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Accessibility

Accessibility questions to ask a resort

An "accessible room" label tells you only a little. The right questions, asked early and answered in writing, tell you whether a resort will work for you.

Start with your own list

Access needs are personal. Before you contact a resort, write down what you need to sleep, wash, move around and eat comfortably: for example, a roll-in shower, a bed of a certain height, space to turn a wheelchair, a quiet room, visual alarms or a fridge for medicine. Then ask about each item. Specific questions get specific answers.

Questions about the room

Access

What are the accessible features of this exact room: shower type, grab bars, bed height, door widths?

An "accessible room" label covers a wide range. Details tell you whether it suits you.

Access

Is there a step-free route from the room to the restaurants, pool, beach and lobby?

A good room helps little if the paths between places have steps, sand or steep slopes.

Access

Is there a pool lift or a beach wheelchair, and how do I reserve it?

Equipment may exist but need booking, staff help or a working battery.

Access

Is the accessible room guaranteed when I book, or only requested?

A request can fall through at check-in. A guaranteed room type should not.

Access

Is an accessible vehicle available for the airport transfer?

Transfers are often run by a separate company with its own fleet and booking rules.

Access

Can the kitchen handle my allergy or diet, and who should I tell?

Buffets carry cross-contact risk. Ask how the kitchen manages it and who to speak to on site.

Ask for measurements where they matter to you, such as door widths, bed height and the space beside the bed or toilet. Ask for photos of the actual room and bathroom, not the standard room. If you use equipment such as a shower chair or a hoist, ask whether the resort can provide it or whether you should rent one locally.

Getting around the property

Resorts are often spread out, on slopes, or built around sand. Ask whether there is a step-free route between your room and the lobby, restaurants, pools and beach, and how long each takes. Ask about ramps, elevators, paths, the surface underfoot, and whether shuttle carts can carry a wheelchair or scooter. Ask about lighting at night as well.

Pools and beaches

Ask whether pools have a lift or a sloped entry, and whether lifts are working and need staff help. For the beach, ask about beach wheelchairs, mats across the sand and accessible shade. Ask whether any of these need booking ahead.

Sensory and other needs

Access covers more than mobility. Guests who are deaf or hard of hearing may need visual or vibrating alarms and text-based contact with the front desk. Blind or low-vision guests may want to ask about tactile signs, guide dog policies and a staff orientation on arrival. Guests who find noise and crowds hard may want a quiet room and a quieter time to dine.

Rules and rights

In the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act sets accessibility rules for places of lodging, including requirements for how hotels describe and hold accessible rooms when you book. Other countries have their own laws, and standards differ a lot. For current rules, check the official government source for the destination, such as the US Department of Justice's ADA information for US resorts. Disability organizations in your country can also help with travel planning.

Get answers in writing

  1. Ask your questions by email or chat so you have a record.
  2. Ask for your accessible room type to be confirmed as a guaranteed booking, not a request.
  3. Bring the written answers with you, and confirm again a few days before arrival.
  4. On arrival, check the room straight away, and raise any problem with the front desk at once.

For airlines, airport assistance and transfers, contact each company separately. Their rules and booking deadlines are their own. You can add the answers you get to the comparison worksheet, and see booking safely for what to check in the terms.