8 replies to this topic

[ryan08/06/88]

Hi guys and girls.

Me and the girlfriend want to go away at the end of exams in June and whilst normally I don't tend to think about access we're planning on going for 2 weeks and I don't want to have to struggle the whole time.

As long as access etc. is relatively level then I am fine and completely independent, my main concern is the bathroom. I could cope with a normal bathroom, I do at home, but sometimes bathrooms can be tiny. I want to be able to get in the bathroom easily and shut the door basically. Also I want to be able to shower. I don't mind a bath with shower as I can just transfer onto a bathboard or something.

Basically I'm not that fussy but the thing is we aren't made of money as we're both students so the budget is around £400 per person.

I'm struggling at the moment as most places are apartments and don't mention access and I know from experience I've not been able to get in and out of the bathroom.

Thanks, Ryan.

[robbo100bike]

ryan08/06/88, on Jan 13 2010, 09:15 PM, said:

Hi guys and girls.

Me and the girlfriend want to go away at the end of exams in June and whilst normally I don't tend to think about access we're planning on going for 2 weeks and I don't want to have to struggle the whole time.

As long as access etc. is relatively level then I am fine and completely independent, my main concern is the bathroom. I could cope with a normal bathroom, I do at home, but sometimes bathrooms can be tiny. I want to be able to get in the bathroom easily and shut the door basically. Also I want to be able to shower. I don't mind a bath with shower as I can just transfer onto a bathboard or something.

Basically I'm not that fussy but the thing is we aren't made of money as we're both students so the budget is around £400 per person.

I'm struggling at the moment as most places are apartments and don't mention access and I know from experience I've not been able to get in and out of the bathroom.

Thanks, Ryan.

Hi ryan

A mate of mine Dave Player used to run a company called wheeling around the algarve, they had a fantastic apartment in Quarteira Portugal. Was very accessible being owned by a paraplegic. Was a proper big penthouse, roof top jacuzzi etc but wasnt expensive if you can arrange own flights. I can see if he still has details. Quartiera is very nice, lovely pedestrianised prom, wheelchair boardwalks onto beach. Nice restaurants and bars. Other areas of the Algarve can be very hilly with steps and cliffs etc!!

If you want a cheapish holiday and as a couple, i would say book hotel/apartment and flights your self. That way you can talk to hotel and find out if its suitable. With the poor pound to euro exchange its worth looking into getting all inclusive or half board meals. You also need to consider overall area, i have stayed at some locations with steep hills which can be problematic. Check transfer distance between airport and hotel, some locations its cheap enough to get a taxi others better to hire a car or find out if hotel have transfer service.

I am trying to recall which hotels and resorts i have stayed in which would be suitable. I use a wheelchair out and about but can walk too, so some of the access issues are reduced for me, once in the hotel room. Alot of hotels will have accessible rooms but it would be recommended that you contact the hotel in advance. Most of the locations below are family orientated but would be ok for a couple as a base depending on what you want.

I can definetly recommend Hotel Daina in Puerto Pollensa Majorca, its nice quiet resort and hotel is on the sea front. Level prom good restauants and bars. The hotel had ramps and lifts (very small but i got in with chair). Rooms were spacious enough and recall the room we had, the bathroom would be big enough to get in with chair. Its an hour from airport so a hire car would be essential or arrange a transfer / taxi. The rates are good you pay per room not person http://www.hoposa.es...les/hdainai.htm. We flew with easy jet so was double cheap. Hired car thro dooyoo spain for £60 for 4days (manual not auto).

Hotel Las Dalias (Iberostar group) in Tenerife (4 star) is very nice and luxurious. Lots of stuff going on in hotel, sports etc. Hotel is accessible but area is quite steep when out and about.

Hotel Tanit, Ibiza. Nice quiet location, all inclusive hotel, (family orientated) good access, some steep ramps around pool but handy handrails to use to pull up them!! Its on a hill and slightly remote but pushable into town and Cafe Mambo is within pushing distance. When we were there they were building boardwalks down to beach which can be used by chair users.

