Fairmont Empress Hotel Tours
The grand style of the Fairmont Empress hotel sets the tone for Victoria’s Inner Harbour, where boats tie up just steps from the city’s most historic landmarks. Visiting the Fairmont Empress is not just for overnight guests; afternoon tea here has been a Victoria tradition for more than a century.
The Basics
Most tours of historic Victoria include a stop at the Fairmont Empress, and visiting with a guide helps you learn about the hotel’s fascinating history, resident ghosts, and eccentric celebrity guests. If you’re exploring on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, the Empress is easy walking distance from other sights in the Inner Harbour.
For many visitors, afternoon tea at the Empress is the main event, an elegant affair that’s served to the tune of live grand piano music. Reservations are essential for afternoon tea, which includes sweet and savory finger foods alongside the hotel’s signature tea blends.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Though the afternoon tea dress code of “sophisticated, smart casual” is somewhat flexible, dressing up is part of the experience.
- Don’t write off afternoon tea if you hate Earl Grey. The hotel also offers a Champagne Tea for guests who prefer bubbles to brews.
- The feel in the lobby lounge is decidedly adult, but the finger foods on the Children’s Tea menu make things fun for families with children between 5 and 12 years old.
How to Get There
Much of the Inner Harbor is easily walkable, but there’s also public transit and parking near the Empress. For cruise ship passengers, Bus No. 2 in the Oak Bay direction offers frequent departures from the intersection of Dallas Road and Simcoe Street near the cruise terminal; get off at Douglas and Courtney Streets, where you’re a short walk from the hotel.
When to Get There
Tea is served between 11am and 4pm, with seatings on the quarter hour between 11am and 12pm, 1pm and 2pm, and 2pm and 3pm. When you make your reservation, keep in mind that you’ll only have one hour until the next guests arrive. Reservations are available through the hotel website.
Christmas at the Empress
The Fairmont Empress goes all-out for the holidays, with decorations and a festive menu throughout December. Select dates include traditional Christmas carols during afternoon tea. Check the website for schedules and menus if you’re planning a holiday outing.
Address: 721 Government Street, Victoria BC V8W 1W5, Canada
Admission: Varies
7 Tours and Activities to Experience Fairmont Empress Hotel
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Victoria City and Butchart Gardens Private Half-Day Tour
Explore the beautifully historic center of Victoria, then trade downtown streets for the flower-lined paths of Butchart Gardens on a half-day, private tour of the city. You'll start with a trip to Fisherman's Wharf, then see the Parliament Buildings, the Empress Hotel, Beacon Hill Park, and Craigdarroch Castle, following scenic roads through the Vancouver Island countryside. With departures throughout the day, this tour of Victoria highlights is priced per vehicle, and can be tailored to your private group of up to seven people.
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From
$355.63
per group
From
$355.63
per group
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Time Efficient Luxury City Tour of Victoria
If you are short on time, but eager to see the most beautiful spots in Victoria, this is the tour for you. Have your camera ready for stops at Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Beacon Hill Park, Craigdarroch Castle, the Lieutenant Governor’s estate, and Oak Bay Village and Marina. Get your small group together and enjoy this guided tour through all the gorgeous scenery of Victoria.
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From
$203.22
per group
From
$203.22
per group
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Grand City With High Tea At Butchart Gardens Tour
Our professional historian is able to include many significant sites not offered in other tours. Enjoy the tour in our rare 1997 Bentley New Turbo R Exl built by Rolls Royce. Only 823 were built, all between 1995-97. Our Grand City with High Tea at Butchart Gardens Tour covers all the main attractions in Victoria, the city of flowers, and the world-famous gardens located 15 miles outside of the city. For over a century, Butchart Gardens has been the premier attraction for travelers visiting Victoria. Enjoy BUTCHART GARDENS, a two and a half hour stop for a unique and remarkable experience, including 900 varieties of flowers and 120 varieties of trees, as well as a classic British Style High Tea with mouth-watering scones, delicious pastries, savory chowder, exquisite tea sandwiches, sumptuous desserts, and a selection of fine teas. This finely crafted tour includes more attractions than we can list in the "What to Expect" section.
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From
$250.00
Price varies by group size
From
$250.00
Price varies by group size
4-Hour Grand City and Butchart Gardens Tour
Our professional historian is able to include many significant sites not offered in other tours. Enjoy the tour in our rare 1997 Bentley New Turbo R Exl built by Rolls Royce. Only 823 were built, all between 1995-97. Our Grand City and Butchart Gardens Tour covers all the main attractions in Victoria, the city of flowers, and the world-famous gardens located 15 miles outside of the city. For over a century, Butchart Gardens has been the premier attraction for travelers visiting Victoria. Enjoy BUTCHART GARDENS, a one and a half hour stop for a unique and remarkable experience, including 900 varieties of flowers and 120 varieties of trees. This finely crafted tour includes more attractions than we can list in the "What to Expect" section.
…More
From
$200.00
Price varies by group size
From
$200.00
Price varies by group size
2-Hour Grand City Tour
Our professional historian is able to include many significant sites not offered in other tours. Enjoy the tour in our rare 1997 Bentley New Turbo R Exl built by Rolls Royce. Only 823 were built, all between 1995-97. Our Grand City Tour covers all the main attractions in Victoria, the city of flowers. This finely crafted tour includes more attractions than we can list in the "What to Expect" section.
…More
From
$100.00
Price varies by group size
From
$100.00
Price varies by group size
3-Hour Butchart Gardens and City Tour
Our professional historian is able to include many significant sites not offered in other tours. Enjoy the tour in our rare 1997 Bentley New Turbo R Exl built by Rolls Royce. Only 823 were built, all between 1995-97. Our Butchart Gardens and City Tour covers some of the main attractions in Victoria, the city of flowers, and the world-famous gardens located 15 miles outside of the city. For over a century, Butchart Gardens has been the premier attraction for travelers visiting Victoria. Enjoy BUTCHART GARDENS, a one and a half hour stop for a unique and remarkable experience, including 900 varieties of flowers and 120 varieties of trees. This finely crafted tour includes more attractions than we can list in the "What to Expect" section.
…More
From
$150.00
Price varies by group size
From
$150.00
Price varies by group size
The Ultimate Group Package Tour of Victoria
Make the most of your visit to Victoria by seeing many of the area’s highlights in just one day. This private tour packs in top sights including, Butchart Gardens, one of Canada’s oldest Chinatown neighborhoods, Craigdarroch Castle, and the famed Parliament Buildings. Plus, you’ll even have time to stop at a local winery to experience British Columbia’s burgeoning wine scene. Round-trip transportation is also included for an added convenience.
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From
$550.38
per group
From
$550.38
per group
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
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