TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

We went as our friends had booked.... And at over $600 CAN for a room, I nearly choked on my cornflakes. But we went, expecting the Ritz only to be met with an instantly forgettable experience. The Receptionist talked for Canada... sometimes less is more. The Rooms were fine overlooking the harbour but nothing to write home about. The restaurant didn't look special. So we avoided and I can't comment. Any plusses I hear you cry? Well the location is good in the centre of town, but that dear reader is all I can pluck as any sort of positive. Perhaps my negativity is tainted by the price. Charge $300 a night and you have a proposition for any traveller. Charge more than that and stay elsewhere. Sorry.

Everything "Grand". The staff, the view of the harbor and the restaurant and bar. If you want a good meal forget the Empress and go to the Grand Pacific even if you're not staying there. The room was clean and comfortable with great views.

Really 2 stars but in trying to boost to 3 stars, here are the pros and cons: Pros: Large foyer with decent seating and nice ambiance; Very good restaurant on site with excellent staff and food is superb; Great location, next to parliament and close to downtown; Very good fitness centre and beautiful 25 metre lap pool. Cons: Very long wait to register (only 2 employees), they should have the ability to call for more help to get the guests checked in; Room facing the harbour: so many problems with hygiene and sanitation; Hairs in the bathtub, shower curtain was dirty, fingerprints on patio door, cupboards, phone - too much to list. I had to use the blow dryer and pulled it out of the bag and was astonished at the filth (fluff and sticky exterior) and the blow dryer barely blew air…I gave up and had to attend a meeting with wet hair! TV channel selection is very poor; Bed is relatively firm; Rugs and Upholstery are absolutely filthy, the Hotel really needs to think about updating; Patio deck was dirty; Asked front desk for a blow dryer to replace the junk in my room and it was not done; All in all, quite disappointed. I stayed here 7 years ago and this hotel deserved the high rating; however, it is evident the hotel is going downhill and really needs to pay attention to details such as sanitation and hygiene and any requests to fix faulty appliances should be followed through. Housekeeping is a very difficult job and from my observations, the housekeeping is likely not given enough time to clean, clean, clean! The room cleanliness suffers and people like me, notice filth. I would not choose to stay here again; however, my department will likely book here again for our meeting rooms and the ability to walk to parliament.

What a pleasure! Early check in. Pristinely clean room. Lovely view. Smile on every employee. That’s just the beginning. We have traveled extensively over the past few years and have frequently found a general decline in service everywhere. But not here. In many (5 star hotels!) the used toiletries are often not replaced. Coffee or creamer not replaced. Even toilet paper not replaced! There wasn’t one single item overlooked during our three night stay. The room was very nicely appointed and a good size (king). We will definitely stay here again and very likely will return to Victoria simply to stay here! Thank you!

My husband and I had a wonderful stay here. Jose checked us in and was so kind and friendly it started our stay on a great note. He showed that he really cared that we enjoyed our stay and did we ever! Our room was on the 8th floor and our balcony looked toward the parliament building. At night the view was just breathtaking. The facility is beautiful. There is lovely antique furniture, it’s very clean and well-maintained. The beds and pillows comfortable and the room well appointed. The pool and gym facilities are the best we have ever experienced in a hotel. We can’t wait to come back the next time. We are in Victoria!