Wanted - Wheelchair friendly hotel in the Caribbean!!

Gypsy

2005-02-22 22:49:50

Please could any Caribbean regulars help me. I would love to take my Sister away on holiday for Christmas and New Year to the Caribbean. I am at the back-breaking stage of trawling the Internet to try and find any hotels which are wheelchair accessible.

We are both in our early 30's, like hotel based entertainment, (going out is usually too traumatic with the wheelchair!!) late drinking (Scottish you see..... can't stand prematurely shutting bars!!) and round the clock food if we can get it!!! (Not after much are we??)

We would also like it to be a hotel that we can book through a regular British tour operator e.g. Thomsom, Airtours etc. Virgin holidays have fantastic brochures which show what facilities their hotels have for guests with disabilities, unfortunately they're a bit out of our price range, so I'll have to do the research independantly.

Most tour operators state that they are not specialists in holidays for the disabled and those who do have information will only give it if you ask for a specific hotel.

I realise most people, unless familiar with wheelchair users, won't be aware of what facilities we're looking for, but you could really help me just by letting me know if you saw fellow guests in wheelchairs during your stay, whether you noticed ramps or if the pool had a sloping entrance. Info like that could give me a starting point because at the moment the Caribbean looks huge!!

Incidentally, if you did see fellow guests in wheelchairs and they were always sat at the pool whatever time of day or night you saw them wearing the same clothes for the duration of their stay, that probably means there were no wheelchair accessible rooms!!!

Please, please help me if you can, any information at all would be very gratefully recieved.

Gypsy

2005-02-22 23:07:37

Thanks Biff, I thought it would stand more chance in the Caribbean forum. Sometimes when I enter the Disabled Person Holiday Discussions there's only tumbleweed!!! :lol:

Eloisa

2005-02-23 20:24:45

Hi Gypsy
Not sure how much this will help but thought I would pass it on anyway.
We went to the Sol Rio de Luna y Mares resort in Cuba last October. There were ramps in all the main areas, ie up to the hotel itself, into bar areas, down to the beach from the pool area etc. I'm not sure how big the lifts were in all honesty as we were on the ground floor but I did notice one lady with twins in a side by side double buggy using it if that gives you an idea of size at all?
There were also handles on the side of the bath and toilet if that is relevant at all.
The pool didn't have a sloping bit unfortunately, it had the usual steps straight into the water and then I think it was either 4 or 5 steps at the shallow end so that might be a bit of an issue for you.
I've got friends in Barbados at the minute and the man is partially disabled (although not a wheelchair user he does need ramps can't walk very far) so will see what they thought of their hotel facility wise when they get back and let you know.
Good luck with your search!
Ellie

Gypsy

2005-02-23 20:50:45

Ellie,

Thanks for that. That is exactly the kind of information I'm after. Would you mind telling me which tour operator you booked with?

Thank you so much. :wave

Eloisa

2005-02-23 20:56:09

Of course not, we booked with Thomson through Lunn Poly. One thing I should point out is that you would need to request a room on the Luna side of the complex as the Mares had 2 small steps down to the ramp area, to be honest you could easily assist your sister down these steps in the wheelchair but as my partner has just pointed out the Luna just had a long slope down to the beach.
We are going back there on 23rd March, I will take some pics of the access to the rooms, lobby and beach and PM you with them when we get back if you like? I had a look through last years pics but there wasn't anything there that would give you an idea what it is like unfortunately.
Ellie

Gypsy

2005-02-23 23:41:46

That's fab, you're a star!! Thomson are one of the few tour operators who do have information regarding accessibility, you just have to know which hotel to ask for!! I'll look into it and let you know how it goes. :wink

I've just found it in the Portland Direct (part of Thomson) brochure. It looks lovely. (And a 24 hour bar!!!) I'll give them a phone on Monday as I'm away from tomorrow morning for the weekend. They will be able to look on their Factfile facility and let us know about wheelchair accessible rooms etc. We've never been to Cuba yet and it was somewhere we fancied, so fingers crossed. Thanks for the offer of photos, that would be great and I hope you have a fantastic time in March!!! Thank-you so much Ellie. :thanks

