London hotel: location or access, which comes first?

Guoman Hotel, Charing Cross

I had the opportunity to stay at the Guoman Hotel a couple of weeks ago and I was asked what I thought about its accessibility. I thought I might as well blog about it.

This hotel is in a Grade 11 listed building which means  a building of special architectural or historic interest. Now as I understand it, not every wheelchair accessible room in this hotel is the same because they are not standard rooms.  And the room I was given this time is bigger than the one I stayed in 2 years ago. But here goes:

This hotel is ideal, location wise, certainly very central. You cannot be better placed in London. Right next to Charing Cross Station in proximity to Trafalgar Sq and over the bridge behind the station is the Southbank with all its tourist delights. In this sense it is very accessible – transport at the door, bus, train and taxi.

My hotel room is reasonably spacious even if the bed had to be shifted for my wheelchair to be parked alongside it. I found the bed to be quite high – not that easy to negotiate transfers given that I am not very tall. My colleague told me he had to abandon a meeting at one point because he had effectively no bed to sleep in – the beds here are not to be used with hoists!

I had another problem and that is that there were  no electric sockets near the bed. There was a socket by the bed for the lamp but this turned out not to be an ordinary 3 pin socket. This proves to be difficult for me as a power wheelchair user. Neither could they provide me with an extension lead. This omission seems strange considering the hotel put in facilities like a switch to facilitate  opening and shutting curtains. However the telephone was located across the room ( this made it tough on other guests if you had asked for an early morning wake up call!) I couldn’t leap up to cross the room to stop the phone ringing.

shower room

I was pleasantly surprised by the size of my roll in shower! It was bigger than my wet room at home! It had an anti slip floor. There was enough of a colour contrast of the bathroom equipment had I a visual impairment.  If I had any gripes, it would be that the emergency cord was tied up high above to be of any use for emergencies . Something the cleaning staff did probably.

Another point to note for wheelchair users, or anybody with a mobility impairment,  is that this hotel has very stiff doors and they are not easy to negotiate on your own.

You can find out more about the hotel from its own website.

Christmas in London

London Embankment, originally uploaded by ewheeling.

 

The wintry evenings drawn in and tonight the Oxford Street Christmas lights will be switched by Jim Carrey, the star of A Christmas Carol from 5pm – 6.30pm.

There’s a reason why they herald the Oxford Street Christmas lights – because Christmas is all about shopping and getting presents. I am afraid there’s a bit of the Ebenezer Scrooge in me and I want to say ‘humbug’ – I don’t like fighting the crowds and I don’t like shopping.

However here are a few ideas for you – either as a present or for yourselves when you have finished the shopping. An afternoon tea at one of the top restaurants known for offering the English tea at its best – with all the trappings of Christmas. Here is a choice of 4 places for you – gift vouchers are available from £23.50 per person (Mandeville).

Its interesting that all these exclusive hotels do still have  steps, which they hasten to reassure me that staff would be more than happy to assist. I have not availed myself of any of these treats yet but if I do – (hint, hint) I will be sure to give a report. All of them require reservations in advance!

Tea at the Ritz

150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7493 8181
reservations

A formal dress code is observed in the public areas of the Hotel. Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie in The Ritz Restaurant, The Palm Court and The Rivoli Bar. Jeans and sport shoes are not permitted in any of these areas. Booking in advance is strongly recommended, particularly at weekends.

At Christmas The Ritz becomes more magical than ever; a spectacular Christmas tree takes pride of place in the lobby, cascades of lights hang from the rotunda above.

Christmas Afternoon Tea

From Monday, 14th December – Thursday, 24th December 2009, Christmas Afternoon Tea will be served at 15.30, 17.30 and 19.30 (traditional afternoon tea at 11:30 and 13:30) Enjoy a special festive afternoon tea in the spectacular Palm Court on selected dates over Christmas, which will include a glass of Champagne along with our traditional choice of several varieties of tea, finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones, jam and clotted cream and a range of delicate pastries. Your tea will be accompanied by carol singers. Reservations must be made in advance to avoid disappointment.

£50 each but you can go to lastminute.com and its £82 for 2 people.

Access – best to go through Piccadilly entrance.

Brown’s Hotel

Brown’s Hotel, Albemarle Street, London, W1S 4BP
Tel : +44 (0)20 7493 6020
reservations

Throughout the festive season, The English Tea Room at Brown’s Hotel serves its award-winning afternoon tea accompanied by the resident pianist playing well-known Christmas carols. The festive tea includes Yule logs, mince pies, turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce, scones and Christmas cake, plus a choice of 17 different teas. From £37 per person.

Access for wheelchair users – there is a small step to negotiate (about +2 ins or 5 cm) to get into the hotel but a ramp will be made available.

