This article is also available in: 日本語
My interview reports are not finished yet, but let’s take a break.
I would like to introduce the hotels I stayed in Minnesota. In the U.S., there is a wheelchair accessible room (ADA room) at every hotels.
We do have the same kind of room in Japan called “barrier free room”, but usually we need to pay more to stay in those rooms.
Here in the U.S. you can request a wheelchair accessible room at booking or checking in, and usually you are not charged extra payment under ADA.
I have stayed in 2 hotels in Minnesota.
1. RADISSON HOTEL BLOOMINGTON BY MALL OF AMERICA
Official Website：
http://www.radisson.com/bloomington-hotel-mn-55425/mnblmmal
15 mins drive from Minneapolis airport. It is very close of the biggest shopping mall in the US, Mall of America.
4 people could stay in the room with double bed + bunk bed for kids.
The room is quite big so that wheelchair users can go around easily.
The bathroom has wide sliding door and no step between the hallway to bathroom.
The guest room has semi-automatic entrance door which open automatically when you push it a little.
It is not only about accessibility, I also really loved their amenity.
They use flagrance which reminds me of Japan such as Japanese citron, Japanese mint, and cherry blossom.
This hotel is also connecting with a famous water park, Water Park of America, so I recommend for a family with kids.
Facility : ☆☆☆☆
Service : ☆☆☆
Cleanness: ☆☆☆☆
Location : ☆☆☆☆☆
Cost performance: ☆☆☆☆
2. THE COMMONS HOTEL
Official Website：
The hotel is located on University of Minnesota.
It is very stylish and cozy hotel.
The room is big enough for a wheelchair user and makes it easy to go around.
The hanger rail of closet is lower so that a wheelchair user can reach easily.
The bathroom has a sliding door and completely flat floor.
You see the huge bathroom in the picture.
However, there are 2 points I didn’t feel comfortable.
The 2 mirrors are located in the corner of bathroom.
If I stand in front of it, I cannot see myself.
I have to move to left or right in order to see myself clearly.
It is not convenient.
The bathroom has roll in shower equipped a chair to let a wheelchair transfer and take a shower.
However the adjustable shower by the chair has low water pressure.
Eventually I used the other shower which is fixed and located on the other side without a chair which means I sit on the floor. I can do this but maybe not for other wheelchair users…
Facility : ☆☆
Service : ☆☆☆
Cleanness: ☆☆☆☆
Location : ☆☆☆☆
Cost performance: ☆☆☆
You can request a ADA room when booking a hotel online.
Please try when you go on a trip to the US!