From French Polynesia to Paris, These 11 Hotels Around the World Are Getting Accessibility Right
Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
One of the most exciting aspects of a vacation is the hotel stay. Ideally, it feels like an upgrade from your everyday surroundings, a place where design and atmosphere create a true sanctuary away from responsibilities back home. But for disabled travelers—an estimated 1 billion people worldwide—that sense of escape can come with an asterisk: You can stay here, but you may not be comfortable.
I was born with cerebral palsy to parents who met in the travel industry, so I grew up in and around hotel lobbies. The experience has also given me a lifetime of navigating ADA standards in practice. A hotel may technically accommodate guests, but I’ve found the execution often falls short. Elevators, for instance, provide an energy-saving alternative to stairs, but might be located down a long hallway. Ramps exist but could be far from the main entrance. Showers include grab bars but may require stepping into a tub. No hotel can meet every need, but when accessibility is poorly considered, it still feels personal.
