TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Hotel Spotlight

Hotel Spotlight: Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa

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Aerial view of the Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa with distinctive blue metal roofing and a central domed cupola, set among manicured lawns and mature trees, with a parking area visible to the left. The property overlooks a scenic river landscape with a dam or bridge structure visible in the distance, surrounded by lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

Sometimes accessibility comes down to the little things—like a phone call that makes a guest feel truly seen.

At the Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa, staff recently put their new Wheel the World Academy accessibility training into practice during a group booking. When a guest services employee, Keely Law, noticed that an incoming traveler was visually impaired, she didn’t make assumptions. Instead, she picked up the phone, connected with the traveler, and asked if he would prefer a room by the elevator.

The simple gesture surprised the guest, who shared how grateful he was that someone took the time to check in on his needs before arrival.

This is the kind of next-level customer service that accessibility training inspires—not just awareness, but action. After being equipped with practical tools and sensitivity, the hospitality team has moved beyond compliance to create thoughtful, personalized experiences.

For Renaissance Shoals, it’s proof that small moments can make a big impact—and that accessibility done well is about welcoming and care, not ADA checklists and guesswork.

Hotel Spotlight: Everline

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Everline Resort & Spa glows warmly at sunset, with its modern lodge architecture, cascading rock waterfall, and a row of international flags lining the entrance.

MobilityWorks labeled Everline Resort and Spa as one of the most accessible resorts in America. According to their top five list, the resort includes an accessible fitness center, wheelchair height peepholes on doors and even audio/visual smoke detectors. The website also mentions:

  • Wheelchair-Accessible Doors
  • Fitness Center Wheelchair Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-Accessible Climate Controls
  • Public Restrooms with Wheelchair Access
  • Portable Bathtub Benches Available for All Room Types
  • Wheelchair-Accessible Sink/Vanity and Towel Racks | Wheelchair-Accessible Closet Poles
  • Roll-In Showers
  • Close-Captioned Television Decoders
  • Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)
  • Telephone Alerting Device
  • Front Door Alerting Device
  • Vibrating Alarm Clock
  • Audio-Visual Smoke Detector

Hotel Spotlight: Radisson Blu, Bloomington, Minnesota

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Two children site in a hotel room in blue armchairs. A wheelchair is next to them.

By Jennifer Allen

Typically, our son is a part time wheelchair user and we’re able to cheat a bit when it comes to room accessibility. Since I’ve seen how often we need those cheats in hotels, I was a little bit nervous for our first stay as a full time wheelchair user.

Radisson Blu absolutely nailed it in accessibility, comfort, luxury, and convenience. The sliding bathroom door, roll under sink, double grab bars for the toilet and roll in shower made the bathroom a breeze. The bathroom, bedroom, and living spaces in the suite were spacious and easy to navigate. The convenience of the hotel, with FireLake Grill House downstairs and Mall of America across the hall, was unbeatable. If we weren’t so excited to get out in nature with the track chair, we never would’ve had to leave the building. The staff were friendly and helpful and even the revolving entrance door had accessibility options. 

It was a completely seamless hotel stay.

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