Rialto
Victoria

Fairmont Empress

Rialto Score 8.5+

A Fairmont hotel. Rialto is a Accor Preferred agency and can provide VIP access and offers.

Royalty and celebrities have enjoyed the remarkable ambience of Fairmont Empress since its opening in 1908. Experience the regal history in one of the hotel's guest rooms or suites, newly restored and elegantly appointed, offering panoramic views of Victoria or the Inner Harbour. Choose Fairmont Gold, where you will gain access to a private lounge and concierge team, and enjoy complimentary breakfast, evening hors d'oeuvres, and honor-bar service. There are also two excellent restaurants: Q at the Empress and the completely restored Lobby Lounge – home of the world-famous Tea at the Empress.

721 Government Street, V8W 1W5 Victoria, BC, Canada
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Fairmont Empress

About Fairmont Empress

Insider tip

Afternoon Tea, a Fairmont Empress tradition for more than a century, is a must! Savor scones and the resort’s secret blend of tea in the majestic Lobby Lounge.

In the hotel’s own words

Recognized as the #2 Best Canadian City Hotel in Travel + Leisure's 2024 World's Best

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Awards and honoured as a top Western Canadian Hotel in the 2024 Condé Nast

Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, Fairmont Empress is located in the heart of

Victoria, BC overlooking the city's sparkling Inner Harbour. The MICHELIN key and Forbes-recommended hotel is a distinguished 4 Green Key property committed to sustainable practices. Following a $60+ million restoration completed in 2017, the hotel has transformed into an elegant must-visit destination where modern luxury intertwines with timeless charm. In 2023, the property introduced a reimagined Fairmont Gold Experience. 88 Fairmont Gold rooms await to be guests' home away from home, while a newly renovated lounge offers guests a cozy haven in the city and a private outdoor terrace peers over a perfectly manicured landscape. Historic Hotels Worldwide honors the property's prestigious grounds as the Top 25 Most Magnificent Gardens in the World, making it the perfect starting point for exploring Vancouver Island's stunning natural beauty.

Guest Rooms

The Fairmont Empress features 431 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, with magnificent views of the city, courtyard or spectacular Inner Harbor. With a selection of unique guest room sizes and categories to suit every taste, this landmark Fairmont property is a tribute to classic elegance. The beautifully renovated Fairmont Gold floor features a private lounge with lavish continental breakfast, honor bar and evening hors d'oeuvres, complemented by an attentive concierge team

Dining Served daily since its opening in 1908, world famous Tea at the Empress is served in the sophisticated Lobby Lounge. Q at the Empress Restaurant featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine and award winning wine list, Q Bar’s regionally focused cocktail culture.

Health Club

The Fairmont Empress Health Club features an indoor heated swimming pool, jacuzzi pool, children's wading pool, two saunas, change rooms (two) for men and women and a Fitness Center with multi-gym, rowing machines, stair climber, eliptical trainer, stationary bikes and treadmills.

Gardens This Forbes Four-Star hotel is one of the only luxury, 4 diamond hotels in Western Canada to have it's own Rose Garden. This oasis of fragrant smells and vibrant colors is a favorite for guests to experience, relax, and capture memorable photos. For an even larger garden and flower experience, Butchart Gardens is one of

Canada's most stunning botanical garden attractions; no visit to Victoria is complete without a visit to Butchart Gardens.

Fairmont Spa

Fairmont Spa at The Fairmont Empress offers a variety of treatments and packages for men and women as well as spa cuisine. Voted one the best spas in Canada by

Conde Nast Traveller.

VIP Hotel Program · Invitation-only

Accor Preferred benefits, included

All 390 Accor Preferred hotels →

Accor Preferred is Accor's invitation-only VIP program, open to a small group of luxury travel agencies. VIP rates generally meet or beat the hotel's website rates and include the amenities below. The booking is a direct reservation with the hotel, so it earns Accor Live Limitless (ALL) points and elite-night credit, and Accor Live Limitless (ALL) elite status benefits apply.

  • Daily breakfast for two
  • $100 hotel credit per stay
  • Room upgrade on arrival, based on availability
  • Early check-in and late check-out, based on availability
  • Welcome amenity
  • Accor Live Limitless (ALL) points, elite nights and status benefits, as this is a direct hotel booking

