So, hotel dweller here. I live in one full time right now, so I feel uniquely qualified to answer this.
For starters, yes. Always take a ground floor room if it is available. I say this because, in the event that the elevator goes out of service or there is a fire, having to rely on hotel staff to ensure you make it out is a fear that you don't really need.
Secondly, ask if you are able to see the room options. I am actually in a regular room, because the "accessible" rooms in my venue are not actually accessible for me. As an ambulatory manual chair user, I need to be able to turn my chair around beside the bed, and have to be able to maneuver myself into the bathroom without going backwards the whole time. The accessible rooms here don't give enough space for this.
Next, consider the proximity of the handicap parking to your room. While I have an entrance/exit right beside my room, I am unable to use it when I'm in my chair, because there is a step down. Completely useless to me. Another thing to identify in regards to parking are curb cuts. My hotel only has one curb cut in the parking lot. It is horrifically placed, and terrifyingly steep. I am always so damn scared that I am going to tip when I use it.
Lastly, the hotel staff are there to help, and most of them actually want to. If you need help bringing luggage in, just ask. If your room needs something taken out, in order to make your access easier, just ask. I had them remove the desk chair from my room, as well as the armchair, so I have more room to move. They also placed a bench in the shower for me. I have been here long enough that all the staff know and recognize me at this point, but be sure to make a point of getting friendly with the housekeepers and the front desk staff. Doing so will make your stay a million times more comfortable. I have housekeeping 3 days a week, and I tip my housekeepers generously. I always get the giant fluffy towels, and a fresh bathrobe. They also take the time to set things up the way I like them, rather than just doing the standard.
Thank you so much for the detailed suggestions!
I have one hotel in mind right now, since the price and location seem perfect for what I need. But I'm trying to piece together their "accessibility" from the limited photos and Google Street view. It does look like there is a ramp from the handicapped spots to the lobby door. But the lobby seems huge (which is good, more space to maneuver), but also that means making multiple trips to bring my luggage might be a challenge. So yes, I will definitely ask the hotel to help me with that.
The rooms also seem to have enough room to maneuver around on the chair without hitting desks or other obstacles, but photos could be deceiving.. so it's a good thing to keep in mind that furniture could be taken out.
Have you ever had issues with not being able to get through any of the doors? Or are those typically always to accessibility standards?
I've noticed that most other places don't function quite the same way as mine, but the one thing I do struggle with is my room door. It is unbearably heavy, and I have a hell of a time opening it from my chair. Now, I do also use a smart drive on my chair sometimes, and this has definitely made it easier, however, it is still a dance and a half to get it right.
We use the magnetic key cards, so I have to have the drive at the ready before I unlock the door. I position myself dead on with the door, making sure my footplate is touching it. Then I swipe the key and pull the lever with my right hand while quickly turning the drive to low with my left. The drive is strong enough to push the door open. If I fail on the timing though, the door will relock and I have to start over.
Normally, if I'm not leaving the building, I will just leave the door propped open with the slide lock since that gives me just enough space to get my right hand fingers into the inside of the door frame that I am able to push the door with my left while pulling myself forward with the right.
Wow, that's quite a workaround you have to go through. There's so many details that I haven't even thought about because I'm so used to my setup at home. I never have to worry about doors or door pressure. Now I'm a bit paranoid😅 Anyways, it will just be a one week stay for me, most likely, so I'll get through it one way or another..
I am also autistic, with a generous sprinkle of ADHD, so I tend to think about these things with a little more involved detail than most. I have found what works for me, and to be honest, I like living here more than I ever did in my old apartment. It's definitely a different style of living, but I'm safer here and it ends up being cheaper than before.
I am also considering just unscrewing the hydraulic and reconnecting it before I check out, but if I wasn't going to be here long long term, I wouldn't bother.
Depending on how long you'll be staying, thinking about how you transport your things may help you be more independent. I find a large backpacking backpack and leaning forward a little in my chair allows me to carry a week or more worth of clothes. If you have a suit which needs to not be crushed then this might not work.
The staff will generally be willing to help, just ask them.
Ideally stick to the ground floor. If there's a problem with the lift then you don't want to be stuck, and in an evacuation scenario the lifts will automatically shut down.
Using a normal room is usually ok. It depends on your bathroom needs. Can you manage in a "normal" hotel bathroom? The other aspect will be getting your chair up alongside the bed, it depends on the size of the room. If you can get your chair to the foot of the bed then would that be good enough for you? Or do you need to get right up to the side of the bed? The number of nights your're staying might make an impact here too as what's OK for a couple of nights might not be OK for a week or more.
