VICTORIA, BC (September 21, 2026) – Fairmont Empress has once again been awarded a MICHELIN One Key, marking the third consecutive year the iconic Victoria hotel has received the prestigious distinction. As part of the MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 hotel selection, the recognition places Fairmont Empress among the world’s most exceptional hotels.

Curated by the MICHELIN Guide Inspectors, the MICHELIN Guide hotel selection showcases more than 9,000 remarkable properties in over 100 countries worldwide. MICHELIN Keys honour properties that distinguish themselves through outstanding design, architecture, service, individuality, and the quality of the overall guest experience.

“Receiving a MICHELIN One Key for the third consecutive year is an extraordinary honour and a meaningful reflection of how far Fairmont Empress has come,” said Dan McGowan, General Manager of Fairmont Empress. “Since Nat and Flora Bosa assumed ownership, it has been a journey of investment, renewal, and continuous improvement. Their commitment has allowed us to enhance the hotel while preserving its unique character and heritage. Each improvement supports our vision to make the hotel better and more relevant for guests, colleagues, and the community. We are proud of our achievements and remain focused on raising the standard of hospitality.”

Fairmont Empress continues to evolve through thoughtful investment in guest experiences, rooms, and common areas. Recent updates include the revitalization of The Bengal, the reimagined Q at the Empress, and ongoing enhancements such as expanding select guest rooms and renovating bathrooms in the Humboldt Wing to offer guests more space and comfort.

The historic 1908 property continues to elevate its diverse portfolio of guest experiences, from the exclusive Fairmont Gold experience to its world-renowned Afternoon Tea, distinctive culinary offerings, and celebrated service. Together, these experiences reflect the hotel’s enduring sense of place while offering guests new and memorable ways to enjoy Victoria’s most iconic spot.

To learn more about Fairmont Empress or stay up to date on the latest developments, visit: https://www.fairmont-empress.com/.

dormakaba has signed a binding agreement to acquire Alliants, the guest experience technology partner behind more than 100,000 hotel rooms for the world’s leading hospitality brands. The acquisition will strengthen dormakaba’s position as a global hospitality access solutions leader. It expands the company’s hospitality offering beyond physical access control, connecting room entry with digital guest engagement to support a seamless guest journey while preserving customer choice.

Founded in 2009 in Southampton, United Kingdom, Alliants provides proprietary guest experience software and managed services that help hotels serve guests from pre-arrival through their stay and beyond. Its capabilities include concierge, contactless check-in, mobile key, payments, messaging, and agentic AI. The company operates globally and employs more than 100 people. With a strong track record of delivering hotel room keys to both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, Alliants’ digital hotel key technology was recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the best inventions of 2025.

By pairing Alliants' powerful and established experience platform with dormakaba's global portfolio and scale, hotels will have the option for an end-to-end solution across digital guest engagement, access, and hotel operations.

Both dormakaba and Alliants will remain interoperable with other providers across the tech stack providing real choice for hotels to work with other manufacturers and software partners to best fit their needs.

Till Reuter, CEO of dormakaba, says: “Hotel owners and operators increasingly view access and guest experience as part of the same strategy. Alliants adds proven technology and deep hospitality expertise that help us better serve hotels today and as their needs evolve. Hospitality is a key growth vertical for dormakaba, and this acquisition reflects our continued investment in the sector globally while broadening the value we can deliver to hotel customers.”

Tristan Gadsby, CEO and Founder of Alliants, says: “Access and guest experience stopped being separate problems some time ago; the industry's tooling just hasn't caught up. Alliants brings the digital guest journey, and dormakaba brings a proven track record in access and a presence in more than 130 countries. Together we can offer hotels one route through it – without asking them to give up the partners they already trust.”

The parties have agreed not to disclose further details or the financial terms of the transaction. The agreement was signed today, and dormakaba expects the transaction to close after regulatory approval, expected within this year.

Vancouver, B.C. – September 15, 2026 – This fall, Fairmont Waterfront’s ARC Restaurant will expand its ‘Led by a Love of Land and Sea’ philosophy, and experiences, across the restaurant.

Having successfully launched the ‘Led by A Love of’ dining experience in May, where guests can experience a demonstration of fresh, local produce in an intimate chef’s bench experience, ARC is now elevating this program into a year-round showcase of the Pacific Northwest’s terroir – accessible to all our diners.

This will see the best of seasonal ingredients brought to life with cooking techniques ranging from traditional to innovative, and available to enjoy as part of ARC’s a la carte & signature Province to Plate menus, on a regularly rotating basis.

This will commence on October 1, 2026, with ‘Led by a Love of Oak & Smoke’ – a celebration of the warmth of oak and the allure of smoke that defines the Pacific Northwest’s autumn harvest.

Inspired by the region’s forests, coastline, vineyards and farms, the menu will see the preserving, grilling, slow roasting and fire smoking of foraged herbs, root vegetables, orchard fruits and sustainably sourced meats and fish.

It will be complemented by exceptional oak-aged wines and barrel-aged cocktails – a full-spectrum culinary journey through the richest and most indulgent offerings of the fall.

Guests can enjoy an exclusive launch dinner on October 1 [limited reservations are available through ARC’s website] or enjoy highlight dishes at the restaurant throughout the remainder of the season.

