Overview

The Grassmarket is one of Edinburgh’s main tourist areas with lots of places to eat and drink. It’s handy for getting up to the Royal Mile and many tourist attractions which is a ten-minute walk away going up Victoria Stree

Transport & Parking

As a visually impaired person it was important for me to be able to use public transport. There is a small car park where there is an accessible parking space available. For me, having the taxi rank outside the front door was a great plus. I noticed that many of the city’s tour buses also pass by the door. They were good as they have audio commentaries and the drivers are very helpful if you don’t know where to get off if you’re unfamiliar with places.

Access

Access in and around the building I found getting in the building fairly easy. There are some steps up to the front entrance which has a glass surround. There is a hand rail to the side of the steps. Once inside it was bright and light and the main areas distinct enough to be able to get a sense of what is where once it was explained. The lighting was good and the lifts were easy to find, large and well labelled. Once up on the bedroom level the corridors were easy to follow and find the room. I particularly liked the key card system as you touched the card to the door handle area and the door unlocked. Great for me as it’s tricky working out which way around the usual swipe style cards go! Access in the accessible bedrooms and bathrooms Once in the room it was spacious and well lit. It worked well for me as I was able to see well enough not to be fumbling around trying to work out what was where and how things worked. The bathroom was bright, light and spacious. The fire alarm system in the room has a flashing alert as well as the audible signal. Staff will discuss a personal evacuation plan when you check in. Access in the dining area The dining area was near to the bar and it was easy to find. The colours and décor were good contrast. Menus are available in braille or large print by prior arrangement. Access to other facilities The lounge on each floor was a great idea as you could sit and look down toward the street and get a sense of the atmosphere,

Toilets

There was an accessible toilet on the ground floor near the bar. Once I was told where it was it was easy to follow the bright yellow corridor and find the door. It was well laid out and worked although there did seem to be a lot of bins which may be a problem for other people.

Staff

The staff I met were very helpful and friendly. It was good to be able to discuss what facilities were available to help disabled guests.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The hotel is not large and this helped to make it easier to get around and feel comfortable.

Photos