Afternoon tea at which Fairmont?

[stilton]

Howdy. I will be visiting Seattle and Victoria, BC next week. If anyone has been to the afternoon teas at both the Fairmont Olympic and the Fairmont Empress, which one did you prefer? My budget may only accomodate one. TIA!

[howard 1st]

olympic is a pale imitation of empress which is a pale imitation of a real english afternoon tea - but empress is the very best available hereabouts

[Gizmo56]

+1 for the Empress. Not only is the Empress a far more grand environment for high tea, but your time spent in Seattle would be much better spent in our lively restaurant scene, exploring and nibbling your way through the Pike Place Market, etc.

[reiney]

Yes, tea in Victoria is a much more Victoria thing to do. It just suits the setting!

I can recommend the Butchart Gardens tea wholeheartedly, where tea is served in a stunning conservatory among the flowers, but I'm sure the Fairmont Empress pulls out all the stops too. People say the gardens are good to visit year-round but I've never been in March.

http://www.butchartgardens.com/