Accessibility

At The Imperial Torquay we treat all of our guests as individuals; we have a range of facilities catering for people of all abilities. We take equality legislation seriously and endeavour to provide all of our guests with the best possible experience.  

The Imperial Hotel is a magnificent Victorian hotel, set high on the cliffs. With its grand façade, opulent interior and wonderful sea views from many of the bedrooms and restaurant; it’s an inspiring and romantic setting for a memorable seaside stay. The hotel is situated in Torquay on a hill with a very steep approach, approximately a mile from the town centre. We have 152 bedrooms, family leisure and spa facilities and 8 meeting and function rooms. Wheelchair access is available to most areas of the hotel via lifts and mobile ramps. Throughout the hotel, there are steps leading to most facilities and where possible we are continuing to place ramps.

Enquiries and reservations

We always encourage telephone enquiries in order to discuss your requirements pre-arrival. Please contact us on the number below where one of our team will be happy to assist you in ensuring your stay will be both an enjoyable and memorable one.

Tel: 01803 294 301

Before you arrive

Click here for directions on how to reach us or call us.

The nearest main railway station is in Torquay. Their telephone number is Traveline on 0871 200 2233.

Torbay Cab Company can provide an accessible vehicle for a wheelchair user with notice. Their telephone number is 01803 292292.

The local bus service is Stagecoach and the bus stops are on the main road near the entrance to the hotel. Their telephone number is 01392 427711.

Car parking and arrival

There are 8 allocated blue badge parking spaces at the front of the main reception.

The car park surface is tarmac. At night there is good lighting outside the hotel.

Porter service is available to help with bags 24 hours a day.

There is a small step or a ramp to gain access to the hotel. The glass doors automatically open leading to the reception area. There is a short pile mat at the entrance.

Public areas

Reception

Reception is on the ground floor and has level access throughout.

The reception area consists of a marble floor which is lit by chandelier and side lights.

There is additional seating in the reception area to check in.

A familiarisation tour is available on request.

Lifts to all floors
The lift door is approximately 35” wide. The lift is 41” deep and 64” wide.

There is an alarm linked to reception and audible announcements.

There is short pile carpet and a good contrast of a white wall with a mirror.

Lighting is from spot lights.

Bar

Entrance to the The Palm Court Lounge & Bar is on the ground floor and has level access. The floor consists of short pile patterned carpet.
The seating is low level leather and the area is lit by spot lights which can be dimmed. The bar leads out to the conservatory and there is a small level incline.

Service is usually at the bar, but drinks and food can be served at the table on request. We do our best to cater for any dietary requirements. Please contact us in advance with any specific requests. All employees can assist by running through the menus with you.

Conservatory & Sun Terrace

The conservatory has a tiled cushioned floor. The area has a lot of natural daylight and is lit from spot lights in the evening.
The seating is low level, leather like material with a good contrast.

The conservatory leads out to the sun terrace which has decking. The wooden furniture is upright and moveable.

Lounge

The Palm Court Lounge is situated on the ground floor with level entry. Lighting is by chandelier and side lights. There is a mix of seating with individual high back chairs and low level chairs and settees. There is a mix of wooden flooring and large patterned mats.

Function Rooms

Standard meeting room chairs are generally used throughout the meeting and function rooms.

Churchill Suite (1st floor)
Lighting is natural daylight and there is lighting by a main light.
There is a dark patterned carpet which gives good contrast.

Duchy Suite (1st floor)
Lighting is natural daylight and there is lighting by a main light.
There is a dark patterned carpet which gives good contrast.

Torbay Suite (Mezzanine)
The Torbay Suite has level entry from outside the building, although there is no immediate parking outside.
The carpet is short pile with a pattern and some areas plain.
Lighting is by spot light.
There is access to the decking area via 2 steps. The decking is on 2 levels.
Accessible WC near to Torbay Suite and bedroom 46
The door is 33” wide.
There are 3 fixed rails and 1 drop down rail. The height of the toilet is 17”.
The distance between the toilet and the wall is 39”.
There is an alarm linked to reception.

Regency Suite (Ground floor)
The Regency suite is accessed using the double doors and is lit by some natural daylight and chandeliers.
There is a patterned short pile carpet. 

Gold Room (Ground floor)
The Gold room is accessed using the double doors and is lit by some natural daylight and chandeliers.
There is a patterned short pile carpet.

Royal Room (Ground floor)
The Royal room is accessed using the double doors and is lit by some natural daylight and chandeliers.
There is a patterned short pile carpet.

Haldon Room (Ground floor)
The Haldon room is accessed using the double doors and is lit by natural daylight and chandeliers in the evening.
There is a patterned short pile carpet.

