During our trip to Victoria BC, we had the opportunity to experience tea at the Fairmont Empress and it was everything we hoped for and so much more! OH MY GOODNESS!!! You need to add having tea at the Fairmont Empress to your bucket list must-do travel list. Yes, it is that amazing!
Tea at the Fairmont Empress -Victoria, BC
You truly feel like royalty as you relax with your tea and scones. Our server Marilyn has been a tea server at the Empress for 41 years. She was truly delightful and so wonderful to talk with. Her passion for sharing the tea experience and love of the Empress was truly inspiring.
You don't meet a lot of people these days that have been in a job for 41 years and still love coming to work each day. Marilyn really epitomized the joy and love that goes into each tea serving at the Fairmont Empress.
We absolutely fell in the love with the tea we had at the Fairmont Empress. You have your choice of which blend of tea you want to try. John enjoyed the Empress Blend and I had the Kea Lani Orange Pineapple.
We loved it so much we went to the gift shop and purchased multiple boxes of tea before we left. Now that we are home we have already had to buy more tea because it has become a nightly ritual for us. Both John and I make up a cup of tea and we sit and relax at night talking about our day and upcoming plans. The tea has become a part of our daily life and a wonderful memory of our trip to Victoria.
When you visit the Fairmont Empress for tea make sure you arrive hungry. We were not sure how filling tea would be but let me tell you it is amazing and you will be happy you came hungry.
Our first course was delicious strawberries in Empress cream. I could have honestly had a few cups of these and been happy they were that good.
Freshly baked raisin scones with strawberry jam and Empress Cream....yes please! So good!
Smoked Salmon Pinwheel with dill cream cheese, roasted honey ham with tarragon dijonnaise, free-range egg salad croissant, cucumber, and ginger marscapone on butter brioche, and Moroccan spiced coronation chicken on marble rye tea sandwiches were delicious.
The sweet treats vary depending on the time of year you visit and any special events that are happening at the Fairmont Empress. We enjoyed Ballerina red velvet cake, citrus cranberry lamington, cinnamon chestnut cup, festive mince pie, and ginger spiced floral shortbread.
Fun facts about Tea at the Fairmont Empress
- Notable guests have included Queen Elizabeth II, Rudyard Kipling, Shirley Temple, Spencer Tracy, Princess Margaret, Rita Hayworth, the King and Queen of Siam, Bob Hope, John Travolta, Barbra Streisand, Joan Lunden, Sarah McLachlan, Mel Gibson, and Nelly Furtado
- The Empress Tea China was originally presented to King George V in 1914 upon the opening of the Booth factory in Stoke-on-Trent, England. The china was first used by The Empress in 1939 for the Royal visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The pattern is now produced by William Edwards exclusively for The Fairmont Empress
- Our Tea servers are some of our most tenured colleagues in the hotel with over 42 years of service
- Nearly 100,000 guests are served tea annually with an estimated 500,000 cups of tea
- During the centennial restoration in 2008, the hotel's original Tea Lobby floor was replaced and the wood of the original floor was transformed into delicate Afternoon Tea tables; - one may say you're eating off the floor
- Afternoon Tea was started by the Duchess of Bedford in the 19th century when she had a "sinking" feeling in the afternoon. She had her chef prepare a little meal with tea, and soon it became known as Afternoon Tea
Travel Tips and Info:
THE EMPRESS BLEND OF TEA
The Empress blend is a selection of seasonal, quality teas, created exclusively for The Fairmont Empress by the Metropolitan Tea Company. With components from Assam (thick malty and full-bodied), Kenya (floral-like flavor and a golden coppery infusion), South India (superb fruity and sprightly flavor), Ceylon (airy, almost piquant flavor), and China (burgundy depth with light oaky notes), it is truly one of the finest blends in the world.
Tea Service starts at Noon daily with the last seating at 3:45 p.m. We recommend an hour to enjoy your Afternoon Tea experience.
Evening Tea is also available starting at 7:00 p.m. with the last seating at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from May until September.
Pricing:
May 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015 - $62.95 CAD per person.
October 1, 2014, to April 30, 2015 - $49.95 per person.
Children 12 and younger may choose the regular Afternoon Tea menu at 50% off the adult price, or enjoy our Prince and Princess Tea Menu.
The Dress Code is casually elegant. Please no torn and/or ripped jeans, short shorts, cut off pants, beachwear, flip flops, or baseball caps.
The Fairmont Empress is located at 721 Government Street, Victoria BC
Telephone - 250-384-8111 or 800-441-1414
You can find out more about Tea at the Fairmont Empress and staying at the beautiful hotel by checking out their website www.fairmont.com/empress
Oh and if you fall in love with the tea like we did make sure and pick some up in the gift shop! If you forget you can also order tea on the Fairmont website. I just placed a stock up order since both John and I have fallen in love with the tea from the Empress.
Additional Victoria BC Travel Resources
Check out all of our Canada Travel Guides
Yona Williams
I am a tea lover, and all of this time, I have never had it properly or with all of the accompaniments that go along with it. Having it served in such a pretty tea cup set and with a lovely spread like this looks like an unforgettable moment. The entire ambiance looks magical. I think I just would have lost my mind with all of those delectable treats.
Krystal
I've always wanted to have tea time! I know at Disney World near me there is an area to have tea with the princesses. I'm probably too old for tea time with princesses, but it sounds SO cute. I'd love to try it. Your experience seems charming!
Myrabev
I love tea though have never tried those two blends before, being in the UK tea & scones is part of my daily ritual i don't thing have ever gone without. The fairmont sounds like a beautiful place to visit, i attended a blogger event this gone weekend where they served us amazing chinese tea and i am still in awe
Tami
This looks like a wonderful place to visit and relax. My hubby and I need to get away. I would love to try the strawberries in Empress cream. I bet they are truly delicious as you stated.
Giveaways 4 Mom
I love drinking tea. However, I usually just do it at home. It seems like you have had the chance to experience tea drinking in an elegant setting. I just love the décor that is spread throughout.
Michelle Hwee
Wow this place is absolutely gorgeous! I also love the decor and the food! Those mini sandwiches look so dainty and yummy. I wish we had something like this in NYC. I would love to go and try it out! I never really had traditional tea like this before.
Tamika
I love tea and I would have a ball at this place. I am putting on my list to come and visit this summer. I have ordered tea from Teavanna and other places that specializes in good quality teas, that will help me on my healthy journey. Thanks for taking me on a mini vacation, as I sip my tea. The pastries look delicious as well. Thanks for sharing a piece of BC with a Harlem, NY gal.
Nikki
Wow, everything is just so beautiful there! The tea you chose sounds really yummy. I love fruity herbal teas. I could eat bowls of those strawberries too! I'd love to try the free range egg salad croissants. What an elegant and classy activity.
DeniSe
wow this was incredible. I love how they served the scones and the way the tea is served. It is all so elegant and makes you want to be there
Lisa
Hi there! I love this post! I'm a coffee girl myself but this post reminds me of the time I spent living in England. It looks like such a great experience...and the food looks delicious!