Best area to stay in Dublin for someone in a wheelchair
 

Hi, Which area of Dublin would you recommend to stay in for someone in a wheelchair so we can see the most? Do you have any accessible hotel ideas?
Also, what sights would be wheelchair friendly? Thanks for your help. We'll be there 2 nights.Joan

I have no mobility problems (other than a fondness for being lazy) nor have I had a great deal of experience going about with people with mobility issues. But, in general, provision for wheelchair users in Ireland is good, as it is mandatory with only a few exceptions. Buses can be awkward, and only a minority of taxis are equipped for wheelchairs. Hotels, restaurants, cultural institutions, and pubs are generally accessible.

In my opinion, the best area to stay is the south city centre area outside Temple Bar - that's general for all visitors, not only those using wheelchairs.

I venture to say that anywhere around St. Stephen's Green would be ideal for wheel chair. I recommend <b>Staunton's on the Green</b>...access to Trinity, O'Connell Street, Grafton Street, The Doors of Dublin, Temple Bar, The Castle, etc. would be best served from anywhere around the Green as suggested.

Thank you. Any more hotel suggestions? Stauntons looks like it has a lot of steps in front. Is there another entrance?

It's been ten years since I was in Dublin, but the area near St. Stephen's Green also came immediately to my mind. Unfortunately the hotels I've stayed in there both had a few steps leading to the entrance, which of course doesn't rule out their having accessible entrances elsewhere. I'd suggest going to TripAdvisor, identifying a list of hotels in that area that look appealing on location and price for your dates, and then going to each hotel's website to look for accessibility information.

By the way, I enjoyed touring the Guinness Brewery. I just checked the website, & it says the building is accessible.

http://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/Inside.aspx

joan...re: Staunton's, sorry, I don't recall...although I do remember a back entrance which faces a very nice quiet park. One time in Chile, I was impressed when a hotel employee laid out a special-use ramp for wheel chairs. Good luck!

I mentioned that there were a few exceptions to mandatory provision for wheelchair users. One is where a building has historic or architectural significance that would be compromised by creating wheelchair access. That might apply to Staunton's, which is a Georgian building. The nearby Travelodge is purpose-built, so should be fine for access: http://www.travelodge.ie/hotels/560/...ampaign=Dublin

There's also Stephens Green Hotel. I can't remember if there are steps up to it, but I'm pretty sure there is disabled access as there was a lady in a wheelchair there when we stayed.

http://www.stephensgreenhotel.ie/

It is a really good location to stay in Dublin.

>>only a minority of taxis are equipped for wheelchairs<<

If you are using a folding wheel chair or a smaller transport chair then most taxis will work. But a full sized/fixed wheel chair - no.

I know that where we stayed, the Westin, was wheelchair accessible, but your question instantly brought to my mind anything around St Stephens Green.

I think most of the hotels there have SOME entrance that will work. For example, the Shelborne (where I'd LOVE to stay one time when my rich aunt--oops I don't have one), was blasted on Trip Advisor for not having the proper entrance. It turns out that they did have one that was certainly not the delivery entrance. The guest just didn't ask.

So just find rates you like and ask away.

Thanks all for your help. We'd love the Shelborne, but hate the rates!! I've booked the Buswell as well as 2 others. Does anyone know anything about the Buswell? It seems like a good location.
The last time we were in Dublin we were told that the Hop on Hop off bus was accessible, so we bought tickets. When we got there, the driver looked at the wheelchair and said sweetly to just fold it up and climb up the steps.
DUH!

Buswells is a real "old Dublin" hotel, very similar central location to some others such as the Shelbourne and the Westbury, but without the premium price tag. It's just across from the parliament buildings so there is always life in the lobby / cafe with politicians and journalists in little huddles. Great for people watching. Don't know what the rooms are like, but the location is good.

The areas in South Dublin around the financial block have new accessible hotels. I have stayed at the Maldron Hotel and the streets around there are flat, have good crossings, and there are cafes right around.