Why it deserves its own planning
Most guests give emergency procedures little thought. For some guests with disabilities, though, a standard evacuation route may not work. Someone who cannot use stairs may not be able to leave a building when lifts are shut down during an alarm. Someone who is deaf or hard of hearing may not wake to an audible alarm. Someone with a visual impairment may not know an unfamiliar exit route, and someone with a cognitive disability may need clear and calm instructions.
Fires and other emergencies at hotels are uncommon, and most stays pass without incident. Planning is a way of making sure that if something does happen, staff and guest both know what to do. This article describes general ideas; procedures and legal requirements differ by country and property, so always rely on the hotel’s own current instructions and local authorities.
Questions to ask before you book
Ask the property directly, and ask for answers in writing:
- What is the procedure for a guest who cannot use stairs during an evacuation?
- Are there refuge areas or protected spaces where a guest can wait for assistance? Where are they, and how would staff know I am there?
- Does the building have visual or vibrating alarms in guest rooms, or can portable devices be provided?
- Is there a list or record of guests who want assistance? Who keeps it, and how is it used at night?
- Is a staff member on duty overnight who knows the procedure?
- Do lifts work during an alarm? In many buildings they do not, and the answer affects which floor to choose.
Some properties will have clear answers. Others will not, and that is useful to know before you commit. Honest uncertainty from a hotel is better than a confident answer that proves wrong.
Choosing a room with evacuation in mind
Room location can be important. Many guests who use mobility aids prefer a room on a lower floor, close to an exit, or near the lift, but the best choice depends on the building. Ask whether a ground-floor room has a direct way out, and whether upper floors have any step-free evacuation route. For deaf or hard-of-hearing guests, ask for a room with visual alerts, or ask what devices can be provided. If you want to be close to staff, you might ask for a room near the front desk, though this may be noisier.
What to tell staff on arrival
Even if you wrote ahead, mention your needs again at check-in. A short, specific statement is enough, for example:
- “I use a wheelchair and cannot use stairs. Can you tell me what would happen if the alarm sounded?”
- “I am deaf and will not hear the alarm. How would I be alerted?”
- “I have low vision and would like someone to show me the nearest exit route.”
Ask for the information you need, and ask whether your room number and needs will be noted for staff. You are not required to share medical details. Say what help you need, not why.
If it is possible, ask a staff member to walk you through the route from your room to the exit, including how doors open and whether they are heavy.
Make a personal plan
Do not rely only on the hotel. A short plan of your own can help:
- Learn the route. On arrival, locate the nearest exits and read the evacuation notice on the back of the room door.
- Know who to call. Save the front desk number in your phone and keep your phone charged and near the bed.
- Keep key items together. Keep medication, glasses, hearing devices, mobility aids and a copy of important details somewhere you can find them quickly, even in the dark.
- Agree on a plan with companions. Decide who will do what, and what you will do if you are separated.
- Arrange alerts. If you rely on vibration alerts, set up portable devices, or a phone alarm placed under your pillow, as a backup rather than a replacement for the hotel’s system.
Wherever possible, avoid leaving mobility equipment out of reach at night. Medication, spare batteries and other medical equipment are worth keeping in one grab-ready place.
During an alarm
General advice, not a substitute for the hotel’s own instructions:
- Treat every alarm as real, and follow the posted guidance.
- If you cannot use stairs and the lifts are off, many plans call for you to stay in a protected area and alert staff or emergency services. Call the front desk or emergency number, say your room number and location, and describe what help you need.
- Do not assume someone knows you are there; tell them.
- Follow the directions of emergency responders.
Some situations are more complicated, such as a room fire that makes staying put unsafe. If you are unsure what to do, this is the kind of question to put to the hotel before you arrive.
Afterward
If the procedure the hotel described did not match what you experienced, or if staff seemed unprepared, report it to the property and keep a record. Give feedback in a factual way, as it helps the next guest. Knowing the general principles of hotel safety and emergency exits helps you ask better questions, and a short conversation at check-in costs little.