Wow, is parking that cheap in the UK? I'd think that C$28 a day for parking in a touristy place or major city in North America is quite cheap. Anyhow, I think it'd be a bit of a pain to rent a car and drive it around Victoria.

 

Thanks choptliva and tom911 for the infomation. I will take a bus to visit the Gardens.

 

I stayed there this past weekend and parked on the street.

Street parking is free evenings from 6pm until morning and all day Sunday. The Empress's underground parkade is run by the city and contracted out, and known to be the most expensive in the city. You'll easily find cheaper options depending on distance/convenience (in/out priveledges).

One idea, if you must rent a car is to return it each night and sign out a new rental in the morning, as the major rental car lots are behind the Empress/Convention Centre.

I'd expect that you'd be able to go without a car on a few days, if you're there to enjoy the town, and activities around the harbour and downtown core.

 

Just stayed there a few days ago... I parked about 3 minute walk away right by the water/docks for $12 a day. Lots of cameras and constant stream of ppl walking in that area so felt safe leaving the Porsche there for a few nights

 

$28 CAN per day is cheap compared to $49 USD per day at the Fairmont Chicago I wouldn't think twice about paying that rate...although now that I know there is $12 parking 3 minutes away, I guess I would

 

Hi Kokinos,
Do you know the street address of the garage you used? We have
a trip in August and would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

This wasn't a garage but outdoor parking... but if you really need covered parking there are a few options very close to the empress but I didn't go looking for them.

I parked on the west side of the 900 block on wharf street, it's right next to the marina, float planes and some whale watching operations and about 300 meters from the front door of the empress. The entrance is accross from Broughton st from wharf st as indicated in this map:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=victori...,0.013078&z=17

Let me know if this makes sense?

 

Here's a link to some info regarding city parkades in Victoria. While not the most picturesque tourist destinations, the parkades are much cheaper than hotel parking. The Empress is located on the Causeway next to the convention centre (which is indicated on the map).


http://www.victoria.ca/common/maps/dt_parking.pdf
http://www.victoria.ca/cityhall/depa...s_engprk.shtml

Have a wonderful trip.

 

Do you think that was because of the employee friends and family rate you booked with? I'm in Victoria on a TravelZoo rate that I booked 3-4 months ago and have a very nice room on the 5th floor overlooking the gardens. I did join the President's Club prior to booking (free internet), so maybe that comes with it. There is a bit of street noise, but once I close the window it's barely noticeable. Photos linked below.

 

Thank you all for the helpful suggestions. I ended up parking on the street (Humboldt St) right beside the hotel for free over the Aug long weekend. There was no problem finding parking on the streets at all.
If anyone is looking for parkade parking, there's a parkade on Broughton St that charges $11 per day. The front desk staff told me it's run by the same people that runs that Fairmont parkade.

 

The Marriott on Humboldt charges $15/day.

Ron.

 

Any new updates on using upgrade certs at this property? I may have to endure a 5 night stay very shortly and need the best the Empress has to offer in terms of suites... I will go into my beef with this property soon but will start a fun new topic for it ^

I called Plat line and all they can arrange is a junior suite and say that is the limit for this property. I can get in touch with the GM that may help things but anyone else have any experience?

I usually stay at the Westin Bear Mountain and much prefer it but I should give this hotel another chance with the power of my fellow Fairmont specialist on FlyerTalk

 

I am at the fairmont Empress at the moment. i booked a Fairmont room. when i check-in i was surprised, the front desk agent told me "you have been upgraded to one bed room suite". i am really speechless. i am Platinum for the first time, is this how they treat platinum members?

the one bed room suite is large, separate bed room and living room, 2 full bath. yes it is not the Pacific Rim but still very nice suite. ^

if you need any more info. please let me know.

 

On and off.. more on.. that is how Plat members are treated.. with upgrades. I've been to the Empress before and enjoyed a one bedroom suite overlooking the harbour.. really was an amazing experience.. Then again, pretty much most Fairmonts treat us really well. When armageddon happened some 4 years ago, and FPC completed gutted the program, we decided to phase out being members.. but in using the remaining benefits, we come to realize that the service level was higher, and seems that we were getting nicer rooms albeit at check-in rather than at reservation. The nicer rooms have brought us back..

Can't tell for the future, but my wife and I will at least maintain two premier memberships between the two of us at minimum for now.. This guarantees we are in a suite for a ten night vacation every year, so long as the loyalty program stays the same.

 

I would try booking the junior suite and gauge availability prior to arrival for the one bedroom harbour view suite. If you are a premier, and platinum, requesting the nice one bedroom harbour view suite, will have management on thier toes to impress.. get the guaranteed booking, make the request for nicest suite available at check-in and see what happens

IMO.. Empress gave me excellent service and remembered our family by last name each and every time we left the hotel and arrived. Been about 4 years though.