Claridge’s

Brook Street, Mayfair
London W1K 4HR
T: +44 (0)20 7629 8860
Email: reservations@claridges.co.uk

Festive Champagne Afternoon Tea (21st November – 3rd January)

The special menu will include a selection of finger sandwiches, a glass of fine champagne, freshly baked apple and raisin scones, assorted French pastries, a tea or coffee of your choice and a selection of traditional Christmas pastries. Festive Champagne Afternoon Tea is offered at £45.00 per person or £50.00 per person on all Saturdays and Sundays before Christmas, accompanied by Christmas Carols performed live by the Southend Boys Choir.

Access: Get onto pavement at corner with Davies and Brook Street and its ramped access into the main entrance.

The Mandeville Hotel

Mandeville Place
W1U 2BE, London
T: +44 (0)20 7935 5599
E-Mail: reservations@mandeville.co.uk

Renowned for its afternoon tea offerings, the Mandeville has created a Christmas Afternoon Tea that is sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit and will provide a much needed break from Christmas shopping! Choose from a sumptuous selection of treats such as devils on horseback, clementine and walnut tarts, mince pies, fruit cake, stollen and gingerbread. After tea, indulge in our festive cocktail selection in the deVigne Bar. The new Mandeville Gingerbread Martini, created exclusively for the deVigne Bar by bar manager Claudio Grisorio, is a rich and warming cocktail made with vodka, orange curaçao and honey and muddled with homemade gingerbread.

Vouchers from £23.50 per person

Access : Staff reassures that there is no problem for access for the tea room from the bar

London ‘is the most creative city in the world’

Something to celebrate for London!! I don’t think we celebrate enough about what/how wonderful it is as a city! I do not live there but only being a short hour by train away, I feel benefit from all the capital has to offer without having to pay for the privilege of living there…..but I get a buzz everytime I get there! I am not surprised that it has been given this accolade.

London has taken the top spot as the most creative city in the world, according to The Cannes Report, the new rankings system published by the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.

With its 24 Lion lead over New York in 2nd place, the €149 (£139) report’s authors say that this ‘is an achievement that illustrates that London is once again regaining its position as a worldwide creative hotspot despite the current economic climate.’

The report also says that, after a couple of lean years of slipping down the rankings, creativity in the UK as a whole seems to be back on track. It ranks agencies, regions, and even cities by success at the festival. After a decline in the number of Lions won, the UK has this year been awarded 30 more than its 2008 total.

The Cannes Report includes worldwide creative rankings, seminar analyses and jury presidents’ insights.

from Digital Arts

French appreciation for London visit

Un grand merci à notre guide !

Nous avons été  très heureux de la découverte de Londres que vous nous avez permise le 31 juillet. La traversée d’une partie de Londres en bus matin et après-midi, un excellent restaurant à midi, sans attente et loin des touristes, la découverte du cœur de Londres à pieds, … cette journée fut vraiment superbe.

Nous avons particulièrement apprécié cette longue promenade le long des quais de la Tamise, de Westminster bridge à la passerelle du Millenium, égayée par  les amuseurs publics, les stands de livres, les skaters. Vous nous avez ainsi permis de découvrir ou redécouvrir Big Ben, Westminster, Le County Hall, le Royal National Theater, La tour Oxo, Le Tate modern, Saint Paul et nous en passons.

Et vous n’aviez pas omis les pauses nécessaires !  A commencer par ce rafraichissement pris sur cette petite place aux accents méditerranéens dont le nom nous échappe et où travaillaient des artisans. Et cette glace prise sur une terrasse de Leicester square ! Sublime !

Nous vous sommes vraiment reconnaissants et ne manquerons pas de faire appel à vous lors d’un prochain voyage en Angleterre.

Maria Luisa, Philippe et Rafael

Philippe. Isa and Rapheal

translation
A big thank you to our guide!

We were very happy to explore London with you as agreed on July 31. The traversing of a part of London bus morning and afternoon, an excellent restaurant at noon, no queuing and away from other tourists, discovering the heart of London on foot … this day was really great.

We particularly enjoyed the long walk along the banks of the Thames from Westminster Bridge to the  Millennium Bridge, enlivened by street performers, book stalls, skaters. You have enabled us to discover or rediscover Big Ben, Westminster, the County Hall, the Royal National Theater, the Oxo Tower, Tate Modern, St. Paul and many more.

And you did not omit the necessary breaks! Beginning with refreshments we took  on a  small area with Mediterranean accents whose name escapes us and where craftsmen worked. And the ice creams taken on a terrace of Leicester Square! Gorgeous!

We are truly grateful and will certainly call on you at any  upcoming trips to England.
Maria Luisa, Philippe and Rafael

Chinatown

View of the Thames

St Pauls

Statue

Access in London cafes

There are cafes galore in London. Some serve better coffee than others and some serve more than coffee and most pubs now will also serve coffees. However not all of them are accessible.

