Accommodation

Anyone who goes traveling needs every now and then a roof over their heads. If you are in a wheelchair, the hostel around the corner is usually not enough, even if you are one of the humble adventurers. Bigger and smaller thresholds lurk everywhere, which are not always easy to pass, and propper space required to twist and turn one's “ride” is also not always available. Especially when you have the electric wheelchair with you, 140-180 kg are immediately on the scales - and that without a passenger! This vehicle moves in a hotel room like a tank in the field. Smaller thresholds, such as those found on the balcony or in the shower area, are quickly rolled flat. If space was too tight, can be found on walls and furniture afterwards.
The following recommendations on these and similar personal experiences on my travels with the hand and power wheelchair.

Wheelchair pictograms are often shown in catalogs and websites to indicate accessible rooms or infrastructure. What accessible means or includes is interpreted very differently around the world. Therefore, when booking accommodation, it is essential to ensure that the necessary needs are covered. At the latest when you need accessible sanitary facilities and / or are on the move with an electric wheelchair, it is advisable to clarify the necessary needs with the accommodation beforehand and, if necessary, to have them confirmed in writing to avoid discussions.

When choosing accommodation, I recommend to book accommodation equal to 4-star or 5-star hotels. In this class, there is a high probability that the declared accessibility will really meet these requirements, in the room, the sanitary facilities and the entire infrastructure. In this class, you can also rely on the fact that minor “defects” such as a missing shower chair can be easily rectified.
Experience has shown that smaller "obstacles" are always to be expected in lower classes, especially with the sanitary facilities. The room size in the so-called wheelchair rooms can also be tight, especially for electric wheelchairs. The same applies to the lifts in terms of size and weight.
If you stay in accommodation "outside of civilization", for example: bungalows above the water or elevated bungalows, the weight of 250-300 kg on the base of the wheelchair can be a critical factor.
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This is an example of how different the pavement can be in a hotel complex.
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Wooden panels, layed out to reinforce the terrace so that the e-wheelchair does not crash through the floor.

Ramps are also not always available and outside of “civilization” they are often put together “quickly” in the form of a temporary solution. Here, too, it must be ensured that the total weight of the wheelchair with person is taken into account for larger spans. If the incline is steep, the wheelchair should be secured from tipping from behind by one or two people.

Connecting paths that differ from natural paths can be critical - especially when it rains.
A surface that is softened by excessive moisture allows an electric wheelchair to get stuck very quickly. The same applies also for soft earth, sand, gravel and snow. With sand and gravel with a depth of 5-10 cm - and solid ground, driving may still be possible, with slightly impaired steering due to the sinking front or rear wheels.
There are “small” ramps / rails on the market, that can be taken with you on your wheelchair and used if necessary.


I would clarify all of these points before booking.
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Accessible  room in a 4 star hotel
  • So far the best shower / toilet in a hotel.
  • The room size is tight for a hand wheelchair, too tight for an e-wheelchair.
  • Balcony door too narrow, therefore not accessible with a wheelchair.
Example of an exemplary hotel infrastructure (5 star hotel) which has no restrictions for wheelchair users.