Los Zocos Apartments, Lanzarote. Family type, all inclusive apartments. very accessible, complex was accessible too and surrounding area were too.

Just stayed at Apartments Salou, Salou, Spain and went to portaventura theme park. The apartmnets were nice, basic and cheap. Plenty space in bathroom. Only prob is one BIG step off the street into the complex entrance. (which a simple wooden ramp could address) The Salou area was very nice, would definitely go back. As a resort its perfect if you can find a hotel which has better access. Portaventura is brilliant and chair users dont queue for rides! The park itself is very steep but i managed to push round ok.

This company do accessible accomodation http://www.accessatlast.com/ never used them but seem cheap enough.

Good luck, not sure if any of the above fit with your budget but PM me if you want any more information on any location.

Paul

[DaveP]

Hi Ryan & Paul

I'm not in the Algarve any more and that apartment was sold last year, and the new owners live it in, so it's not available any more.

There's plenty of accessible villas I can suggest in the Algarve, but in all cases, you'll need to hire a car as none are in locations with facilities nearby.

If you don't need a perfectly adapted bathroom and can use a normal bathroom (as long as it's accessible), then Quarteira has a hotel that I used for handcyclists that came over on group training sessions. It's second row back from the beach and there's a long 3km beach front prom with loads of cheap places to eat. June will be good weather too - mid 20's and upwards.

There's a big holiday resort next door with marina, night life, bars etc and you can get jet skiing, fishing trips, sailing cruises, jet boats, etc.

The hotel is called Atis Quarteira. Try to find a tour operator that can offer you a package of flights and the Atis hotel, as this'll be the cheapest option when dealing with hotels. If you book direct with hotel and then book your flights, it'll cost you more.

If you need any help, let me know.
Dave

[robbo100bike]

I have used www.alpharooms.com before its NOT an "accesible holidays" company. But it is good for booking cheap accom direct. In the facilities listing they sometimes list "disabled rooms available" and unsuitable for those with mobility problems. There is also a tel num you could call to confirm access if necessary.

In puerto pollensa, majorca the is an aparthotel Eola (2 star) basic £200ish a week, on sea front and lists disabled rooms available. I recall seeing it and it looked basic but ok with a brilliant location. As i mentioned earlier the only drawback to the resort i can see is transfer distance from airport. But it is bound to have buses, taxis, if you dont do hire cars. But would check this sooner than later.

Costa Adeje, Tenerife was easy transfer 20mins by car. But was hilly unless you can find a beach front accom.

Salou - ok if you fly to Reus (20mins). Barcelona Airport (1hr). But there is a train between the latter and Salou. No experience on it tho.

[ryan08/06/88]

Cheers for the replies guys!

Very helpful!

As far as access goes I don't need an accessible bathroom as long as I can get in as I can use the toilet if I have to and can just take a bath board, I have a normal bathroom at home. Maybe I should find somewhere with a bath as opposed to shower? As that way I know I'll be able to get in etc.

I'm not too worried about big kerbs either, I can always get her to give me a shove up, steps are a bit more of a problem though lol.

I don't mind not being in a posh place just as long as it is possible to get around ok I don't need hoists to get into a pool or any of that kind of stuff either.

Cheers everyone,

Ryan.

[DaveP]

Here's a lionk to the hotel I mentioned...

http://www.lowcostho...una-atismar.htm

[ryan08/06/88]

Nice one dave, will look into that

[robbo100bike]

Did u ever get anything booked??

We just booked to got to Salou in June. Flights with ryanair were coming out cheapest, as were BMIbaby and Easyjet. Booked into the VillaMarina Hotel. Price for 6 of us £1500 allinclusive including flights. Looking forward.

When we were looking there were plenty of cheap apartments in Salou - £200week self catering

[dangerousdave]

Don't be afraid to TENT
Most camp sites have disabled loo and showers