When you’re travelling, a hotel becomes your temporary home as you explore new destinations. For disabled individuals, the accessibility of a hotel room plays a crucial role in ensuring a comfortable stay. While some hotels offer excellent accessibility, and others, a temporary place to rest, the need for accessibility shouldn’t be ignored.
Whether the stay is for leisure or business, if accessible features are not present it can make or break the whole experience. But what makes a room truly accessible, and why does it matter when you’re away from your own accessible home?
What Is An Accessible Hotel?
Accessible hotel rooms are designed with a variety of features and considerations to meet the needs of disabled guests. I recently visited an accessible hotel in York, so understand the importance of booking the right accessible room.
Wide Doorways
One of the most essential features of an accessible room is having wide doorways. Tight doorways can be a risk, leading to potential damage to doorframes, and wheelchairs or restricting room access. Additionally, automatic doors or lever-style handles may be installed to make entry easier for those with limited strength.
Lower Beds and Furniture
Another essential feature of accessible rooms is the lower beds and furniture to make transfers easier for wheelchair users. Furniture in rooms is also set up in a way which enables easy transfers and moveability. If furniture is too high or too low, it can make transfers more difficult for disabled travellers. Getting the furniture right can be a difficult balancing act especially as everyone will have their height preference. Some hotels have got around this by offering profiling medical beds, allowing guests to choose the height which suits them.
Wet Room Bathrooms
Accessible rooms will also come with wet rooms with adjustable shower seats to enable guests to shower during their stay. Some hotels will also offer separate shower seats and wheelchair commodes to enable easier transfers to and from the shower.
These thoughtful design elements are crucial in creating an environment where disabled guests can feel comfortable, safe, and independent. By addressing a range of needs and providing accessible features, hotels can significantly enhance the travel experience for everyone.
Accessible Hotel Important Considerations
Hoists/Tracking Hoists
Hoists, for instance, are essential tools that assist with transferring between spaces. Many people with disabilities travel with their equipment to ensure they have a comfortable stay. However, this can involve multiple trips back and forth from the car and carrying heavy equipment. Hotels that provide hoists, whether for rent, to borrow or as a built-in feature, can significantly enhance a hotel stay. Such thoughtful provisions show a hotel’s commitment to accessibility and greatly enhance the guest experience.
Shower Commodes
Another crucial tool is the shower commode. This equipment allows disabled guests to use the toilet and shower comfortably, avoiding issues where the toilet’s height is unsuitable. Having the option to borrow a commode during your stay can improve comfort and avoid the need to bring one. Commode units often serve dual purposes, functioning both as a toilet and a shower seat. If a commode is unavailable, a standard shower seat is still beneficial, especially if it’s adjustable in height.
Accessible Means Maintenance Too!
However, accessibility is not just about having the right equipment, it’s also about maintaining accessible equipment. During a stay a year ago, I noticed the railings were hanging off the wall, which made transfers extremely unsafe. To make matters worse, I had already used the toilet and had to struggle to get off independently. This issue showcases how important maintenance is; without it, even well-designed accessible features can become hazardous. For many, making do with inadequate facilities isn’t an option due to their complex disability needs.
The Accessible Hotel Lottery
Booking a truly accessible hotel often feels like a gamble. While every hotel won’t get everything right, the availability of equipment and thoughtful considerations can make a significant difference. We’ve just got to sometimes trust hotels to implement and invest in accessible features which benefit a variety of guests.
However, hotels still need to receive feedback from disabled guests to improve their offerings. Just as we face challenges in finding accessible properties, providing feedback helps drive positive changes for future disabled travellers. Working together with hotels and sharing our experiences is key to making travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
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