How to choose an accessible self-catering holiday property

The word “accessible” on a holiday property listing can mean almost anything. A grab rail by the bath. A ground-floor bedroom. A ramp at the front door. Or it can mean a bedroom ceiling-track hoist, profiling bed, roll-in wet room with a height-adjustable washbasin, and step-free access throughout. All of those listings use the same word.

This guide is for anyone who needs genuine access information before booking a self-catering holiday – not reassuring descriptions, but specific details you can actually use to make a decision.

Why listings are unreliable

Most self-catering platforms rely on owners to self-describe their properties. There is no universal standard for what “accessible” or “wheelchair friendly” means, and there is no verification. Owners generally describe their properties accurately as they understand them – but understanding access needs requires knowledge that most general lettings owners do not have.

The result is that the word “accessible” in a listing is not useful information on its own. You need the underlying details.

What to ask before you book

Before committing to any adapted property, get answers to these specific questions:

Arrival and outdoor access

• Is there step-free access from the car to the front door? (Not “ramped access” – is the route completely level, or does it include slopes that would be difficult for a powerchair?)
• What is the parking arrangement? Is there space for a vehicle with a rear or side ramp?
• Is the parking surface level and firm?
• What is the width of the front door – the actual measurement, not an estimate?

Internal layout

• What are the door widths throughout the property? 750mm is often stated as a minimum for manual wheelchairs; 850mm or more is better for powerchairs and lateral transfers.
• Is there step-free access between all rooms on a single level, including the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen?
• Is there a turning circle in the main bedroom – ideally 1500mm clear of obstructions?
• Are there any internal thresholds or lips between rooms?

Bathroom

The bathroom is the most important room in an adapted property. Generic descriptions are rarely sufficient. Ask:

• Is it a roll-in (wheel-in) shower, or does it have a step or ridge? What is the shower entry width?
• Are there grab rails at the toilet and in the shower – on both sides, or only one?
• What shower seating is provided (perching stool, portable chair, or none), and can the owner supply a shower chair if you need one?
• Is the washbasin at a fixed height or fully height-adjustable? Can it swing or move aside when you need clearer transfer or assistance space?
• Is there a ceiling or floor-based hoist, and if so, what is the safe working load?
• If a hoist is advertised, which rooms does the track actually cover (bedroom only, into the bathroom, or further)—and does that match how you transfer?
• What is the floor surface – wet room drainage, or a wet room with a slight camber?

Bedroom

• What is the bed height? Transfer height is typically 45-55cm from the floor.
• Is the bed a standard fixed frame, or an adjustable profiling bed?
• Is there a hoist, and is the track laid where you need it—for example fully over the bed, or extending into the bathroom?
• Is there space on both sides of the bed for transfers and for a carer to work?
• Is there storage for medical equipment, mobility aids, or a ventilator if needed?

Kitchen and living spaces

• Are kitchen worktops at a usable height from a seated position, or is the kitchen designed only for standing use?
• Is the main living area on the same level as the bedroom and bathroom?
• Are light switches, sockets, and thermostats at a reachable height from a wheelchair?

Sleeping for carers

• Is there a separate bedroom for a carer or support worker?
• If not, what are the sleeping arrangements for support staff?

Red flags in listings

These phrases should prompt follow-up questions rather than reassurance:

• “Accessible bathroom” – what specifically does this mean?
• “Ramped access” – what is the gradient, and where does it lead?
• “Ground-floor bedroom” – is the bathroom also accessible from that level?
• “Suitable for wheelchair users” – based on whose assessment?
• “Please ask for details” without any detail already visible – if they cannot describe access features upfront, they may not know what to describe.

What good looks like

A property that takes accessibility seriously will typically publish a detailed access statement – a document that lists dimensions, equipment specifications, and describes the property layout from an access perspective. This is not the same as a sentence in the listing saying “we’re fully accessible” with no detail behind it.

Good access information includes door widths (in millimetres), shower entry dimensions, toilet transfer space, bed height, hoist specification and safe working load, and notes on surface types and any thresholds. If you are looking at properties and one provides this and others do not, that difference tells you something useful before you have even visited.

Documentation to request

Before booking, ask the owner for:

• A written access statement or access guide
• Floor plan or room layout showing circulation space
• Photos of the shower, toilet, and bedroom – taken honestly, not for marketing
• Equipment specifications (hoist model and SWL if applicable, profiling bed model)

If the property is being considered for a funded stay, your social worker, OT, or commissioner may also need this documentation. A property that cannot provide it is unlikely to support the funding paperwork process.

Restwell’s approach

We publish a detailed access specification for Restwell – door widths, hoist specification, shower dimensions, and equipment details – so that guests, carers, occupational therapists, and commissioners can assess suitability without relying on descriptions. You can read the accessibility features page and ask us any specific questions before you commit to anything.

If the property does not suit your needs, we will tell you. We would rather give you a straight answer than have you arrive somewhere that does not work. Read who Restwell is for to understand whether we are likely to be a fit before you get in touch.

If you are planning to use a direct payment or personal health budget to cover care support during your stay, see our guide to using a direct payment for a holiday. If you are researching alternatives following the closure of Revitalise, our guide to accessible holiday alternatives covers the current options.