Sometimes it can be so difficult for a disabled traveler to find disabled hotels with all the
facilities that fulfil their needs. The word ‘disabled’ does cover a whole multitude of
meanings, but in this article I shall talk about those that are wheelchair or with mobility
impairments. I shall also only talk about hotels in the United Kingdom.
Thankfully, with the advent of the internet, it is now easy to check on what facilities a
hotel has to offer in assisting the disabled. That is, without having to incur the extra
expense of phone calls or grief upon arrival at a hotel only to find that there are no
facilities for the disabled.
One of the first problems that the disabled traveler has is locating his hotel and finding an
appropriate parking space. Usually this is not too bad in a hotel that is in a rural setting
where there are often plenty of spaces, but it can be a different matter in a busy city
centre hotel. Speaking from my own personal experiences (my wife is disabled, and although
not wheelchair bound, she does use crutches and does have great difficulty walking any
distance), I am quite prepared to park in any convenient parking space, even the hotels Chief
Executive’s personal private space, if needs must! Being a blue disabled badge holder does
have its advantages!
If you possess a European Union disabled badge, it is useful to note that this badge can be
used in disabled parking spaces throughout the EC and the US has a similar system. However,
do be aware that in places like Holland you are still expected to pay the parking fees.
Having arrived at the hotel, the next major hurdle is hoping that there are ramps for
wheelchair users to get to the hotel entrance and that it isn’t too far. Some hotels do state
they are fully disabled accessible. Beware the 200m (70 feet) walk. It is always best to find
out how far the walk is to the reception and if there is easy access to rooms.
When booking a hotel room it is always advisable to ask if there are disabled rooms near to
lifts (elevators), how far they are from reception and what facilities the disabled rooms
offer. Shower and bathing facilities should be specially adapted for the disabled, as should
the toilets. Things like grab handles and hoists, to many, are an absolute necessity. Often
people also require peace and quiet, so it is no good if the room is in the noisiest part of
the hotel.
My wife and I are fairly well traveled, and we do find that disabled hotels in the United
Kingdom are, on the whole, well prepared to accept the wheelchair or mobile impaired visitor.
The same is true throughout the United States.
But, before booking a hotel, though, do your homework and leave no stone unturned. Make sure
that the hotel that you would like to book has every facility that you require, and, if
necessary do make a phone call to the hotel. Do not make inquiries through reservation
centres as these centres are often many kilometres away from the hotels and the staff there
will have no knowledge of the disabled facilities on offer other than what is written in
front of them which may not be wholly reliable.
Recent Comments