Accessible Hospitality Across Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara has built a reputation as one of Ontario’s more accessible destinations. We’ve previously shared how much of the region has been increasingly designing their spaces and experiences with accessibility in mind. This article written by Tori Hunter, highlights fun and accessible experiences there. Of course the main attraction is visiting Niagara Falls itself – you can also experience the water rapids at the White Water Walk. The Butterfly Conservatory is fully wheelchair accessible and hosts over 2,000 colourful butterflies. Clifton Hill is also a popular space to visit and has a variety of attractions to choose from such as the Niagara SkyWheel or the Movieland Wax Museum. If you are planning to visit Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake, remember many of their attractions accept Access2 cards – click here to select either of the cities to learn more. 

A short drive away in Niagara-on-the-Lake, community member Cheryl Katz recently experienced exactly what accessible hospitality can look like.

What Cheryl Found at 124 on Queen Hotel and Spa

“There are so many times when commercial establishments simply do not make any effort to accommodate the needs of mobility challenged individuals that when someone does, it is worth acknowledging their efforts and celebrating their thoughtfulness,” Cheryl wrote. Her shout-out goes to Eric Quesnel, General Manager, and Stephanie Don Griot, Marketing Manager at the hotel. 

The hotel’s main entrance off Queen Street has a step, but a barrier-free side entrance at street level leads directly to the lounge, restaurant, and elevator — beautifully decorated, and, in Cheryl’s words, clearly not an afterthought.

Her adapted room was built around real mobility needs: a roll-in shower, an accessible sink with no vanity blocking wheelchair or scooter access, no carpet to trip over, automatic door openers that worked, and grab bars at both the toilet and shower. 

Side note: remember to always call ahead and book an accessible room if you need one! 

The spa was also accessible for Cheryl. There was a treatment room with a height-adjustable table, and hoists for both the hot and cold therapy pools, with Spa Director Vanessa Tierney and Spa Manager Hillary Penn leading a team Cheryl described as helpful and accommodating. Please call ahead to mention specific needs.

Getting Around Niagara-on-the-Lake

A few practical notes for anyone planning a visit:

• Visitors with a disability parking permit park free anywhere in Niagara-on-the-Lake, including all public parking lots.
• eSkoot Niagara rents four-wheeled electric scooters daily or weekly for getting around town: 289-271-0663, www.eskoot.com.

“Accessibility is not just about complying with the law. It is about hospitality,” Cheryl points to the shops and cafés around town that had made the effort to make their store more accessible, whether it’s adding ramps or automatic door entrances.

“Congratulations to the businesses that have taken the simple but meaningful step of making their entrances accessible… those small adaptations send a powerful message that everyone is welcome here.”

Accessible design is largely about the choices individual businesses make. Curating a truly inclusive experience requires individuals who are willing to go the extra mile. Places like 124 on Queen show what’s possible when that choice gets made well.

Thank you to Cheryl Katz, Disability Rights Advocate and lawyer, for sharing her experience with our team, and for wanting to share it further with the AccessNow community.

Thank you to Cheryl Katz, Disability Rights Advocate and lawyer, for sharing her experience with our team, and for wanting to share it further with the AccessNow community.

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