The Empress

The Fairmont Empress is one of the oldest and most famous hotels in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Located on Government Street facing the Inner Harbour, the Empress has become an iconic symbol for the city itself. It has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada due to its national significance.
The hotel has 477 rooms, with most either overlooking the Inner Harbour or the hotel's rear courtyard gardens. It has four restaurants, including The Bengal Lounge, which is decorated in Victorian-era, Colonial Indian style or Kipling's, which is named after its once frequent guest and visitor, author Rudyard Kipling. The Veranda is a seasonal restaurant located under the famous The Empress sign and replaces Kipling's as the hotel's fourth restaurant. In 2005, Kipling's closed its doors to the public in order for the hotel to gain more space for private functions. This was renovated in March 2012 and became the hotel's second ballroom, The Ivy Ballroom, for the ivy facade for which the hotel is known. The hotel has gym facilities, a whirlpool bath and an indoor swimming pool. Willow Stream Spa was added in 2002 and is renowned by Conde Nast as one of the world's best spas.