Travelpat

We live in Chicago and were thinking about Victoria/Vancouver this year. Surprised at the lack of direct flights and therefore the time involved in getting there. Prices are very high. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Is a car needed? Also, opinions of Fairmont Empress and location.

ALF

I'm assuming that you are referring to Victoria when you note the lack of direct flights? Vancouver is a major city with an international airport, while Victoria... isn't.

The typical local or tourist usually takes a boat to get to Victoria, as opposed to flying. We have done it with a float plane, and that's a lot of fun, but it too is expensive. My advice would be to fly into Vancouver, see the sites, then take a ferry to Victoria. A car is not needed to do that, but it would be far more convenient. The Vancouver ferry docks (Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay) are not strictly in the city, requiring a bus or taxi to get there; and the Victoria ferry docks (Swartz Bay or Nanaimo) are not close either.

I'd rent a car for the trip to Victoria. You could use the car to visit some Vancouver areas that are a farther from downtown (Capilano, Grouse Mtn, Samish, Whistler), and then take a ferry to Vancouver Island. If you visit any of the above-mentioned locales, then it is convenient to take the Horseshoe Bay ferry, which puts you into Nanaimo. That is at least an hour's drive from Victoria, but it is pleasant and scenic.

The Empress has a fantastic location, right on the waterfront. Personally, I think that the hotel's fame and prestige make it terribly over-priced, considering the small rooms. I'd suggest staying at a more spacious more-modern hotel nearby, then going to the Empress for High Tea.

ltt

lots of flights into vancouver - just did a quick check for air canada and there were plenty of direct flights. the ferry ride over to victoria is beautiful. if you are taking a vehicle onto the ferry during july and august, i'd pay the extra fee to have a reservation. otherwise, there are bus shuttles from downtown vancouver to the ferry and likewise in victoria. then you could just rent a car once in victoria.

goddesstogo

fly to Vancouver and visit there then hop on the bus that drives right on to the gorgeous car ferry (BC Ferries -- we were on the Spirit of Vancouver) which will take you to Victoria and let you off at the back of the Empress. We did Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle without a car and without a problem.

mothersruin

Yes I agree with the above posters. Get a flight to Vancouver if you can't get a cheap one to Victoria. I have been there many times and it's worth taking the ferry from Vancouver to the island for the sight seeing. You will dock in Nanaimo and from there it is about 2hrs to Victoria. Lovely drive, brilliant scenery.

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tdk320n

bookmark

msteacher

If you're having particular trouble getting a flight into Vancouver, another option would be to fly into Seattle, take the ferry to Victoria, then take the ferry to Vancouver.

icithecat

The standard response to this question is to fly into Vancouver. Flights from Chicago are not unheard of. For ferry info look at www.bcferries.com
You will see the prefered route is Tsawassen to Swartz bay. If you are from Chicago, driving in Vancouver traffic will be a cakewalk, Victoria, a snooze, just watch out for one ways.
If you really do not want a car, the intercity bus line is
http://www.pacificcoach.com/
As a Victoria resident, I cannot comment on staying at the Empress, but it is an impressive 'pile' as the the English would say.

Carmanah

I've stayed at the Empress and loved it. But I knew what to expect. I knew the rooms were smaller, older, and the general charm of the hotel comes from the public areas, not its rooms. It's not a "hip" kind of place but an "old world" kind of place.

However, the service is excellent and the location is... well, distances in downtown Victoria are measured by how close it is to the Empress. By staying at the Empress, you're located where everything is happening.

goddesstogo

The Magnolia is right next to the Empress. I don't know how the rates compare but we were happy staying at the Magnolia and having drinks and dinner at the Empress.

I tend to like older houses but newer hotels.

NWWanderer

That's my preference as well--stay at the Magnolia (if you want to be right in the center of thiings; otherwise my favorite is the Laurel Point) and go to the Empress for the curry buffet ;-). I haven't had great experiences with the hotel service (e.g. front desk, housekeeping, as opposed to the Bengal Lounge which was great) at the Empress, personally.