I'm planning on doing a night in Victoria next month and was wondering if anyone had any recent stays at the Empress. I think I read previously that the Gold rooms were being renovated (though may have been a while ago). Is there anything I should watch out for here? Are the Gold rooms loads better than the regular? How are the suites? Worth it to suite upgrade?
Most Gold rooms are around or immediately above the the Gold Lounge in the front corner of the building but Gold rooms are scattered throughout the hotel, wherever they happen to have a slightly larger room. We had a Gold Room at the back, overlooking the coach station that is built on what was once the hotel's tennis courts. In truth, this was not quite the view that we were hoping for.
Thanx for the info. We will be in Victoria in August. We looked into staying Gold at the Empress, but unfortunately, there are no regular Gold rooms that sleep four; we would have to book a suite. There is a Gold Jr. Suite configured King/sofabed. Fairmont Savers rate for that is $336/nt. We are torn between booking that to experience the regal Empress or saving a few $ by staying at the nearby Marriott in a Concierge Level room for $239/nt.
The Marriott is a great hotel less then 100 meters away from the Empress. I would save the cash and book there. Being on the Concierge level at the Marriott will likely save 4 people another $100 per day in dining.
However, since this is the Empress thread, let's look at 4 peerson options...
Most of the Empress' Queen/Queen rooms are in the Humbolt wing on the side & back of the hotel. You can likely find a good rate and sleep 4 in that end of the hotel.
If you have a suite cert, you can book the Humbolt Queen/Queen and confirm a Jr Suite. There is no reason for it to be a Gold room.
To be honest, even the smallest rooms are OK at this hotel *keep in mind, small means small*
But, the rooms are well appointed. It's a Fairmont. It's not necessary to upgrade to Gold.
Biggest problem at this is the lack of wifi, the old tv's, and the dated washrooms.
Hi there,
Thank you for your post and information provided regarding The Fairmont Empress. We just wanted to let you know that we've undergone a major refurbishment of our Fairmont Gold guest rooms and private lounge including the reassignment of all the Fairmont Gold rooms facing either the harbour or the inner courtyard. In the past month we have also upgraded our WiFi system to include a stronger connection in each guest room. Please remember that wifi is complimentary if you become a member of our Fairmont President's Club https://www.fairmont.com/EN_FA/FPCPublic/FPCEnroll
Should you have specific questions regarding the best value available and options for your group, please contact our reservations team directly at emp.reservation@fairmont.com and they would be pleased to assist you. We look forward to welcoming you to The Fairmont Empress!
...we've undergone a major refurbishment of our Fairmont Gold guest rooms and private lounge including the reassignment of all the Fairmont Gold rooms facing either the harbour or the inner courtyard. In the past month we have also upgraded our WiFi system to include a stronger connection in each guest room.
Thank you FairmontLiason.
I appreciate the updated information, as I have a special attachment to this hotel. Can I ask you for clarification of your above statement?
My comments regarding the lack of wifi in the Fairmont Empress' guest rooms were in regards to the standard rooms, not the Gold Floors' Rooms.
I understand that the Gold floors have wifi. Do the remaining rooms in the hotel also have wifi? How is the progress on the flatscreen TV rollout.
I arrived via seaplane, and the Empress is smack dab in the heart of Victoria, right next to the main harbor. It has a very grand, historic appearance, and has two sections: the older, ivy-covered main building and the newer, taller addition. The hotel was very luxurious and grand, and I had booked a regular king-size rate. I was "upgraded" from a regular King to a Harborview Queen. Smaller bed, better view, I guess it was an upgrade. I was also checking in early, so perhaps the other upgrade would have been better. Who knows.
The staff is very, very pleasant and helpful. I like how diligent they were, and were very accommodating. They helped me get the BMW bike, kept me apprised about the Victoria Clipper, and were able to direct me around Victoria. First rate. They even arranged for late checkout to around 2:30pm.
The room itself was very quaint. Nothing super nice, but it was definitely an older room remodeled. It is a historic hotel. Nothing really to complain about, but nothing to rave about either. The view of the harbor was very nice. No HD on the TVs (lack of HD feed?). Amenity given was a chocolate dessert with some biscuits. Was very good.
The facilities were great. Good exercise room, and nice pool and jacuzzi.
I had afternoon tea in the tea room, which had great atmosphere. Live music, and it just exuded presence. Friends of mine in Victoria say the White Heather has better afternoon tea (and is way cheaper), but I had a very pleasant experience and thought most of the tea food was very good. Service was excellent. Never tried any of the restaurants here.
Hotel also has a variety of shoppes and is connected to the convention center.
All-in-all, a great place to stay in Victoria, unless you are looking for an ultra-modern hotel.
How are the one bedroom suites at this property? Did the one you get face the harbour? I'm thinking about downgrading myself to a Signature room since I would really like that harbour view. Tough choice though since it's a longer stay and that living area would come in handy.
Luckily I'm checking in just before labour day but at the same time using a cert and got a great rate so I'm not expecting the $Whale$ treatment.
Lately I always stay at the Westin Bear but with the better rate, free bikes, free golf club rentals (These will come in handy), BMW service and all the other goodies it was an easy choice.
Programs: LH, BA, AC Super Elite, IC Amb., Fairmont President´s Club Platinum
Posts: 4,115
I really like the Empress, some of the rooms aren´t that spectacular, but the service and restaurants are great!
I personally much prefer the signature rooms over the junior suites. The layout differs depending on location in the building, one signature room had a sofa and 2 armchairs while the other just had a 2 armchairs and an otooman.
IIRC I had a signature room on the 4th floor
I´ve only seen, not stayed in a few one-bedroom suites, but what I remember is that the layout of the one-bedroom suites differs greatly, but arentá yn bigger than the signature room (just an additional wall) while others are quite nice.
I´d shoot for a signature room with a sofa on floor 4 or higher...
Programs: LH, BA, AC Super Elite, IC Amb., Fairmont President´s Club Platinum
Posts: 4,115
Quote:
Originally Posted by daveland
Finally got my trip report / review of the Fairmont Empress up. Overall, we REALLY enjoyed it - save for the bathrooms and on-property food.
Great report! :d The Empress is one of my favourite "old-style" Fairmonts.
The bathrooms are quite small indeed, but that´s an issue you´ll encounter at most old Fairmont hotels...
I´d disagree somewhat with the food comments. Breakfast tends to be overpriced, but it still was pretty good IMO.
And I really enjoyed cocktails/food at the Bengal Lounge and the Veranda. Dinner at the Empress room (or through in-room dining) was excellent whenever I tried it. Of course with so many restaurants nearby it makes perfect sense to go out and explore.
Great report! :d The Empress is one of my favourite "old-style" Fairmonts.
The bathrooms are quite small indeed, but that´s an issue you´ll encounter at most old Fairmont hotels...
I´d disagree somewhat with the food comments. Breakfast tends to be overpriced, but it still was pretty good IMO.
And I really enjoyed cocktails/food at the Bengal Lounge and the Veranda. Dinner at the Empress room (or through in-room dining) was excellent whenever I tried it. Of course with so many restaurants nearby it makes perfect sense to go out and explore.
The Bengal room is nice..
We generally step out to outside eats.. interesting mini museum by the water, and local fare.. Even Milestones is just accross the street.. I remember they had a nice view of the water..
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