According to Travel + Leisure, many readers referenced location while singing the praises of the Empress, perched in pride-of-place above Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
Named second-best in 2024, climbing from third in 2023, the Fairmont Empress claims the throne as best hotel in Canada, according to Travel + Leisure readers.
B.C.’s iconic Fairmont Empress was named No. 1 City Hotel in Canada by Travel + Leisure in the 2025 World’s Best Awards. The original hotel, known as The Empress Hotel, opened in 1908, but don’t let its age fool you: while the hotel feels connected to its roots, there’s nothing stuffy or antiquated about it, according to the magazine.
“This award – voted by thousands of global travellers – marks a proud moment not just for the hotel, but for Canada’s hospitality industry. As one of the country's most storied and celebrated hotels, the Empress continues to set the standard for luxury travel experiences rooted in heritage, elevated design, and standout service,” the Empress said in a news release announcing the win.
To celebrate, the hotel created a new cocktail fittingly named The Leading Lady – in a nod to the hotel’s legendary nickname – crafted with Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, Absolut Elyx and Lillet.
Two Vancouver Fairmont properties claim the other two B.C. spots in the Top 10 with Pacific Rim at No. 7 and Hotel Vancouver at No. 9. The rest are in Ontario and Quebec, including Montreal’s Ritz Carlton in second and Four Seasons in third.
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Travellers also voted for the Top 5 best Canadian resorts, with B.C. claiming the top three spots: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler, Fairmont Chateau Whistler and The Whickaninnish Inn in Tofino.