Vision Hotels launches as a not-for-profit service for the blind

A not-for-profit hotel group has been launched to cater for the needs of the blind and partially sighted.

Vision Hotels, which has four AA three-star hotels in Devon, West Sussex, Somerset and Cumbria, has been set up by Action for Blind People to provide accessible breaks, regardless of disability.

Each hotel has made simple adjustments - such as wet rooms, textured surfaces, talking alarm clocks and large button phones - to ensure guests can relax and enjoy their stay.

Paul Morrison, head of Vision Hotels, said that it is sad that Vision Hotels' attention to accessibility is not the norm. "Accessibility is continually ignored within the sector and we can prove that simple adaptation can make a big difference and in turn, increase guest numbers." he said.

"There is also a common misconception that hotels like ours are institutionalised, but that couldn't be further from the truth. We have the same aims as everyone else in the catering and hospitality sector: to provide an excellent level of service that makes our customers re-book time and time again.

The individual hotels have been open for some time, but it is only now that they are being branded as Vision Hotels. They include the 47-bedroom Cliffden hotel in Teignmouth, Devon; the 37-bedroom Lauriston hotel, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset; 40-bedroom Russell hotel, Aldwick, West Sussex; and the 28-bedroom Windermere Manor, Windermere, Cumbria.

Bookings can be made by contacting the individual hotels directly or via the first fully accessible website and booking system at www.visionhotels.co.uk

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By Janet Harmer

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