Ironically, inns and B&Bs can be the ideal choice for people with disabilities. In fact, many innkeepers have added accessible guest rooms or made other access modifications because they have friends or family members who are disabled. Additionally, innkeepers are intimately familiar with the access features of their property, and guests are guaranteed the specific (accessible) room they reserve. This isn’t always the case in large hotels, where access requests are sometimes lost in the shuffle and reservation clerks are clueless about access modifications. Indeed, sometimes access needs are more adequately addressed at smaller properties. With that in mind, here’s a sampling of some accessible inns and B&Bs from across the US.

Harraseeket Inn: Freeport, Maine
If you’re longing for the ambiance of a traditional New England Inn, then check out the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport, Maine. This historic inn includes two period buildings that were built in 1795 and 1850, plus a new wing that was added in 1989.

Today the restored property includes two accessible guest rooms, Room 107 and Room 204. Both rooms feature a level entry, wide doorways, good pathway access and lowered closet rods. Room 107 includes a bathroom with a tub/shower combination while Room 204 has a bathroom with a roll-in shower. There is good access throughout the public areas of the inn, including an indoor pool equipped with a pool lift. Truly, innkeeper Chip Gray thought of everything as far as access is concerned, including an ample selection of disability-focused magazines in the library. Now that’s really accessible!

Victoria Inn: Murphys, California
The Victoria Inn located in historic Murphys, California. Formerly the Redbud Inn, this classic country property combines quaint charm with modern accessibility. Mae’s Room, which is located on the ground floor, features a comfortable queen-sized bed, plus a spacious tiled bathroom with a roll-in shower, a roll-under sink and grab bars around the toilet and in the shower. There is also barrier-free access to all the ground floor public areas, including the breakfast room and parlor. Quite a surprising find in this restored California gold rush town!

Dream Catcher Inn: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Located just outside Las Cruces, New Mexico, the Dream Catcher Inn features three guest rooms, all of which are wheelchair-accessible. Rooms 1 and 2 each have a roll-in shower with a built-in shower seat while Room 3 has a jet tub with grab bars. All areas of the inn feature level access, wide doorways and barrier-free access. Indeed it’s very nicely done access-wise.

Inn at Honey Run: Ohio
Located in the heart of Ohio Amish country, The Inn at Honey Run is another surprising find; both in terms of access and ambiance. Far from your typical Amish inn, this unique property features sleek contemporary lines blended into a natural setting. Room 121 has excellent pathway access and a great view of the adjacent woods; and it includes an oversized bathroom with a roll-in shower and two shower seat options (a chair and a bench). The inn is surround by 60 nature-filled acres, and although the trails aren’t exactly wheelchair-accessible, innkeeper Phil Jenkins is quick to suggest an appropriate solution. "We can easily take guests along the trails in our gator or golf cart," he offers. "It’s a beautiful area and nobody should miss out on it."

Indeed a innkeeper’s attitude can make or break a property, at least as far as access in concerned. Take innkeepers Anita and Ken McLeod for example. Their proactive access attitude actually predates their innkeeping days. As the result of knee surgery and arthritis, Anita walks with a cane, so she is keenly aware of access obstacles. "Throughout our travels, I came to realize that many so-called accessible rooms are actually pretty poorly equipped," says Anita. Because of this awareness, Anita and Ken designed their Dream Catcher Inn to be as accessible as possible.

So next time you’re looking for an accessible room, consider an inn or a B&B. Remember, more often than not, there really is (an accessible) room at the inn!

Candy Harrington is the editor of Emerging Horizons and the author of Barrier-Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. Her newest book, There is Room at the Inn, features detailed access information on 117 inns and B&Bs across the US. Visit Candy’s blog at BarrierFreeTravels.com for access news, resources and industry updates. All photos by Charles Pannell.

© 2006

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