Sophie Morgan writes how some ‘luxury’ hotels are not accessible – shock horror she should read some of our reviews. Check out the list, we get a mention as we gave them things to look out for using our Rating System of BBS Ticks.
The article is “Christmas is CANCELLED: When Sophie morgan Wanted a Night at the Ritz…………..
- She has investigated accessibility for the disabled at hotels in the UK
- Just 66 of more than 120 luxury hotels in Britain claim to be accessible
- However only a dozen are fully and permanently available to disabled
- More than 30 hotels also charge more for adapted hotel rooms
Bad service: The Ritz Hotel in Central London was criticised by disability campaigners for no offering full accessibility through the main entrance
…………………………… THE 12 WORST OFFENDERS
Stafford London by Kempinski
Fully accessible rooms at £338, compared with £269 for a standard room. No disabled toilet in restaurant. Disabled entrance round the back.
Buckland Manor, Worcestershire
Two fully accessible rooms for £340, compared with £310 for a standard room. Bathrooms not accessible. No disabled toilet at restaurant. No permanent disabled front entrance – a temporary ramp must be put in place.
Soho Hotel, London
Fully accessible Luxury Junior Suites at £480 – standard double rooms from £355. Bathrooms not accessible. Separate entrance at the restaurant – no access via front entrance.
Edinburgh Residence, Edinburgh
Accessible rooms costing £160 compared with £269 for a standard room. Disabled entrance at the back.
Blakes Hotel, London
Only one room suitable – a suite at £720 rather than a room at £358. No shower – bath only. Restaurant on the lower ground floor. Advised that wheelchairs don’t always fit in the lift. Entrance via temporary ramp.
Mandarin Oriental, London
Recommended accessible room at £834, compared with £474 for standard room. No front disabled entrance.
Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa, St Andrews, Fife
No accessible rooms at the moment. Refurbishment currently going on in the wheelchair-accessible Eden suite (which is £50 more than the £195 for standard room). Side entrance next to the front door.
Baglioni, London
No accessible rooms. Amenities are accessible, as is direct entrance through the front.
Holbeck Ghyll, Windermere
No accessible rooms. There are accessible amenities, but no disabled toilet in the hotel restaurant.
Cotswold House Hotel, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire
No accessible rooms, bathrooms, restaurant or spa. Initially told that disabled can’t even get into the hotel as it is ‘up some steps’. After we pushed for more information, it appeared that there IS a wheelchair ramp and that one could also get in through the back door.
51 Buckingham Gate, London
No accessible room, although restaurant amenities accessible.
Royal Crescent, Bath
No accessible rooms or amenities.
… AND THE TRULY FIVE-STAR HOTELS
London: Cafe Royal Hotel, Claridge’s, Four Seasons Canary Wharf, InterContinental London Westminster, Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel, Hotel Verta, London Syon Park, Jumeirah Carlton Tower, St Ermin’s Hotel, Park Tower Knightsbridge.
Other UK: Radisson Blu, Glasgow; Hartwell House, Aylesbury; Loch Torridon Hotel, Wester Ross; Fairmont St Andrews; Four Seasons, Hampshire; Caledonian, Edinburgh; Rocco Forte Lowry, Manchester………………………..”
…………………………… As we say at Blue Badge Style look at our App for good style & accessibility (or not as sometimes you will put up with bad access just to have a good time).