How to find an accessible hotel room that actually works

Ask ten hotels what an “accessible room” is and you'll get ten different answers. A roll-in shower to one hotel is a bath with a grab rail to another. Booking accessible accommodation means asking specific questions — and getting answers in writing where you can.

The questions that matter

Is the shower roll-in, with a fold-down seat? What's the bed height, and is there clearance underneath for a hoist? How wide is the bathroom door? Is there a step anywhere between the car park and the room? Is there an accessible parking bay, and how far is it from reception?

Ask for photos and measurements

Good hotels will send photos of the actual room and bathroom. Some accessibility booking platforms now list door widths, bed heights and turning circles as standard. If a hotel can't answer basic questions, that tells you something.

Beyond the room

Check the pool hoist, the breakfast area layout, lift dimensions, and whether the “accessible” room is actually near the lift. A great room at the end of a long corridor helps nobody.

Report what you find

On Can We Go you can rate how accurate a listing's access information was after your stay. Your report helps the next person decide — and nudges venues to keep their information honest.