Empress prepares to reopen with bigger patio

The Fairmont Empress Hotel says it will reopen its doors on June 26, ending a three-month closing due to the pandemic.

The opening includes rooms, guest services, Willow Stream Spa, and food and beverage venues such as the Q Restaurant, Tea at the Empress and the Veranda, Empress officials said Friday.

“The hotel’s top priority remains the safety, care and well-being of our Empress family,” general manager Indu Brar said in a statement.

“Welcoming, safeguarding and taking care of others is at the very heart of what we do and who we are. Today, this means keeping our guests and employees safe by preventing the spread of COVID-19 — partnering with top experts to implement new standards of safety and enhanced operational protocols and procedures which are among the most stringent in the hospitality industry.”

Brar said several measures are in place, including physical distancing, mandatory screenings of employees and guests, and masks.

There will be increased frequency of cleaning and disinfecting, and occupied rooms will have a 48-hour “settling period” post-departure.

“As we welcome our friends, family and community back to Fairmont Empress, be assured that we are looking ahead, through and past the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure that our valued guests and employees return to the highest degree of safety and wellbeing,” Brar said.

For additional information on the Fairmont Empress, go to ALLStayWell.com.

DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST Mike Johnson, left, and Taylor Richens of Sawyer Construction work on expanding the front patio in preparation for the Fairmont Empress Hotel’s planned reopening on June 26 after a three-month closure due to the pandemic.