Virgin Hotels Integrates Design Details Autism Parents Will Appreciate

Photography courtesy of VH Collection

Traveling with kids on a good day always has the potential to be… well, let’s not mince words… nothing short of a nightmare! Think constant unexpected roadblocks (pun intended), like flight delays that cause a fight to the death between siblings over the one charger mom remembered to bring or the deafening shrieks of a 4-year-old after he’s blown through the 12 pounds of snacks dad packed.

But for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), these experiences make for more than just war stories everyone can laugh about years later. It excludes them completely from the joy and memories that family vacations can provide.

In recent years, many hotel brands and destinations have set out to make traveling more inclusive for those with neurodiversities. Unfortunately (and I speak from experience), some of these so-called Certified Autism Centers™ (CAC) or Certified Autism Destinations™ through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) can really leave you holding the proverbial “sensory kit” bag. But one of the latest brands to join the ranks, Virgin Hotels—in partnership with Autism Double-Checked—seems to be paving a shiny new pathway.

Activist and influencer Stephanie Hanrahan chronicles her life on Instagram as the parent of two children with ASD. This past fall, she and the kiddos made a stop at Virgin Hotels Dallas to see if this Autism Double-Checked certified property was up to snuff. Verdict? It sure was!

It’s the comprehensive approach that makes all the difference here. “We noticed so many accommodations during our stay at @virginhotelsdal, including noise-reducing room designs and a staff trained to support hidden disabilities,” Stephanie wrote.

Accessible, spaaaacious chambers (you should see the bathrooms!) hand the controls over to guests in terms of lighting with dimmers and blackout shades if needed. And this detail is the cherry on top: Temporary door alarms alert travel companions if the chamber door is opened at any time.

Hear that? It’s the parents of elopers everywhere crying happy tears.

Throw in quiet corners and sensory-friendly spaces throughout the property, and you’ve got a truly all-inclusive hotel. Virgin Hotels looks forward to implementing additional elements for neurodiverse travelers this year.

“These aren’t just accommodations,” Stephanie wrote. "They’re invitations to belong."

Amen.

—AnnMarie Martin