Looking back on the past 30 years, as 2019 marked the last year of the Heisei era, the concept of "universal design" became widely accepted and developed throughout society.
Keio Plaza Hotel 's universal service initiative began in 1988, the year before the start of the Heisei era, following the World Rehabilitation Congress held at the hotel. Initially, 15 guest rooms were made wheelchair accessible. For the past 30 years, the hotel has continued to pioneer various initiatives in both its facilities and services, leading to its current state.
The changing names of the guest rooms offer a clue to understanding the hotel's evolution. The original 15 "handicap rooms" became "barrier-free rooms," and in the 2000s, 10 more functional "universal rooms" were added. The concept has expanded from targeting specific groups such as people with disabilities or the elderly to a universal design approach that is easy for everyone to use, and facilities, equipment, and services have been improved one by one.
The new stage in this direction is the "New Universal Room," which opened in December 2018. While retaining the strengths of the original "Universal Room," which was well-received for its customizable style of installing various support equipment according to guests' requests, it has been renovated into a more elegant and sophisticated space. With the addition of Luxury Delux room and Junior Suite Room, the total of 13 rooms across three types represent a lineup befitting the new era, ensuring that all guests can enjoy a safe, secure, and comfortable hotel stay.
