Holiday Inn

Access in Summary

Accommodation

The hotel has eight accessible rooms across five floors. There is an en suite room on the second floor with a fixed hoist facility, and the hotel also has a further portable hoist available. Four of the accessible rooms interconnect (two sets of two) and all rooms are adjacent to an emergency exit and close to the lifts. Accessibility into the rooms is good with all doors inspected being of 1000mm in width. The room with the fixed hoist affords a spacious environment set up as a double bedded room.

Car Parking/Drop Off

There is a privately operated car park located in the basement of the hotel. Access from the basement car park to the hotel is currently limited to negotiating the entrance ramp. There is a narrow footpath but this would be unsuitable for a wheelchair user. There is enough room on the main ramp but this area offers no protection from vehicles entering the car park. In addition the ramp is on a steep gradient. The hotel operates an insured valet parking service for guests who require assistance. Guests arriving at the hotel can park and drop off outside of the main entrance and a member of the hotel concierge will park and return their vehicle as required. On street parking in the immediate vicinity of the hotel and is limited to permit holders only. There are two designated Blue Badge holder spaces immediately outside of the hotel on the service road. Longer term there are plans to upgrade the existing hotel lifts to facilitate direct access from the car park to the hotel lobby. This is scheduled for spring 2008. The drop off point is immediately outside of the hotel entrance providing direct level access to the entrance and hotel lobby.

Public Transport

The hotel has good transportation links being near to Euston and Kings Cross/St Pancreas train station, Russell Square tube station on Bernard Street, and a principle bus stop on Woburn Place. The routes from the transport points to the hotel are accessible.

Access into Hotel

The hotel is set back from Coram Street and has a further service road running in front of the main entrance on the front elevation of the building. The service road runs parallel with Coram Street and links Marchmont and Herbrand Street. The service road is fitted with traffic calming speed humps and operates on a one way basis. There is level access from all approaches although some routes necessitate crossing or using the service road and adjoining road which accesses the car park.

Circulation

The circulation throughout the hotel is generally very good, door widths are adequate and suit a wide range of users. There is lift access to all floors and the corridor widths are also adequate.

Reception

The reception desk is of a light colour and offers a good visual contrast with the floor and backdrop. The main counter is not of an accessible height; however, there is a lower counter. The reception had a number of staff on duty at the time of inspection. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable about what facilities are available for disabled people. There is low level seating and an induction loop available.

Bars

Callahagns Bar: Accessibility within the bar is good. The bar is mostly on one level, with a small area on a raised section which can be accessed via two steps. The bar counter is not of an accessible height but it is advised that staff assistance by way of table service is available. The positioning of tables and chairs within the bar is generally good, and limited to the outer areas.

Hotel Bar: The bar counter is not of an accessible height but the bar does offer a table service. There is no portable chip and pin machine for card payment. Payment is taken at the till, using a card swipe on the edge of the till screen. As such guests are required to sign for purchases, a small clipboard is available at the table for signing. The seating area consists of an arrangement of loose tables and chairs.

Restaurants

Junction Restaurant - The Junction restaurant is also accessed from the hotel lobby and can be found next to the hotel bar. Outside of the restaurant is a seating area which consists of low level seating and tables. There is good access into and around the restaurant. Guests are greeted at the entrance and accompanied to a table. On entering the restaurant the flooring is tiled. This meets with parquet flooring which is the main flooring within the restaurant. There is a range of colours used providing a good level of visual contrast. Lighting is good with a minimal level of glare on the flooring and surfaces.

Business Facilities

The Academy conference centre is located on the ground and first floor. The ground floor entrance is next to the restaurant. There is a large corporate sign on the approach and the entrance doors are positioned to the right. There are two large conference rooms on the ground floor and thirteen smaller rooms on the first floor. There is a reception on both floors which has a member of staff on duty when the rooms are in use.

Staff: Languages spoken

Languages spoken are Afrikaans , Arabic , Catalan , Czech , Dutch , English , French , German , Greek , Hindi , Hungarian , Italian , Korean , Polish , Portuguese , Russian , Serbian , Slovak , Spanish , Turkish , Zulu. Staff within the hotel are very friendly and when questioned responded well.