Edinburgh City Hotel

bwp

05 Feb 2016

From old maternity hospital to modern hotel

4

4

Date of visit: January 2016

I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around

Overall Rating

Good

The Edinburgh City Hotel is housed in one of the city's former maternity hospitals. A building with lots of character and charm. The hotel entrance is approached from the side road off the Main Street and signs will point you in the right direction. The hotel offers three accessible bedrooms on the ground floor.

Disabled Access In and Around

Good

Access in and around the building:- On arriving I found the entrance to the hotel quite easily. I wheeled across the car park with my powerchair. There are some cobbled but the ground is level so no need to negotiate ramps, kerbs or other obstacles. Getting in involved going through a set of double doors. Luckily I was with a companion so could manage to get through. Once inside a second door goes into reception. This door was automated so wasn’t a problem for me. The reception was spacious and there was a seating area where people could sit and relax. Once I was inside the hotel getting around was easy. The corridors were wide and large; probably a remnant of the former use of the building when it was a maternity hospital. A corridor leads of reception and leads to the three accessible ground floor bedrooms. Access in the accessible bedrooms and bathrooms:- The accessible rooms were each different. A conversation about your specific requirements when you book is a good idea. One of the rooms has limited clearance from the bedroom to the bathroom. The larger accessible room has good access into the room, around the room, and into the accessible bathroom. The door clearance to enter the room was 79 cm. The accessible bathroom interestingly had a bath and also a wet floor area with a shower. It was spacious enough to move around and turn. Access in the dining area:- The hotel’s dining room was large and easy to move around. The furniture is all movable so it was easy to find a space to suit my powerchair. Access to other facilities:- The hotel as a small bar are with some seating. It was spacious enough to wheel in and to move around.

Parking & Transport

Excellent

If you are arriving by car you will pass under the archway in the side street and over the cobbles to find the dedicated accessible parking bay just by the main entrance. Pedestrians walking to the hotel also come in under the archway. I found it OK but other wheelchair users may find the cobbles unsettling but fortunately they only last for a few metres. The main street outside the building, Lauriston Place, has good transport links with frequent buses stopping at the stop just outside the hotel. The local buses, Lothian Buses, are all wheelchair accessible. Taxis are also frequently seen passing along the street and so it's easy to hail a cab.

Accessible Toilets

Excellent

The hotel has a clearly signposted accessible toilet adjacent to reception and the restaurant. It had a wide entrance door and enough space to wheel in.

Staff

Good

Staff were friendly and helpful.

Additional Information

The hotel is good if you want to have accommodation on the ground floor and the ability to park near to the main entrance.