The Fairmont Empress

Partake in one of Victoria's grandest traditions -
afternoon tea, an authentic and memorable experience.

Afternoon tea at the Empress
The award winning pastry team work their magic with sandwiches,
pastries and freshly baked scones served warm with chantilly
cream and fresh strawberries and blueberries.  Their signature
Empress blend tea is excellent.

The rose garden is extensive and a photo opportunity
as you can see the many people taking photos. 
Several gardeners stay busy daily on the grounds.

The world famous Bengal Lounge has long been known
for it's luxury and style.   It is recognized throughout North
America as one of the best bars and renowned curry buffet.

The Bengal lounge offers uncompromising hospitality.

The Fairmont Empress Hotel can only be decribed as magnificent and deserves one blog alone, not shared.  The Empress was built in 1908, workers filled the swamp, then drove pilings deep into the mud to support the grand hotel.  With the swamp a historical footnote, the Empress endures - part tradional, part rebuilt and renovated, as one of the cornerstones of the harbour area. The Empress majestically rises over Victoria's Inner Harbour.  The turn of the century architecture captures the grandeur and elegance of a bygone era



Cocktail and martini aficionados will appreciate the vast
selection of signature drinks in the Bengal Lounge.  My
photos do not show the extraordinary Punka fans on the
ceiling, the rich wood paneling and hand painted silk murals
of India.  It was our favorite place with its rich history and
comfortable leather sofas.



Warm, friendly atmosphere in the Palm Court.

  

The grounds are in full bloom

The hallways are filled with victorian furniture
and art that depicts the history of the Empress.

The Empress room offers elegant dining.
Recent recipient of the prestigious Wine
Spectator's 'Best of Award Excelence'.  This
magnificent dining room offers exceptional
4-diamond cuisine with an eclectic mix of traditional favourites prepared with a unique and intenational edge.

Every area reflects elegance.

The interior is stunning with mahogany, oak, walnut and even
rose wood.  Notice the splendid detail of the carving.

The English architect, Francis Mawson Rattenbury,  designed
the Empress, creating a cultural treasure without knowing it.
View from the rose garden. We were on this side with a view to
the parliment and rose garden.

The conference center is beautifully done,
displaying a totem pole collections with an
atrium filled with plants.

The library lounge was a reading room for gentlemen residents, where they
conducted business over brandy and cigars.  The exquisite oak paneling, intricate
woodwork,  lavish jade fireplace front keeps with the theme and taste of her Royal
Majesty, Queen Victoria, after whom the The Fairmont Empress was named.

Incredible design of the ceiling of the grand ball room.

The Veranda facing the harbour and Goverment street serves
lunch.  At night it offers a spectacular view of the harbour
over cocktails.

The Bengal Lounge leaves you with a lasting impression until you return.





We wandered and enjoyed the incredible garden during the warm days.  Roses bloom.  Perennials climb, annuals produce their colorful show.  Stroll the paths or sit on a bench and look out over the thousands of flowering bulbs, trees and shrubs in stunning color. 

Beautiful shapes and textures

This magnificent, very old Arbutus tree has incredible shape and color.   We have a species of this tree in Mexico called Arbutus Tessellata, commonly called the paper tree because of the peeling bark.

Shop on site in the elegant shops

Like all old hotels, The Empress has a repertoire of myths.  Stories of ghost and ill fated rendezvous. 



Some superb pieces of furniture
date back to the opening of the
Empress.

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I have more blogs on Victoria that will follow The Empress.  It is a wonderful, colorful city with lots to see and do.