We have a relative coming to St Andrews this summer for our daughter's graduation. He and his wife want to stay in Edinburgh for a couple of nights before coming to St Andrews. He walks with a cane and has a hard time with stairs. Does anyone have a recommendation of a hotel close to the Royal Mile that doesn't have any stairs? We've stayed in Edinburgh a few times, but the places we've stayed wouldn't work for him. Apparently even having a staircase to the front door or steps up to the elevator would be an issue. I'm thinking that it might be best to have a full service hotel with lobby and bar so he had places that he could hang out when his wife and daughter wanted to do some sightseeing that would involve more than just a short meander down the street. Any suggestions?
Posted by
3122 posts
I can relate! My husband also has difficulty with stairs and uneven pavement. Edinburgh is a challenge because it is quite hilly and with frequent rain you're usually dealing with wet pavement & cobblestones. This goes double for the Royal Mile, as it is the older part of the city and situated on a steep hill.
We also found that many, if not most, hotels in Scotland do not have rooms on the ground floor. A large modern hotel with an elevator (British "lift") is probably your best bet. Edinburgh has zillions of hotels. See if Booking.com enables a filter for the amenity of an elevator/lift. Or try calling the Visit Scotland Edinburgh centre +44 131 473 3868
In visiting places like Edinburgh Castle, we found that other tourists were extremely courteous and helpful when I would say "Could you please let my husband hold onto the railing?" (he was too proud to ask himself). However, at Urquhart Castle they have a few mobility scooters and a couple of young kids from another country (don't know what country) grabbed them and zoomed away, leaving people with disabilities standing there. That was infuriating.
Posted by
OP
Washington
66 posts
Thank you, Epltd! We've tried the filtering for elevators, but unfortunately find that even with an elevator there are sometimes stairs to negotiate. In one case, we discovered via reviews that were posted that there are several steps up to the elevator for a hotel they were considering. I think that your suggestion to call/email a tourist office is a good one since they've likely dealt with similar concerns in the past. I'm also thinking that they might be better off getting a hotel on Princes Street where they'd still be close in, but on a street that would be easier walking for someone with a cane.
Posted by
Edinburgh
2639 posts
Try the Radisson Blu on the Royal Mile. I have never stayed there but been in there for functions and shows during the festival. certainly no steps from the entrance area and i am sure there are lifts to every floor. there is also a new Ibis hotel on South Bridge which will have complete disable access as it only opened about a year or so ago.
Posted by
OP
Washington
66 posts
Thank you, Uncle Gus! Both of those hotel suggestions look ideal for this situation. I've passed along the information.