I don't usually recommend the Empress to anyone unless they really want to stay in a historic CP hotel. The standard rooms are small and in September it can still get hot and there is no air conditioning. The views of the Inner Harbour are trite from the Empress - you can see a zillion people from the cruise ships or the Clipper taking pictures of you while you look out the window. And you will be spending a good buck to get anything that even looks towards the harbour.

The Delta Ocean Pointe has beautiful rooms that look right out over the harbour from a different angle with big windows and it is quieter and more private. So does Laurel Point. Both are served by the Harbour Ferries and are within walking distance of the downtown area.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Empress! But unless you are willing to spend some $$$ and talk to the staff about the room orientation in detail, I don't think you will get the kind of experience you can get at other properties (for less!).

I have stayed at the Magnolia Hotel as well and I personally would prefer that over the basic Empress rooms anyday.