Canada: Fairmont Empress on ice! Landmark hotel to add skating rink

The striking Fairmont Empress hotel on the waterfront in Victoria, Canada, will add an ice rink to its winter lineup this year.

Visitors can go skating on the rink, which will be on the hotel’s front lawn, a perfect place to see the inner harbor’s holiday lights as you take a spin.

The covered rink will measure about 60 by 90 feet and open weekdays (5-9 p.m.) and weekends (noon-9 p.m.). Special skate times with Santa and elves as well as family skate sessions are planned.

The rink opens Nov. 20 and continues through mid-January. The cost is $10 per adult, $5 for children 10 and younger; skate rentals cost $5.

The hotel also offers a Skate and Stay package starting at $192 a night plus tax. It includes skate session, rentals and nonalcoholic beverages--cider or hot cocoa perhaps?--for two. It’s good Nov. 20-Jan. 11.

During the winter holiday period, the Fairmont gets decked out with Christmas trees -- lots of them. The annual Victoria Festival of Trees brings a veritable grove of evergreens inside the hotel.

Trees will be in place starting Nov. 21, and visitors vote on their favorite (for a suggested $2 donation). Proceeds benefit the BC Children’s Hospital.

Info: Fairmont Empress, 721 Government St.; (866) 540-4429