If you’re planning a trip – whether for business, leisure or to visit family – one of the first things you’ll be doing is booking your accommodation. This is a pretty simple process, unless you are one of the not insignificant number of people who rely on medical oxygen to stay in good health.
Holidaying while unwell is hard enough, trying to organise everything from understanding the many complicated regulations to actually traveling with oxygen and hotel stays can be truly daunting, especially if you haven’t done it before.
But have no fear!
This article has plenty of accommodation tips for oxygen users that will talk you through how to go about everything from booking a hotel with medical oxygen to taking into account the altitude and humidity of your destination country when planning your itinerary.
You will most likely not be able to simply make your booking without consulting the hotel or accommodation manager in some way, so plan your accommodation as soon as you decide on your destination city. Once you are in contact with someone, however, you will be able to ascertain whether the accommodation can support your needs so you can enjoy a safe, comfortable and stress-free stay.
Read on to discover our clear checklist that can help you to research hotels before you contact them – and you’ll also learn how OxygenWorldwide can help you with oxygen sourcing and delivery in your destination country.
Why Accommodation Matters for Oxygen Users
When you are away from home, you will need somewhere that is a sanctuary for you, a private place where you can access and use your oxygen freely as well as rest up and enjoy some downtime without anyone else around. But as well as a door you can lock on the inside and a comfy bed, you will need the space, power and ventilation access that your oxygen equipment demands, particularly specific items like having a power point close to the bed so you can use your oxygen while you are resting or napping.
If you book a hotel and assume – or worse, simply hope – that they will be able to meet your needs without too much bother, you could find yourself suffering from equipment issues, delays with accessing your treatments, and with unnecessary stress shortening your breath even more than usual.
Therefore, avoid the above with these…
Key Questions to Ask Before You Book
Q: Can my oxygen equipment be delivered before my arrival? Will you store it securely until I check-in?
Q: May I have a room on the ground floor, or, if not, a room with access to a lift, so that I can get my bulky equipment in and out without too much stress or bother?
Q: Please make sure my room has a power supply close to the bed so I can use my portable oxygen concentrator or recharge my device’s batteries.
Q: Please ensure there is a properly working fridge in my room so I can keep my medication at a stable, low temperature.
Q: Do you have air-conditioning and/ or is the room very well ventilated? This is especially important when it is hot outside as this can exacerbate my condition.
Q: Please ensure that the staff on duty are aware that my oxygen and equipment will be delivered during the relevant window. And will you require any advance warning from my supplier that they are on their way?
Q: Is there any smoking in or near my room? With pure oxygen around, I would prefer not to be in the proximity of fire – and I’m sure you’d prefer that too, in the long run!
Q: Will I have enough space in my room to store spare cylinders and portable equipment including oxygen tanks, carriage trolleys, POCs and their chargers, as well as spare consumables like tubing and cannulas?
Bear in mind, most hotels are more than happy to help you out – but they do need to know your needs in advance.
What to Pack (or Have Delivered) for Your Stay
Bring along
- The above-mentioned consumables like tubing, connectors and nasal cannulas
- Your charger and spare batteries
- An extension cord (just in case!)
- A hard copy of your prescription and your medically recommended oxygen plan
- The OxygenWorldwide 24/7 Emergency number
- Enough oxygen to last the duration of our holiday (this one is usually a ‘deliver’ rather than a ‘pack’)
Make sure you check and confirm check-in times and your delivery window so you don’t take a chance on missing your delivery.
How OxygenWorldwide Supports Hotel and Rental Deliveries
OxygenWorldwide has long been in the business of helping oxygen users get their oxygen, no matter where they are – we have contacts in many countries (with some exceptions, so do check before you make your plans!) and can speak to both our network of suppliers and you in your native languages so the risk of misunderstandings is minimised. Here’s how we can help you:
- Your oxygen delivered promptly to your accommodation for you. Often, it can be ready and waiting for you when you arrive
- We will work with the hotel reception staff or hosts to confirm the access and timing of your oxygen delivery
- We can advise you on the best equipment to fit into your holiday room and your medical needs
- We can offer 24-7 support in case of sudden changes of plan that upset your planned treatments: such as the need to relocate, or even having to check out of your room earlier than you’d realised
Don’t Forget Alternative Stays: Villas, Rental apartments, Cruises
For villas and Airbnbs, you should usually communicate directly with the proprietor or host as they will be able to give you the go-ahead or let you know about any potential problems with the room. OxygenWorldwide can help you out here, by contacting the host on your behalf and explaining the exact needs for oxygen therapy users.
For some cruises, OxygenWorldwide can sometimes arrange oxygen delivery to the port or even right to your cabin, depending on the cruise line, the busy-ness at the time of the delivery, and even the temperament of the delivery person!
Make sure you book your oxygen from a supplier well versed with the medical side of the industry. Once again, OxygenWorldwide might be able to advise you using a shortlist of trusted suppliers.
In short, if you know the right questions to ask and ask them clearly, you will be able to travel with peace of mind and the security of knowing that your medical needs will be met as you focus on exploring your destination. Booking a hotel, even with oxygen needs, doesn’t have to be very complicated and – if you ask those right questions – you might even find it easier than you expect!
Your hotel accommodation will, with forethought and the assistance of OxygenWorldwide, become a place of rest and respite, not one of worry and anxiety. If this sounds good to you, let us know your destination and we’ll coordinate your oxygen delivery direct to your door, whether that door is your grandpa’s, a hotel’s or a holiday home.