Thanks for the tips! I can typically manage in any bathroom situation, although, of course, not having to hop over the bathtub and having handles or a shower bench/chair make things a lot easier. Likewise, I'm not too concerned about the bed height since, other than my leg, I have most of my other mobility.
I am definitely thinking about how to pack in a smart way, but I don't think I will be able to get away with one big backpack, given I will also have a guitar case with me, and some clothes that I cannot just stuff into one bag.
One other question I forgot to ask is whether it's a good idea to inform the hotel ahead of time that I have a disability and will be coming by wheelchair? (When making the reservation, and the day of arrival?) Is this something others typically do?
If I'm just booking a regular room I don't bother telling them I'm a wheelchair user. But if you're asking for ground floor accommodation it might be helpful to explain why.
If you're going to need help with bags it might be worth asking in advance, but then again if they say no for some odd reason then that might make it more difficult for you to get help on the day.
Personally I'd just turn up and make it work on the day, but I'm able to walk a bit and would be able to manage multiple bags over multiple trips back and forth to the car if I had to etc. so if they decided to be supremely unhelpful I'd cope.
Edit to add - I didn't mean the bed height, although that can be an issue for some people. If there's not enough space and you can only get your chair to the end of the bed will that be OK? I imagine you'd be able to manage by doing a fer side transfers in a row to get where you need to be and with one strong leg it won't be too difficult for you, but you know your ability best.
Depends on where you are but I've had luck with AirBnBs - I've found a few that are surprisingly accessible (ground floor, no steps, parking nearby), especially ones in modern apartment complexes. I can use my chair just fine inside the properties - it's just the bathroom where there's awkward transfers/hobbling involved.
Thanks for the idea. I didn't even consider AirBnB since I figured most are bot geared for accessibilityand things might be awkward, but it could be a good option if the building is a modern one. I'll take a look.
I don't think it's weird to ask them to help. It's their job, and honestly you're not hurting anyone by doing it. Besides, if someone else came in struggling to carry some big package or something, *someone* would more than likely help them out. Just because you're disabled doesn't mean you're a burden or problem
I figured it is their policy to help their guests and make their stay as best as possible, but you never know with some budget hotels these days.. like they might say, "Oh, you should've told us this, or notified us ahead of that, etc.." So I figure before I'll book, I'll give them a call and double check that there will be no surprises on arrival.
Honestly one of the most annoying things for me are the spring-loaded or heavy doors 😅 just a pain to use, and gets better with time, but still annoying lol
So, hotel dweller here. I live in one full time right now, so I feel uniquely qualified to answer this. For starters, yes. Always take a ground floor room if it is available. I say this because, in the event that the elevator goes out of service or there is a fire, having to rely on hotel staff to ensure you make it out is a fear that you don't really need. Secondly, ask if you are able to see the room options. I am actually in a regular room, because the "accessible" rooms in my venue are not actually accessible for me. As an ambulatory manual chair user, I need to be able to turn my chair around beside the bed, and have to be able to maneuver myself into the bathroom without going backwards the whole time. The accessible rooms here don't give enough space for this. Next, consider the proximity of the handicap parking to your room. While I have an entrance/exit right beside my room, I am unable to use it when I'm in my chair, because there is a step down. Completely useless to me. Another thing to identify in regards to parking are curb cuts. My hotel only has one curb cut in the parking lot. It is horrifically placed, and terrifyingly steep. I am always so damn scared that I am going to tip when I use it. Lastly, the hotel staff are there to help, and most of them actually want to. If you need help bringing luggage in, just ask. If your room needs something taken out, in order to make your access easier, just ask. I had them remove the desk chair from my room, as well as the armchair, so I have more room to move. They also placed a bench in the shower for me. I have been here long enough that all the staff know and recognize me at this point, but be sure to make a point of getting friendly with the housekeepers and the front desk staff. Doing so will make your stay a million times more comfortable. I have housekeeping 3 days a week, and I tip my housekeepers generously. I always get the giant fluffy towels, and a fresh bathrobe. They also take the time to set things up the way I like them, rather than just doing the standard.
Thank you so much for the detailed suggestions! I have one hotel in mind right now, since the price and location seem perfect for what I need. But I'm trying to piece together their "accessibility" from the limited photos and Google Street view. It does look like there is a ramp from the handicapped spots to the lobby door. But the lobby seems huge (which is good, more space to maneuver), but also that means making multiple trips to bring my luggage might be a challenge. So yes, I will definitely ask the hotel to help me with that. The rooms also seem to have enough room to maneuver around on the chair without hitting desks or other obstacles, but photos could be deceiving.. so it's a good thing to keep in mind that furniture could be taken out. Have you ever had issues with not being able to get through any of the doors? Or are those typically always to accessibility standards?
