Hamburg, Germany - Hotel (IBIS Hamburg Alster)

These notes refer to the IBIS Hamburg Alster and are intended to assist other wheelchair users or handicapped travelers considering staying at this hotel. This review addresses only issues related to access. For general information and reviews about this hotel go to tripadvisor.

The hotel is situated close to the centre of Hamburg, a few meters from the Alster river. Access to the hotel is level from the street pavement through automatic doors. There is no curb cut in the pavement outside the hotel, so if you arrive by taxi you will need some assistance to mount the curb. Inside, the lobby, bar and restaurant are all on one level and access is easy. There is a handicapped toilet off the lobby.

The lift (elevator) is too narrow to turn in, but quite deep so there is plenty of room. My room was close to the elevator on the first floor (one above ground floor). The room itself was very small and compact and just about big enough to get around. There was really only access to one side of the bed. The workdesk was small but usable. The electric sockets could not be reached easily. Wifi Ethernet (extra charge) worked well. The window was open when I arrived, letting in a lot of noise from the train tracks behind. It is not possible to close and secure the window from a wheelchair.

The bed was a double, and at a comfortable height for transfers. All lights in the room could be controlled from a switch by the bed. The TV controls were left on the bed, and the A/C controls were at a comfortable height. The closet was perfectly positioned for access and use, although it had no door.

The bathroom was large enough to maneuver in – just! Sink was a good size with plenty of knee room underneath. The toilet was beside the sink making transfers on and off a little difficult. A well positioned fold-up handrail provided good support while on the toilet. The shower was a roll-in type with a small plastic fold-up seat attached to the wall. A fold-down grab rail provided stability in the shower. The handrail and shower controls could be reached easily from the shower seat. The shower hose was a hand-held mounted on a rail at a good height. The towels in the bathroom were a little high, but two extra towels were left in the bedroom in an easily accessible location.

IBIS rooms tend to be basic, no-frills type accommodation and some I have stayed in were smaller than this. I would recommend this hotel to wheelchair users, and would stay there again if visiting Hamburg.