Dublin’s Ashling Hotel has unveiled its new sensory family bedroom, specifically designed for children and their family staying at the hotel.
The provision of a sensory room for their guests in the Dublin 8 hotel makes them the first in the capital to offer this space.
The hotel's proximity to St James’ Hospital and other neighbouring hospitals means that they frequently have families staying who are attending various medical appointments.
This, coupled with the fact that autism awareness charity As I Am is a long-standing designated charity partner, led to the idea to have a tailor-made family bedroom suite specifically aimed at offering a true sensory sensitive room for guests.
Managing director and general manager of the Ashling Hotel Ronan Walsh said the room would provide a positive effect on all five senses and was designed to offer further support to families staying at the hotel.
“Many families who visit the hotel have autism, dementia or ADHD difficulties for one or more children and through our many years of engaging with them we determined that it would be beneficial for them to have this space at the hotel," he added.
“We constantly strive to think outside the box, to offer our guests a little extra that will help to make their stay more enjoyable. Having a child with a sensory sensitive condition is always a huge challenge when a family chooses to stay in an hotel, we are delighted we chose to address this in a meaningful way and proud that Adam and As I Am believe this bedroom will significantly help any parent and child staying in the Ashling. Being so close to Heuston train station, yet in the city, The Ashling is a perfect location to stay and now another stressful scenario is addressed and families can actually look forward to bring a child with sensory difficulties too.
“Parents of children who have a disability deserve a night away where they can have an enjoyable stay where they feel reassured their child will be relaxed.
“Studies have shown that sensory rooms can help improve focus, reduces stress and anxiety while also encouraging socialising, developing communication skills.
“We look forward to our visiting families having the opportunity to experience the room and we are privileged to be able to look after them and support them as we are with all our guests," he concluded.
The first family who overnighted in the new room were effusive in their praise. The family of four said of the new bedroom:
“Wow wow wow. It was spacious, specifically allowing our autistic child to regulate to his new environment, crucial for his comfort when travelling. The sensory installations including interactive speakers, LED colour changing lights, laser projection and the diffuser were all intentionally included to soothe the senses.
"The star of the show was the bubbling water tower with colour lights too, it provided a calm for us all and focus for our child. The purposeful inclusion of this feature and the other sensory equipment was not contrived but rather was a thoughtful addition to enhance our comfort and relaxation and it also relieved so much anxiety for the whole family. What sets the Ashling Hotel apart is how they have taken a neuro-affirmative stance and effort to create a sensory experience with hotel bedroom accommodation.”
The Ashling Hotel’s sensory room includes:
Extra-large LED bubble tube.
Acrylic mirror panels to illuminate the bubble tube.
Oversized memory foam beanbags that conforms to your shape.
The Lappy - weighted lap pad.
The Buzzy - soft vibrating cushion.
LED mood cube with bluetooth speaker.
Aroma diffuser - LED colour changing.
Organic aroma oils.
Fidget Box - 25 different sensory-based toys/fidget.
50” Chromecast TV, set up for streaming Netflix and Prime.
As I Am CEO Adam Harris was on hand to officially open the room for families and welcomed the hotel’s newest addition.
"I would like to congratulate the Ashling Hotel on the launch of their 'sensory bedroom'," he said. "Autistic people, and our families, deserve the same chance to live, work and play in the community and accessible hotels are key to delivering this vision.
"Too often families lose out on holiday opportunities due to the lack of predictable, supportive environments - this is a much welcome development that I am sure will see many others follow.”
The sensory room is the newest addition and is part of a larger significant refurbishment project at the Ashling, which includes the reception, restaurant and bar in the hotel for the first time since 2009. The works will see a redesign of the entire ground floor along with significant investment in plant and machinery as they continue their journey towards zero carbon emissions.
The hotel currently has a number of offers and packages suitable for those seeking city centre accommodation and breaks across the summer — for more details see https://www.ashlinghotel.ie/offers.
Those interested can find further information about the sensory rooms at https://www.ashlinghotel.ie/sensory-guestroom.
