The Fairmont Empress Hotel has received a prestigious award from Historic Hotels Worldwide, a group that recognizes stately structures and castle 颅accommodations around the globe.
Historic Hotels Worldwide named the Empress as Best Hotel in the Americas, saying travelers to the Inner Harbour property have come to expect 鈥渢imeless elegance, discriminating luxury and memorable 颅experiences.鈥�
鈥淭his grand dame completed a $60 million-plus 颅restoration in 2017 that celebrates its proud history while moving the hotel into a new era of modern luxury, transforming this iconic property into a must-visit destination,鈥� said Historic Hotels Worldwide.
It鈥檚 an award the Empress is proud to receive, said general manager Indu Brar.
鈥淥ur team at the Empress has been so committed to finding the right balance of celebrating our historic past while meeting the expectations of today鈥檚鈥� travellers with modern luxury touches,鈥� she said in a statement.
鈥淲e like to say that Fairmont Empress is where modern meets iconic and I believe this award confirms that we may have 颅gotten this right.鈥�
Designed by Francis 颅Rattenbury, who also designed the B.C. legislature and the Crystal Garden, the Empress opened its doors in 1908. Since then, it has held court over the Inner Harbour, playing host to royalty, dignitaries and 颅celebrities for 112 years.
It鈥檚 another in a long list of accolades for the Empress, including being recognized as one of the Top 21 Iconic Hotels in the World by National Geographic Traveler magazine, and honoured with Travel + Leisure Magazine鈥檚 World鈥檚 Best Award for Top 10 City Hotels in Canada.
鈥淭his calibre of award and the worldwide attention it brings is not only great for the hotel 鈥� it is wonderful for Victoria as a destination,鈥� said Tracey Drake, Empress director of marketing and public relations.
