Boasting of a resort-style setting, Le Méridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre, with its lush sub-tropical gardens offers a striking balance of luxury and location. Renowned for its impeccable hospitality, the city hotel is all geared up to make its spacious, contemporary designed rooms more accessible to people of determination.
The recent Dubai Accessible Tourism International Summit (DATIS) was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. Following the summit’s vision of adapting smart solutions at hotels, resorts, among other spaces to enable people with disabilities to move around freely and enjoy the world of tourism and travel, Le Méridien Dubai hotel will adapt its offerings to deliver the best services for this segment. With a majority of the hotel’s rooms located on the ground floor, Le Méridien Dubai hotel is already compliant with the basic requirements for travellers with physical disabilities.
Right from the step-free, ramped access of the hotel’s main entrance to the accessible lobby washrooms, the resort-style hotel has paid attention to the minutest of details to ensure a pleasant, enjoyable stay for people of determination. Property-wide upgrades at Le Méridien Dubai hotel will be completed in phases, in compliance with local laws and regulations, and will include wider doorways for rooms and bathrooms. Rooms will feature mid-height light switches and power outlets to ensure make room amenities more accessible. To further enhance the in-room guest experience, a roll-in shower, as well as a wall-mounted shower seat and grab-bars, will be installed in the bathroom. With lower hanging space in the closet and visual indicators for fire alarm, among others, Le Méridien Dubai hotel is fully committed to offering a variety of facilities in compliance with the requirements of people of determination so as to overcome challenges faced by them when exploring new destinations.
Upholding the vision of the leaders of the region, the 40-year old hotel is making considerable alterations to its staff training programs, so as to shed light on the requirements and needs of people with challenges when they stay at the hotel, visit its facilities such as restaurants, Spa, gym and other recreational areas of the hotel. Famous for offering a diverse selection of cuisines, all under one roof, all of Le Méridien Dubai hotel’s 18 restaurants are located on the ground floor, ensuring easy access and freedom of movement to guests that require special accessibility. The hotel’s management shall commission professional agencies for a complete audit to improve Le Méridien Dubai hotel’s compliance with the evolving needs of this segment of guests.
Ensuring that guests with special needs enjoy all the luxurious amenities of the hotel, the fully equipped Spa treatment rooms are located on the ground floor; offering a tranquil rejuvenation and relaxing signature treatments by Natural Elements Spa. Understanding the challenges faced by 10-15 per cent of the world’s population, who need assistance to explore cities across the world, as detailed in the World Health Organization (WHO) reports, Le Méridien Dubai hotel’s management will complete the project in phases. By following internationally available technology, the hotel will ensure that the maximum number of rooms, public areas of the hotel and amenities are compliant with the specific needs of people with determination and counter challenges in accessibility.
Shaun Parsons, Complex General Manager, Le Meridien Dubai Complex, says, “It is truly an honour to be associated with the first Accessible Tourism International Summit in Dubai. Offering the best hospitality to all our guests is one of the vital promises of our brand. Following the aims of the summit, and the glorious vision of the UAE’s leaders for 2025 for welcoming over 50 million people with determination, we are fully committed to ensuring that all our guests are able to easily access our property and enjoy the warmth of our hospitality and comforts at Le Méridien Dubai hotel.”