Located in the heart of Brisbane, Australia’s central business district, the Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre by IHG offers comfortable wheelchair accessible accommodation that gives off the feel of a boutique hotel. Part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio, the property offers modern accommodations within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions, restaurants and shopping areas.
I recently stayed in one of the hotel’s wheelchair accessible guest rooms — its high level of accessibility coupled with the affordable price point makes it one of the top wheelchair accessible hotels in Brisbane. Let's take a look inside the room!
Room Rates & Reservations
The cost of a hotel room at the Hotel Indigo varies considerably, with typical room rates ranging from approximately $150 USD to around $250 USD per night over the next year. The hotel is popular among business travelers and tourists alike, and rates naturally increase during periods of high occupancy. Travelers are encouraged to book early to take advantage of the lowest rates at this wheelchair accessible hotel.
Room rates fluctuate based on season and demand, but accessible rooms are typically priced in line with standard guest rooms of the same category, so there is not an accessibility premium. Room reservations for wheelchair accessible hotel rooms can be made via the Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre website.
Wheelchair Accessible Hotel Room at Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre
My “1 Queen Standard Accessible” room was a standard room type, and the space was somewhat constrained, but I was still able to make use of the room with my large power wheelchair.
The room had modern and perhaps a bit whimsical design elements. Theview from the large window was forgettable, but it did invite large amounts of natural light into the space which was otherwise on the darker side. Entry to the room was via a door that was 36 inches wide (91 cm), and had two peepholes at heights of 60 inches and 47.5 inches (that's 152 cm and 120 cm).
The queen size bed was comfortable and provided for a relaxing sleep experience. It was accessible on all sides from my power wheelchair, though I did have to move the table and chair positioned to the left side of the bed. The bed height was 24 inches (61 cm) measured from the floor to the top of the mattress, with 5 inches (12 cm) of clearance underneath.
Lighting controls, power outlets and USB ports were found directly alongside the bed and above the nightstand. The bedside power outlet allowed me to easily charge my wheelchair and other electronics. Note that electricity in Australia is delivered at 230 volts. Travelers from the U.S. and North America may need to use a step-down power transformer to charge wheelchairs that use the 120V standard. Please see the guide to charging a power wheelchair abroad for more information and tips. My wheelchair has a dual-voltage charger, so I plugged right into the wall (with a universal plug adapter) and charged without issue.
On the wall opposite the bed was a wall-mounted television and mini fridge. It was somewhat frustrating that the television was aligned to the right, but the bathroom door was a barrier.
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Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom with Roll-in Shower at Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre
The beautifully appointed bathroom is really where this hotel stood out, with all of the accessibility features that I needed to feel safe and secure.
The bathroom featured a small roll under sink with an easy-to-operate faucet. I wish the sink had been larger, as it was difficult to find space for my toiletries.
The toilet was accessible, with a grab bar to the left and clearance on the right to park a wheelchair for a safe lateral transfer. The toilet measured 18.5 inches (47 cm) from floor to seat, and the grab bar was mounted at a height of 32.5 inches (82 cm).
The roll-in shower was lovely, and featured a shower curtain with a rod for closing it on the track — a fantastic accessibility feature! The shower was large with a rectangular shape, and featured a rectangular seat that folded down from the back wall. The seat was 18.5 inches (47 cm) tall and measured 37 inches (94 cm) wide, with a depth of 14.5 inches (37 cm). A handheld shower head and water controls were located on the adjacent side wall and within reach of the seat. Bath soap, shampoo and conditioner dispensers were affixed to the wall within reach. Grab bars were placed on the back wall at a height of 32.5 inches (82 cm).
The roll-in shower design was so lovely that I have actually filed it away as inspiration for a future home renovation. It worked extremely well for me!
Location & Transportation
Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre is ideally located in the heart of Brisbane’s central business district, mere blocks from the Central and Roma Street Stations, the Kurilpa pedestrian bridge, Brisbane City Hall and other attractions.
Sidewalks in the immediate area are generally well-maintained, with curb ramps at intersections, making it possible to navigate the neighborhood by wheelchair. I wheeled all the way from the hotel to the Story Bridge Climb Experience, and also to nearby ferry ports for exploration of the city.
Final Thoughts
The wheelchair accessible room at Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre offers solid, functional accessibility in a central location. The hotel's design is consistent with the Hotel Indigo brand standard, which has become one of my go-to choices for accommodation when traveling abroad. If you are searching for a wheelchair accessible place to stay in Brisbane, I encourage you to consider giving this property a look.
