The Wheelchair Nomad Hotel Review
Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott - Downtown Oakland, CA
This hotel is in the middle of downtown Oakland and is a great location for walking, or rolling, to a few restaurants and bars. But let’s talk about the actual factuals…
Positives: The entrance was accessible, and I had no problem coming and going as I pleased.
- The Wheelchair accessible rooms had a roll-in shower that was very spacious and equipped with a nice shower head. The bathroom also had cut out from underneath the sink that allowed me to handle my morning hygiene without any issues!
- The room had a refrigerator that was low enough for me! There were also 2 chairs in the room that were the appropriate height. One chair could have been enough for me because the 2nd chair was kind of blocking the lamp but hey, to each is own. I loved the fact the room had a space/desk for me to roll under and eat or work from my laptop or whatever!! A lot of hotels miss this key feature and I have to eat on the bed because there is not an accessible table I can roll under.
Negatives: I don’t know why hotels can’t get this bed situation right … The bed was extremely too high, and I could not get in and out of it on my own. My friends literally had to pick me up and throw me in the bed …. I don’t see how majority of permanent wheelchair user could get in and out on their own… I understand that the higher bed may be beneficial for people that have a hard time standing to get out of bed, but this is why we must understand and make a distinction between HANDICAP accessible and WHEELCHAIR accessible… these are not the same thing
- (pictures below) This does not have to do with the hotel’s accessibility, but car break-ins seem to be a big problem. Our vehicle was broken into along with another family. I think the hotel could have done a better job with helping us in the process and overall security. ESPECIALLY FOR $30 a NIGHT for parking!!!
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Overall, this hotel gets a B- grade on the Wheelchair Nomads grading scale!! I could stay here by myself but hopefully there is someone around to help me get in and out of that extremely high bed. But other than that, it was great!
Hotels across the country and the world better get it together because The Wheelchair Nomad is coming for you! If you would like for me and my team to travel to a location/hotel and grade its accessibility, please reach out at www.Fletchercleaves.com
Our car was broken into in the Hotel’s secured parking. The hotel staff was not very helpful and did not seem to care.
Bed was extremely high. I could not get in it without my friends physically lifting me up.
The desk was a fantastic feature. I was able to work and eat comfortably.
Right under the camera
Almost shoulder height
Shower was pretty open and accessible ].
Sink was very accessible. Great height and cutout