Our family of four includes two disabled adult children, including one who uses a wheelchair. We need a ground floor room that can accommodate all four of us, and we are on a limited budget. Most properties charge extra for the third and fourth person in the room. What ever happened to the one-room rate for families? Why do I have to pay extra just because my children are disabled? Isn’t this illegal?

What you are experiencing is not uncommon, but technically it’s not disability-based. For the most part hotels have additional charges for what they consider “extra” people. Usually there is no rate difference for one or two people; but when you get to three and four the rates go up for each additional person. Not a lot, but some. And many hotels also have different rates for kids and adults. Two adults and two kids are usually cheaper than four adults. And since technically your kids are adults (over 18), that’s why you were quoted the higher rate.

Some chains advertise that kids stay free, but if you read the fine print that only applies to children under 18. So the rates are based on age, not relationship or disability. And since they charge the same price for four adults — disabled or able-bodied — they’re operating within the limits of the law.