Why Accessibility Starts Long Before Check-In
We are proud to announce that 5 of our Irish hotels have completed Failte Ireland’s Access for Success programme, an initiative designed to help tourism businesses create more accessible and inclusive experiences.
Accessibility is often associated with physical features such as ramps, lifts and accessible bedrooms. While these are important, our experience with Fáilte Ireland's Access for Success Programme showed us that accessibility starts much earlier than a guest arriving at reception.
For many people, the experience begins online. Finding accurate information about parking, entrances, bedrooms, dining spaces and hotel facilities can determine whether a guest feels confident enough to book in the first place.
The programme challenged us to review our hotels from a guest's perspective and identify barriers that may not always be obvious. In many cases, the most valuable improvements were not major building projects but better communication, clearer information and a greater understanding of the different needs guests may have.
One of the most significant outcomes was the development of detailed Accessibility Statements and Access Guides for each participating hotel. These resources provide practical information about facilities, access routes, parking, bedrooms, dining areas and other key details that help guests make informed decisions before travelling.
The programme also included training for hotel teams, helping colleagues across front office, reservations, food and beverage, housekeeping and management develop a deeper understanding of accessible and inclusive tourism.
A key takeaway was that accessibility improvements rarely benefit just one group of guests. Clearer signage, more accessible websites, better information and thoughtful customer service improve the experience for everyone. A parent travelling with a buggy, a guest recovering from an injury, an older traveller or someone with a temporary mobility issue can all benefit from measures originally designed to improve accessibility.
Across all five hotels, the programme encouraged teams to look at familiar spaces and processes differently. From website content and booking journeys to arrival experiences and guest communications, every touchpoint was reviewed through an accessibility lens.
While we are proud to have completed the Access for Success Programme, the greatest value comes from the knowledge and awareness our teams have gained. Accessibility is not a checklist to complete. It is an ongoing process of understanding guest needs, identifying barriers and continuously improving the experience we provide.
We would like to thank Fáilte Ireland for its guidance and support throughout the programme and congratulate the teams at Osprey Hotel, The Hoban Hotel, Viking Hotel, Aspect Hotel Park West and Cahernane House Hotel for their commitment and hard work.
The result is not simply a certification. It is a stronger understanding of how to make our hotels more welcoming, more inclusive and easier to enjoy for all guests.