1. Decide what must work

Choose up to three essentials before comparing amenities.

Must work

The booking does not work if one of these cannot be confirmed.

Would help

These reduce effort or make recovery easier, but are not essential.

Acceptable compromise

Name a trade-off you can manage in return for a stronger essential feature.

Example: Must work: step-free room access. Would help: a fridge. Acceptable compromise: no view in return for a shorter route.

2. Check the exact stay

Use listing details to shortlist. Tick an item only when you have enough detail for the room or unit attached to your booking.

A property-wide feature may not apply to every room. Ask about the exact room category, unit, cabin or lodge location attached to your booking.

Property-specific checks

Open only the type of stay you are considering.

Hotel or resort

Confirm the exact room allocation, corridor distance, lift route and likely noise from events or nightlife.

Short-term rental or Airbnb

Confirm key collection, building access and how the host will respond if an essential feature stops working.

Lodge or safari accommodation

Confirm terrain, distance to dining and vehicles, boarding arrangements and early-start requirements.

Cruise cabin

Confirm corridor distance, the nearest lift bank and whether any port uses a tender or small-boat transfer.

3. Turn requests into confirmation

For a must-work item, ask for written detail and a fallback before paying. “Subject to availability” is not confirmation.

Name the exact stay. Include the dates and room or unit type.
Ask for observable detail. Request steps, distance, measurements, photos or room location.
Ask what is confirmed. Separate guaranteed features from requests and ask for the fallback.

Message to the property

Hello. I am considering [room or unit] for [dates]. Before I book, could you please confirm these points for the exact room or unit attached to the booking? 1. [First must-work item] 2. [Second must-work item] 3. [Third must-work item] For each item, please tell me whether it is guaranteed for this booking or only a request. Please also explain the alternative if the assigned room, route or facility is different. Photos or measurements would help for: [specific detail]. Thank you.

Keep the reply with your booking details and recheck any feature that may change.

4. Decide whether to proceed

Do not balance a failed essential against attractive extras.

Proceed

Essentials confirmed

Every must-work item and the fallback apply to the exact booking.

Pause

An important fact is unclear

A feature is inconsistent, generic or only recorded as a request.

Change option

An essential cannot be met

Choose another room, property or arrangement when no workable alternative exists.

Comparing two options? Prefer the one that confirms every essential, requires less repeated effort and has the clearer fallback.

Limits of this checklist

It helps you organise questions and compare provider information. It does not inspect properties, certify accessibility, guarantee room allocation or provide medical, legal, insurance or booking services.

Last reviewed: 27 July 2026. Recheck important details near travel when they may change.

Several parts of the trip need to work together?

Use the Trip Fit Check & Starter Kit when accommodation, travel day, itinerary, backup choices and recovery need to become one practical plan for a real trip.

Build the full trip plan

Planning support only. The Starter Kit does not provide medical advice or clearance, legal or insurance advice, or travel booking.

Body-friendly accommodation checklist