A luxury getaway on V2V Empress
High-speed catamaran service offers travel to Victoria in style with range of packages
Britannia may not rule the waves anymore, but a new getaway package linking Vancouver to Victoria provides a waterborne connection to the Realm.
Call it the Empress-to-Empress adventure, with that first Empress a 242-seat high-speed catamaran, and the second an iconic, 111-year-old hotel.
The three-and-a-half hour boat trip begins from V2V’s bespoke Vancouver Convention Centre dock, cruises out under the Lions Gate Bridge before opening up the throttle for a smooth run across the Strait of Georgia, through Active Pass between Galiano and Mayne islands, then down through the Southern Gulf Islands to V2V’s dock nestled in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
“Primarily we position V2V as a luxury option to the ferry travel between the Mainland and Vancouver Island,” explained Empress director of public relations Tracey Drake.
This is the third season Australian-based Riverside Marine Group has operated V2V Vacations, but this is the first allowing for Victoria day-tripping from the Mainland.
The wheelchair-accessible Empress provides leather seats, free Wi-Fi, a menu offering local food and beverages, access to a rooftop sundeck and panoramic views.
I had the privilege to travel on the upper Royal deck, which adds a welcome beverage, three-course breakfast or light lunch, and concierge service.
THE (NEW) VICTORIAN ERA
After disembarking from the V2V, it’s a mere 200 or so yards to the oh-so-elegant Fairmont Empress.
Designed by Francis Rattenbury—whose credits also include the Legislature Buildings —and built by Canadian Pacific Railway, the Empress has for over a century defined the ‘Britishness’ of Victoria, most notably with its traditional high tea service.
When it opened in 1908 the Empress was the very definition of luxury travel, but like many things in the Empire, a bit of inevitable rot eventually set in to the old graceful lady.
Enter Nat and Flora Bosa,
who bought the hotel in 2014 and lovingly restored and renovated the place back to its former glory.
And while a critic or two took umbrage to the $60-million reno — most notably for the removal of the Colonial India-themed Bengal Lounge — those voices have been drowned out by the ohhs and ahhs of guests taken aback by the incredible workmanship in everything from the airy main lobby, the stately though modern Q restaurant and the state-of-the-art Willowstream Spa.
WALKIES WITH WINSTON
I channeled my inner Barbara Woodhouse for a walk with the Empress’s house dog Winston.
The two-year old Labrador cross is a (very cute) picture of serenity, and a guest and staff favourite since coming onboard in January.
I took him for an hour walk that included a stroll over to Beacon Hill Park, a walk around the B.C. Legislative Buildings, and along the Inner Harbour.
The next day I boarded the Empress for my return trip, with the Empress over my left shoulder. I looked back and vowed it wouldn’t be long before a return visit.
Note: The writer was the guest of V2V Vacations and Fairmont. Neither organization reviewed this article.