Accessibility at Ashford International Hotel

We aim to provide the highest standards of service to all our guests and we look forward to welcoming you to the Ashford International Hotel and making your stay an enjoyable one. Facilities available for guests with disability needs are as follows:

Arrival

Directions to the Hotel are available by clicking here, or by calling the hotel on 01233 219988.

As you arrive at the Hotel, you will find 350 parking spaces of which 8 are reserved for blue badge holders. 3 of these are located in the car park on the left as you enter the hotel grounds by the hotel's main entrance, the remaining 5 are located in the rear hotel car park. There is also a turning circle located directly outside the main entrance for dropping off and picking up only. This has a dropped kerb. There is a level, paved route from both sets of disabled parking into the hotel where the main entrances have a revolving door and a set of automated entrance doors.

If you need assistance with luggage or equipment, our team are on duty 24 hours.

Reception

The Reception desk is located on the ground floor of the hotel in the entrance lobby. The reception desk is 115cm high although check-in can also be completed whilst sitting at a lowered level at the end of the reception desk.

You will be offered a personal check-in service with a full explanation of the hotel's facilities together with a familiarisation tour if required. Assistance is available to help take your luggage to your room.

Reception staff will also brief you on our evacuation policy and please note on your registration card if assistance is needed in the event of an evacuation.

The following accessible aids are available at Reception:

• Induction Loop for use at Reception
• Portable Induction Loop for use in our boardrooms
• Large Button Phones
• Vibrating Pad to assist waking guests with hearing disabilities in the event of a fire alarm (in our accessible rooms only)
• An evacuation chair is also available to enable our staff to assist with the emergency evacuation of disabled guests.
• A wheelchair is available for guests requiring access around the hotel on a complimentary basis.

Our lifts are located behind the main bedroom staircase giving access to all floors.

Bedrooms

Ashford International Hotel has 2 purpose built accessible rooms on the ground floor. Twin or double bedded combinations are available for both of these rooms.

In the bedrooms there is transfer space and turning of at least 120cm either side of the beds. The flooring in bedrooms is short pile carpet and flooring in bathrooms is tiled. Reading lamps are provided. Mini-bar fridges are supplied in each room and room service is 24 hours. Items of furniture can also be moved or removed on request.

One of the bathrooms is designed with an accessible wheel-in shower / wall mounted drop down seat and appropriate grab rails. Emergency pull cords link directly to reception from both the bedroom and bathroom. Horizontal and vertical grab rails are positioned at the side of the toilet. The sink units in each bathroom are height adjustable for ease of use.

In the event of fire alarm activation these rooms have both a sounder and a visual flashing light. In the event of an emergency a member of the team will assist with your evacuation if necessary. Fire evacuation advice is provided on the back of your bedroom door and disabled refuge areas are situated on the lift lobbies in case staff need to summon extra assistance during your evacuation.

Public areas & Toilet facilities

There are no steps or slopes on the main corridors and public areas on the ground floor.

All the restaurant, bar and lounge facilities at Ashford International Hotel are located on the ground floor making them easily accessible.

All lifts have audible enunciation and tactile buttons at standard height.

Accessible toilet facilities are located in the main boulevard by the leisure club and in the conference room corridor on the ground floor.

Conference, Banqueting & Meeting Rooms

Our meeting rooms are located on the first and ground floors of which all are fully accessible from Reception.

Hearing loops are available upon request in advance. Lighting can be dimmed where required.

Please notify your conference or banqueting manager for specific seating or staging requirements.

Reflections Leisure and Spa

The leisure club is located on the ground floor. A member of the leisure team will show you the facilities and assist with access to the swimming pool and spa. A chair lift is located in the Leisure facility to allow access to both upper and lower leisure levels. If required, a hoist is available to gently lower you in and out of the pool and spa bath. A dedicated accessible toilet, shower and changing area is located within the leisure club, with a drop down seat and appropriate grab rails. Access to poolside is on the same level and there are steps with a handrail into the pool. Both the steam room and sauna are accessible with door widths of 85cm. Seating is provided in both.

Outdoor Facilities

The patio area can be accessed via the rear hotel entrance which is level and paved. There is a revolving door along with an automatic opening door for easier access / egress.

Alternative means of transport

If not travelling by car, the nearest bus stop is located at the Sainsbury’s Superstore directly adjacent to the hotel. And the bus routes from here take you to Ashford Town Centre and Kennington where connections can be made to destinations further afield.

An accessible taxi service is available from Ashford Taxis or Blueline Taxis who can be contacted on (01233) 646646 or (01233) 666123 respectively.

The nearest train station is Ashford International Station which is approximately 5 minutes by car from the hotel. Ashford town centre is just 15 minutes walk from the hotel.

Local carers: available on request depending on your needs

Local equipment hire companies: available on request depending on your needs

Local public transport numbers for busses & trains: 0871 200 22 33