At a glance:

A prominent fixture on the Victoria Harbor, the Fairmont Empress Victoria is one of Canada’s most famous historical hotels.

What it actually is: A bucket-list destination for many; The Fairmont Empress is a unique property with plenty of old-world charm and a fresh coat of paint. 

What it is not: Ultra-luxury-while recently renovated, both the hard and soft products at the hotel still feel more like those offered by a great 4 star property vs that of a grand 5 star beauty.   

Room: Deluxe room **upgraded to a corner room

Time of year: winter

Scores:

Hotel Design: 82 – A renovated historic property, with a grandiose exterior and labyrinth-like hallways. 

Location: 100 – A centerpiece of the Victoria Harbor, it is close to all major downtown attractions

Sleep: 81 – Comfortable, although the age of the building does contribute to some creeping building noises.

Service: 77 – No issues but generally not as polished as you might expect

Room Design: 82 – Our corner room was bright and comfortable, and the bathroom in particular felt more upscale than other hotels in the area

Room Amenities: 81 – Nice bath products and bedding. Issues with the room fridge were a minor letdown.

Hotel Amenities: 80 – An interesting and historic property with some beautiful spaces, although some amenities (like the gym) are very small.

Vibe: 87 – It’s hard to resist the charm of this unique old property.

Cleanliness / Maintenance: 80 – Above average. No issues.

Value / Extras & Perks: 80 – Our (discounted) rate was reasonable for the time of year, but rates can vary significantly so your experience may vary. Not many in our case, although Accor elite members can enjoy a welcome drink at one of hotel’s venue, which actually turned into one of the highlights of our stay.

OVERALL: 83.0

Would we stay again? Yes