This week marked the bestowment of a prestigious award for one Victoria landmark business.
The Fairmont Empress hotel was named the Best Historic Hotel Worldwide in the Americas in the 2020 Awards of Excellence announced by Historic Hotels of America—an official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
A total of 19 hotels, most of which are located in the U.S., received awards from the group out 250 nominees.
The Fairmont Empress went through a $60 million restoration project in 2017 and will be closed for three months next year to undergo renovations.
“The Empress Hotel, which opened on January 20, 1908, is extremely rich in architectural and cultural history. Finding the right balance with thoughtful renovations in 2016/2017 combined with our Heritage Hall gallery, we celebrate our illustrious past every day,” said Indu Brar, General Manager of the hotel, in a statement.
“We like to say that Fairmont Empress is Where Modern Meets Iconic and I believe this award confirms that we may have gotten this right.”
The landmark overlooking the Inner Harbour has been recognized as one of the Top 21 Iconic Hotels in the World by National Geographic Traveler Magazine.
It has also been featured by Travel + Leisure as a Top Canadian Hotel, and is a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice and Gold List Hotel.
