Athenaeum Guest House Access Statement                                                               (28th September 2008)

Introduction

The Athenaeum Lodge Guest House is housed in a Georgian Grade II Listed Building, ideally situated in the heart of the city on the famous Plymouth Hoe (200 metres away) The Guest House is two hundred years old and whilst we aim to meet the needs of all our guests there are some period features which might make access difficult for people with limited mobility. We are located on a slight hill and have rooms at different levels. There are steps into the Guest House and between rooms. The ground floor room, Room 1, is suitable for some wheelchair users.

Pre-Arrival

• We are located in Athenaeum Street.  Our location is suitable for those travelling by car/taxi or on foot.
• The nearest shops (City Centre) are approximately 5 minutes away by car or 5 minutes walk.
• The nearest bus stop is about 5 minutes walk away. The buses available are also in a variety of locations around the city centre and will take you to many destinations within Plymouth and Devon. The Bus station is 10 minutes walk. Buses from her go to many UK destinations.
• The nearest railway station is Plymouth and about 20 minutes walk or 5 minutes by taxi. It is a main line station with various destinations throughout the UK.
• The nearest airport is Plymouth and about 5 miles away. Taxi’s are available at the airport.
• The nearest ferry port is 10 minutes walk or 3 minutes by car. Ferry destinations to Roscoff (France) and Santander (Spain) are available.
• There are several local taxi companies; we can make bookings in advance for you.
• We have 2 cats but they are not allowed in the Guest House. We are unable to accommodate dogs or other animals, unless they are for help by persons with disabilities.
• Brochures and menus can be provided in large print if required. We regret we do not have facilites to prepare documents in braille.
• Our website www.athenaeumlodge.com provides pictures of our accommodation and further information about the services we provide.
• You can contact us by telephone, text, e-mail or fax. Fax is by prior arrangement. There is a phone for use by guests on the premises

   

  Arrival and Car Parking

• Please advise us of your anticipated arrival time so that we can be sure we are here to welcome you.
• To ensure your accommodation is ready we ask that guests do not normally arrive before 2.00pm. Earlier arrival may, however, be possible by arrangement.
• Parking is at the rear of the Guest House accessed from Citadel Road or Crescent Ave. Please park either in front of the red decking or down as far as possible to the side of the Guest House. If you park in the car park we will require your car keys in case we have to move your car for any reason. Leaving your car keys with us implies that you are happy for us to move your car in the car park area only.
• We offer assistance with luggage.

   

  Main Entrance

• There are two doors to gain access to the Guest House. The first door is normally open and will let you stand in the porch by the main front door. There is one step from the pavement to the first front door. A second step takes you into the porch and a third step takes you into the hallway. Steps are approximately 9in and a handrail is available on both sides of the main footpath to the first front door. Please ring the bell on your arrival.

  Guest Accommodation – Public Areas and the Bedrooms

• The hallway of the Guest House is 1020cm wide with a radiator protruding halfway down. All the hallways in the Guest House are carpeted.
• Off the hallway on the right is the Dining Room. A little further on the right is Room 1.
• Towards the end of the hallway is a door on the left, which leads via a staircase to rooms 9 and 10. The staircase has 12 steps
• Halfway along the entrance hallway are the main stairs for the Guest House. There are 16 steps to the first landing where room 2 is located. There is a public toilet on the right just before this room.
• There are 5 steps to the second landing where room 3 is located. Room 4 is also on this floor located through a small archway.
• There are 8 steps to the next landing where there is a public bathroom.
• There are 8 steps to the next landing where there is room 6 on the left. Room 7 is in front of you.
• The Guest House is centrally heated throughout but temperatures can be adjusted in each room to suit individual requirements.
• At the end of the ground floor hallway, on the right just before the kitchen is a sliding door where guests will find an iron and ironing board. Car keys are normally held in the kitchen, but may also be in this small room if we are not available.

   

  Bedrooms and Facilities

• All bedrooms are carpeted throughout. Bathrooms have Vinyl flooring.
• There are en suite facilities in all rooms except room 6. En-suites consist of a shower, WC and washbasin. Towels, shampoo and shower gel, hand wash and small bars of soap are provided.
• Tea, drinking chocolate and coffee facilities and complimentary biscuits are provided
• We also provide a hair dryer, tissues, cotton wool balls, cotton buds, shoe cleaner.
• Our beds are normally made with duvets containing anti allergenic materials All pillows are the same.
• We are happy to provide sheets and blankets if preferred. Please specify before your arrival if required.
• There is a wardrobe, chest of drawers and dressing table in each room.
• Our bedrooms are not large enough to accommodate additional seating.
• There is information in each bedroom about the Guest House and details of emergency contacts including doctors and hospitals.
• We use air freshener devices within the bedrooms and public areas. You may be allergic to these so please inform us if you are and they can be removed.

