Beyond ADA: The Universally Designed Hotel Guestroom
Creating intuitive, inclusive experiences for every guest
One of the most powerful perspectives on accessibility we've come across comes from the chronic illness community:
"Accessibility is not special treatment. Most people will need accommodations at some point, whether due to illness, injury, or old age. You either live long enough to become disabled or you die first." Jodie Kaur Ranu @fourmorespoons
Jodie's quote challenges us to think differently about accessibility. The team at MICHE.studio believes hospitality design spaces should work for everyone. Every time we design a room, we consider the wide range of people who will experience that space. Every guest arrives with different abilities, life experiences, and needs - and many of those needs extend well beyond minimum ADA requirements.
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What is Universal Design?
When people in the A&D industry hear the term accessible design, they often think of the the space requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While meeting ADA accessibility requirements is essential (and required); universal design goes further.
First coined by architect Ronald L. Mace, universal design is "the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation." Universal design isn't a style - it's a design philosophy. The goal isn't to create spaces that feel "accessible"; it's to create spaces that feel effortless to use.
Why It Matters in Hospitality
In hospitality, that means designing guestrooms that are intuitive, comfortable, and welcoming for a wide range of guests. A thoughtfully universally designed hotel considers the needs of:
Guests with mobility, visual, auditory, cognitive differences
An aging population (One in five Americans are expected to be over the age of 65 by 2035)
Families
Guests experiencing temporary physical impairments, such as pregnancy or recovering from surgery
Guests with episodic or dynamic disabilities
Guests with all types of neurodiversity
Designing with inclusivity in mind improves the guest experience, strengthens brand loyalty, encourages repeat visits, and helps future-proof hospitality properties for changing demographics. It also helps reduce legal and reputational risk by exceeding minimum accessibility expectations.
In other words, universal design is just a better way to design.
Designing Guestrooms for Everyone
Consider these universal design strategies that go beyond ADA compliance to create a better experience for every guest.
Thoughtful Accessible Layouts
Well-planned layouts provide ample space for guests to move comfortably throughout the room, whether they're using a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, or just simply traveling with luggage. Reducing unnecessary walls and visual barriers creates a more spacious, intuitive environment, making it easier and more flexible to navigate.
Accessible Power
Power outlets, USB ports, and bedside controls should be located where guests can easily reach them without bending, stretching, or moving furniture. This is especially important for older adults and guests with limited mobility, who may find it difficult or even unsafe to reach outlets hidden behind nightstands. Convenient bedside power also allows guests to easily plug in not just phone chargers but also essential medical devices, such as CPAP machines, hearing aid chargers, mobility device batteries, and other overnight health equipment. Carefully locating these items helps create a safer, more comfortable guest experience.
Lighting Matters
Thoughtful lighting design improves comfort, reduces eye strain, supports aging guests, and creates a more welcoming environment for travelers with visual impairments and sensitivities.
When designing for universal design, selecting the appropriate lamp color temperature can improve comfort and reduce eye strain.
"Warm" lighting (approximately 2700 - 3000 Kelvin) is often associated with relaxation and comfort, making it ideal for guestrooms where guests are winding down after a long day.
Alternately, "cool" lighting (5000 – 6500 Kelvin), while beneficial for alertness and task-oriented activities, can feel harsh or overstimulating, particularly for those with autism, sensory sensitivities, and/or cognitive conditions.
Motion-activated lighting helps illuminate pathways at night, reducing fall risks while improving convenience. Flat-panel rocker switches with clear labeling are easy and intuitive to use - and are especially appreciated after a long day of travel!
Layering ambient, task, and accent lighting allows guests to adjust their environment based on their individual needs, while selecting appropriate color temperatures can improve visibility without sacrificing comfort.
The Universal Guestbath
The guest bathroom is one of the most important spaces to consider when designing for universal design. Thoughtful details can improve safety, comfort, and independence while creating a spa-like experience that every guest can appreciate.
Handheld Showerheads
Handheld showerheads offer flexibility for a wide range of guests. They're convenient for families bathing young children, easier to use for older adults and guests with limited mobility, and simplify everyday tasks like rinsing the shower or washing hair.
Grab Bars Designed for Hospitality
Grab bars don't have to look institutional. Today's hospitality products are available in a variety of finishes and styles that complement the overall bathroom design while providing added stability in wet areas for all guests.
Easy-to-Use Plumbing Fixtures
Lever-style faucets and shower controls require less grip strength and dexterity than traditional knobs, making them easier to operate for guests with arthritis, limited hand mobility, or anyone with their hands full.
Universal Design Through Technology
Technology is becoming part of the modern hotel experience, and when thoughtfully integrated, can make guestrooms more intuitive, independent, and inclusive. Voice assistants, app-controlled lighting, and smart home technology have become part of our everyday lives. We have voice powered apps and devices at home; Why shouldn't we expect the same level of convenience when we travel?
Mobile technology can also support real-time language translation, personalized room preferences, digital room keys, and interactive hotel maps, helping travelers navigate their stay with greater confidence. Hotels are also beginning to incorporate accessible wayfinding tools, such as digital navigation, audio guidance, and tactile maps, to assist guests with visual impairments. In-room technology like caption-enabled televisions, tactile remote controls, and voice command features further enhances accessibility while creating a better overall guest experience.
When technology is designed with inclusivity in mind, it doesn't just remove barriers; it empowers guests to personalize and enjoy their stay with greater comfort and independence.
The Future of Hospitality is Universal
While universal design isn't mandated in the same way as ADA compliance, MICHE.studio believes it represents the future of hospitality. Universal design is a people-first design philosophy. It pushes beyond bare minimum requirements to create spaces that are intuitive, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone. A single parent traveling with young children. A business traveler recovering from knee surgery. An older couple celebrating an anniversary. A group of friends with a range of neurodiversity.
Thoughtful design allows each of us to experience the same comfort, independence, and dignity. The best universal design often goes unnoticed because it simply works. When hotel guests don't have to think about how to navigate a space, they can focus on enjoying their stay.
Creating exceptional hospitality means designing for every guest. Whether you're planning a new hotel, renovation, or brand conversion, MICHE.studio partners with owners, developers, and architects to build thoughtful hospitality interiors, balancing beautiful design, operational excellence, and inclusive guest experiences.
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