Our Experience at The Schoolhouse Hotel in White Sulphur Springs
True inclusion is by design: it doesn’t happen by accident. When The Schoolhouse Hotel began renovations on the high school, built in 1912, it was with the intent to change perceptions of disabilities and to blaze the trail in truly accessible accommodations.
When I first read about the world’s first fully ADA compliant hotel in Travelability’s newsletter, I knew we’d have to experience it for ourselves. Here’s what we discovered at the most accessible hotel in the world!
**This was a hosted stay, but all opinions are 100% my own.**
Chic Boutique
From the outside, it really does seem like you’re headed in for another school day. The boutique hotel has maintained the old school charm, including some framed original décor and auditorium seating, but has brought it up a level with leather sofa lounge areas and luxury-styled rooms.
This isn’t a “special needs” hotel: it’s a chic space designed with everyone in mind.
Smart Rooms
The smart room design with a bathroom that not only opens the door for you, but also the toilet lid (and seat, if needed), adds to both ease of use and luxury. You can use an app on your phone to enter, and once you’re in everything in the room can be controlled by easy to reach switches (even after you’re in bed), by the TV remote, or by Alexa.
(If you don’t need the smart room features and have little ones that can’t leave buttons or Alexa alone, you can also just ask to have those features turned off!)
Consistent Consideration
Inclusion doesn’t end with your wheelchair accessible room. Every public space is ADA compliant and beyond. The spacious gym has equipment for all abilities. The meditation room offers a quiet space with soft lights, textured play things, and ways to unwind for people with sensory needs. The meeting room, restaurant, and rooftop lounge are all fully accessible. Every space is designed to make all feel welcome.
Thoughtful Extras
From window placement to room layout, every space has been thoughtfully designed to go beyond the basic requirements of ADA. I focus on mobility needs, but here’s a list of the hotel’s accessible amenities for all needs.
They also have beds for service animals, hoyer lifts and bath transfer benches available at no extra cost.
If there’s anything you need for a comfortable stay, just ask. The chances are high that the hotel can help!
Fine Dining
We didn’t end up making it to the hotel restaurant because we were busy with the chocolate festival on the weekend of our visit, but The Varsity Club is The Schoolhouse’s flagship restaurant, featuring upscale
southern classics, a full-service bar, innovative cocktails and local brews.
Seasonally, they also have a rooftop lounge. We took a peak, even though it was closed, and the West Virginia mountain views were unbeatable!
Around Town
While the most accessible hotel in the world may be worth the trip in and of itself, it certainly helps if it’s in a poppin’ accessible destination.
What is there to do for a wheelchair-using family in small town West Virginia?
Plenty! Within walking distance, you can enjoy the local brewery with seasonal, locally sourced menu items from burgers and comfort foods to salmon and fancy cocktails. The Greenbrier is just around the corner with shopping, dining, and endless activities. Take in the views along the Greenbrier River on a 78 mile long wheelchair accessible hiking trail. The coolest small town in America is also just a 15 minute drive down the road. Lewisburg also happens to be in the top ten small town food scenes in the country.
Check out all we discovered on our wheelchair accessible family trip to Greenbrier Valley, here!