SallyMac

2005-02-24 14:35:35

Hi! You should also look at the Iberostar Costa Dorada in Dominican Republic. We were there in November 04 and went with Direct Holidays. There were a number of wheelchair users there and yes they do have specific ground floor rooms specifically designed for this purpose. There were ramps everywhere and it is a fabulous resort! You can eat and drink 24 hours a day (although alcohol is only from 10 am to 3am) but hey you have to sleep at some point! Check it out on http://www.iberostar.com or check the reviews on TripAdvisor. You will find booking details in the wintersun Direct Holidays brochure. I dont think you or your sister would be disappointed with this place. Its fab! Sally.

Gypsy

2005-02-28 15:14:01

Great Sally,

Thanks for that. We'll look into it asap!!! I'll let you know how we get on.

Thanks for your help guys. :pele

gopher

2005-02-28 20:05:24

Hi Gypsy.

We stayed in the Superclubs Puntarena in Varadero Cuba.
We were amazed at all the ramps available for wheel chair users,the pool was sloping and shallow at one end as well.
Also noticed the lifts were wide and they had 3 lifts per floor.
If i recall i think we booked with Firstchoice.
Hope you find a fab holiday. :wink:

cheers ken.

Gypsy

2005-03-01 22:05:34

Thanks for that Ken,

Love the Website!!! (Yours, not the hotels as haven't had a chance to look yet!!) :lol:

gopher

2005-03-02 19:25:03

Thankyou Gypsy.
It means alot to me when people pass good or bad comments over our site, really makes the effort seem worthwhile.
All the locations you will find on our site are destinations we have been lucky to visit.
The site only came about simply because i was saddenend by the lack of real time information from all the commercial sites on the net.
We just wanted to give our visitors the feel how we saw and interpreted the places in a more realistic way.
HT is another great site where so many people can give honest opinions about their experiences.In my opinion the more sites like HT & Our's on the net the better.

Thanks again hope you find that perfect holiday.
Cheers Ken.

lppwrth

2005-03-03 10:48:32

I have just returned this week from the Riu Bachata, Dom Rep. The hotel is only 3 years old. I believe it to be wheelchair friendly. The paths are well defined and will give you access to all area's including the beach, right on your doorstep. We had a ground floor room, which you could wheel straight into.
The bar at the Bachata, seemed to be open till all hours, the latest I left was 3.30, but my kids were there until 4.30 (is this late enough). Food was served from 7am until midnight. Entertainment was outstanding. Not being a wheelchair user I'm not too sure about access into the water at the poolside, perhaps someone else could answer this question. The hotel is part of a complex of 3 hotels open to all guests, whether the other two (slightly cheaper) hotels are as accessible I don't know. There is a Disco, along the well lit and wheelchair friendly beach path. I think this would be totally open to a wheelchair user as well. We booked through Thomson, Portland also do this holiday a bit cheaper. The weather was lovely, food brilliant and we will certainly go back ourselves. Please check it out with your travel agent as I may have missed something, being able bodied you are not always aware of othere peoples problems. Hope this helps!!

Gypsy

2005-03-04 09:43:58

Thanks Ippwrth,

Glad you had a great time., and thanks for passing on your knowledge. I'll certainly look into this one as well. As I mentioned earlier Thomson/Portland are one of the few T.O.'s that do have relative information on a facility they call Factfile i.e. door widths, accessible showers etc. You just need to know which property to ask for!! :wink

