Wheelchair Access

Suzanne · Post by **Suzanne** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 8:12 pm

Hi Steve,

I truly love and appreciate the myTobago website. My husband, myself and our mothers will be visiting Tobago for the first time in March and have used the info on the site to narrow our accommodation choice down to two hotels. Mount Irvine and the Hilton both appeal to us because I am in a wheelchair and both hotels apparently are said to be accessible, however I can't tell by the pictures if one is more accommodating than the other, if the beach is hard to get to by wheelchair and if the bathrooms are large enough for comfortable access. I realize that you are quite busy with this site but I'm hoping you (or anyone else) can shed some light on this matter. We are inclined to stay at the Hilton because it seems more lively and we love to socialize, however accessibility is the deciding factor.

Kind regards
Suzanne

p.s. Any insight offered on seeing Tobago from an accessibility point of view would truly be appreciated.

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:29 am

Hello Suzanne

Welcome aboard!

Hmmm! What a contrast - the Mt.Irvine Bay or the Hilton?

Well, without question, the Hilton is the livelier of the two. There are lifts to/from all three levels of the main building. The bathrooms are, however, small and the access would be tight. I think we describe the bathrooms in our review as adequate, although the nicest furnished we have seen on Tobago. I would check with the hotel - they may have one or two rooms more suitable for wheelchairs.

The Mount Irvine Bay is undoubtedly the best-equipped hotel on Tobago when it comes to wheelchair facilities, although they do not have any special rooms. The rooms are larger than at the Hilton and likewise the bathroom size and access. The beach is a longer walk/push and much of it slightly uphill on the return.

To be honest, these two hotels are chalk and cheese. One is glitzy (although not brash); the other sedate and old-colonial. One is lively, the other quiet and relaxed. The catering at the Hilton is far superior - provided you don't mind buffet-style meals three times a day (or are prepared to pay a fortune for their fine-dining restaurant, which, in fairness, is possibly the best restaurant on the island).

As far as we are concerned, its no contest. The Mount Irvine Bay would win hands down every time. However, in your case, I confess that beach access and the livelier atmosphere might make the Hilton the more suitable, despite the small bathrooms.

Hope this helps.

Suzanne · Post by **Suzanne** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 6:57 am

Thanks a lot for the reply Steve!

Yes it helps very much, although I was leaning to the Hilton I think I'll give the Mount Irvine a closer look, the beach seems more suitable (calmer water) and the hotel very elegant because you say hands down Mount Irvine is the winner. I'm not bothered with the uphill jaunt from the beach as my wheelchair is electric. The larger rooms/bathrooms at Mount Irvine do appeal to me more. I suppose if we want lively we can always go out...decisions, decisions!

Thanks again.

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 9:58 am

Hi Suzanne

Yes, its a bxxxxx trying to decide where.

The beach at the Hilton can often be too blowy for most people. That's why the hotel tends to be so quiet during the day - most people have taken off to Pigeon Point or the beaches along the Caribbean coast, of which the Mount Irvine Bay Hotel beach is one of the most popular. So, yes it is true that the Mt.Irvine Bay beach is far superior and if your chair is electric, then I see no problems.

The two hotels are chalk and cheese and will be loved and hated in equal measure. In many ways the Hilton would be a safer choice, but we just love the Old Colonial feel of the Mt Irvine Bay and find the hotel a hugely more relaxing place. However, I totally admit it would not be everyone's cup of tea.

Sharon E · Post by **Sharon E** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 11:18 pm

Suzanne,

If you go to http://www.wingsonwheels.co.uk they are a specialist disabled holiday company who also specialise in disabled group and individual holidays to Tobago. They can advise on tour and trips from operators who will cater for people with disabilities, advise on the public transport disabled buses and much more. They last had a trip of over 10 disabled people who many were restricted to wheelchairs full time, who went out to the reef, int the rain forest and one woman who had not swam in the sea for over 40 years, who cried with joy when she swam in the Nylon Pool.

There is also one fully equipped disabled villa on the island "The 14th Green" at Mount Irvine, which also has a fully equipped disabled bathroom including sit down shower etc.

Have a great holiday.

Bryn · Post by **Bryn** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 12:40 am

Hi Suzanne,

Have you considered a rental villa instead of a hotel? I was just reading your post and I think the villa we stayed in last year would be perfect for you all. It has 4 bedrooms and is on one level. As far as I remember there are no steps at all except in the pool. The name is Villa Sans Souci. Check here for it or google. Feel free to email me if you like. [email protected]

Cheers!
Bryn

Nikos · Post by **Nikos** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:09 am

Hi Suzanne,
I was just about to drop a line suggesting you might also try the Kariwak Village for easy access to the beach, restaurants and bars of "downtown" Tobago, and also spacious rooms and wide bathrooms, but you'd better follow Sharon's advice above.
Also, let me express my admiration for your desire and determination to have a proper long-haul vacation despite your disability. In the part of the world where I live, most disabled people do not even imagine of living a normal life. Greece is not exactly disabled-friendly in its facilities, but we're making some progress (I hope). I wish you a fantastic holiday in Tobago.

Suzanne · Post by **Suzanne** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:26 am

These comments are awesome!

To reply to Sharon, let me just say thanks for the link. I have given lots of thought to traveling with groups like Wings On Wheels because of their knowledge, assistance and interesting destinations. So far I've managed to visit Saudi Arabia, Barbados, Wales, England, various parts of the US, Mexico and Canada. I have a wonderful husband and great family that accompany me during my travels. They are my facilitators. Maybe one day I'll go without family and make some new friends. However I do a lot of research by contacting companies such as Wings whenever I need extra assistance. I could not find anything about Tobago accessible tours and was trying to figure out how I was going to make it to the Nylon pool, and you have now helped immensely. As far as the villa "The 14th Green", they were among the first people contacted but were booked.

Bryn also pointed out a villa that I considered, however my family and I decided to go to a hotel to omit 'self catering'. It's our first visit and decided to let the hotel pamper us. Our next visit will likely include villa accommodation once we get oriented.

Nikos thanks for your encouragement. Ending up in a wheelchair has slowed me down but it has not changed who I am. I love life despite the fact that the world for most part is not "disabled-friendly". In my view there is always a way to do things and get where one wants to go...the key is to never let the world make you feel that it's no longer possible. Easier said than done in Greece perhaps, but friends and family make the world accessible, and I'd like to believe that even in your part of the world disabled people have this kind of support when the environment neglects them.

Steve this site has been invaluable, thanks again!

Suzanne

I'm sooooo excited...we've booked the Hilton