Nat and Flora Bosa Acquire the Historic 477-room Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC, Canada
VANCOUVER - July 2, 2014 - The Fairmont Empress, an icon in the Victoria harbour since it opened in 1908, has been purchased by Nat and Flora Bosa, effective June 27, 2014. The hotel was acquired from Ivanhoe Cambridge, a Canadian real estate company and will continue to be managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The ivy-clad historic landmark, named for Queen Victoria, captures the grandeur and elegance of a bygone era. Designed by Francis Mawson Rattenbury an English architect who also designed the BC Legislative buildings, The Crystal Garden, and Vancouver Art Gallery, the hotel has 477 guestrooms and suites, a Willow Stream spa, indoor heated pool and whirlpool, full fitness centre, 22 meeting rooms and the largest ballrooms in the city. World-renowned for its daily afternoon tea, the hotel boasts beautiful rose gardens and is adjacent to the Victoria Conference Centre.
"We are thrilled at the opportunity to purchase this heritage building," said Nat Bosa and his wife Flora. "The hotel is a part of the fabric of the community and we look forward to welcoming the residents of Victoria, as well as showcasing it to past and future guests. This is the city's most elegant retreat, home to royalty and Hollywood stars, and we are honoured to be part of this ongoing legend. It's business as usual for guests and employees as Fairmont Hotels & Resorts will continue its long term management and we look forward to working with them to celebrate the hotel's rich history."
About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts connects guests to the very best of its destinations worldwide, reflecting each locale's energy, culture and history. Passionate travelers choose the luxury hotel brand for its ability to deliver memorable travel experiences, personalized and thoughtful service, and hotels that are one-of-a-kind. Serving as genuine gateways to their destinations, Fairmont hotels offer locally-inspired cuisine and spirited bars and lounges, distinctive design and decor, and a steadfast responsibility to environmental and social priorities. With more than 65 hotels globally, and many more in development, landmark hotels in the Fairmont collection include The Plaza in New York, London's The Savoy, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Quebec City's Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Fairmont is owned by FRHI Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel company with over 110 hotels under the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissotel brands. The company also manages Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel branded luxury private residence clubs, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences properties. For more information or reservations, please visit fairmont.com.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
