Overview

We booked a disabled room at the Indigo hotel, (formally the Royal British hotel) (photo 1) in one of there 64 bedrooms. There are automatic sliding doors at the entrance (photo 2) with a small step which a carer can easily manage, however, there is a second automatic door and small step just inside, which we found very difficult to get up, a young fit carer will easily manage though. At the far end of the passage (photo 3) is a lift, which has a tight squeeze to have to turn in to get you into the lift, a scooter would maybe do it with a bit of shuffling, but a power chair would struggle. We could only just get the wheelchair in and one person in a very small and narrow lift (photo 4). A normal size wheelchair and normal scooter can manage, but anything larger would not get in. Getting out of the lift on our floor level was again a tight fit with a short walk across a landing, (photo 5) which brought us to our corridor (photo 6) and our room. Entry into the room was fine, and the wheelchair could be stored by the door (photo 7) The furniture was old, but in keeping with the hotel, but it was a fairly big room with plenty of room to move about (photo 8). The wardrobe was very small and full of the ironing board which filled it, so hardly any space to hang clothes in. This hotel would be handy for one or two nights stay, but any longer and you would struggle to put your clothes anywhere. However, all the hotels are in old buildings so maybe the interiors would be the same as Indigo. The bathroom was a good size, with a walk in shower ( which all the bedrooms have ) with a rainfall shower head, a seat, grab rails and pull cord.(photo 9) and the towel rail was a heated one, which gave a nice warm feel in the bathroom. The reception is on the first floor, having taken that lift , but then it is on the level. (Photo 10). Booking in was easy enough (photo 11) and the staff were so friendly and helpful. Just by reception is the lounge, with a ramp, (photo 12) the room being very nice and relaxing (photo 13) but it is very small and not a lot of room to move about. The restaurant is also very nice, and can be accessed level (photo 14) and is now named as 20 Princess street restaurant. To get out of the hotel, you go along the corridor (photo 15) into the small lift (photo 16) go down to ground floor and out along passage (photo 17). Then out onto Princess Street, (photo 18) and catch the bus you need to get you along Edinburgh (photo 19), aiming towards the castle (photo 20). Our final thoughts For convenience and practicality this hotel is probably the best for disabled person, as everything you need is there for you. The station, the buses, the shops are all very close at hand. We enjoyed our short stay, although the hotel is old, it was a very friendly place, and the room was very good for size. Our main gripe was the awkwardness and size of lift.

Transport & Parking

The local bus service is very good, almost all buses stopping or starting at some point along Princess street, a fairly regular service, and disabled area on bus is well respected by other users. Bus stop numbers are clearly signed, with full details of the bus numbers on display.

Access

Getting into hotel entrance was not to difficult, although we could not manage it, and I had to get up and out of my wheelchair to get over a very small step, (photo 2) but others will make it seem easy. After a tight narrow bend at the end of a passage you have to get round, you can just get a normal sized wheelchair into the narrow lift (photo 4) with one other person, but anything larger we feel would not get into lift. Most of the rooms on upper floors have narrow passageways and bends to have to get round, (photo 6) however, if you can be bothered to try this hotel after our words, we feel you would enjoy your stay, and it is most certainly the most convenient hotel near to Waverley station and Princess street buses. The bedroom was very good, large enough, with storage space for wheelchair, and a nice large bathroom which can hold your chair.

Toilets

We did not have to use public toilets here, so cannot advice you, but bathroom in our room was very good, enough space to manoeuvre, grab rails and pull cord, clean and tidy.

Staff

Excellent staff throughout the hotel, all willing and helpful, a lovely welcome by the young lady receptionist, and everyone made our stay enjoyable.

Photos