Overview

While looking for an accessible hotel near Bristol Temple Meads station, I came across the ibis Bristol Temple Meads Quay. I had a comfortable stay overall but there were a few access issues that, if improved, would make this a better choice for disabled travellers. Changes made:

Transport & Parking

The closest bus stop is a short walk away on Avon Street, with the 16 and 61 services running from there. Bristol Temple Meads Station is around five minutes on foot from the hotel and offers a good range of bus links and accessible taxi pick-up points. There’s on-street parking available along Avon Street, as well as a long-stay car park at the station, though I didn’t see any clearly marked accessible bays nearby. There’s also a ferry stop just across the water, but it isn’t wheelchair accessible. There are handrails on both sides of the steps and a small shelter with seating for those able to use it.

Access

Access is generally well thought out at this location. There is a ramp with a handrail leading up to the entrance. For those who can manage, there are also four steps with tactile paving at the top and bottom and rails on either side. At the entrance, there are two sets of automatic sliding doors. Straight ahead, you'll find the reception desk. There's a lowered section to the right of the desk, though the staff sit closer to the higher part of the counter. I was able to speak with the staff over the counter, but I'm sure they'd move around if needed. On the right, you'll find a seating area and the restaurant/bar areas. There are small round tables and wooden chairs, as well as a long soft bench along the wall with square tables and wooden chairs. The lifts are located to the left of the reception desk. On my visit, and evidently earlier in June according to other reviews, one of the lifts wasn't operating. The lift I did use had enough space for a powerchair user and a second person, but it was pretty tight. The lift has braille buttons and audible announcements. The accessible room I was provided with was around a corner. The door is quite heavy, which makes it a challenge to manage when travelling alone. The door to the room opens inwards, which also meant I had to be creative in how I'd open the door. I've been in some hotels where there is a slow closure on the door, allowing you to get through and have the door shut behind you. I'd have appreciated that here. The room was very spacious, with a large double bed in the centre, an open wardrobe and a wall-mounted TV. There are plenty of power sockets, including at the bed, but, frustratingly, the main light control is near the door, which is a pain when you're already settled. The floor was covered by linoleum, which made it almost feel like an "animal-friendly" room, which I assume it is, provided you have a service dog, but it made the room feel a little colder. A short carpet may have been a better choice, as with the corridor outside.

Toilets

The accessible en-suite has a light door, which opens outwards and does not require a key. The toilet has a shower with a wall-mounted shower seat, blue grabrails on either side and a red cord to the left when seated. One issue is that the shower head, which is on a sliding rail, was up high. I really wish hotels would make a point of having staff lower them, which would allow people to adjust them to the correct height. The body wash and shampoo/shower gel are also mounted high on the wall, which is a shame when they could have been lower. There's a small sink, a lever-style tap and a large mirror, on either side of which are blue rails. The toilet is another confusing design choice. It's left-side transfer only, with a soft backrest and the red cord hanging to the left. However, the buttons to flush the toilet are on a tiled shelf, which sits higher up than the toilet and requires two large buttons to be held down to work. This assumes that the person using the toilet can reach them, can stand long enough to do so and is able to hold two buttons down at once. Such a bad decision. The room is a wet-room, with lino flooring and a drain on the floor.

Staff

Super helpful! They even let me check in early.

Photos