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Spain is a popular destination for escaping the chilly European winters, and Alicante, with its stunning coastline and city life, seemed like the perfect place to catch some sunshine. During my visit, I stayed at the Odyssey Rooms Alicante, a centrally located hotel just a few hundred meters from a bus stop where the airport shuttle also stops.
While I was excited to explore the city, my experience with the hotel’s accessibility was mixed — so let me walk you through it.
Upon arrival, I was caught off guard by a small staircase at the entrance. Fortunately, there was a compact elevator next to the stairs. However, as a power wheelchair user with additional accessories, fitting into this elevator was a tight squeeze. I had to remove my bags every time I entered, which quickly became frustrating.
On some days, the elevator malfunctioned, and I had to enter the hotel through the parking garage — an inconvenient and less-than-ideal solution. If you use a heavy power wheelchair, I wouldn’t recommend this hotel unless you’re prepared for these obstacles.
The wheelchair accessible room is located on the 5th floor, accessible via another small elevator. Again, this elevator barely accommodated my chair, leaving no room for anyone else to join me on the ride up.
That said, the room itself was surprisingly spacious, especially for a city hotel. The absence of carpet made it easier to navigate, and the bed height was perfect for using a hoist, which was a major reason we chose this hotel. The room also featured a large TV, a coffee corner, and a couch. After a bit of rearranging, we made even more space to move around comfortably.
I appreciated that most switches and the temperature panel were lowered, making them easily accessible from my wheelchair.
The bathroom was one of the highlights of the room. It had a sliding door for easy entry, and the toilet was surrounded by handrails, accessible from the front, left, and right sides.
Next to the toilet was a roll-in shower with a small shower chair. The bathroom was spacious enough for me to maneuver my power chair, and the sink had enough clearance to roll underneath — a feature not always guaranteed in accessible hotel rooms. My favorite part was the adjustable mirror, which allowed me to see myself without difficulty.
One downside of the hotel’s accessibility was that I couldn’t enter the building independently. The entrance elevator required someone from the reception to operate, meaning I always needed assistance to get in and out.
Despite this, I have to give credit to the hotel staff. They were incredibly kind and willing to help whenever needed. The hotel is also famous for its rooftop bar, which is accessible via the same elevator that reaches the fifth floor, offering lovely city views during the summer.
While the accessible room itself was well-equipped and comfortable, the struggles with the entrance and elevators made the stay less convenient. For manual wheelchair users or those with smaller chairs, this hotel might be a great option. However, power wheelchair users should carefully consider the challenges I’ve mentioned.
Overall Accessibility Rating: 3/5 Stars
If the hotel improves its entrance and elevator system, it could become a fantastic option for travelers with mobility needs. Until then, it remains a decent choice — but only if you’re prepared for a few obstacles.
