Fairmont Empress in Victoria Unveils Transformed Luxury Fairmont Gold Experience

VICTORIA, B.C. (June 1, 2023) –  Today, Fairmont Empress has officially unveiled its highly anticipated renovation of the luxury Fairmont Gold experience, ushering in a new era of luxury at Victoria’s iconic Castle on the Coast. The extensive makeover includes the transformation of an expansive state-of-the-art Fairmont Gold lounge, boasting over 4,000 square feet of opulence, along with the addition of 22 new Fairmont Gold guest rooms.

Designed by the award-winning HBA San Francisco, the new Fairmont Gold lounge pays homage to the building's original fixtures and shines a spotlight on elements that convey its storied past. Surrounded by the calm currents of the Salish Sea, the sky’s mesmerizing symphony of colours captures the essence of serenity and the awe-inspiring power of nature that set the stage for its captivating design. Exposed brick archway doors, fireplace, and original steel beams dating back to the building’s original 1908 architecture—discovered during the renovation process—now stand in pride of place, opening the vault to reveal the classic details that have made the property a beloved destination for 115 years.

Guests will enjoy a collection of unique living room spaces in the Fairmont Gold lounge such as hideaway alcoves, library nooks, bistro seating, and an expansive outdoor terrace to tuck away and unwind.  The luxury residential-style pantry space features waterfall-edge marble islands inspired by the nearby flowing water and serves daily breakfast, afternoon tea bites, and evening canapés, creating a sophisticated ambiance to make guests feel like a home away from home. Thoughtful details throughout the lounge reminiscent of nature include rich blue and green cabinetry, marble finishing, as well as custom carpet design with hues that mirror the sky’s golden glow, complementing the surrounding natural beauty of its coastal city setting, delivering an unforgettable experience.

In addition to the extensive Fairmont Gold lounge renovation, the addition of 22 guest rooms has been added to the collection of Fairmont Gold rooms, each elegantly designed with rich fabrics, sleek furnishings, and modern marble bathrooms with rainfall shower, reflective of the natural beauty of Vancouver Island.

“We are thrilled to officially begin welcoming guests to the transformed Fairmont Gold, offering an experience with unparalleled luxury touches that are truly unlike any other,” said Dan McGowan, General Manager at Fairmont Empress. “To set ourselves apart from other hotel-within-a-hotel concepts, we’ve thought of everything for our guests to fully immerse themselves into a residential-style space, including entry to a completely renovated and stocked pantry, access to the best views in the city and a stylish resort-style retreat.”

Fairmont Gold begins the moment a guest arrives, with exclusive check-in on the hotel’s first floor. The Fairmont Gold experience includes concierge services and amenities, access to the private Fairmont Gold lounge that serves deluxe daily breakfast, afternoon tea snacks, evening canapés, and full-service honour bar. The Fairmont Gold concierge team takes pride in offering personalized service from organizing private excursions, reserving spa treatments at the hotel’s Willow Stream Spa, and securing a reservation at the city’s top restaurants while delivering the utmost care and precision.

Beyond the Fairmont Gold renovation, the Empress is celebrating its 115th anniversary throughout 2023. The property debuted Sunset Sips in May, an evening cocktail and culinary experience that offers an intoxicating twist on tradition. Located in the luxurious Lobby Lounge, the space transforms in the evening hours into a lively atmosphere offering unique cocktails served in teapots and tiers of tapas, as the sun begins its descent towards the horizon, setting across the sky over the sparkling Harbour.

To celebrate the sparkling renovation, guests can take advantage of the hotel’s Good as Gold experience, inclusive of an exclusive rate and complimentary self-parking. For more information about Fairmont Gold at the Empress, please visit https://www.fairmont-empress.com/.

About Fairmont Empress

Recognized as one of the Top 21 Iconic Hotels in the World by National Geographic Traveler magazine and honored by Travel + Leisure Magazine’s World’s Best Awards for Top 3 City Hotels in Canada, Fairmont Empress is located in Victoria, BC overlooking the city’s sparkling Inner Harbour. A Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond property that offers 431 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, Willow Stream Spa with signature West Coast experiences, and Q at the Empress featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine, award-winning wine list, and regionally focused cocktail culture. World-famous Tea at the Empress is served in the Lobby Lounge with stunning harbour views. The Grande Dame property completed a $60+ million restoration in 2017 that celebrated its proud history while moving the hotel into a new era of modern luxury and transforming the iconic property into a must-visit destination. In 2023, the property introduced a revamped Fairmont Gold Experience, which included a major renovation to the Fairmont Gold lounge and the conversion of 22 rooms to Gold Experience rooms. Located on Vancouver Island, Canada’s Castle on the Coast is the ideal starting point to explore British Columbia’s stunning natural and expansive beauty.

About Fairmont

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where the intimate equally co-exist with the infinite–an unrivaled portfolio of more than 80 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures, and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. Since 1907, Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful, and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations–places such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group counting over 5,300 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL – Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.