Express By Holiday Inn

Access in Summary

Accommodation

The hotel has five accessible bedrooms. Rooms 103, 203 and 303 are twin rooms with 103 having an interconnecting room. Rooms 403 and 503 are doubles. All rooms are non smoking. All rooms have an ensuite with an accessible shower.

Car Parking/Drop Off

There is a basement car park offering fourteen spaces on a first come fist served basis. There is a lift from the car park to the hotel lobby. The accessible spaces are separate from the car park and located to the rear of the hotel. There are four accessible spaces designated. The route from the accessible spaces to the accessible entrance necessitates accessing the road to negotiate round a section of pavement which has no lowered kerb. Shortly past this point is a ramp which leads up to the accessible entrance. Assistance will be required on the ramp as it is on a steep gradient.

Public Transport

There are two bus stops located on Southwark Street but named Blackfriars Road, these are less than 200 metres from the hotel and on level access. At the time of inspection roadworks were in operation and as a result one bus stop was not in use.

Access into Hotel

The accessible entrance is located to the rear of the hotel which is approached via Bear Lane. There is a ramp from street level up to the entrance. Assistance will be required on the ramp as it is on a steep gradient. The accessible entrance is a fire exit which is secured. A buzzer is located on the door for staff attention and assistance into the hotel. The front entrance on Southwark Street is stepped and has automatic doors.

Circulation

The hotel is compact yet has a spacious feel as the majority of areas are open plan. The lobby is bright and spacious and leads through to the bar and breakfast area.

Reception

The reception is a bright open plan environment with the lobby providing access to all areas. Within the lobby there is a self service fridge containing snacks, an internet station, seating and a public telephone. The reception counter suits all users as there is a lift up access flap which is utilised as a low counter surface. There is an induction loop available and a portable chip and pin machine.

Bars

There is a bar area located next to reception in the same open plan area and operated by a member of staff from reception. There is a lounge area with sofa style seating although higher seating is available from the nearby Great Room breakfast area. As with reception the bar is a bright and spacious area with a good level of circulation. An induction loop and chip and pin machine are available on the adjoining reception desk. Staff assistance is available should drinks need to be carried to a table.

Restaurants

The Great Room breakfast area is located next to the bar and a short distance from the reception lobby. Breakfast is on a self service basis although staff assistance is available throughout the sitting. The buffet counter is of an accessible height however some items are higher then others and therefore assistance may be required. The restaurant is a bright spacious environment and there is a range of tables and seating to suit all users including the availability of highchairs.

Business Facilities

There are two meeting rooms (Westminster and St Paul's) located to the rear of The Great Room breakfast area. The rooms are on level access and can be entered and used separately or joined to form one larger room. Given the size of each room, the level of available circulation will vary depending on the room layout.

Staff: Languages spoken

The hotel has a good compliment of staff on duty at all times. As this is a small hotel staff assistance is readily available. There are a number of languages spoken at the hotel including: English, French, Italian, Polish and Spanish. We would recommend that the hotel is contacted in advance should a specific language be required.