Best Hotel Chain: Home2 Suites


BEST OF is a web-first series highlighting the places that offer truly memorable wheelchair accessible experiences across the country — and occasionally internationally. To catch the latest installments, sign up for our newsletter.


woman in powerchair next to a bed in a hotel room

Since I started traveling as a full-time wheelchair user in 2015, I have stayed in hundreds of hotel rooms across dozens of countries and states. If I’m traveling domestically, I never know what I’m going to get when I roll through that hotel room door, other than the 99.9% chance I will come across at least one ADA violation.

The biggest problem when it comes to consistency across wheelchair-accessible rooms in the United States is that at least 90% of hotels are franchises. That means that the parent corporation, like Marriott, IHG, Hilton, etc., only dictates some things that must be standardized across the brand, like logos and some interior decorating touches. Construction companies, interior design companies, layouts and standards vary widely across the same brand. You could stay in 20 different hotels of the same brand that look nothing alike and have varying levels of accessibility.

The major hotel corporations are always looking to innovate and come up with different brands that meet different traveler needs. The Home2 Suites chain is a Hilton brand that launched in 2011 and was Hilton‘s first new brand in 20 years. Today, it has approximately 400 properties across the U.S. While most of them are franchised, the interior design elements are very standardized with minimal deviation and layout differences — something highly unusual for such a widely franchised hotel chain. This is an incredible bonus for travelers who require wheelchair accessible rooms.

two young boys tossing a football inside a spacious hotel suite
The accessible room at one Home2 Suites was big enough for Longmire’s sons to run football drills.

I had never heard of Home2 Suites until I started making travel arrangements for a long road trip with my two sons in 2021. One of our major stops was Rapid City, South Dakota, and I wanted to take them for a couple of days at an indoor water park. Home2 Suites was one of three hotels adjoining the park, and looked newly constructed, so I took a gamble and booked a three-night stay. I was excited they had accessible rooms with two queen beds and a sofa bed, so we could each have our own bed, plus a roll-in shower — a relatively rare combination in hotels.

I was pleasantly surprised by that room, but it was only the first in a long line of fantastic stays at Home2 Suites properties across the U.S. Almost all of the rooms have been incredibly spacious. Our accessible room in Raleigh, North Carolina, was so big that my sons were passing a football and running small drills.

As someone who needs a low bed to transfer, I love that the beds are relatively low and always around 22 to 24 inches above the floor. Plus, they have all been on legs and would accommodate a lift if necessary.

The Nicest Accessible Hotel I’ve Ever Stayed In

The Conrad New York Downtown is a gorgeous luxury hotel situated along the Hudson River in downtown Manhattan. It’s across the street from the Brookfield Place mall and an easy 10-minute roll from Freedom Tower, the 911 Memorial & Museum, the Oculus Transportation Hub and Wall Street. While its five-star status and luxury amenities are reflected in the price — depending on the day of the week and time of year, a night can be in the $400-$500 range — I chose this hotel mostly for the location. Out of hundreds of hotels I’ve stayed around the world as a wheelchair user, it is hands-down my favorite.

a modern accessible hotel bathrom with open roll-in shower
The padded shower bench at the Conrad adds a luxurious touch.

My two sons and I booked an accessible deluxe suite with two double beds, a sofa bed and roll-in shower. The sofa bed was in a living room that was separated from the bedroom by a short hallway and bathroom. Sliding dividers at both ends of the hallway provided privacy. The living area had a work desk and the hallway area a small sink and minifridge. The entire room offered plenty of space to roll around and reach everywhere. All lights and curtains had reachable push-button controls, and there were numerous outlets by the beds.

The double beds were incredibly comfortable. Because they were platform beds without box springs, they were not too high above the floor. Fortunately, the platform was open, with plenty of space beneath to slide hoist legs if needed. The sofa bed had a four-inch memory foam mattress with a folding flat platform, and was easily the most comfortable I’ve ever experienced.

The roll-in shower was fabulous for many reasons. First, the fold-down bench was padded for comfort. Second, it was easy to reach the shower controls and the showerhead, which was placed in the lowest position. The shampoo and shower gel dispensers were not attached to the wall, but left on a reachable shelf. The toilet seat was only slightly lower than my power chair, making transfers easy.

Continue Reading

I’ve been equally happy with the consistency and quality of the roll-in shower bathrooms. Every Home2 Suites roll-in shower had water controls and showerhead within reach of the fold-down bench — which I only find in maybe half the hotel rooms I stay in. The bathroom configuration is also pretty standard, with a roll-under sink and great grab bar placement near the toilet. There is usually a vertical grab bar, which makes it much easier for me to transfer.

woman in powerchair pictured in accessible bathroom
The chain’s roll-in showers consistently work well.

