Microtel Inns & Suites goes extra mile
for travelers with disabilities
ATLANTA
- In order to serve travelers with disabilities better, Microtel Inns & Suites - the all-newly-constructed, interior corridor chain of budget/economy hotels - now provides Access Microtel pamphlets, Accessible Fitness bags, and Upper Body Ergometers for guests with special needs.
Access Microtel offers specific information in large print and in Braille about the accessibility features available at Microtel. Accessible Fitness include three-pound hand weights, two types of stretch bands, and a pair of handgrips. They’re located in every Microtel with a fitness center on-site, and are available for guests to use in their room. The Ergometer offers travelers with disabilities a variety of options for upper body cardiovascular conditioning to complement their daily workout. It’s available at all new Microtels with a fitness center.
Roy E. Flora, executive vice president/franchise operations for U.S. Franchise Systems Inc. (
USFS
), parent company of the franchisor of the Microtel brand, said: “We continue to be committed to providing this rapidly-growing market segment with quality, accessible hotel accommodations, and with a service culture prepared to make their stay with us an enjoyable experience.” Last year, net revenues for
ADA
room nights increased 42% from 2004. Internet hotel bookings for
ADA
rooms increased significantly.
Microtel offers three ADA-room designs, and services to fit guests’ needs, including employees trained in disability etiquette. Microtel is a sponsor of the Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (
SATH
) and the Ohio Wheelchair Softball League, and sponsored Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania 2005. The hotel chain participates in the World Congress & Exposition on Disabilities, and is involved proactively in several other initiatives that target the needs of travelers with disabilities.
Microtel is the only budget hotel chain to implement the training program known as Opening Doors® system-wide. Opening Doors, developed by W.C. Duke Associates, of
Woodford
,
VA
, is a value-added training tool used to enhance hotel customer service initiatives so that staff can practice “attitude accessibility.” Opening Doors emphasizes disability etiquette skills training that includes interactive activities and role-playing using wheelchairs, blindfolds, earplugs, and taped hands for employees to practice how to service customers with disabilities. For information, visit www.wcduke.com.
For the fourth consecutive year, Microtel was ranked highest in guest satisfaction among economy/budget hotel chains by J.D. Power & Associates. All properties in the continental
U.S.
provide free local and free long-distance phone calls and free wireless high-speed Internet access. All hotels offer complimentary continental breakfast, and members of the free MicroPass™ frequent guest program earn a free night’s stay after just nine night stays at any location.
In
Jackson
Heights
, NY, the United Spinal Association received a $10,000 donation as a result of a recent partnership with Microtel. To meet the specific travel needs of United Spinal members, individuals with spinal cord injuries or disorders, the association created
ABLE
to Travel, which provides knowledgeable travel agents with experience to answer questions and share useful information that a traveler using a wheelchair may require. This includes accessible transportation to and from the airport, stowage of mobility equipment on board an aircraft, accessible hotel accommodations and more.
