A long-closed and much-missed space inside Victoria’s Fairmont Empress is welcoming guests once again.
The Bengal, which shuttered in 2016, has quietly reopened, bringing new life to a room that has played many roles over more than a century and holds a special place in the memories of countless Victorians.
According to Lisa McPhail, director of public relations at the Fairmont Empress, the reaction to the Bengal’s closure nearly a decade ago revealed just how deeply connected people were to the space.
“We heard a great deal of affection and nostalgia,” McPhail said. “Guests shared stories of celebrations and evenings that felt timeless within those walls. The closure was felt deeply because The Bengal had become woven into personal histories and collective memory.”
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Originally built in 1912 as a Reading and Writing Room in the hotel’s south wing, the space was designed as a quiet retreat for guests. Over time, it evolved alongside the city itself.
In 1954, it became the Coronet Lounge, Victoria’s first cocktail lounge, known for its rich blue carpet and ornate design featuring coronets and Tudor roses.
In the 1960s, a major hotel renovation known as Operation Teacup transformed the room again, giving rise to the Bengal Lounge, inspired by South Asian design and the era when Queen Victoria was Empress of India.
McPhail said that layered history played a central role in how the reopening was approached.
“Retaining the room’s heritage while ensuring it feels alive and relevant today was paramount,” she said. “We wanted guests to sense the history immediately, yet also feel the warmth and ease of a contemporary gathering place.”
For those who remember the Bengal Lounge from years past, much of the atmosphere remains familiar.
“The sense of elegance and intimacy will feel instantly recognizable,” McPhail said, pointing to preserved architectural elements and the feeling of being tucked into a distinctive corner of the hotel.
At the same time, the space has been refreshed for a new era. Guests will notice a brighter palette, a stronger connection to the garden outside, and softer textures and furnishings that create a relaxed but refined atmosphere.
The reopening is being described as “Chapter One” for The Bengal. For now, the room is serving as the hotel’s Breakfast Room and is also offering dinner service while Q at the Empress undergoes renovations.
McPhail said the phased return was intentional.
“This is the first chapter of a new era for the space,” she said. “The Bengal has become a gracious host in the interim, offering continuity and comfort while maintaining the same level of care and culinary quality guests expect.”
Looking ahead, the long-term vision for The Bengal is to once again become a destination for gatherings, this time as what the hotel says will be Victoria’s largest private dining room.
Since 2016, the space has primarily been used for private events, a role the hotel expects will continue to grow.
“This is very much the beginning,” McPhail said. “This chapter reestablishes the relationship between The Bengal and the community, and we look forward to seeing how the space evolves.”
For those who were disappointed to see the Bengal close years ago, McPhail said the reopening is meant to feel like a continuation rather than a replacement.
“This is the continuation of a story they already know and love,” she said. “We’re pleased to welcome guests back to experience the start of something new.”
