Overview

I was invited to come and have a look at the new accessible rooms that the Invercarse Hotel had just opened.

Transport & Parking

The Invercarse Hotel has great accessible parking, especially for being a hotel. There are 4 accessible parking spaces beside the main entrance and there is also an accessible parking space outside each accessible bedroom. Dundee train station is roughly a 7-minute drive away from the Invercarse Hotel and there are plenty of taxis around Dundee. Buses also go by the Invercarse Hotel frequently as it is situated on the Perth Road which is a main road that runs from the city centre.

Access

To get to the main entrance of the Invercarse Hotel there is a slight kerb to get up, however this was manageable with my powerchair which usually struggles with everything. The main entrance doors to the hotel are quite heavy and if someone with a physical disability were on their own then they may struggle, I suggested a button to be connected to reception to make them aware if someone needs help. Once you are in the main entrance to the hotel, the bar and restaurant area are all level access and there is a clear and spacious pathway through to the restaurant from the bar. I have visited the Invercarse Hotel numerous times for meals, however the tables were always to low for me to enjoy my food. This time though the tables were at the perfect height and there was plenty of space between the tables. The accessible bedrooms are out with the main hotel and you gain access through external door leading straight to the room, there are four available. Going into the bedrooms there is a slight bump to get over the threshold, I needed my helper to support my chest when going in and out. There was also curtains in the doorway that I struggled to get in, I suggested tying them up by the sides of the doors There were plenty of plug sockets around the bedroom and space for storing luggage and any necessary equipment that guests may have. The bed would only allow guests that are wheelchair users to sleep at one side of the bed as there is no room to get around to the other side. I got told that the double bed can be made into two single beds if that is required, however there are adjoining rooms available for carers in a couple of the rooms. I unfortunately am not able to stay at the Invercarse Hotel though due to there not being a tracking hoist or a portable hoist not being able to fit under the beds. I would recommend visiting the Invercarse Hotel as the accessible rooms are modern, spacious and perfect for guests that can transfer without a hoist.

Toilets

The accessibility toilet in the main area of the hotel is quite small, with a large bin infront of the sink, which may cause problems for people transfer from a wheelchair and also needing assistance from someone they are with. The shower room in the accessible rooms however are really spacious and have plenty of room for guests to transfer on their own or with someone assisting them. The shower screen is able to be moved for easy access and even though the sink isn’t height adjustable, there is plenty of space underneath to allow someone in a wheelchair to get under. The only problem I could see when I visited the accessible bedroom was that the toilet was not in the middle of the wall in the shower room which could cause problems as guests would only be able to transfer at the right-hand side of the toilet.

Staff

I met with Libby Reynolds the Sales Manager at the Invercarse Hotel and she was very friendly and helpful with being able to answer any questions I had regarding accessibility. the staff I also interacted with in the restaurant and reception area were very friendly and welcoming also.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Whilst I visited I had lunch in the restaurant and it was delicious.

Photos