Imagine that you booked a hotel that looked fabulous online, but the bed was so high you couldn’t reach it. Or you couldn’t use the shower because the seat and the faucets were far apart, and you’re not a contortionist. Or you couldn’t get into your room in the first place, because the door was too heavy to push open. Shades of “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,’’ or “Alice in Wonderland,’’ after she drank the potion?
Nope. Those are some of the challenges that face travelers with a disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires hotels, motels, inns, and other places of lodging (designed or constructed after Jan. 26, 1993) to be usable by people with disabilities, but it’s not perfect. According to a 2022 study by MMGY Travel Intelligence, 96 percent of travelers with a disability have encountered difficulty with their accommodations. And this is a group that spends more than $58.2 billion per year on travel, according to MMGY. They’re not sitting at home waiting for the next season of “The Bear.’’
The good news: Along with the misses, there are some real winners out there. We reached out to savvy travelers in this community to learn which places earn top marks for accessibility and sheer delightfulness. Here’s what we found.
The Schoolhouse Hotel, White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
Topping nearly everyone’s “best’’ list, this former circa 1912 coed high school-turned-boutique-hotel is located near the famous Greenbriar Resort. It opened in 2022, conceived by the nonprofit Disability Opportunity Fund, a community development institution with the goal of “accessible for all.’’ This hotel is “the world’s first fully accessible property, in which every room and public space exceeds ADA standards and showcases first-of-its-kind design choices to provide comfort and access for all,’’ according to their mission statement. That includes travelers with mobility challenges, hearing or visual impairment, and cognitive issues.
All 30 rooms are accessible, with playful nods to the building’s history. High school memorabilia play a part in the decor, and the restaurant is called The Varsity Club. Much of the artwork on display was created by disabled artists. It would take all of our word count to list every accessibility feature at the Schoolhouse Hotel, so we’ll just pull out a few: Guest rooms are uncluttered for minimal obstruction for guests in wheelchairs, with outlets, electrical switches, and charging stations within accessible reach. Touchpads control lights, window shades, TV, and toilet controls (including lifting and lowering the seat and flushing). Bathtubs have hydraulic lifts, showers are roll-in, and sinks have low counters for rolling up in a wheelchair if needed.
It’s not just the guest rooms that are designed to suit all. The hotel’s entry has an area for guide animals, and a roll-in counter at the service desk that accommodates wheelchairs. And there’s this: the bar area in the restaurant has a section built at wheelchair height, so patrons and bartenders can interact eye-to-eye. It’s features like these that make mobility-challenged guests feel truly welcome, and not just begrudgingly accommodated. Rates from $169; www.theschoolhousehotelwv.com
MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa, Sonoma, Calif.
This Sonoma retreat is a recent favorite of activist and travel blogger Cory Lee, www.curbfreewithcorylee.com. “My wheelchair-accessible room was fantastic,’’ he notes, with both an indoor roll-in shower and an outdoor patio roll-in shower. “That’s the first accessible outdoor shower I’ve seen in a hotel, so I was really impressed,’’ Lee says. He also appreciated the lift at the hotel’s pool.
Set within a century-old, 6-acre estate and former working ranch, this property sits alongside the thickly forested Nathanson Creek Preserve. The 69 guest rooms are designed using natural materials and soothing textures, creating the ultimate relaxing vibe. All guest rooms have doors wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. In bathrooms, all accessories are within reach, including hooks, hairdryers, towel bars, and shelves.
Public entrances, pathways, and registration areas are accessible, so everyone can enjoy Layla, the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, plus the Bar at MacArthur and The Porch coffee shop. The spa’s treatments incorporate botanicals and herbs grown in the onsite garden; it, too, is accessible. As Lee pointed out, the swimming pool is equipped with a lift device. For hearing-impaired guests, TTY and assistive listening devices are available upon request. Adding to the ambience: artwork from emerging artists and an al fresco sculpture walk. From $499; www.macarthurplace.com
The Windsor Court, New Orleans
New Orleans resident Mark Raymond Jr., is founder of the nonprofit Split Second Foundation (www.splitsecondfoundation.org), committed to breaking physical, societal, and research barriers for people living with disabilities. Raymond is a fan of The Windsor Court and he’s not alone; T+L named the 314-room property one of the top 500 hotels in the world for 2024, and the hotel has earned four diamonds and five stars. As befitting its name, the hotel has a Posh Brit-meets-Big Easy style, and the location is wonderful: just a short walk from Canal Street. The charm factor is high, and amenities — including a rooftop saltwater pool and bar and a full-service spa — add to the allure. All of those spaces are accessible, by the way. Accessible guest rooms at the hotel include enlarged door openings, visual notifications for hotel alarm system, door, and phone; roll-in showers; and grab bars in the shower and tub.
But it’s not just about the practical things. Attitude counts for a lot. “This hotel excels not only in physical infrastructure but also in service excellence, which is vital for accessibility,’’ Raymond says. Hotel staff members are exceptionally accommodating, he notes. “They are prepared with extra equipment to assist those with additional needs, demonstrating their commitment to inclusivity.’’ Rates from $305; www.thewindsorcourt.com
To come: Morgan’s Hotel, San Antonio, Texas
You’ve probably heard of Morgan’s Wonderland. The nonprofit, 25-acre accessible theme park in San Antonio was created by Gordon Hartman and his wife Maggie in 2010. Inspired by Morgan, their daughter with special needs, the venture now includes Morgan’s Inspiration Island splash park, Morgan’s Sports complex, a year-round Morgan’s Camp, and Morgan’s MAC (Multi-Assistance Center), addressing health concerns of children and adults with special needs.
A hotel is on the horizon. Projected to open in 2026, Morgan’s Hotel will be situated a half-mile from Morgan’s Wonderland. The goal: To offer a fully inclusive experience for guests of all ages and abilities. Morgan’s Hotel is a for-profit project, with a percentage of its revenues designated to support entities under the Morgan’s umbrella. Services at the 104-room hotel will include a disability etiquette-trained staff, specialized accommodations, and amenities that include hearing aid loops and sensory-sensitive colors and lighting.
Designers have taken our aging population into consideration, incorporating an open floor plan, supplementary elevators, wide hallways, and spacious guest rooms. These elements are helpful to seniors with mobility and cognitive issues as well as guests with special needs and disabilities. “With a commitment to inclusivity ingrained in every aspect, our hotel [will] foster a culture of respect and value for everyone,’’ says Gordon Hartman. https://morgans.org/
Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at bairwright@gmail.com.