Here I would like to introduce the Roundhouse Cafe The Roundhouse has been singled out as a case study for an accessible makeover – if I can call it that, by the RIBA no less (Royal Institute of British Architects). See the video on youtube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZSJafFwIr0&feature=related And right now there is also the installation on by David Bryne: Playing the building.

However, on the other side a bit further on from Camden, in Southampton Row, I couldn’t get in to a branch of a big chain, Costa Coffee. There was one big step but there was a lovely buzzer with a wheelchair sign on but they had no ramp after doing the buzzer. My friends got in and asked for access for me (and was told that there was no access) and reported  about the nice accessible toilet inside! I am still miffed – here is a photo of me at the door   – no admission for wheelchair users.

no admittance photo by J Bowen

“It Hasn’t Happened Yet!”

'It Hasn't happened yet' poster

I went to Liz Carr’s …it hasn’t happened yet at the Soho Theatre. I’ve seen her before at the Liberty Festival at Trafalgar Square and listened to her with co presenter, Matt Fraser, on the Ouch podcast

I was alerted by an invitation on Facebook to see it and since I happened to be in London, I stayed on till 8pm and wheeled over to Soho Theatre to catch it.

The word “acerbic” came to mind. But then we are getting used to that type of crip humour but I did giggle at fisting with arthritis – I think, I think some people would not even admit to knowing the word. Anyway it was great and it turned out to be an excellent show.

She’s going on tour so catch the show if it comes at a theatre near you. And she will be at the Liberty Festival too.

“It Hasn’t Happened Yet!”

Following successful previews in Melbourne, London and at Leicester Comedy Festival, disabled comedian Liz Carr brings her new show to the Soho Theatre on the 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th August 2009.

Written and performed by Carr and directed by New York-based actor and director Christine Bruno, “It Hasn’t Happened Yet!” follows burgeoning comedian Alex Saunders as she navigates her way through the minefields of disability and comedy with wheelchair and alter-ego in tow.

“Nothing is sacred with Liz Carr and Melbourne is seldom graced with a talent like hers. Her play, which tells the story of Alex tackling the mainstream as a crip jokester, is a finely hewed piece where theatre and stand-up are seamlessly interposed.”
Art of Difference, Melbourne 2009

Originally commissioned in 2007 by The Arena, Wolverhampton and supported by The Arts Council, It Hasn’t Happened Yet! will be touring the UK in autumn 2009.

itinerary helps 2 families to enjoy London!

Its been so long since I wrote last – I thought I should go back to writing. I have been immersed in writing tenders and took on a part time job as Access and information coordinator for Disability Awareness in Action.

But for Connect Culture travel advisory service, I have helped 2 families enjoy London.

Firstly a family from Strasbourg who wanted a day trip to London as part of their son’s cultural experience and language course in the UK and another family of 5 from Northampton. This is the first time they have gone to London for a family holiday.

This is what Suzanne wrote:

Dear Connect Culture

We are having a great time in London. We have used most of your advice except for the one about not bothering to go on the London Eye (perhaps a mistake?). However, we booked our tickets on line and managed to save quite a lot of money.

We saved more than £60 by taking your advice on on-line tickets purchase for entrance to London Dungeons at 6pm. We have also booked to go to Roller Skating Disco at O2 on Friday and will go ahead and use the 25% discount offer at Iguanas too.

Thanks a bunch for everything. We have been to alot of the free museums you recommended and will talk to you soon.

Well, maybe I am blasé but I’ve always thought the iconic London Eye is a bit over rated. But maybe I am wrong.

Philippe, Isa and Rapheal

Hopefully I will get their review in French soon!

Shine09 and Bodies on the Edge at Coventry Artspace

One thing about taking on an extra contract of work is time for reflection and recollection becomes scarce. Coupled with moving flats, and creating a new home – immensely satisfactory work for a near nomad like myself (for the last 10 years or so anyway) – I am finding myself contemplating pictures that has been stored away for the past few years.

However, last Friday I took myself to the Shine09 Unconference for social entrepreneurs – last year, I couldnt really participate because of the venue’s inaccessibility and I complained vehemently. I had to go this year because they promised me a free ticket and better access for this year.

SHINE is the UnConference for Social Entrepreneurs, taking social ideas into action. It’s two days for you to come together with other social entrepreneurs, investors, and business experts to form practical collaborations, develop your ideas and debate the future of social enterprise.

