Have WAV will travel

Having this wheelchair adapted vehicle-to be known as a WAV-is great. I no longer have to rely on lifts.

To celebrate this new found freedom I went on a short break in July for the first time in 8 years.

Destination- The Crown Hotel, Harrogate.
From the first telephone call to the final wave goodbye, the whole experience was a great success.
There was reserved disabled parking outside the main entrance which also has level access to the hotel.
All areas had easy access including restaurants,bars and lounges. There was a spacious lift that look us and the powerchair up our first floor bedroom.
The manager introduced himself to us and made us very welcome. Together we completed a health and safety document and he showed us where the evacchairs were and explained the emergency procedure in case of a fire.

                                                           The Crown Hotel 

On the other hand!!!

During the summer we visited 3 Britannia hotels.
Disabled parking spaces cannot be pre-booked and in each case spaces are limited.

The Palace Hotel-Buxton.
When we arrived,  there was a disabled space vacant next to the entrance,but because of the steps I could not enter to check in. We were then directed to a side entrance,some distance away where access is on the level.Otherwise,a very enjoyable stay in this imposing hotel.

The Prince of Wales Hotel-Southport.
One disabled space next to main entrance,again could not climb steps to check in,access is via a ramp at the far side of the hotel with no designated disabled parking.
The self service buffet counter is down some steps from the restaurant seating area,not easy when I am in the powerchair. On our visit ,the main lift was out of action and we had to use a service lift but we had the laundry trolleys for company!Overall not a pleasant visit.

Bosworth Hall Hotel  and Spa-Market Bosworth
This stunning hotel which boasts almost 200 rooms has 2 designated disabled spaces about 50 yards from the level access reception.If you don't get one,parking is some distance away.
The room we were allocated was not large enough to take in the powerchair but it was quickly changed to a room you could hold a dance in! Nobody told me there were 10 steps to climb to get into the restaurant.

In these three cases,the bookings were made through Britannia central reservations who obviously did not listen to my needs.

Britannia, go and check out The Crown to learn how to do it properly!!

The disabled pound is as valid as the grey pound or the pink pound.
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