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Rooms and suites

20 room types, as described by the hotel.
Rooms
Size
Bed options
1Deluxe City View
Our spacious Deluxe Rooms feature traditional elegant decor with large sitting areas. Excellent for families, these rooms can accommodate up to five people with additional space for a rollaway or crib. The sitting area is furnished with either a sofa, sofabed or two armchairs.
View: City or inner courtyard
350–400 ft²
one King or two Queen beds
2Deluxe Harbour View
Our Harbor View Deluxe Rooms are elegantly furnished and feature a spectacular view of Victoria's Inner Harbor. Each room is appointed with two armchairs and can comfortably accommodate up to two people.
View: Harbor view
250–275 ft²
3Fairmont Gold City View
Fairmont Gold rooms are located on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors. All Fairmont Gold Rooms are non-smoking and offer business amenities, private direct-dial telephone with complimentary business cards and personalized wake-up calls.
View: city (priced accordingly)
Members only
one King bed
4Fairmont Gold Harbour View
View: harbour view (priced accordingly)
Members only
one King bed
5Fairmont City View
Furnished with elegant decor and may accommodate up to three people. each room features a small sitting area with two armchairs.
Members only
6Fairmont Harbour View
Furnished with elegant decor and may accommodate up to three people. each room features views of Victoria's Inner Harbour and a small sitting area with two armchairs.
Members only
7Signature Harbour View Room
Featuring views of Victoria's Inner Harbour, elegant decor and unique, original architectural features, Signature Harbour View rooms come with a sitting area and may accommodate up to three people.
Members only
8Junior Suite City View
Offering an open concept, luxurious design with a distinct sitting area, and elegantly furnished with chic resort decor inspired by Vancouver Island's nature. Sofabed in select suites.
Members only
9Junior Suite Harbour View
Offering fantastic views of Victoria's Inner Harbour, an open concept, luxurious design with a distinct sitting area, and elegantly furnished with chic resort decor inspired by Vancouver Island's nature. Sofabed in select suites.
Members only
10Fairmont Gold Deluxe City View
These spacious Fairmont Gold rooms are ideal for couples. Elegant and rich decor inspired by the natural beauty of Vancouver Island compliment sleek furnishings and modern marble bathrooms, each with a rain fall shower. Access to exclusive Fairmont Gold amenities.
Members only
11Fairmont Gold Deluxe Harbour View Room
These spacious Fairmont Gold rooms offer views of Victoria's Inner Harbour, and are ideal for couples. Elegant decor inspired by the natural beauty of Vancouver Island compliments sleek furnishings and modern marble bathrooms, each with a rain fall shower. Access to exclusive Fairmont Gold amenities.
Members only
Suites
Size
Bed options
12Signature Two Bedroom Harbour View Suite
Each of our Two Bedroom Suites features three rooms in total; two bedrooms and one parlor. The master bedroom is furnished with one king bed, the second bedroom with two queen beds, and the parlor with a sofabed and ample space for a rollaway. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom and full amenities.
View: Full or partial harbour view
Members only
one King or two Queen beds
13Fairmont Gold One Bedroom Suite City Vie
Fairmont Gold One-Bedroom Suites consist of a bedroom, one bathroom and a parlor room with a door between the parlor and bedroom. Elegant, spacious and luxurious, some suites have the added touch of a decorative non-working fireplace. The parlor has a sofabed and space for a rollaway if needed.
View: Victoria Inner Harbour
Members only
one King or one Queen bed
14Fairmont Gold 2 Bedroom HV Suite
Our Fairmont Gold Two-Bedroom Suite offers a spacious open concept bedroom & parlor room connecting to a second bedroom. The parlor area has a beautiful decorative fireplace, full bathroom and sofabed.
View: Inner Harbour View of Victoria
Members only
one King bed in main bedroom & parlor area, and one Double bed in second bedroom
15Royal Suite
The Royal Suite is undeniably the best hotel accommodation on Vancouver Island and features a king bedroom, living room parlour, dining room for eight, modern spa bathroom and ensuite powder room, and exclusive access to all Fairmont Gold services and amenities.
Members only
16Fairmont Gold One Bedroom HV Suite
Featuring spectacular views of Victoria's Inner Harbour, a separate living area, as well as chic resort decor inspired by Vancouver Island's nature, these suites are idea for couples looking for a little more space. Access to Fairmont Gold amenities.
Members only
17Executive Suite City View
Featuring a separate living area as well as chic resort decor inspired by Vancouver Island's nature. Ideal for couples.
Members only
18One Bedroom Harbour View Suite
Experience the definition of modern luxury with fantastic views of Victoria's Inner Harbour, sophisticated decor inspired by Vancouver Island's nature, sleek furnishings and rain fall shower. These suites also feature a separate living area with full doors.
Members only
19Signature One Bedroom Harbour View Suite
Experience historic luxury. These beautiful suites offer spectacular panoramic harbour views, and feature the unique signature architecture of the historic Fairmont Empress. These suites also provide a separate living room with beautiful hard wood flooring.
Members only
20Governor General Suite
This one of a kind specialty suite boasts panoramic views of Victoria's Inner Harbour. Located on the sixth floor, this suite is ideal for entertaining because it features a spacious living room and elegant dining area that comfortably seats eight.
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Room type data is subject to change and accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does booking through Rialto cost more than booking with the hotel?

No - VIP rates under Accor Preferred always meet or beat hotel's public, flexible rate, and provide valuable amenities and possible upgrades. Rialto also provides the hotel's non-VIP and corporate rates, so you can compare with full transparency.

What is the value of the VIP benefits?

Daily breakfast for two plus the $100 hotel credit come with every stay at this hotel - adding $100-200/day in value. A room upgrade could also be worth a substantial amount, in addition to early check-in / late check-out benefits when available.

Do I earn Accor Live Limitless (ALL) points and keep my elite benefits? Is this considered a direct booking or a third-party booking?

Yes. The booking is a direct reservation with the hotel, so it earns Accor Live Limitless (ALL) points and elite-night credit, and Accor Live Limitless (ALL) elite status benefits apply.

How does this compare to other programs, like through AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts, or Chase Edit?

Using a hotel's own VIP program may provide higher upgrade priority, additional VIP benefits and promotional rate offers, and a direct relationship with the hotel for special requests. Rialto offers more VIP hotels than any credit card program. In addition, Chase Edit rates can be substantially more expensive as they rarely run promotions whereas AMEX rates are often comparable but do not offer programs such as Upgrade at Booking.

Can my AI assistant book this hotel?

Yes. Connect Rialto to Claude or ChatGPT and ask for rates. You finish the booking on a secure Rialto page. Card details are not sent through the AI chat, so either you would approve the final checkout step and reconfirm all the information, or if you authorize your agent with Computer-Use permissions, it can fill out the checkout form as well.

Rates are shown to members

Rialto is invitation-only. Apply for access and hear back within 24 hours.

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