The Empress Fairmont on Victoria Island

The Empress Fairmont on Victoria Island, British Columbia

Unbelievable waffles served for breakfast in the main dining room- too pretty to eat!

The Tea Room

Ready for tea anyone??

First Course at Tea of Strawberries and Cream

China in the tea room - available for purchase in the gift shop!

Bird's Eye View from our window!

Chef on roof garden watering herbs and vegetables for the restaurant.

Honey Bees on Property making honey for the hotel's restaurants.

Gardens on the Empress Fairmont Property

Rose from the large rose garden on the Empress grounds.

Victoria Island is only accessible by air or sea, so we took a huge ferry boat over from Vancouver.  Arriving on the island, we drove to Victoria and checked in at the Empress Fairmont, a true grand dame of historic hotels.  You step into the lobby and are transported back in time to the  early 1900's. Beautiful details abound, such as the crown embellishments and old Canadian mail drops.  The gardens are beautiful to wander through and the hotel provides a relaxing experience.  A must do is the Empress Tea- a true legendary experience.  Several seatings are through out the day and it is served exquisitely.   I love the fact that the hotel restaurants grow herbs and vegetables on the roof and harvest their own honey.  Presentation of the food was glorious and inspiring,  the taste divine.  There are several restaurants in the old hotel, each offering different menus, from Indian inspired cuisine to local fare. Victoria was our 2nd city to visit on our west coast trip and my favorite. Antiques are plentiful, especially crystal, silver and china.  The views are breathtaking over the water and the town is charming.  More to come later on this special place.