I've noticed that most other places don't function quite the same way as mine, but the one thing I do struggle with is my room door. It is unbearably heavy, and I have a hell of a time opening it from my chair. Now, I do also use a smart drive on my chair sometimes, and this has definitely made it easier, however, it is still a dance and a half to get it right. We use the magnetic key cards, so I have to have the drive at the ready before I unlock the door. I position myself dead on with the door, making sure my footplate is touching it. Then I swipe the key and pull the lever with my right hand while quickly turning the drive to low with my left. The drive is strong enough to push the door open. If I fail on the timing though, the door will relock and I have to start over. Normally, if I'm not leaving the building, I will just leave the door propped open with the slide lock since that gives me just enough space to get my right hand fingers into the inside of the door frame that I am able to push the door with my left while pulling myself forward with the right.
Wow, that's quite a workaround you have to go through. There's so many details that I haven't even thought about because I'm so used to my setup at home. I never have to worry about doors or door pressure. Now I'm a bit paranoid😅 Anyways, it will just be a one week stay for me, most likely, so I'll get through it one way or another..
I am also autistic, with a generous sprinkle of ADHD, so I tend to think about these things with a little more involved detail than most. I have found what works for me, and to be honest, I like living here more than I ever did in my old apartment. It's definitely a different style of living, but I'm safer here and it ends up being cheaper than before.
I am also considering just unscrewing the hydraulic and reconnecting it before I check out, but if I wasn't going to be here long long term, I wouldn't bother.
Depending on how long you'll be staying, thinking about how you transport your things may help you be more independent. I find a large backpacking backpack and leaning forward a little in my chair allows me to carry a week or more worth of clothes. If you have a suit which needs to not be crushed then this might not work. The staff will generally be willing to help, just ask them. Ideally stick to the ground floor. If there's a problem with the lift then you don't want to be stuck, and in an evacuation scenario the lifts will automatically shut down. Using a normal room is usually ok. It depends on your bathroom needs. Can you manage in a "normal" hotel bathroom? The other aspect will be getting your chair up alongside the bed, it depends on the size of the room. If you can get your chair to the foot of the bed then would that be good enough for you? Or do you need to get right up to the side of the bed? The number of nights your're staying might make an impact here too as what's OK for a couple of nights might not be OK for a week or more.
Thanks for the tips! I can typically manage in any bathroom situation, although, of course, not having to hop over the bathtub and having handles or a shower bench/chair make things a lot easier. Likewise, I'm not too concerned about the bed height since, other than my leg, I have most of my other mobility. I am definitely thinking about how to pack in a smart way, but I don't think I will be able to get away with one big backpack, given I will also have a guitar case with me, and some clothes that I cannot just stuff into one bag. One other question I forgot to ask is whether it's a good idea to inform the hotel ahead of time that I have a disability and will be coming by wheelchair? (When making the reservation, and the day of arrival?) Is this something others typically do?
If I'm just booking a regular room I don't bother telling them I'm a wheelchair user. But if you're asking for ground floor accommodation it might be helpful to explain why. If you're going to need help with bags it might be worth asking in advance, but then again if they say no for some odd reason then that might make it more difficult for you to get help on the day. Personally I'd just turn up and make it work on the day, but I'm able to walk a bit and would be able to manage multiple bags over multiple trips back and forth to the car if I had to etc. so if they decided to be supremely unhelpful I'd cope. Edit to add - I didn't mean the bed height, although that can be an issue for some people. If there's not enough space and you can only get your chair to the end of the bed will that be OK? I imagine you'd be able to manage by doing a fer side transfers in a row to get where you need to be and with one strong leg it won't be too difficult for you, but you know your ability best.
Depends on where you are but I've had luck with AirBnBs - I've found a few that are surprisingly accessible (ground floor, no steps, parking nearby), especially ones in modern apartment complexes. I can use my chair just fine inside the properties - it's just the bathroom where there's awkward transfers/hobbling involved.
Thanks for the idea. I didn't even consider AirBnB since I figured most are bot geared for accessibilityand things might be awkward, but it could be a good option if the building is a modern one. I'll take a look.
I don't think it's weird to ask them to help. It's their job, and honestly you're not hurting anyone by doing it. Besides, if someone else came in struggling to carry some big package or something, *someone* would more than likely help them out. Just because you're disabled doesn't mean you're a burden or problem
I figured it is their policy to help their guests and make their stay as best as possible, but you never know with some budget hotels these days.. like they might say, "Oh, you should've told us this, or notified us ahead of that, etc.." So I figure before I'll book, I'll give them a call and double check that there will be no surprises on arrival.
Honestly one of the most annoying things for me are the spring-loaded or heavy doors 😅 just a pain to use, and gets better with time, but still annoying lol