Days Inn Gretna Green

dystrophydad

06 Dec 2024

Accessible? Kinda.

3

3

Date of visit: November 2024

I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.

I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair

Overall Rating

Average

Days Inn by Wyndham is an American hotel chain, with four locations operating under license in the UK. This Days Inn location serves the nearby Welcome Break service station, which you'll find on the other side of the car park. I didn't stay in the hotel, but the staff very kindly offered to show me around, as they're especially receptive to feedback. They have four accessible rooms out of a total of 64, but let's see just how accessible it is.

Disabled Access In and Around

Average

There are two sets of manual doors at the entrance, with a buzzer to notify staff. Both sets open outwards, which caused me some difficulty. There's also a raised lip at the doors, which may be awkward for some and present a tripping hazard to others. The reception desk does not have a lowered section, and unlike the Days Inn at Annandale Water Service Station, there is no hearing loop in use. As there is no bar or shop, some food and drinks can be purchased at reception. All doors in the building are manual, which is something to keep in mind if you're travelling alone. The accessible room I viewed wasn't the biggest but could accommodate a manual or powerchair, though the bed is best suited to a right-side transfer. The curtains can be accessed easily, which is something many hotels overlook, and there's nothing worse than light flooding into your room because you can't close the curtains. The door to the room opens outwards.

Parking & Transport

Average

Parking facilities can be found at the front of the building, with the car park featuring four accessible parking spaces. Given that this location serves the nearby service station, the only way to get here is by car, but I'm not certain it's worth the trip. This is more a place to stay if you need a break after a long drive. Although not part of the hotel's car park, there are plenty of EV chargers, including Type-2, Chademo, and Tesla-specific chargers, outside the service station.

Accessible Toilets

Average

The door to the accessible toilet opens inwards. The toilet is on the rear wall as you enter and has grab rails on both sides. However, a sideways transfer is impossible due to the toilet being too close to the wall on one side and too close to the sink on the other. Unlike most accessible hotel rooms, there isn’t a shower or wetroom flooring but a bath with a rail on the inside, which might pose a barrier to some. If you can’t manage to enter a bath safely, it might be better to consider a hotel elsewhere. There is an emergency cord, which hangs freely, but it’s located by the bath rather than the toilet seat. Whilst the toilet was clean, I'm scoring it a 2.5 to reflect that it's not particularly accessible for an accessible toilet.

Staff

Excellent

Caroline, whom I spoke with, was lovely, content to show me around and take on board the feedback I provided. She recognises that the accessible rooms could be more accessible. which I appreciate.