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Last September, I was lucky enough to stay at the Fairmont Empress for a few days. Here’s my honest review of the hotel, plus some of the things I did while visiting Victoria. If you’re looking for things to do in Victoria B.C, then read on!
The Fairmont Empress Hotel Review
The hotel itself is stunning—historic, grand, and full of character. It’s a large hotel but surprisingly easy to navigate. My room was a lot smaller than I expected, but it was sufficient, and the bed was comfortable enough. Some of the hallways were super wide, which makes sense given the age and history of the place. If I’m being completely honest, it was kind of giving off The Shining vibes (eeee!). But it’s super beautiful. Check out availability here.
The Fairmont Spa
During my stay, I treated myself to a facial at the Fairmont Spa. No complaints—the service was great, and the facial itself was nice. That said, I’d skip the add-ons next time; I didn’t find them worth the extra cost. The lounge area was cozy, and they gave a quick tour to explain everything before the treatment. The only downside? The little spa pool was out of service while I was there. On the bright side, they had complimentary drinks and popcorn. I don’t know what they put on that popcorn, but it was so good—definitely try it if you go! I do think the spa is worth a visit.
The Empress High Tea
We couldn’t stay at the Empress and not try the famous high tea! The service was excellent—our server took the time to explain the different teas and even offered to take our picture. We were lucky to get a window seat with an amazing view of the harbor. When the tiered platter arrived, everything was explained in detail, and they easily accommodated my colleague’s nut allergy.
The sandwiches and sweets were all delicious, but my only complaint? Only one scone per person. At this price point, two would have been nice. We were a bit skeptical about whether the portions would be enough, but we left feeling full. The tea itself was lovely, and they had a wide variety to choose from. If you find one you love, you can grab a tin of ‘Empress Tea’ in the gift shop to take home.
Check out the Fairmont availabilty here.
Water Excursions
If you’re looking for things to do in Victoria, and you like the ocean, then a water tour would be a great choice of activity. Right in front of the hotel, there are a few different companies offering water taxis and excursions around the harbor. I can’t remember the name of the one we used, but it was small and run by a really friendly gentleman. It was just the three of us on the tour, which made for a great, intimate experience. He gave us a little history lesson—not just about the hotel but about Victoria itself. The 45-minute tour took us around the harbor, and honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these excursions. The views from the water were fantastic!
The Royal BC Museum
I spent a couple of hours wandering through the different exhibits, and I really enjoed it. My favorite was the ‘Old Town: New Approach’ exhibit, which had life-sized displays of a saloon, cannery, old doctor’s office, and more—it felt like stepping back in time. Also, a cool surprise was seeing the van that Terry Fox used on his trek, which is displayed in the museum’s lobby. Definitely worth a visit. Find out more about the Royal BC museum here.
The BC Legislature Building
You can tour the inside for free, which is a nice bonus! It was interesting to see where the MLAs and the Premier work and meet. There’s a lot of information to read inside, plus a tiny souvenir shop. You’re allowed to take pictures and wander around as long as you don’t go into any off-limits areas. A quick but worthwhile stop.
Where We Ate
The Keg
On our first night, we played it safe and went to The Keg. The food was tasty, the service was excellent, and you really can’t go wrong with The Keg.
Vista 18 Restaurant & Lounge
At the recommendation of our boat tour operator, we tried Vista 18 on the 18th floor of Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites. The views were beautiful, but the food was just okay. I had steak with a side of prawns—no complaints, but nothing mind-blowing either. My colleague had the charcuterie board, and she wasn’t a fan. In fact, she barely touched it. The service was great, though—they noticed and took it off our bill, which was appreciated. Would I go back? Probably not. Next time, I’d try somewhere else. With a wide-variety of restaurants to choose from in Victoria, you’re bound to find one you enjoy.
The Flying Otter Grill
You have to try fish and chips on the water while in Victoria! We had lunch at The Flying Otter Grill, right on the waterfront, where you can watch the floatplanes take off. The fish and chips were delicious and totally worth a visit—if only for the great atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
Even though my trip to Victoria was short and sweet (it was for work), I had a great time and hope this helps if you’re planning a visit. Visiting Victoria B.C was fun and I’m looking forward to going back with the family. Strolling the shops on the main street was fun and there’s lots of great shopping and restaurants to try. Got questions? Drop a comment!
Ready to book your room? Check out availability and rates here.