Thanks to everyone for the invaluable head strart!!! :bow

CoconutPalm

2005-03-09 23:03:57

Hi Gypsy,

Like Ippwrth we have just returned from the Dominican Republic, we stayed at the Riu Mambo, I would say this hotel could be wheel chair friendly. We was on a ground floor and do not recal seeing any steps around the hotel, the pool there had a large slope into it also, easily wide enough for a wheel chair. You can use all three hotels facilities (Riu Mambo,Merengue,Bachata) We booked with Thomson. The Bachata has a 24hr bar and a casino this close at 3am the disco close at 2amThe whole complex is well lit. The mambo beach has a wide brick path from the hotel right to the sands edge which incidentally is right next to (3metres away) the beach bar! lots of shade available and plenty of space. (I know its not the same but I was pushing our baby around in a pram so found all these invaluble).Hope this helps a little, please ask away with any other questions that I will try and help with.

Gypsy

2005-03-15 23:52:14

Thanks for that coconutpalm,

Sorry to take so long to get back to you, but I've had a virus apparently, well not me personally, but my computer. :shock:

Way over my head!! But some juggling around of hard drives between family members means I'm back in play while my hard drive awaits treatment!!! A bit like trying to get an NHS dental appointment in the Highlands!! :lol:

This complex sounds fab too. I think I'm spoilt for choice now. Other things have come up at the moment, so we won't be booking immediately, but when we do I'll let everyone know what we decided and although it's a long way off until Christmas, I promise faithfully a trip report will follow. :thanks

Tisso

2005-03-17 20:18:37

Hi, my son is in a wheelchair (but only 8 at minute so light to push around....)

We went to Hilton Coral Costa Carribe in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic last July - was over internet - can't remember company now - but was reputable - may have been a division of first choice i think. Everywhere was accessible - ramps and lifts - i believe they have wheelchair accessible rooms - we didn't book one as my son can not sit on the shower seats anyway. Theres a 24hr bar and a casino (with bar! !)
We started on the second floor as they didn't recommend a ground floor because of the humidity - all rooms are air conditioned so not sure about that - but during a tropical storm both lifts were knocked out - we were moved to the more modern block over the road (more like a walkway - not busy at all) and had no further problems, so perhaps would recommed starting over there - it's literally seconds away. We were able to access all areas - the only cause for concern you will probably have is the ramp to the dining hall - it is extreemly steep - I'm sure no one would be able to propel up it. But there is another access - ramped - not at all steep through the bar.... ideal - drink before dinner - drink during dinner - drink after dinner !! The rooms, food, beach, staff, entertainment all good. We would absolutely return again - and that must be good because i ended up really ill unfortunately - no one else went down with anything.
The only snag is the transfer - it's two hours - but in our opinion, very well worth it. Hope this helps

Gypsy

2005-03-19 15:56:17

Thanks Tisso,

It's great to have so many suggestions and information from everyone.

You're all stars!!! :thanks

Eloisa

2005-06-07 18:28:12

Hi Gypsy, have you managed to book anywhere yet? Would love to know how you are getting on with deciding where to go.
Ellie

Gypsy

2005-06-25 23:14:54

Hi Ellie,

Sorry to take so long to get back to you, we've just returned from Florida!!! We had a great time staying in an adapted villa, it was our second time at the villa and has reconfirmed the fact that we love it!!! At the moment holiday plans are up in the air as we're waiting on word for my sister to go for an operation, but we kind of decided that comparing the cost of the two of us going to the Carribean with the cost of two or more going to the villa where we know we have all our facilities, our own pool and pool hoist, fab shopping and easy access everywhere out and about, we think we'll return to Florida again as there are so many things we still haven't done!!

Not only that, but in a hotel you have to get all dressed up for dinner etc, and in the villa we slobbed about in swimwear and jim-jams most of the time!!

Also having a washing machine and dryer is a huge bonus as my sister goes through towels like no-ones business, we use them as feed/drink towels and the more brandy and coke she drinks, the more she spills!!!

Thanks again for everyones help!!!

We had a great experience with Mytravel on both outward and return flights. It turns out they've been getting disability awareness training for the past two years and it really showed. The cabin crew were fab!!! :tup

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