Barrier-free houses

In the water tower in Waren an der Müritz (Germany), two guests will find low barrier, ground level accommodation including a garden terrace for sunny times. In the bathroom, a wheelchair-bound person can manage alone. Likewise, the double bed can be raised so that wheelchair-bound guests can move themselves from the wheelchair to the bed and back. Note: The use of the kitchen is not possible for wheelchair bound guests without assistance. The other apartments in the water tower can only be reached via a spiral staircase and are therefore not accessible to guests with limited mobility.

The Hofgut Hafnerleiten in the Lower Bavarian thermal region of Bad Birnbach has barrier-free accommodation for two people with the “Wiesenhaus”. The house is completely accessible at ground level and also by wheelchair and includes a seated shower with bathtub and ample space in the separate toilet or wet area. Guests who are unable to use the steps have barrier-free access to the main house and the inner courtyard, where aperitifs and dinners can be enjoyed in company, are also accessible without steps. However, guests do not have to leave the meadow house at all – dinner can be delivered on request. Note: Not available in the cottage are special holding or pulling devices that make it easier for people with disabilities to lift themselves into or out of the bathtub.

The 83 square meter apartment “Theodor Fontane” in the Refugium am See in the German state of Brandenburg was planned with and for wheelchair users. Two people will find plenty of space to move around comfortably. The kitchen is partially wheelchair accessible, the bedroom is equipped with its own bathroom which is designed for wheelchair access. The bed is electrically adjustable and can be moved down with a lift if desired. Access to the terrace is obstacle-free. The path to the lake has a maximum slope of 6 percent the jetty to the Teupitzsee is 1.20 m wide and thus safe for wheelchairs.

The vacation resort on the German island of Usedom was built barrier-free. All 14 vacation apartments are accessible at ground level or via ramps and are mostly barrier-free: Bathrooms have floor-level showers and access to the sauna, sinks are accessible by wheelchair, toilets are equipped with grab bars. Kitchens are also accessible by wheelchair, bedrooms are correspondingly spacious.

The vacation home in Bad Herrenalb (Black forest) has three apartments and a large common area. The first floor is completely barrier-free. Here the apartment “Die Zwei” has wide doors as well as a large bathroom, which is also accessible by wheelchair. The apartment “Die Eins” on the first floor is also suitable for guests with limited mobility.

The estate in South Tyrol’s Pustertal Valley has a wheelchair-accessible unit for two people in the form of the “Waldile” suite. The 44-square-meter room as well as the main level including the reception and breakfast room are accessible via an elevator. The public restroom on the same floor is also barrier-free. The “Stodl” wellness area has been designed to be as barrier-free as possible; the owners will be happy to provide details on usability upon request.

The house on the German island Usedom has two barrier-free apartments for four people each. Both apartments are located on the ground floor, so that the terrace and garden are also accessible without barriers. All rooms have sufficient maneuvering space. In the kitchen, the sink and stove are accessible underneath. In the bathroom, the washbasin is wheelchair accessible, the floor-level shower offers grab bars, and a shower chair can be provided on request. The toilet has a folding support handle, the toilet height has been optimized.

The hotel near Pristina (Kosovo) is exceptional in many respects. It is not only an ecological and multi-ethnic project with exemplary character, but also barrier-free in some areas. The entire first floor, including the restaurant and public restroom, is wheelchair accessible. There is also a barrier-free single room on this level. Of course, there is also room for accompanying persons!