  Bedroom 1

• Access to this room is along the ground floor hallway which is 1020cm wide and through the door which is 770cm wide. The room is adjacent to the dining room and reception area. This is a double/twin room with the shower and washbasin in the bedroom. The WC is separated within the room by a door. This is suitable for persons who may need help in showering, as there is plenty of room to manoeuvre. This is the only room on the Guest House like this. It is suitable for some wheelchair users and those with limited disabilities. This room has a 4ft 6in double bed with access from both sides. It also has a 3ft single bed with access to one side. The window overlooks the rear of the Guest House.

  Bedroom 2

• A double en-suite. The bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a door within the room.  This room has a 4ft 6in double bed and overlooks the rear of the Guest House.

  Bedroom 3

• A twin en-suite. The wash basin is in a vanity unit in the room and the shower and toilet is separated from the bedroom by a door within the room. This room has a 4ft 6in double bed with access from both sides. It also has a 3ft single bed with access to one side. The window overlooks the rear of the Guest House.

  Bedroom 4

• A double en-suite. The wash basin is in a vanity unit in the room and the shower and toilet is separated from the bedroom by a door within the room. This room has a 4ft 6in double bed with access from both sides. The window overlooks the front of the Guest House.

  Bedroom 6

• A twin Standard room. There is a wash basin within the room. This room has a 4ft 0in double bed with access from one side. It also has a 3ft single bed with access to one side. The windows overlook the rear of the Guest House.

  Bedroom 7

• A twin en-suite. The bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a door within the room. This room has a 4ft 6in double bed with access from one side. It also has a 3ft single bed with access to one side. The window overlooks the front of the Guest House.

  Bedroom 9

• A double/twin en-suite. The bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a door within the room. This room has a 4ft 6in double bed with access from both sides. It also has a 3ft single bed with access to one side. This room has a window to the front of the Guest House, which overlooks a small paved garden.

  Bedroom 10

• This is a double en-suite. The bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a door within the room. This room has a 4ft 6in double bed with access from both sides. It has a window at the rear of the Guest House and overlooks the car park.

   

  Gardens

• We have a patio garden at the front of the Guest House.
• We have some plants on view at the rear of the Guest House in the car park area.

  Additional Information

• There is a fire extinguisher on all floors of the Guest House.
• In the event of a fire the automatic alarm system will sound. Please advise us if you have a hearing impairment and might not hear this.
• The building can be evacuated via the front door. In an emergency there is also an exit via our kitchen, which is at the end of the hallway at ground level. There is also an emergency exit downstairs by room 9 and room 10.
• We do not permit smoking in the Guest House.
• There is an iron and ironing board available for use and is situated in the small staff toilet area to the right of the kitchen door. Please feel free to use it if required. Please check the bottom of the iron before use as it has been known that "debris" has got stuck to the bottom of the iron left by the previous users and not reported to the Guesthouse staff. The Guest House will not be responsible for damage cause by use of the iron.
  
• We are happy to cater for special diets or any particular likes or dislikes. Please advise us of these before your arrival.
• We are happy to refrigerate any medication. We can also keep any perishables (such as clotted cream!) in our fridge for a limited period.
• Mobile phone reception at the Guest House is generally good.
• Fax and photo copying facilities are available on request.
  
• The Guest House has Wireless Internet and a password is required to use it.
• In the Dining room is also a computer for your use. This is free to use.
• You are reminded to follow the laws governing Internet use in the UK. Failure to do so will result in Police intervention.

   

  Guest House Contact Information

• Address: Athenaeum Lodge Guest House, 4 Athenaeum street, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 2RQ
• Telephone/fax number: is 01752 665005/01752 670090.  When we are away from home this number is diverted to our mobile phone or the answerphone may be switched on.
• Mobile Phone: For emergencies only please. 07966 459277
• E-mail address: us@athenaeumlodge.com
• Website: www.athenaeumlodge.com
• We are open all year, except Christmas and New Year but do take occasional days off.
• Taxi Numbers: 01752 606060 or 01752 222222.

  Future Plans for our Guest House

• We are planning to install new digital TV’s to our guest accommodation.
• We are planning to redecorate the front of the Guest House.
• We are planning some internal decorating.

If you require further details or have any comments about the services we provide do not hesitate to contact us.

Thursday, 28 February 2008