Disabled Traveller visits a 3.5 Welcombe hotel
3
3
Date of visit: October 2021
I am a disabled person and a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Average
A short visit to recheck this Welcombe hotel did not inspire us at all. A pleasant long drive winding up to the hotel, passing between hidden golf links led us towards the hotel (photo 1). An old building, with attractive tall chimneys (photo 2) but not really an inspiring building. The main entrance has two steps, (photo 3) and the close by car parking bays are reserved for business users. We found the steps to difficult to make use of, (photo 4) even though the car parking area is directly across from the entrance. Not helpful for the disabled visitor. However, a few feet away there is another narrow entrance with a ramp available (photo 5). Dull passages led us to a drab very plain small reception desk, (photo 6). Close to this is the Bar lounge, (photo 7) and we sat overlooking the terrace and the gardens (photo 8), awaiting coffee, but told no service until 12 noon. This was on 20 October 2021, so very disappointed. Next to us on the right was a narrow door which leads out onto the terrace. This narrow door had two steep steps, (photo 9) no use to disabled at all. By the reception desk is a corridor which leads to a doorway for the exit onto terrace area (photo 10) along a paved pathway, and this led out onto the terrace area ( photo 12) which is very plain and unattractive, mind you it does overlook rather ornate gardens (photo 13). The disabled toilet is also the men’s room, (photo 14). It had grab rails, but saw no pull cord. (Photo 15). The urinals stood in a marbled tiled area, just plain and simple (photo 16). A wide corridor with dull plain colours (photo 17) led us to the ornate wooden panelled breakfast room (photo 18). Quite close to this was a small private function room (photo 19 and you could go out to the uninspiring terrace area. (photo 20). Our final thoughts This, our second visit was as depressing as our first visit. We felt it was cold and unfriendly, with uninspiring rooms and a Hugh disappointment. We could not recommend this hotel for disabled or able bodied people to visit
Disabled Access In and Around
Poor
The main entrance has steps, but entry next door along provides a ramp, then it was easy enough to move around, but this hotel does have steps at points of interest, so it’s a case of look around until you find ramps to help you. You cannot get down to gardens though, and far to long a push to bother with other ways, but you can see gardens from terrace area.
Parking & Transport
Good
Parking is ok, there’s enough spaces, but no real disabled bays, it’s just take your chance how close to entrance you can get.
Accessible Toilets
Bad
If needed, it’s there.
Staff
Poor
Disappointing, some not even bothering to talk to you, reception not at all interested, there’s no atmosphere here.
