If the vacation spot or the hotel that you chose isn't as accessible as you thought, here are some tips to help make your stay a little easier.
I’ve never visited Disability Travel or any similar website to plan an accessible vacation. I just go and hope for the best. And it usually works out just fine. If this is how you take trips or if it turns out that the hotel you choose just isn’t accessible as you thought, there are some things you can do to make your stay easier and more comfortable.
When choosing a hotel, do your research. Check out the hotel’s website to read about the rooms and amenities that are offered. Then check out Hotels.com and similar sites that offer reviews from travelers who have actually stayed there. Unfortunately, most of these sites do not offer reviews from disabled patrons. You can, however, read about the cleanliness of the rooms and the friendliness/helpfulness of the staff. After you’ve researched your hotel, call them rather than book your room via the Internet. This will help ensure that the staff is aware of your situation and that you get an accessible room.
Make sure you are traveling with a PCA, friend or family member who is capable of assisting you in somewhat awkward accommodations. Oftentimes, an accessible hotel room simply means that there is a wider entry way and bars in the shower. In all my travels, I have only been in two hotel rooms with truly accessible bathrooms – The Sands in Atlantic City, NJ and Comfort Inn in Terre Haute, IN.
The most important thing to remember, though, is not to get stressed out. If you’re stressed, it will have an effect on everything. Your mood and demeanor will change, thereby changing your attendant’s mood, etc. And this can make your entire trip much less than it could be, even with less than accessible accommodations.