And I must say they delivered on that score. I love the King Place (Kings Place, 90 York Way, Kings Cross, London N1 9AG). I arrived a bit late and the only real discussion I took part in was the one of Refugees, BAMEs and social entrepreneurship. Shankara Angadi of the Twist Partnership referred to challenges faced by that community as hurdles to be taken rather than challenges, he would have social entrepreneurs think that they have the advantage of creativity and determination to succeed rather than locals who have got used to the benefit culture – who would use disadvantage to be the reason/excuse to stop them from succeeding. Many repudiated that -including me – in voicing that with all the will in the world, there are certain factors which makes it very difficult, for instance, linguistic skills and the discrimination which then follows by not being able to communicate effectively. A lady named Mona was very emphatic that her lack of English is a definite barrier.

There was also a guy from Future Builders England who spoke about the need to find out how they can help these communities. I wished I had time to go to take advantage of the one to  one workshops such as on legal structures …

And then I went to the party at the Hub, Kings Cross. Met up with people I met from last year such as Dave Dawes and Ben Metz and other new friends such as Denise Stephens and Dominic Campbell from Enabled by Design. Met Nic Jones (UnLtd) and Felix Gonzales people whom I would like to keep in touch with.

Denise and friend

I went to a performance at Coventry Artspace ‘Bodies on the Edge’ on Saturday instead of going back to London. Commitments call closer to home.

It is part of a two day event from Coventry based company
Jolie Laide. The event, which will take over a number of weird,
wonderful and unexpected spaces in the Artspace building and garden,
will offer a cutting edge selection of multi disciplinary art forms
including dance, live art, sculpture, sound based art and digital
media. Bodies on the Edge will bring together twenty established and
emergent visual and performing artists from across the West Midlands.
These include Bruce Coates, Walt Adams and Jonny Marks, Vitesh
Vithlani, Luisa Pinto Teixeira, Corrinna Spencer, Nick Peters and New
Macho Company. Jolie Laide was founded by Gill Williams and Leah
Alcock.

hip hop workshop

DBA Inclusive Design Challenge 2009

I went to the DBA Inclusive Design Challenge 2009 (from the Royal College of Art Helen Hamlyn Centre) on impulse.

DBA Inclusive Design Challenge

The DBA Inclusive Design Challenge – innovation through inclusive design – is an annual design competition with a difference. It illustrates the key role design can play in enhancing the quality of life for older and disabled people and all of us.

A collaboration between the Design Business Association (DBA) and the Helen Hamlyn Centre, it was launched in 2000 as a creative response to the poor level of design endemic to the disability aids and equipment sector.
How does it work?

DBA member consultancies from all design disciplines are invited to respond to a design challenge: to create a mainstream product, service, environment or communication, which can be enjoyed equally by consumers of all abilities.

The shortlisted teams work with the centre, disabled users and other experts to ensure that all aspects of inclusivity are considered. The centre mentors the teams throughout the design process.

The aim is to develop innovative scenarios for a new generation of inclusive products, services, environments and communications – ones that meet the needs of the widest range of consumers. In short, inclusive design at the cutting edge of innovation.

I wonder if this is a good difference with the innovation challenge (see below) on Monday might. I did not really know what I was to expect but there was a short speech from Dominic Campbell on behalf of Denise Stephens for Enabled by Design. and the user’s forum.

It is good to have the awards – I like the sound of the cushion which was the winning entry – and this engaged with users. I have mixed feelings, I think I thought I would see entries from disabled designers or at least co-designing. Are there no disabled designers? I met a few of the people from the user’s forum and I was asked if I would like to be in one next time round. I think I want to be part of a design team!

One great note is that I got the number 10 bus to and fro without problems – good to know for future excursions to the Royal Albert Hall.

King’s Cross, St Pancras and a Travelodge

I had a meeting in London and another in Leicester the next day so I thought I would stay overnight instead of having 2 early starts and being overstretched energy wise. My meetings went well on Thursday and Greg Cowan of Architects without Borders who lives nearby popped in with Denise Stevens of Enabled by Design for an update on my apartment adaptation update. Denise is interested because her website is to provide support for those who aim to bring together modern design with assistive devices and Greg because he is interested in accessibility from an architectural perspective.

It is funny how hotel rooms can vary even if they are a chain. This Travelodge is obviously older and the adapts are not as good as those which were in the design from the onset-as is the case in Euston Travelodge. This hotel has several levels and uses a platform lift to negotiate between them which is far from ideal.

However this hotel does not have a roll in shower either and they only have a bath. The room was spacious enough however I couldn’t get to the window to draw back the curtains. The staff came up amost immeadiately and was very helpful.

I went back to have a cup of tea at Greg’s apartment and met his lovely wife, Claire, and went back, stopping to pick up a takeaway for me. The restaurantas around that area cannot be said to be too wheelchair friendly and I only found a kebab place. And it had started to rain!

The next morning  I struggled off to St Pancras – I missed the train I meant to go on because the station itself is confusing in its signage.  I questioned myself if I should have factored in an extra half hour on top of the half hour that I have to give as a disabled passenger needing assistance.

Kings Cross Travelodge