• Fairmont Empress and Fairmont Chateau Whistler crowned #1 City Hotel and # 1 Resort in Canada by Travel + Leisure
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Fairmont Empress & Fairmont Chateau Whistler Launch New ‘Sea To Sky – Best in Canada Experience’ After Being Named Canada’s #1 City Hotel And #1 Resort

August 13, 2026

VICTORIA, BC / WHISTLER, BC (August 14, 2026) Fairmont Empress and Fairmont Chateau Whistler invite guests to experience British Columbia from sea to summit with the launch of the Sea to Sky – Best in Canada Experience, a curated luxury journey connecting the province’s iconic coast and alpine landscapes. The debut comes as both landmark hotels earn top honours in Travel + Leisure®’s 2026 World’s Best Awards, each recognized as the best in its respective category.

Fairmont Empress has been recognized as Canada’s #1 City Hotel and Fairmont Chateau Whistler has earned the title of Canada’s #1 Resort. The dual recognition places two of Fairmont’s Canadian properties at the forefront of world-class travel, celebrating their accommodations and service excellence in two of British Columbia’s most beautiful settings.

Set on Victoria’s iconic Inner Harbour, Fairmont Empress is a where storied heritage meets contemporary refinement. From its renowned Tea at the Empress, lush gardens, proximity to galleries and coastal adventures, the hotel offers an incomparable introduction to Vancouver Island. At the base of Blackcomb Mountain, Fairmont Chateau Whistler delivers a distinctive alpine escape with world-class adventure, wellness, dining, and year-round recreation.

The Sea to Sky – Best in Canada Experience connects these two celebrated destinations in a single itinerary. Guests begin their journey in Victoria before boarding a Harbour Air flight, taking in sweeping views of the province’s coastline, islands, forests and mountain ranges en route to Green Lake in Whistler, either direct by private charter or via scheduled service, operating from May to September.

From there, Fairmont Chateau Whistler welcomes guests to a refined mountain retreat, with exceptional dining, restorative wellness and effortless access to the region’s celebrated outdoor pursuits.

Whether enjoyed as a celebratory escape, a bucket-list Canadian holiday or an elevated long-weekend adventure, the Sea to Sky – Best in Canada Experience brings together:

  • A stay at Fairmont Empress, Canada’s #1 City Hotel
  • A stay at Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Canada’s #1 Resort
  • A breathtaking Harbour Air flight between Victoria and Whistler
  • Personalized itinerary planning and booking assistance through Entrée Canada
  • Luxury ground transportation in an Escalade IQ as part of Fairmont Canada’s exclusive vehicle partnership with Cadillac
  • Access to British Columbia’s coastal, culinary, cultural, wellness and outdoor experiences

For more information or to book the journey contact Entrée Canada, who is recognized by Travel + Leisure® as an A-List Travel Advisor: https://entreedestinations.com/canada-trips/best-in-canada.

Reservations can also be made directly by visiting Fairmont Empress and Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

Photos: High resolution photos can be downloaded by visiting Fairmont Empress & Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Media enquiries and further information:

Lisa McPhail                                                Yasmin Haufschild
Director of Public Relations                                      Director of Public Relations
Fairmont Empress                                                     Fairmont Chateau Whistler
T: 778 679 5049                                                      T: 604 938 2064
E: [email protected]                                  E: [email protected] 


About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is renowned for the international luxury hospitality brand’s unrivalled portfolio of over 90 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. From grand hotels to urban retreats, since 1907 Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – renowned addresses such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont Tokyo, Fairmont Golden Prague, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Doha and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Fairmont hotels are the social epicenters of their cities—iconic gathering places where people, culture, and ideas converge. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,800 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL Accor, a booking platform and loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.

fairmont.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com


About Harbour Air

Harbour Air is North America’s largest seaplane airline, connecting communities across the Pacific Northwest for over 40 years. Operating up to 200 daily flights to 15 destinations from its hubs in Vancouver and Victoria, Harbour Air is renowned for its unwavering commitment to safety and exceptional service. The airline combines breathtaking coastal views with sustainable aviation practices delivering simple, seamless and hassle-free travel options. For more information and reservations, visit harbourair.com.

From August 2026 Travel + Leisure®, © 2026 Travel + Leisure Holdco, LLC, a subsidiary of Wyndham Destinations, Inc.  Travel + Leisure is published by TI Inc. Affluent Media Group, a Dotdash Meredith Inc. d/b/a People Inc. Company, which is not affiliated with Wyndham Destinations, Inc. or its subsidiaries.  Travel + Leisure® is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Holdco, LLC, a subsidiary of Wyndham Destinations, Inc. and is used under limited license.  All rights reserved; used under license. Fairmont Chateau Whistler is not affiliated with Wyndham Destination, Inc. or its subsidiaries. 

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