Fairmont Empress Hotels in Victoria – GayOut Guide
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🚶 9 min walk to Friends of Dorothy - Victoria · 4 / 1 km
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Fairmont Empress

Google (6554) 4.6
Tripadvisor (5655) 4.2
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What reviewers say

Many visitors praise the hotel's historic charm, beautiful location overlooking the harbor, and excellent high tea experience, with some noting attentive staff, especially at the front desk. However, a recurring complaint is inconsistent and sometimes poor service, with some guests experiencing rude staff attitudes and unreliable WiFi.

88
/ 100
GayOut Score
G4.6 🦉4.2
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Address
721 Government St, Victoria, BC V8W 1W5, Canada
📞
Phone
(250) 384-8111
🌐
Website
www.fairmont.com

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About this place Fairmont Empress

The Fairmont Empress is the big ivy-covered chateau-style hotel facing Victoria's Inner Harbour, designed by Francis Rattenbury and opened in 1908. It is a mainstream luxury hotel, gay-friendly in the ordinary Canadian way rather than a gay venue, and its afternoon tea service draws as many non-guests as residents. The location is the main selling point: the BC Parliament Buildings, the Royal BC Museum and the harbour seaplane and ferry terminals are all a few minutes on foot. With over 6,500 Google reviews averaging 4.6, it is reliably run, though rates sit at the top of the Victoria market, so book ahead in summer.

Features

Gay-friendly (straight venue) Safe space Card payments accepted Reservation required Wheelchair accessible Accessible bathrooms WiFi Day venue Evening venue Year-round Gay-friendly (straight venue) Air conditioning

Insider Tips

Community Reviews

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Google Reviews

Verified by Google
4.6
★★★★★
6,554 reviews

Based on 6,554 Google reviews.

Nicole He
Nicole He Jun 2026
★★★★★
Maureen Hewitt
Maureen Hewitt Jun 2026
★★★☆☆

Disappointed that we weren’t at the gold level particularly for what we paid at the empress. Rooms were fair . Needs updated . Customer service was ok. The Fairmont in Vancouver is a 10.0 and a Great room, upgraded to gold status with zero charge. Free breakfast everyday for all of the family. Customer service was above and beyond in Vancouver . Moral of the story not all Fairmont's are created equal . Vancouver was a total step above the empress . The empress has the history and high tea. Don’t miss the high tea . In the future I am likely to stay in Vancouver Fairmont again but probably not the Empress Sorry to say ..

Morgan B
Morgan B Jun 2026
★★★★★

A beautiful hotel with beautiful views by the water. Close to many wonderful cafes, restaurants, and exciting shops and excursions. Even if you don’t stay here, it’s well worth a visit.

Steve Kedmenec
Steve Kedmenec Jun 2026
★★★★☆
Patrick Lavigne
Patrick Lavigne Jun 2026
★★★★★
Boyan Syarov
Boyan Syarov Jun 2026
★★★☆☆

Stayed here for our anniversary while visiting Victoria for a few nights in a junior suite. Great location and well kept gardens. Everything else is sub par. Staff was somewhat condescending "well you'd certainly know if you were a gold member". Stained floors in our suite. Shower mixer works with millimeter tolerance between hot and cold water. Bathroom sink the size of an airplane lavatory. Peeling paint of baseboards in the room. While checking in they told us we're getting a special order given it's our anniversary trip...oh the build up..and then... Nothing showed up. Breakfast was interesting.. my avocado toast had every kinda vegetable or spices, but somehow very little avocado. The ham omelette was rubbery. People recommend their restaurant but outside of the ambientce nothing we ordered was delicious or impressive. Somehow there's so much buzz about this place, but it's definitely a mid to low tier accomodation for a premium price. Extremely overrated. Terrible value for money. Rude staff.

Alexis W
Alexis W Jun 2026
★★★★★

We want to recognize “Auntie” Jamie for going above and beyond her duties as a concierge! She helped make our visit at the Fairmont Empress extraordinary with her wonderful attitude and hospitality. She made the excellent recommendation to ride the hop-on hop-off bus tour, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Most importantly, she loved on our 14 month old boy by welcoming him with a stuffed animal. As if this was not enough, the next night, we returned to our room to find delightful treats, popcorn, soda, milk, cookies and a personalized note from Jamie wishing our sweet boy Ethan and us a wonderful and unforgettable vacation. This earned her the nickname “Auntie” Jamie. Jamie is a true asset to your hotel, she left an endearing and lasting impression on us, one that we would like to return too. Sincerely, The Wilson family

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Last updated on 25 October 2026

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