Access Statement
It is the intention of The Esplanade to meet the needs of all our guests in our 11 en suite bedrooms, the sea facing dining room, the panoramic balcony guest bar and lounge, and all the common areas.
Journey planning
o Directions – directions to the hotel can be obtained by clicking here.
o By car – there is a car park at The Esplanade (see notes and rules below), so parking is available at the guest house by prior agreement.
o By bus – the National Express bus stop is situated approximately 400m away, straight along the flat promenade and takes 5-7 minutes to walk, depending on your pace or the size of your bags? There is a bus stop serving the local buses situated just outside the hotel.
o By train – the railway station is close to the guest house and is approximately a 5 minute walk away. The walk is relatively easy. For directions – click here (go to directions page). Taxis are generally available from the station itself or there is a taxi company in the row of pubs and shops opposite.
o By boat – the ferry terminal is situated at the end of the flat, sweeping promenade and is approximately one mile or an easy 10-15 minute walk away.
o By plane – the closest airport is Bournemouth International and is approximately 40 miles away from The Esplanade. Depending on the traffic, this should take less than one hour.
o Sat nav - the Hotel’s postcode is DT4 7N.
On arrival
o For guests arriving by car, there is a car park at The Esplanade. Spaces in the car park are limited and need to be reserved at the time of booking. There are rules to the car park (link to rules of the car park) that need to be adhered to at all times. However, as there is no rear access to the hotel, it is suggested that you preliminary park your vehicle at the front of the Hotel prior to booking in. We will then check you in, help you with your luggage and show you to your room. You can then park your car in the car park at your own leisure. Please note that during the period 1 June until 30 September, waiting is limited to one hour in the spaces directly in front of the hotel. Outside of these times, parking is unrestricted by time. Please note, for the holders of a blue badge, parking is unrestricted outside the hotel at all times of day, 365 days of the year. However, please be sure to check that your badge is both valid and correctly displayed.
o For those unable to pre-park outside the hotel, assistance is available with your luggage.
o There are no bespoke disabled parking spaces in the car park. Disabled guests who are holders of a blue badge are urged to park in the designated car parking spaces outside of the hotel. See using your blue badge above.
o There are six steps up to the front door of the Hotel from the pavement.
o Assistance is available for those using a wheelchair or motorised scooter.
o The doorways are approximately 1m (39 inches) wide.
o The check in desk is approximately 0.74m (29 inches) high however a board is provided for writing on if preferred.
o There are two seats provided in the reception area.
o There is space in reception to store wheelchairs, motorised scooters and children’s pushchairs (by arrangement).
o There is a security light in the car park that lights at night time for guests arriving during the darker hours.
o The car park is accessed via Victoria Street and is well signposted.
· Main entrance & ground floor
o During the day, the front door is open. The second door is closed at all times and access is via a key. On arrival, please ring the front door bell and you will then be welcomed in. Following check in, you will be furnished with a key that operates all of the areas that are accessible to you. You are then free to come and go from the property at your leisure.
o The reception area is all on one level and on the ground floor.
o The dining room is on the ground floor – there are no steps.
o The ground floor leads to the ground floor rooms – there are no steps.
o The single room (room 1) on the ground floor is the only room without a bath. It is the only walk-in shower in the building.
o Room 2 on the ground floor contains handles to assist getting in to and out of the bath, as well as to steady oneself in the shower.
o There is a tourist information area containing information on the local attractions and things to do as well as areas a little further afield.
o There are the stairs to the rest of the building.
o Note there is NO lift.
o The reception is not manned. There is a bell in reception that can be used to contact the management of The Esplanade 24 hours a day. Failing contact via the bell, the management can be contacted on 07515 657 116, again, 24 hours a day.
o The ground floor is carpeted.
o The ground floor is well lit at all times.
o There is a small display case selling jewellery, gifts and personal toiletries.
· Internal stairways and landings
o The stairs are shallow and wide and easily climbed.
o The stairway is wider than normal at approximately 1.5m or nearly 5 feet (60 inches).
o The stairways and landings are well lit and carpeted throughout.
o Rooms – Ground floor = Rooms 1 & 2
o Steps:
– Ground to first floor = 24 steps. (14 then a landing then 10).
– First to second floor = 22 steps. (15 then a landing then 7)
– Second to third floor = (10 then a landing then 7)
· First floor
o Bar & Lounge
§ The bar and lounge area is carpeted.
§ The bar and lounge is lit via natural lighting during the day and a aselection of ambient and main lighting during the darker periods.
§ There are various different types of seating available in the lounge including leather sofas, easy chairs, upright chairs and stools.
§ The bar area is an honesty bar with self service drinks and snacks.
§ There is access to the balconies via the floor to ceiling sash windows. There is a threshold approximately 0.3m (12 inches) high that needs to be crossed for access. Access is not recommended for children, or those with difficulty walking.
§ There is a television with free view for all guests’ use, as well as a video and DVD player, a selection of books and games and other reading materials all for guest use.
§ Free Wi-Fi internet access is available in the lounge area.
o Pay telephone
§ The pay telephone is pay telephone situated on the first floor landing.
o WC
§ The WC is unisex and situated off of the first floor landing. There are no further steps from the bar or landing (other than those up from the ground floor).
· Bedrooms
All bedrooms have the following 4* guest accommodation facilities (amongst others):
o Flat screen free-view television.
o Egyptian cotton linen and towelling.
o Luxury toiletries.
o Tea and coffee making facilities.
o Bottled water.
o Strict non smoking policy.
o Own key for 24 hour access.
o Free Wi-Fi is available.
o Fire doors and intumescent strips fitted in accordance with current fire regulations.
o Fully reviewed fire risk assessment agreed with Dorset Fire Service.
o Fully electrically wired fire alarm fitted in each bedroom in accordance with current fire regulations.
o Smoke detectors in each bedroom and bathroom.
Guests with walking difficulties should advise that they need a ground floor bedroom (zero steps) or a first floor bedroom (26 steps – no lift) at the time of booking.
· Laundry service
o We have an in house laundry service.
o Dry cleaning can be arranged with a local company. Times and service will be variable and dependent upon contractor used.
· General information
o Sorry, no pets of any description.
o Sophisticated high spec smoke detectors in all common areas.
o Fully electrically wired fire alarms fitted in all common areas in accordance with current fire regulations.
o Mini coolers are available for each room upon request.
o We can assist with the storage of refrigerated medication or a cooler can be provided for the room.
o Assistance can be provided with the hire of wheelchairs or motorised scooters etc.
o Fire alarms maintained and tested regularly.
o Good coverage of all mobile phone networks.