One feature I particularly like is their push-button controls for the blinds. In so many other hotels without these controls, furniture blocks access to the curtains and pulls, and sometimes I must ask the staff to close my curtains. Similarly, Home2 thermostats are installed lower and within easy reach. I need electrical outlets near the bed to charge my power chair and phone, which has never been a problem at Home2 Suites. Their outlets also have USB ports.

Home2 Suites is an extended-stay type of hotel, so the accessible rooms typically have a sink, small dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave and pullout table. They offer free breakfast every morning with typical options like precooked omelets, waffles, yogurt, fresh fruit and cereal. Locations tend to be just outside a city’s downtown area, but nightly rates are reasonable and budget-friendly.


Support New Mobility

Wait! Before you wander off to other parts of the internet, please consider supporting New Mobility. For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. But none of this is cheap, easy or profitable. Your support helps us give wheelchair users the resources to build a fulfilling life.

donate today

24 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Ken
Ken
1 year ago

I find more and more that these big hotel chains do a great job on the rooms and bathrooms. When it comes to the beds that’s a different story. The mattress is just way to high for me to transfer into. Does anyone else have this problem?

S.I.
S.I.
1 year ago
Reply to  Ken

Totally agree. On one occasion we got a cot sent to the room because my husband could get into the bed.

James Oertel
James Oertel
1 year ago
Reply to  S.I.

We just stayed at a Home2 in Eagan Mn. The size of all three rooms were great for the power wheelchair and the bed was a good height for transferring. Unfortunately the toilet height was terrible. The 15” height made it difficult to both get on and off! The front desk told us that the toilet height was the same for all rooms. It was inconvenient but we did find that the restroom near the pool had a 17” toilet.

Eunjoo Lee
Eunjoo Lee
1 year ago
Reply to  Ken

Yes, I have found the mattress to too high at several chain hotels, i.e, W Hotels, Marriott, Comfort Inns, etc. it seems to be the standard now but should not be in ADA rooms.

Alicia Lowther
Alicia Lowther
1 year ago
Reply to  Ken

Interesting that the mattress is too high for you. My husband has Inclusion Body Myositis & the beds are usually too low for him.

Cathy
Cathy
1 year ago
Reply to  Ken

Hi Ken, yes the bedheight is an o going problem. We ask them to remove the boxspring and thst usually solves the problem. We have always been accommodated in this request.

Katherine
Katherine
1 year ago
Reply to  Ken

I’m so happy to see this article! My husband and I like to travel, but the high beds have been a real problem lately. I’ve literally injured my shoulders from trying to transfer into them. The Marriott chain hotels are the worst, with beds that are ridiculously high — and sometimes more uncomfortable than a standard (i.e. not double thickness) mattress. Also, many hotels have beds that are built on pedestal-type bases that some hotels flat refuse to come in and remove for us. And it varies from one hotel to another, depending on the whims of management, apparently. Metal bases are easier to remove, so hotels are more likely to agree. I’m always pleasantly surprised when they send maintenance right away to deal with the problem. I can deal with other shortcomings, but the bed issue has become a deal breaker for me and traveling.

John B
John B
1 year ago
Reply to  Ken

We find it often. We have tried lots of “solves” including having Housekeeping take away the box spring and/or bed frame.

Pocono Charlie
Pocono Charlie
1 year ago

We discovered Home2Suites in 2000 when traveling with our son, who finds their accessible showers amount the best.

Last edited 1 year ago by Pocono Charlie
Diane W
Diane W
1 year ago

I remember being really impressed when we stayed at a Home 2 Suites. It even had a curtain between the beds.

MrsP88
MrsP88
1 year ago

My husband and I travel quite a bit for fun and I go off myself for business. My biggest obstacle is the height of the bed. It doesn’t matter what hotel chain/ non-chain it’s always too high. And, no one wants to alter the beds. They need to add/ change this desperately needed requirement in the ADA travel handbook. If there is such a thing, that is. Especially, if I am traveling alone!

Marsha Mazz
1 year ago
Reply to  MrsP88

Hi there. I thought you might be interested in knowing that since 2009, the accessibility standard used by most building codes in the U.S, ICC A117.1 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, has required at least one bed in each accessible hotel room to have an open frame with space beneath for a lift. The 2017 Edition of the ICC A117.1 Standard also requires hotel beds to be 17 to 23 inches high, measured from the floor to the top of the mattress. Both of these changes to the building code were promoted by staff of Accessibility Services – a United Spinal Association program.

Katherine
Katherine
1 year ago
Reply to  Marsha Mazz

The 17 to 23 inches requirement has definitely NOT been enforced. I can’t remember the last time I saw one that low in a hotel room.

Bob Hamilton
Bob Hamilton
1 year ago

I have stayed at many Hilton hotels, but never a Home2suites. We have never had an accessibility problem. Obviously some are better than others. I agree with the author of the article. It is seldom that you don’t find at least 1 ADA violation. Thankfully most are minor.

