Cateys 2016: Accessibility Award
Sponsored by Amadeus
Dorsett Shepherds Bush
The eight-storey hotel, set within a Grade II-listed building originally known as the Pavilion and used as a cinema, boasts 317 rooms including 26 accessible rooms, two of which have built-in ceiling track hoists.
The hotel's team believes everyone should have the right to fully participate in community life, including overnight stays in hotels, spa breaks and dining in public restaurants. The in-house design team wanted to incorporate cutting-edge disabled facilities from day one at this new hotel in west London.
Accessible bedrooms are provided on floors one to six and all are fitted with alarms. The rooms have been designed with wide entrance doors, low-level light switches, power sockets by the bed and a transfer space of 140cm on one side of the bed. On each floor, there is at least one room located near the lifts. Extra mains sockets near the transfer side of the bed are provided for recharging electric wheelchairs in the hoist rooms.
Prior to the hoist rooms being used, a member of the team will always ensure that the ceiling track is in pristine condition and the hoist has a fluid movement. Bathrooms provide level-entry showers with grab rails and shower stools. A temperature safety valve has also been applied and a pull cord alarm is fitted.
The majority of the accessible rooms have an adjacent connected standard room for carers and family. The hotel also includes a spa on the eighth floor which is fully accessible to all guests.
There are three lifts in the hotel, each large enough to accommodate a wheelchair, with two of the lifts going directly to the spa. Inside the spa there is a disabled changing and shower facility and each room has been fitted out with treatment beds which can be lowered or raised.
The hotel also welcomes service dogs and provides a dog toilet at the rear of the property. There is no surcharge or cleaning fee for customers with an assisted animal.
Two on-site disabled parking bays can be reserved prior to arrival, which are free for those with a blue badge. Small fridges are also available in all bedrooms and can be used for the storage of medication. The hotel also offers to arrange local wheelchair hire and has its own wheelchair for guests to use while in-house.
The hotel is not only supportive of guests with disabilities, but also staff, and is actively trying to target jobseekers for apprenticeship schemes and work experience placements. It also supports local communities and those with disabilities or learning difficulties.
The business holds the view that hotel accessibility, information and real-time room booking for guests with disabilities should be as easy and commonplace as standard room reservations. It believes access for people with disabilities improves access for everyone.
What the judges said
"This was the clear winner and without a doubt you could see and understand the passion of the Dorsett team in welcoming accessible guests."
Daniel Pedreschi
"I can't wait to stay at the Dorsett Shepherds Bush!"
Carrie-Ann Lightley
"A well thought-out nomination which showed accessibility was at the heart of everything."
Helen Dolphin
The shortlist
There was no shortlist for this award
The judges
- David Battersby Managing director, Hospitality and Leisure Manpower
- Ross Calladine, Head of business support, VisitEngland
- Helen Dolphin, Consultant, Helen Dolphin Consultancy
- Carrie-Ann Lightley, Information service manager, Tourism for All UK
- Michael McGrath, Founder and chief executive, Muscle Help Foundation
- Daniel Pedreschi, General manager, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London
- Brian Seaman, Access advisor, Access New Business
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