Disabled Traveller at handy hotel for shopping in Solihull
3.5
3.5
Date of visit: May 2022
I am a disabled person and a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
This nice hotel is so handy when you want to shop in Solihull, it stands just across the road from Touchwood shopping centre and the main shopping street itself. OUR REVIEW The hotel has a good large car park, with parking charges, (photo 1) and it has a reasonable level approach into hotel via a small slope on the ramp area, (photo 2) and automatic doors to get you in. If you REGISTER YOUR CAR AT RECEPTION DESK, and use any facility then there will be no charge for you, but do REGISTER at reception desk as soon as you arrive. The reception area is very nice, clean, and welcoming, with wide open spaces, so it’s easy for your wheelchair to move around (photo 3). The coffee shop and bar is very near to reception with plenty of room to place your wheelchair (4) and although there are steps to reach the bar (5) you need not worry, staff will come to you to take your orders and bring them to you (6) and may we say this, the coffee or drinks are always hot, very nice, and presented well (photo 7) and so far, over the years we use this hotel as our watering base, they have always included a little glass with Maltesers, and a glass of cold water with lemon. seating here are comfortable, spaciously laid out, (8) and right behind you will find a pleasant Terrace restaurant (9) nicely decorated, clean and well maintained. Breakfast is a treat, and here you may enjoy lunch and evening dinner (10). Tables vary, but always clean and tidy (11) with space to move around (12) and the door to the left will take you out to a pleasant, but small terrace (13) overlooking the pond and fountain (14) ideal on a nice day as it is a bit of a sun trap. Seating is available by reception, comfortable and spacious, with a nice fire feature, which when needed can offer heating (photo 15) and from here other areas of the hotel are reached. First of all, you will find two lifts, (16) reasonable size as well, chairs can easily get inside and take you up to your bedroom. But now the trouble starts, as you need to get out of the double push and pull doors, and heavy to open, you will need to take your carer with you to open them (17) to get you into the corridor, and although sign shows disabled toilet (photo 18) you will need to leave wheelchair outside in passage, and then you will only find a basic simple toilet, spacious enough, with grab handle, but not worthy of being called disabled (19). OUR FINAL THOUGHTS. A pleasant enough hotel, very handy for shopping trips, nice and clean with staff who care and willing to help you. Comfortable throughout, but not exactly wheelchair friendly, as although it’s all on the level, once you leave reception area, it’s hard work to get around, so that’s one reason we have only offered 3.5 stars for the hotel. However, we would recommend this hotel to you.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
There are two disabled bays right outside main entrance, and it’s level enough to then get up and into the hotels reception area, and it’s level wherever you then want to see or do in the hotel.
Parking & Transport
Good
It’s only a shortish drive through the centre of Solihull, and easy to get to car park area for the hotel.
Accessible Toilets
Bad
It’s hard work getting from reception and into toilets, there are far to many doors to push your way to get from one door to the next, you will need to take your carer with you to help open these doors, and then it’s only a basic toilet. Disappointing for such a large hotel.
Staff
Good
These are always very pleasant and willing to help.