DON KOEN
DON KOEN
1 year ago

The biggest challenge I face is arriving to find that a hotel does not have the roll in shower accessible room that I reserved. It has happen twice at different Hilton Garden Inns in the last year. I typically call a day or two before arriving to make sure they have me down for a roll in shower. It seems to be that someone decided to stay over and they happened to be be in the accessible room. You would think that at the very least, the hotel could call and tell you before you arrive. Offering to upgrade me to a suite at no extra charge doesn’t help if it is not accessible or have a roll in shower. Having to try to find another hotel at the last minute is a real pain and more expensive. What is a reservation worth if you don’t really have a room reserved?

It is also fun when you get a room where the shower control are not within reach of the shower bench.

EDWARD C NIESHOFF
EDWARD C NIESHOFF
1 year ago

thumbs up!!

Claudia Garofalo
Claudia Garofalo
1 year ago

What are the requirements, if any, for hotels to accommodate disabled travelers? Thank you

michael r maruzzi
michael r maruzzi
1 year ago

My wife and I stayed at a home two suites once and it was one of the best hotel experiences we’ve ever had. Marriott was probably the worst. I appreciate new mobility promoting this article and information, maybe some of the other chains will follow suit. Thank you and God bless

BRUNO E. SANTOS
BRUNO E. SANTOS
1 year ago

Sylvia, thanks for such a long overdue article on accessible hotel rooms. As a70 years old, I have lost my ability to do pivot transfers. Now, I depend on my foldable battery-powered lift. It requires 4.5 inches under clearance. Since the start of the Wuhan Virus Pandemic, most hotels have placed their beds on platforms that block my lift’s legs.
We alternate our vacations between the East Coast and Gulf beaches (apartments facing the gulf), and other locations (cabins, hotels). Next year we are taking a long road trip to visit friends and family, from Central Florida to upstate New York, with at least 3 hotel stays. Your article came at the right time to add Home2 Suites into our plans.
Sylvia, I do heartedly appreciate your article on so many levels.
Thank you!

Matt
Matt
1 year ago

Just stayed in a Home2 and it was wonderful!

Eileen
Eileen
1 year ago

That first picture of you sitting next to the bed encapsulates a huge issue, and that is that the mattress height is SO much higher than the seat height of the average wheelchair. I am a quad and require a sliding board transfer. I doubt I have the strength to slide uphill at an absurd angle, so how do I get in bed? (No, I do not have a height adjustable chair!)

Karen Pomintz
Karen Pomintz
1 year ago

Your article was right on! Thank you. Several years ago, my late husband and I stayed at a Hampton Inn in Dover, New Hampshire. While everything was very nice and very clean, there was a huge problem with the accessible room we had. My husband did not use a wheelchair but was mobility impaired and wore a steel long-leg brace on his right leg. He also had limited use of his left arm as a result of polio suffered as a child. There were several problems (1) in the bathroom, the grab rails were only appropriate for someone with full use of both arms and (2) no walk-in (roll-in) shower, just a regular climb-over-the-tub affair. But the major problem was with the bed which was very, very high. Even I, who have no mobility issues and am of average size, had to climb UP to get into bed!
My husband, also of average size, needed to leave his brace on until he sat securely on the bed. You can just imagine that scene helping him get up on the bed. And I found myself wondering what someone in a wheelchair would do since the bed needs to be at about the same height to transfer safely.
I wrote a letter to the hotel management pointing out the problem, received a polite reply, but don’t know if anything was ever done to correct the situation as we never went back.
One more thought – why are accessible rooms so often in a location that requires one to walk or roll down a long hall with heavy carpeting which is difficult, and sometimes dangerous, to walk or roll on?

Christina Joslin
Christina Joslin
1 year ago

I have the same problem. And unfortunately the beds seem to be getting higher and higher. The plush puffy comfy beds for the ablebodied are NOT meant for the handicapped. I sometimes do FAm trips to hotels just to see before I book.

Octavia
Octavia
10 months ago

We recently moved across the country and ended up staying in quite a few Home2 Suites because they’re one of the Hilton brands that are almost all pet friendly. They’re probably my favourite brand when traveling with cats, as they typically don’t have carpeting in the rooms, and the furnishings in the big open rooms usually double as an easily accessible perch.

I don’t currently use a wheelchair, but I do require mobility aids and I can’t safely use a shower inside a bathtub. I concur with all your positive comments about the brand’s accessible rooms, but there was one big miss at several of the Home2 Suites we visited. The accessible parking was located in front of the side entrance, but there was no automatic door opener! I had to do quite a bit of juggling to get myself and my luggage inside. There was an accessible path to the front of the building where there were automatic sliding doors, but that was quite a significant walk in the wrong direction, and we’d have to walk half the length of the building again once inside to reach our room. It was unfortunate that these properties that considered accessibility in all of these other ways still had such a big miss in their building design.