Victoria's Fairmont Empress named Canada's top city hotel for second consecutive year
The 431-room landmark overlooking Inner Harbour scored 96.08 from Travel + Leisure readers, ahead of Vancouver's Rosewood Hotel Georgia at 95.62.
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The Fairmont Empress in Victoria has reclaimed the top spot in Travel + Leisure's 2026 World's Best Awards for city hotels in Canada, scoring 96.08 from readers — ahead of Vancouver's Rosewood Hotel Georgia at 95.62 and Québec City's Auberge Saint-Antoine at 95.13.
The annual awards are based on reader surveys evaluating hotels on rooms, facilities, location, service, and dining. This is the second consecutive year the Empress has won the ranking.
"It is an honour to be recognized as the No. 1 city hotel in Canada by Travel + Leisure readers for a second consecutive year," said Fairmont Empress general manager Dan McGowan. He credited the hotel's staff, loyal guests, and owner Nat Bosa, whose continued investment in the historic property has sustained its reputation.
Built in 1908, the 431-room Empress overlooks Victoria's Inner Harbour and is known for its historic architecture and traditional afternoon tea service. It is a National Historic Site of Canada.
Recent upgrades include the reopening of The Bengal as a breakfast venue and renovation of Q at the Empress restaurant and bar. A more than $60 million restoration completed in 2017 modernized the landmark while preserving its heritage features. The Fairmont Gold experience — added more recently — features 88 luxury guest rooms and suites with exclusive lounge access overlooking the harbour.
