South West Paralympic athlete denied hotel room due to wheelchair

A Paralympic medalist and his partner, both wheelchair users, were turned away from a hotel they had booked and paid for due to their disabilities. Piers Gilliver, a Tokyo gold medalist in wheelchair fencing from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, recounted the incident at the Ibis Rotherham East on Saturday. The 30-year-old athlete, who recently won two individual silver medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, described the experience as “not acceptable,” saying it left him feeling like a “second-class citizen.”

Gilliver and his partner Valeriia had chosen the hotel for its affordability and the presence of a customer lift, booking a standard room for £60. Although no accessible rooms were available, the couple explained they didn’t need one. Their narrow wheelchairs could navigate standard doors, and Gilliver noted the hotel had both a lift and an evacuation chair. Despite this, staff informed them they couldn’t stay on the upper floors, citing potential insurance or fire safety concerns.

The Paralympian emphasized that he regularly stays in multi-story hotels without issue and didn’t require assistance or special accommodations. However, the staff refused to relent, even after he pointed out the visible lift and offered to compromise. Gilliver requested to speak with the manager, but the staff member returned after a brief absence, insisting they leave and book elsewhere. The couple was not given a chance to discuss the matter further and had to find another hotel. Their payment was later refunded through the booking app.

“It’s really disgraceful,” Gilliver said. “You feel so angry and completely worthless. For years as a citizen in this country, you can’t even do something as basic as book a hotel without being banned for no reason.” He highlighted that such barriers are a daily reality for him and his partner, from inaccessible public transport to challenges with shops and taxis. “All we want is equality and the same customer experience as everyone else,” he added.

An Ibis spokesperson apologized, stating the incident did not reflect the company’s values. They admitted staff failed to follow procedure or inform the couple of an alternative option at a nearby hotel. “We are taking immediate corrective action,” the spokesperson said, noting that the hotel team would undergo retraining to ensure proper service and communication in the future.

Gilliver’s experience underscores the persistent obstacles faced by wheelchair users, even for a decorated athlete accustomed to navigating such challenges.

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