Colorado Springs always feels like an invitation, to mountain air, wide horizons, and that fresh Colorado uplift. On a recent stay, I chose the Embassy Suites by Hilton Colorado Springs on Commerce Center Drive. Embassy Suites properties are known for their spaciousness, central atriums, and full-service feel. But for blind and low-vision travelers, what matters most is whether the hotel lives up to accessibility, comfort, and thoughtful service.

Arrival and Check-In

As you enter through the main doors, the check-in desk is immediately to your right, a few careful steps past a small sundries store on your right. The route is clear and unobstructed, making approach fairly straightforward. Staff at check-in were polite, and efficient.

Elevators and Room Access

Once inside, elevators are located a few steps ahead from the check in desk both to the left and right of the check-in desk. Continuing straight beyond those brings you to stairs down into the atrium, where breakfast and the evening reception are held.

The elevators themselves carry standard braille numbering beside their buttons, though there are no additional tactile or audible cues in the lobby to guide toward them. Because Embassy Suites often uses a circular floor plan, it’s especially important to ask which direction to take when you leave the elevator. The building includes an open balcony overlooking the atrium, so expect ambient echoes.

Corridors to guest rooms are lined with ADA compliant tactile (braille) signage, which is helpful once you’re on the right floor. How far your room is from the elevator depends entirely on where you’re placed along the circle.

Guest Room Experience

Rooms at this property deliver what you’d expect from an Embassy Suites, spacious living and sleeping areas with familiar amenities.

• Lighting & switches: You’ll find switches just inside the door, and lamp bases feature easy-to-hit switches.
• Climate control: The thermostat (and related controls) is just inside the bedroom door, using up/down buttons. Works well if the unit is on, if not, you may need to request assistance or use an app for guidance.
• Safety & labeling: Toiletries and safety instructions are not labeled in braille or large print.
• Layout & comfort: Rooms are carpeted, which helps soften sound. Furniture arrangement was decent, though placement varies from room to room.

Key Access: Digital vs. Physical

Hilton has rolled out digital key access via the Hilton Honors app in many properties, including Embassy Suites. That said, for guests who prefer not to use the app, or who find it less accessible, staff are happy (and accustomed) to issue a traditional plastic key card at check-in. You can choose whichever works best for you.

Property Amenities

Pool & Spa

From the elevators, I walked left past check-in and followed the left side of the hallway. Shortly after passing the arcade/game room, a ramp (with handrail) leads down to the indoor pool. No stairs. The pool entrance requires your room key, and once you’re in, the hot tub sits on the far side of the pool, you’ll need to navigate around the water to reach it. Chairs and tables line the walls, but none posed a navigation obstacle in my experience.

Dining & Bar

The atrium is the heart of the hotel and houses both breakfast and the evening reception. The bar area is located at the far right of the atrium. Bartenders were happy to read the menu aloud when asked, and ordering was straightforward. The evening reception offers complimentary drinks during its hours. There is no separate restaurant, so food orders are placed at the bar and brought out to your table.

Service Dog Accommodations

Officially, a dog relief area is marked at the back of the hotel. However, staff recognized that it can be hard to locate, and they allowed me to use grassy areas at the front corners of the property (left or right of main entrance) with no issue. A large trash bin sits to the right of the entrance door, easy to find. Staff interaction with my guide dog was appropriate, they did not pet or distract her in any way during our stay.

Sensory Notes & Atmosphere

• Noise: The atrium’s open design carries sound. Expect echoes, especially during breakfast and evening reception times, though things quiet down afterward.
• Flooring: Lobby and atrium surfaces are hard tile, transitioning to carpet in the guest areas, a helpful cue in movement.
• Staff interactions: While staff were friendly, and helpful when it came to finding property amenities and the relieving area.

Accessibility Assessment

What works well

• Clear, unobstructed path from entrance to check-in
• Elevators near lobby, braille on elevator buttons
• Tactile signage in corridors
• Pool accessible via ramp
• Option for physical key vs. digital key
• Service dog relief permitted and trash bin placed accessibly

Senior Discount Offer — A Special Benefit for BlindTravels Readers

Embassy Suites Colorado Springs participates in Hilton’s Senior Rate program, which offers up to 6% off the Best Available Rate for guests aged 65 and older (proof of eligibility required at check-in).

For readers of BlindTravels, here’s how to make that work in your favor:

Click the link below for information on the Hilton senior discount program, and lots of other great promotions, including advance purchase discount.

https://capitaloneshopping.com/s/hilton.com/coupon

By including this senior discount in your travel planning, older travelers, many of whom form a large segment of the BlindTravels audience, can save a little extra without sacrificing comfort or accessibility.

Final Thoughts

The Embassy Suites Colorado Springs offers a spacious, amenity-rich option in an accessible environment, ideal for many travelers, especially with the senior-discount perk. While there are improvements to be made around tactile orientation cues, labeling, and staff warmth, this is one of the more accommodating properties I would consider returning to.

See you at the gate!

• Ted and Fauna