Accessibility in Hotels: It’s More Than Just a Ramp

When people talk about accessible hospitality, the conversation often starts and ends with ramps and wider doors. Don’t get me wrong, those things are important. But if you’ve ever travelled with a disability, or with a family member who has more complex needs, you’ll know that those features alone don’t even scratch the surface.

Let me paint you a picture.

Imagine booking a “fully accessible” hotel room. You turn up, only to find that, yes, you can get through the door, but once you’re inside, the bed is way too low for you to transfer from your chair. Your carer is going to have to lean over you to help you causing damage to their back. You hired a hoist to help, but the bed goes right to the floor so the hoist can’t get anywhere near it to lower you to the bed.

For someone who relies on that equipment to transfer from their wheelchair, this isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a dealbreaker. Suddenly, that trip you were excited about feels exhausting and stressful.

Now imagine the opposite. You open the door to your room and see a profiling bed that can be adjusted at the touch of a button. There’s a ceiling hoist that makes transferring safe and dignified. Straight away, the weight lifts. You can relax. You’re not worrying about how you’ll get into bed later or whether a carer will hurt themselves trying to help. You’re just… on holiday, like everyone else.

Beyond the Bedroom

And it’s not just about the bedroom. Truly accessible hotels think about the whole experience.

Take Changing Places facilities, for example. Standard accessible toilets are fine for some, but if you need a hoist or an adult-sized changing bench, they don’t cut it. Having a Changing Places bathroom means families and groups aren’t forced to cut outings short or make do with undignified workarounds. It means everyone can stay out, enjoy dinner, or head to the theatre without worrying about “what happens if…” Currently there are only a few places that have a Changing Places, and this is usually limited to shopping centres or large public spaces. Adding one to a hotel can set you apart and put you on the map with a disabled community.

Then there are sensory rooms which are becoming more popular with hotels and events spaces. For guests with autism, dementia, or sensory processing differences, a busy hotel lobby or noisy restaurant can be overwhelming. A calm, quiet space to retreat to can completely change the experience. It’s the difference between meltdown and relaxation, between a stressful trip and a memorable one.

Why It Matters

Hotels that invest in things like hoists, profiling beds, Changing Places facilities, and sensory spaces aren’t just “doing the right thing.” They’re opening their doors to guests who are usually shut out. And here’s the thing: when one person is excluded, it often means the whole family or group goes elsewhere.

So yes, accessibility is about fairness and dignity, but it’s also smart business. A hotel that gets it right builds loyalty, earns glowing reviews, and becomes the go-to choice for people who’ve struggled to travel comfortably in the past.

Because at the end of the day, travel should be about switching off, making memories, and feeling welcome. Not worrying about whether you can get into bed at night.