Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons

If you want to really splash out, and have a disabled friendly overnight stay with exceptional food, I doubt you could do better than this. On booking our room, we were offered a menu of disabled friendly items to put in the room: adjustable shower seat with arms, shelves & towel rail for beside the shower, toilet armrests/rails, temporary basin and taps to be reached from the toilet (all of which we requested), toilet seat height extension, extra suction grab rails, wheelchair ramp to get onto the (high) bed, battery operated bath lift, shaving/make-up mirror accessible for wheelchair user. The latter 3 were provided but not requested. When we arrived at the room, the staff checked that I could get on the bed (so didn't need the ramp), before leaving us. As we did not want the bath lift, they removed it within 5 minutes of asking. There are emergency alarms in the bathroom, which do not touch the ground (I alerted them to this the only problem), and one on the bed side table. The latter definitely works - as I mistakenly pressed it when trying to turn the lights off. The phone rang immediately to check I was OK, and when I could not turn the alarm off, staff were there within 5 minutes to help me. The room is a fair way from reception, so may be a problem for the walking disabled, but I am sure the staff will provide a wheelchair if needed. The restaurant is fully accessible, with accessible toilet near the sitting rooms used for pre- and post meal drinks. The staff are all amazingly friendly and helpful. The cost is very high - but for a special occasion (our 25 wedding anniversary), worth it.

I went to the Manoir for lunch on a weekday for a family event. When we arrived, we were able to park at the door, and unload. Our car was then taken away for valet parking. The food and service was exceptional . As a group of 7, we had a set menu. The dietary requirements of myself and another member of the group (we had informed in advance) were dealt with superbly and without fuss - any substitutes were at least as good as what others in the group had. I sat on a chair at the table (had solid armrests so easy to get out of) and my wheelchair was taken away. When I needed it again it appeared within seconds. The dining rooms, lounge areas and disabled toilets are all very accessible - either on ground level or accessible by short ramps. When advised that my mother-in-law was hard of hearing, the staff explaining each meal stood next her so she could hear what they were saying. And the end of the meal, in the lounge, a staff member was happy to take photos of our group - and to wait until I had been moved into an appropriate position. My only difficulty was that although the disabled toilet had well placed support rails at the side of the toilet, there was no grab rail to hold on to when you were standing. I mentioned this at reception as I was leaving, and it was immediately picked up by the owner, Raymond Blanc, who happened to be standing nearby. He listened to my suggestion, and asked a staff member (within my hearing) to arrange for a grab rail to be installed tomorrow!!! He said he was very keen to get feedback from disabled patrons, and then asked me if I would be willing to look at their disabled friendly bedroom suite and offer any suggestions on improvements that could be made there. His plan is to have the accessible room appear similar to the standard rooms, but to contain all the things needed to make the stay of a disabled person and any carer, comfortable and luxurious. The room was on the ground floor. It was a distance from reception which may cause problems to walking disabled, but they have a wheelchair on the premises if needed. There is only one door to open to gain access to the building and then another to the room. The bathroom has both wet room shower and a large bath with solid, wide rim (that can be sat on) and grab rail. The shower did not have a seat that I saw, but I was assured that they had a clip-on seat that could be installed if required. The bed is raised, and there are steps and frames available if needed. I had a few suggestions to make and felt that they would be taken seriously. I was very impressed by what I saw and experienced, and even more by the willingness of the owner and staff to listen to what disabled people really need, rather that employing the more usual "tick-box" mentality. If you want amazing and hassle free experience of luxury, I doubt you can do better than this.

It lived up to its tremendous reputation for food, service and luxury.