This newly expanded ‘Led By a Love of’ series will continue through 2027, with upcoming spotlights on slow cooking, Pacific seafood, and garden harvests.

This new program is a key part of Fairmont Waterfront’s Pure Coastal Luxury offering, giving guests an authentic taste of the Pacific Northwest’s rich and varied culinary identity year-round.

Harris Sakalis, Executive Chef, said:

“At ARC we are delighted to be bringing our guiding ethos, Led by a Love of Land & Sea, to life year-round – starting with the launch of Oak & Smoke and the smells, sights and tastes of fall.

“Through seasonal ingredients, innovative cooking techniques, and a wealth of unique experiences, this new and expansive program will deliver the unique terroir of the Pacific Northwest to every guest.

“At Fairmont Waterfront, Pure Coastal Luxury is not just a mantra, it is a North Star for everything we do, and we look forward to showcasing every element of it in our exciting menus to come.”

VANCOUVER, BC (September 11, 2026) – This autumn, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver invites whisky lovers to discover Scotland through a new lens with The Spirit of Scotland, an exclusive four-part Scotch dinner series celebrating four of the country’s most distinguished whisky houses: House of Hazelwood, The Dalmore, The Macallan and Glenmorangie.

Taking place in some of the hotel’s most distinctive spaces, each intimate evening brings together exceptional whisky, seasonal cuisine and the stories behind some of Scotland’s most celebrated and sought-after expressions. Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully composed, five-course tasting menu inspired by the bounty of the Pacific Northwest, paired with a selection of rare and distinguished single malts, from elegant Highland expressions to richly layered, sherry-cask matured whiskies.

The Spirit of Scotland offers a rare opportunity to experience these remarkable whiskies in an intimate setting, guided by the people who know them best. Throughout the series, whisky experts, brand ambassadors and industry leaders will share insights into the craftsmanship, heritage and distinctive character behind each house, inviting guests to explore how time, cask maturation, and technique shape what’s in the glass.

Tickets are $450 per person, plus applicable taxes and service charge, and are now available through OpenTable and Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s events page.

THE SERIES

House of Hazelwood – September 17
Host: Phil Keene, Managing Director, House of Hazelwood
Time: 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Tickets available online

The series begins with House of Hazelwood, home to an extraordinary private collection of Scotch whisky quietly assembled and matured by generations of the Gordon family over nearly a century.

Hosted by Managing Director Phil Keene, the evening offers an exceptional opportunity to explore five rare expressions, including whiskies aged up to 46 years, paired with a five-course menu including Kanpachi Crudo, Langoustine, Game Bird Cappelleti, Sungold Lamb Saddle and a Caramelized Honeycrisp Apple dessert.

The Dalmore – October 15
Host: Emma Coady, National Brand Specialist, The Dalmore
Time: 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Tickets available online

The Dalmore evening begins with a signature The Dalmore 12 cocktail before National Brand Specialist, Emma Coady leads guests through four remarkable Highland expressions: The Dalmore 15, 18, 35-Year-Old and 2009 Vintage.

The tasting explores The Dalmore’s distinctive approach to maturation, including the influence of sherry and Port casks and the layers of richness they bring to the whisky. The five-course menu features Hamachi Tartare, Butter-Poached Lobster, Beet & Walnut Cavatelli, Venison Loin and Valrhona Chocolate with Seville Orange.

The Macallan – November 5
Host: Adam Collins, Brand Specialist, The Macallan
Time: 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Tickets available online

Few whisky houses are as closely associated with exceptional oak and sherry-seasoned casks as The Macallan. Brand Specialist Adam Collins will guide guests through six expressions from The Macallan’s Double Cask and Sherry Oak collections, including the highly regarded Sherry Oak 12, 18 and 25 Years Old.

The tasting is paired with a five-course menu featuring Hokkaido Scallop Crudo, Seared Foie Gras, Egg Yolk Raviolo, 24-Hour Braised Short Rib and Aged Comte.

Glenmorangie – November 26
Host: Bryan Simpson, National Brand Ambassador, Ardberg & Glenmorangie
Time: 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Tickets available online

The series concludes with an evening celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship of Glenmorangie, hosted by Bryan Simpson, National Brand Ambassador for Ardbeg & Glenmorangie. Bryan was recently awarded ‘Best Scotch Whisky Ambassador’ at the 2026 World Whisky Awards’ Icons of Whisky.

The tasting unfolds across an exceptional seven-whisky journey, beginning from The Original 12 Years Old and progressing through The Quinta Ruban 14YO, The Lasanta 15, The Infinita 18, The Altus 25, Signet, and the soon-to-be released Harrison Ford Limited Edition. Together, these expressions trace the evolution of Glenmorangie through age, maturation and innovation, with Bryan bringing the stories and character behind each expression to life throughout the evening.

The evening’s menu includes Burrata Panna Cotta, Venison Tartare, Agnolotti del Plin, Dry-Aged Duck Breast, and a Golden Orchard dessert with white peach and Madagascar vanilla parfait.

From rare and highly sought-after expressions to expertly crafted seasonal cuisine, The Spirit of Scotland invites guests to experience Scotch in a new way. With four distinctive evenings to choose from, each dinner offers a unique opportunity to discover the character and craftsmanship behind some of Scotland’s most celebrated whisky houses at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.