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The Fairmont Empress Hotel

Written by VacationIdea.com Travel Editors.

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The Fairmont Empress is located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Visit The Fairmont Empress to explore Victoria, get pampered at the new hotel spa, and engage in exciting activities such as ocean bound whale watching. The hotel, opened in 1908, has a long history and has attracted many celebrity guests, including Rita Hayworth, Katherine Hepburn, Roger Moore, John Travolta, Barbara Streisland and Harrison Ford.

The new Willow Stream spa offers exclusive and specialized treatments using natural resources and indigenous ingredients from British Columbia such as purifying algae, rare muds, essential oils and herbs. Other vacation activities guests can enjoy nearby include golf, kayaking, tennis, shopping, fishing, mountain biking, eco-tours, sailing and hiking.

If you are planning a wedding, a reunion or organizing a company business meeting, The Fairmont Empress offers six meeting rooms and a ballroom. The Victoria Conference Centre with 40,000 square feet of meeting space is attached to The Fairmont Empress.

Rooms & Food

The hotel has 476 guest rooms with antique furnishings, including suites and Entrée Gold rooms and suites. Guest rooms have great views of the city, courtyard, or Victoria's Inner Harbour.

Elegant dining is offered in the The Empress Dining Room which has been awarded a AAA 4 Diamond rating. Other dining options include The Bengal Lounge, a Victorian club lounge, and Kipling's, a casual family restaurant. Tea at The Empress is a daily afternoon tee service that has been offered at the hotel for over 90 years.

Location, Location, Location

Victoria is a charming city with art galleries, gardens and antique shops. Guests can visit Butchart Gardens, Royal British Columbia Museum and local wineries. If you are looking for something romantic, try the horse-drawn carriage ride.

Best Time to Go & Getting There

If you would like to see the magnificent orcas, The Fairmont Empress is offering a Whale Watching Safari Package from mid-April through mid-October, 2002. Victoria's International Airport is a 30 minute drive from The Fairmont Empress. Taxis are available at the airport. A great way to arrive to Victoria is by sea. Regular ferry and high-speed catamaran service connects Vancouver Island to the mainland of B.C. and Washington State.

Plan this Vacation
Check the hotel web site for seasonal offers and packages. Room rates from $239 (about US $150). For reservations, call 800-441-1414.

Fairmont Empress, 721 Government Street, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, 800-441-1414, 250-384-8111, www.fairmont.com/empress/