Fairmont Empress

721 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1W5
250-384-8111 | Website

The Fairmont Empress is located on Victoria’s sparkling Inner Harbour and is the ideal starting point to explore Vancouver Island’s stunning natural beauty.

BCCIE is offering special BCIEW rates for the Fairmont Empress at the rate of $279 for a Fairmont room and $319 for a Deluxe room during the nights of June 23, 2023 - June 28, 2023. Guests will be able to make reservations three days prior and three days after the group dates at the contracted rates based on availability. If there is a room cancellation, you will be notified and offered the special BCIEW rate ($279 for a Fairmont room, $319 for a Deluxe room).


Due to ongoing challenges with conference hotel rooms being cancelled last minute, we will be doing an audit where we will cross reference our BCIEW registration list with the Fairmont room booking list. If you are holding a room and have not registered for our conference by May 10, we will release your hotel room back into the block for other attendees to book. We will do our best to notify you via email prior to releasing these rooms. We apologize for this inconvenience, but we are seeing a trend of registered delegates that are unable to book into our conference hotel rooms closer to the conference date.

How to Get There

In alignment with our commitment to environmental sustainability at our conference, we encourage you to consider your chosen method of transportation to Victoria, and how it impacts your carbon footprint. Where possible, avoid air-travel and instead opt to carpool, walk-on the ferry, and take public transportation. Victoria’s downtown core is very walkable, so when you are exploring the city, consider walking or cycling rather than jumping in a car.   

Driving Directions

The Fairmont Empress is located beside the Waterfront Center office building at the intersection of Howe, Canada Place Way, Cordova and Burrard Streets, approximately two blocks from the Business/Financial District, downtown and shopping. A covered walkway connects the hotel to Convention Center and Cruise Ship Terminal.

From BC Ferries Swartz Bay Terminal

If you are arriving via BC Ferries Swartz Bay terminal, you will automatically join Highway 17 as you drive off the ferry. Stay on Highway 17 for approximately 33km until you reach Downtown Victoria. Highway 17 will turn into Blanchard Street, which will turn into Belleville Street. Turn right onto Government Street and you will arrive at the Fairmont Empress. The trip will take approximately 30-40 minutes. 

From Seattle, Washington (U.S./Canada border)

The Seattle to Victoria Clipper ferry ride connects the United States with Vancouver Island. The Victoria Clipper ferry ride to Victoria takes 2 hours and 45 minutes, traveling direct between Pier 69 in downtown Seattle and the Belleville Terminal in downtown Victoria’s Inner Harbor.

Air Travel Directions

Victoria International Airport

Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is located approximately 30 minutes drive from the Fairmont Empress. There are several rental car companies located at the airport. Alternatively, there is a shuttle service, run by Lucky to Go shuttle

If you are driving from the airport, simply follow signs for “Victoria.” The airport is located just off of Highway 17, which will take you directly into the heart of Downtown Victoria and to the Fairmont Empress. 

Float Plane

The Harbour Air and Kenmore Air float plane terminal in Victoria is located across the street from the Fairmont Empress, along the Inner Harbour. The terminal is located approximately a five-minute walk away.