ee cas 22 = Sauday, May 7, 1839 - North Shore News Renovations recreate Tr Neral Ed wardian elegance From ‘page 21 AirBC’s floatplanes land just across from the Princess Marguerite. AI public, restaurant and meeting rooms, however, are air-conditioned. But everything else is new. Walls were ripped out and all the plumb- ing and electrics were replaced. Sixty rooms which had been rele- to offices or storage were refurbished. Sprinklers and sraoke detectors were installed. Great care was given to restore rooms to their heritage style. Bar- bour says some junk furniture was tossed out, but many hundreds of good pieces were stripped and rebuilt. Hundreds of mahogany doors were numbered, removed, refinished and then carefully . retumed to the original frames. Barbour says it could not have been done any ‘other way because of the close fit — often a credit card would not go between the doors and the frames. Bathrooms were restored where possible, and ripped out and replaced where necessary. Some bathrooms, including those of junior suites overlooking the har- bor, have antique green marble surrounds. Carpets, drapes and _ bedding were replaced. Ceilings were given new mouldings, some with rosettes in gold leaf. Hallways had arches added and everywhere new paint in Edwardian colors. The most striking difference to the interior is the Palm Court with its stained-glass dome. This hand- some feature, plus the gothic pillars and intricate mouldings, was covered up in a renovation 20 years ago known as Operation Teacup. Now it is the ante-room to the Crystal Ballroom, looking dazzling with 10 huge chandeliers bouncing light off the mirrored ceiling. The ballroom has an exit on to the restored Conservatory, where guests can turn left to enter the recently-opened Victoria Con- ference Centre, or make a right turn back into the hotel. The shops here have been sup- plemented by a few more where the hotel reception used to be. The Bengal Room is still there, totally refurbished and with murals add- ed, and at the front, as usual, is the main lobby. The lobby floors here have been THAT'S HOW MANY CANADIANS ARE FIGURE SKATERS B.C.’o Hest Unique High Conboy Aduexione Photo submitted THE EDWARDIAN furnishings of the Empress Hotel in Victoria have been preserved during recent renovations. refinished and the potted palms returned to provide Canada’s most popular place to have afternoon tea. The hotel serves about 100,000 customers a year at $11.95 each. Indeed there used to be tremen- dous congestion with tea-drinkers mingling with guests checking in and others just there to enjoy what is the city’s major tourist attrac- tion. According to Barbour, the guests got the short end of the stick. So it was decided to build a new reception area towards the Humboldt Street end of the hotel. This is the only exterior change. There is a new driveway, a lobby that is Edwardian-modern and a gentle ramp leading to four new elevators. The dining room has been reduced in size from 180 seats to 72. Almost half of the former space, on the harbor side, becomes a-new lounge bar. Down below is the Garden Cafe, beautifully restored with the addi- tion of stained-glass windows — and a garden outside, which it did not have before. Room rates range from $135 to $180 double. Honeymoon rooms (there are eight on the top floor, some with four-poster beds) start ~ at $200. Comfort rating: eight out of 10, I had a quiet room, amiable bed and the best pillows in Canada, Bathroom was on the small side. FOREIGN CURRENCY SERVICES We are pleased to announce that a full range of Foreign Currency Services are now available In addition to our regular services, ‘we now provide one stop shopping in the selling of cash, travellers cheques, foreign currency dratis and wire transfers. 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