We walked from our home not too far from the hotel on a sunny warm summer's eve.
Our 40th wedding anniversary was last month and we were given a gift voucher for The Bengal Room.
Thank you to our son and daughter in law for our lovely evening and classic Bengal Room Curry Buffet.
Looking out the window towards the legislature...
a celebratory cocktail
Edwardian decor...
very much a hunting vibe going on here!
The Bengal Room is famous for their curry.
It was delicious!
Dessert rice pudding and a chai creme brulee...
After our dinner we walked through the lobby to hail a cab.
Lovely shops...with high end clobber!
I'll be wearing my scarf tied over my coat this way when the weather cools...
Oh and those blue bags so tempting...
How about a ruby ring?
40th after all is "ruby celebration."
How about a sapphire necklace?
The tea shop beckons...
Pretty plates for an afternoon tea party.
How about a classic afternoon tea at The Empress...
when one is in Victoria this is a must.
A high calorie indulgence...
worth it once in awhile.
Hope you have a lovely weekend!
32 comments:
What a wonderful treat! We stayed at the Empress for a night once when I was about 10 years old. It was magical, and I'll never forget the sight of all the elegant people taking tea in the lobby.
Indian food is my favorite ethnic variety and that ruby ring looks very "Hostess". Afternoon tea with dear friends is one of life's great treasures.
Have to agree those blue bags are gorgeous. Looks like a lovely property to stay at. Will add it to my list of one day maybe places.
What a gorgeous setting for your special occasion! Do tell: where did you get your Union Jack tote bag? I love it.
Love The Bengal Room! One of life's great indulgences :)
In early August of 1976, my husband and I spent two nights of our honeymoon at the Empress Hotel. It was quite impressive then--as it is now. I would love to go back! I remember our room as being large and quite elegant. I was 24 years old and my husband was 25. Needless to say, I enjoyed this post!
Susan D. Dallas
Gosh would give anything to go there and have some good curry. What a glorious hotel! The only time we're really splurged big time on a vacay we went to Fairmont in Mauai and it was amazing with its own beach and all
How much is high tea at the Empress nowadays? It was around $50/person in 1990 when we went whale watching there. Happy Anniversary! :-) Emily
What a treat that must have been!
I made your chicken wraps last night - the verdict was 'delicious'!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Many happy childhood memories at the Empress.
What a lovely hotel and...congratulations on your anniversery.
Oh I envy you, not only because of the hôtel but because celebrating one's 40th anniversary must be a wonderful experience too ! xo
Oh man, memories. I used to work on the Victoria Clipper, the jet boat that takes you from Seattle to Victoria that you can probably see out your window. Never made it for high tea, but most of our passengers were headed in that direction.
The lobby is full most afternoons in the summer with a line up to get seated and at the cost, which is quite dear, it still is a popular place to relax and take tea...the service is of course excellent so one feels very pampered.
I appreciate the beauty of the ruby ring in the shop but I am a diamond and sapphire gal at heart...I have a smaller version of that classic ring that Diana had which now is on Kate's finger...
I see by your blog post that you are in SF...there is a direct flight to Victoria!
I found my bag at The Bungalow on Estevan Avenue in Victoria, the bag is French and the tiny label looks like Le Comptoir de la plage...it is made in Madagascar of natural fibres. I saw the same bags at Nicholas Randall on Oak Bay Avenue. It is a great tote and I always get compliments when I carry it.
My husband and I spent our wedding night at the Empress too!
I loved the claw footed tub and the views over the harbour and room service was very luxurious...one does crave a little pampering now and again!
We have taken the Clipper numerous times as it is the fastest way to navigate the strait of Juan de Fuca! We love Seattle and who knows you may have been on board when we scooted across the waves...which on occasion can be very rough as you may remember.
Ah just the sound of Mauai Hawaii sounds luxurious...
The tea is $60 per person and in off season the price goes down...we have a "Friends of the Empress" card which entitles us to a reduction in prices at the spa, restaurant and hotel Sunday through Thursday...if you live in town or travel often it is worth having...now if the shops in the lobby would honour this card I'd be able to shop there more often!
Happy to hear that they were a hit...
Did you grow up in Victoria or visit here frequently?
I adore the Empress. Thanks for bringing back great memories. Congratulations on your anniversary! I also will be tying my scarf that clever way this winter. Enjoy your weekend!
What a lovely anniversary celebration. We've never eaten in the Bengal. I've enjoyed afternoon tea a few times - such wonderful service and delectable goodies! I recently bought a similarly colored blue bag from Danier that I'm loving. Bon weekend.
From Margie in Toronto - You've brought back lovely memories of Tea at The Empress when a friend and I travelled out west some years ago. Thank you for the lovely photos.
I really enjoy the Bengal Room. Curries are my favourites. The coat, those blue bags…so classic. It sounds as though you had a lovely time.
Awwwww . . . like, oh my . . .
what a treat . . .
So important to indulge every once in awhile . . .
And what memories it makes too!
Oh, Hostess, what an outing! (And you didn't show us what you were wearing!) I knew there would be a tiger somewhere, and there he was, pinned to the wall. All very shades of Empire! It looks delicious.
Happy Anniversary Hostess! I've stayed at a number of Fairmont properties; but have yet to visit the Empress.
I eat curry almost every day. My favourite is aloo mutter, and as crazy as it seems; frequently have it for breakfast;
My birthstone's ruby, and I treasure the ring, and earrings, my husband gave to me one birthday. Whenever I fly commercial, I superstitiously need to wear my rubies.
I was surprised to see the ceramic Jaguar, in the photo with the blue bags. I bought the very same one for my son's bedroom in Florida.
Happy Anniversary! I love The Empress - have never stayed there but did enjoy high tea with my husband several years ago. I have never been let down by a Fairmont Hotel. They are so luxurious!
Thank you, Hostess!
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