The sound of tea gently streaming from teapots into ornate tea cups symbolizes the beginning of afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress. The hotel has replicated this experience over and over since it opened back on January 20, 1908.
Walking through the entrance of the stately building itself, its magnificent presence awes you. The iconic hotel towers over Victoria’s Inner Harbour as a world-renowned landmark that has hosted guests from across the globe, including royalty. Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, King George VI, and Princess Diana have all enjoyed afternoon tea here. As a matter of fact, if you’re wondering, the late princess favored the Rose Congou Emperor tea.
That said, you don’t have to be a member of the royal family to enjoy the grandeur of the Empress and her iconic tea experiences. Furthermore, the FRS Clipper even offers special Victoria overnight packages that include it!
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Victoria Overnight with Afternoon Tea at The Fairmont Empress
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Victoria Day Trip with Afternoon Tea at The Fairmont Empress
Step Inside
Stepping inside the Lobby Lounge, you’ll immediately notice the striking, classical columns. They look as if someone plucked them straight from a historic Roman building. Afterward, the elegant tables will probably immediately draw your eye. Staff have immaculately set them for the Empress’ iconic tea service.
While the Empress has been serving tea since 1908, the hotel’s remodel has transformed the look and feel of the space to create a luminous, sophisticated atmosphere. But don’t despair history buffs! That’s because it still retains the original architecture of the building, providing the best of both worlds. Think rich English tradition meets modern decor.
The Tea
You’ll be greeted by a welcoming team of servers as you settle into the cozy rattan-backed chairs. And, these servers know how to present a tea menu unlike any other. A beautiful wooden menu awaits. Just crack it open for a peek at the fine loose-leaf teas behind tiny glass “window panes.”
The diverse array of offerings run the gamut, from hand-rolled oolongs to flower-filled herbal blends. With so many options, it can be difficult to decide. There’s the popular Empress Blend, a “bright, brisk and lively tea from Sri Lanka and Kenya,” Princess Di’s favorite, Rose Congou Emperor, is still on offer. And, then there’s the Jasmine Gold Dragon. The name alone is enticing! It’s made up of “Jasmine flowers that are picked at midnight during peak bloom,” while “delicate green tea leaves come from the early spring harvest.” But, of course, if you struggle to make a decision, you’ll have an expert tea server at your side for advice.
The Delivery
The delivery is all part of the experience. Your tea will arrive in a china teapot. It’s carefully placed on a candle-lit warmer and accompanied by a handy timer, ensuring steeping perfection. The timer is comprised of three hour-glass shaped vials. Each one is filled with a different color of sand, corresponding to each type of tea. Not to mention, as every tea expert knows, timing is everything.
The Treats
Like any tea experience, the treats accompanying the tea are a key part of the service. By the time those last taupe grains of sand trickle through your timer, a three-tiered platter is likely to arrive at your table. Brimming with a slate of goodies, each one seems to be even more delicious than the last. Additionally, there are finger-sized bites, such as PB&J sandwiches and vanilla cake lollipops for the little ones on the Prince and Princess Tea menu. (Insider tip: this is the perfect opportunity to dress your own prince or princess in their finest duds, tiaras optional. They’ll be thrilled to live like royalty for the afternoon and it makes for a great photo op)
The Eats, More In-Depth
The phenomenal, mouthwatering plates range from cold smoked salmon to earl grey chocolate ganache. Furthermore, they’re all produced in-house, using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Creating them is no small feat. If you ask your server, you’ll learn that the house-made clotted cream alone is a 12-step process. As such, the Empress’ pastry kitchen works around the clock to ensure everything is up to standard.
Indulge in exquisite afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress. Photo: The Fairmont EmpressPresented with such an impressive array of goodies, it’s tempting to dive in and try everything at once. While that’s totally acceptable, if you want to keep with tradition, start from the bottom and work your way to the top! You’ll begin with the sandwiches, followed by fresh-out-of-the-oven scones and pastries.
If the smell of all that freshly-baked goodness doesn’t make your mouth water, the strawberry jam certainly will. The kitchen staff make the preserves in-house from local berries and lavender that the hotel grows in its rooftop garden. With a combination of sweet and floral, they will virtually guarantee to immediately transport you to foodie heaven.
Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress is a Rite of Passage
Indulging in the delicious tea alongside savory and sweet eats from the famous Lobby Lounge for the first time is truly rite of passage. It’s even worth planning an entire trip to Victoria around. But fair warning, you’ll probably be planning your return trip before the FRS Clipper delivers you back to Seattle!
Feature Photo: Fairmont Empress