Is it legal to charge more for a handicap accessible hotel room?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is it legal to charge more for a handicap accessible hotel room?
I called to book a bunk room (low price) at the Pod Hotel in NYC. I was told it was not wheelchair accessible. Such a room as cost much more. Is this ADA Compliant? The manager says no because they have an accessible room. I feel discriminated against because I will have to pay more money just because I am in a wheelchair.
Asked on October 8, 2010 under Business Law, Florida
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has guidelines concerning lodging facilities and even a questionnaire for inns and hotels to use to make their facilities ADA compliant, including a survey of transportation available. I have not seen a separate section in the guidelines concerning a cost difference or additional charge issue. ADA compliant rooms oftentimes do need additional costs but you should check with your local ADA authority to determine if cost is one factor the hotel can charge additional for such improvements.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.