We were very pleased with our decision to stay at the Empress Hotel!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
Carol, thank you for your kind words. Exceeding expectations is what we aim for!

8/10 Good

Bruce, Niagara Falls

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review Bruce, we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back again in the future.

10/10 Excellent

geraldine

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel was absolutely beautiful, everyone was so helpful , polite and professional at all times . Decor was wonderful , grounds around the hotel were stunning as was the view of the harbour.Swimming pool was amazing and very quiet , which I loved , absolutely loved this hotel .
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 30 Apr 2024
We are delighted you had a wonderful experience and can’t wait to have you back Geraldine!

10/10 Excellent

Phylicia

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Fairmont Empress on 15 May 2024
We are glad to hear you loved your experience, Phylicia! Our Castle on the Coast awaits your return.