Public Toilets

There are a number of public toilets throughout the hotel. Lighting is bright and there is some contrast between facilities and tiles.

Restaurant

There are 2 steps that lead to the 2 separate levels on the restaurant and a mobile ramp is available. There are handrails provided. There is access to the restaurant using a specific lift which can be shown on your arrival avoiding the use of the ramps and steps. 

Lighting is by chandelier and spot lights. The chairs are upright firm chairs and the table linen provides a strong contrast with the patterned carpet. There is laminate flooring near the buffet area.

Breakfast is self-service, but drinks and food can be served at the table on request. We do our best to cater for any dietary requirements. Please contact us in advance with any specific requests. Large print menus are available. All employees can assist by running through the menus with you.

Family Entertainment Room

Situated on the mezzanine floor and accessed using 4 steps (mobile ramp available) the rooms are bright and there is good contrast. This area is unsupervised and parents/guardians have sole responsibility for their children aged two to five years. 

The minimum width of the doors is 29”.

Billiard Room

Situated near the family entertainment room, the billiard room has short pile carpet and subdued lighting. There is some contrast with the wall and the width of the door is 32”.

Spa

The Spa area can be accessed from within the hotel using lifts and/or stairs. There is a separate entrance to the Spa area with 1 step that has a mobile ramp, although there is no immediate parking.

There are steps throughout the Spa area including the changing rooms, access to the pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.
The manicure and pedicure area is situated by reception and has level entry.

Individual cubicles are provided in the showers.

The gym provides a broad range of modern equipment and advice is available for their use. There are 2 steps to gain access to the gym. There are 17 steps to gain access to the weight room.

The lighting is bright throughout the Spa.

The tiles throughout the Spa are non-slip and there is a contrast of colour to the floors, walls and furnishings throughout.

The beauty rooms have bright lighting with a dimmer. There is a contrast of colour between the walls and wooden floors. There are 2 beauty rooms with adjustable beds.

Gardens

The gardens are on a steep incline with many steps to access the walkways and coastal path. The paths are a mixture of wood, gravel, tarmac and steep gradients.

Tennis Court 

The tennis court is situated outside and there are 6 steps leading to the court. The tennis courts are tarmac.

Outdoor Pool 

There are a number of steps to use, to access the outdoor pool area.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms offer the following: Lighting can be controlled at several points and dimmer switches are available, there is good contrast between the floor, walls and doors, short pile carpet, all bedding is non feather, widescreen digital television with remote control and subtitles. Bedrooms on the 4th floor do not have any steps and this floor is accessed by the lift.

There are no accessible bedrooms within the hotel, however bedroom 44 on the mezzanine floor is used by many wheelchair users which is accessed by the lift. The width of the bedroom door is 30”.

Bedroom 44 can be made into a twin or double room. The height of the bed is 23”.

There is an alarm linked to reception in the bathroom and bedroom.

The bedroom has short pile patterned carpet with good contrast. Lighting is from main and side lights.

The step leading from the balcony to the room is approximately 2.5”. The balcony is 54” wide and the sliding door to the balcony is 30”.

The bathroom has a bath which is low level and 18” high. The bathroom door is 31” wide. There are 4 fixed rails and 1 drop down rail.

Bathrooms

In most bathrooms throughout the hotel, the shower is located above the bath and rubber bath mats are provided. The baths are of a standard height. Most of the bedrooms have grab rails above the bath.

Evacuation

In order to safely evacuate, we will need to conduct a personal emergency evacuation plan on arrival to understand your specific requirements. Should evacuation be necessary, our alarm will sound continuously.

We have a set of evacuation procedures. Should you require assistance, someone will come to your room and help you with evacuation either out of the building or to a refuge area. We have an evac chair to assist.

In the event of the fire alarms being activated, the lifts are automatically grounded to the reception level.

Additional Information

All of our employees receive regular disability awareness training.

Guide dogs and accredited assistance dogs are welcome throughout our hotel.  A water bowl is available just outside the main entrance for assistance dogs and one can be supplied for bedrooms where necessary.

Room service is available 24 hours.

We have an area where a mobility scooter can be charged. Please ask at reception.

The nearest General Hospital with an A&E unit is in Torquay.

The nearest doctor’s surgery is Parkhill Medical Practice in Torquay. The phone number is 01803 212489.

Free Wi-Fi Internet access is available in bedrooms and throughout the hotel.

We can offer a list of nearby attractions and details of their Access Statements for information, where available.

 

We have tried to be as accurate as possible and have included as much details as we can in our Accessibility Statement, however we do welcome your feedback in order to evolve the information and services we provide.

If you require further assistance, please contact the hotel:

The Imperial Torquay
Park Hill Road
Torquay
Devon
TQ1 2DG

Tel: 01803 294 301