CHuC - I've stayed there!

Heathrow for the weekend?!?! We aren’t plane spotters and people thought

Crowne Plaza Hotel - Heathrow. Bedroom with hoist

us mad. But we found the Crowne Plaza London Heathrow pretty well positioned for visiting places to the west of London like Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, Legoland, Windsor Safari Park ,Chessington and Thorpe Park. There are also lots of places along the River Thames like Eton, Twickenham and Richmond. We also surprisingly didn’t hear any planes when we were inside the hotel. The hotel staff were all very friendly and extremely helpful.

On our first evening we went about half an hour, into the country near

Maidenhead, to Paley Street and the Royal Oak which is owned by Michael Parkinson and run by his son Nick. We had heard one of Michael Parkinson’s guests talk of it in glowing terms on his show and went to sample the food which was wonderful, and seasonal, and the chips (if you could call them that) certainly were to die for. The Royal Oak also has a reputation for holding music nights with acts such as Jamie Cullum, Chris Rea, Katie Melua, Lemar, Amy Winehouse and James Morrison all having played at the pub. But sadly not the night we were there!

Next day, after a leisurely breakfast, for which I was seamlessly provided Kew Gardens - by Alpine House

with lightweight cutlery and cups, we headed out towards Kew. Although autumn is here it was lovely walking round the Royal Gardens and visiting the splendid glasshouses all of which have level or ramped access. We then went to Surbiton (of Good Life fame) to have supper with friends. Kew Gardens - under a Henry Moore!

While we were out and about my PA explored the transport connections in to London. Sadly the tube, although level to the platform isn’t yet level on to the train but we anticipate it will be shortly. London buses are all accessible and so a ride in to London should be possible on the Heathrow Express. Transport for London have a website journey planner

If you are flying in to the UK and want to hire an accessible vehicle to get around Brotherwood Automotive hire vehicles.

Our final day we headed north and within the hour were at Whipsnade Zoo, part of London Zoo on the downs at Dunstable. A brilliant day out for children and animal lovers, and marvellous views across the English countryside.

I regularly stay at the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury. It is within walking distance (15-20 mins) of Kings Cross where I get in from Yorkshire. I often go to Chancery Lane and Gray’s Inn Road on business to which I can walk (wheel).

For leisure my partner and I have walked to theatreland and as far as the National Gallery and Trafalgar Square, and to Covent Garden (not a very accessible place!).

The Brunswick Centre next to the hotel is a really useful shopping and eating place. In the hotel, they now know my specific needs and provide me with extension leads, extra lighting, lightweight cutlery and cups, and Laphroaig whisky behind the Bar! There are two Blue Badge parking spaces on the private road in front of the hotel.

I have been fortunate to stay at the Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury on a number of occasions & have always found my stay completely trouble free.

My only gripe is that the hoist does not run from the bedroom in to the bathroom, you must transfer from the hoist to your wheelchair then unhook the hoist and take it in to the bathroom were you then hook it back on to the track. You have to then repeat this process for the return journey.

The hotel is very well located being a short taxi ride from Euston, Kings Cross & now the reopened St Pancras. Behind the hotel is Russell Square Tube Station, a small Tesco & a coffee shop. To the side is the revamped Brunswick Centre with lots of great shops, cafes, restaurants, arts centre & a Summerfield Supermarket.

Near to the hotel is one of London’s finest, if not the finest park, it has a wonderful café & lots of beautiful flowers, trees, squirrels & fountains. Adjacent to the park is The British Museum.

Next to the park is a main road were you can catch the bus to most places, the N91 takes you to Trafalgar Square. All the busses are equipped with electric ramps & a purpose built wheelchair space. N188 goes over Waterloo Bridge for the London Eye. N9 goes from Trafalgar Square to Knightsbridge (Harrods).

I stayed with my partner Conrad Hodgkinson at your Holiday Inn hotel on Saturday and Sunday, 15 and 16 March. I am quadriplegic owing to a progressive neurological condition and need to use a wheelchair and hoist for transfers.

The hotel staff were friendly, helpful and courteous. Although we regularly use hotels this was the first time I have ever been given an exit plan in the case of emergency by a hotel. It was reassuring to feel that my stay would be as safe as possible. Free parking was available outside the door and this is a bonus when you have large amounts of equipment and must use adapted transport.

The ceiling tracking hoist was a very welcome feature as was the size of the room. When you travel with two wheelchairs and a chair bed you certainly need lots of room! We will certainly be using the Holiday Inn again and will try to make sure we publicise the excellent service you offer.

CB March 2008

I had a great time staying at the Forum. There is parking available for Blue Badge holders, and we used the hotel as a base to go to a Black Tie Dinner nearby, and then went to the V&A the next morning. The staff are friendly and efficient and the location is excellent for shopping and the museums as well as Earls Court and Olympia.

I last stayed at the Tara about a year ago. It is well equipped if you want a single hospital-type bed and a hoist track that goes through from bedroom to bathroom although I found the room somewhat limited in manoeuvring space. Adjoining room is available but you need to be careful your PA doesn’t get shut out like mine did! Shopping round the corner in Kensington High Street is good.

We lay in bed and watched red squirrels playing outside the bedroom window. We went to Woodhead in 2005 and found it an excellent base for a holiday in Scotland. You need a car but can spend time just chillin' in this well equipped property with its own little woodland walk. We ventured out along the coast to Aberdeen, up Cairngorm in their accessible cable car, over to Inverness and Loch Ness and of course did the whisky trail. Very close by is the steam railway used in 'Monarch of The Glen' and you can catch a train from 'Glenbogle' to Aviemore - they have ramps to get you into the guards van...We would certainly go back again.

I've stayed at 'Crathie Opportunity Holidays' twice now and find it a very accessible and wonderfully peaceful holiday accommodation. Located on the banks of the River Dee next to Balmoral Castle it couldn't be better positioned. Book early if you want to stay as it does get booked up very quickly.

SS Jul 07

ABINGDON - Kingfisher Barn

My daughter and I stayed at Hazel Cottage last year (2007) for a long weekend. See: - www.kingfisherbarn.com
The barns are all renovated tastefully and provide comfortable cottages. Bed sides, a commode with wheels and, of course, there is a ceiling track hoist installed. The site is delightful and convenient for Oxford and Abingdon. The staff was extremely helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed our visit. I have MS and am unable to stand.

CS Feb 07

Crowne Plaza - Heathrow

Have just spent a night at this hotel. What a pity that they go to the expense of installing Ceiling Track hoists in the bedroom and bathroom but provide a bed so soft it made sleeping uncomfortable and moving/handling for my PA very difficult.

SS - SEP 08

The Hotels Reply:

"In response to SS's comments regarding the softness of the mattress in the bedroom equipped with a ceiling track hoist, I was of course disappointed to learn he found the mattress too soft.

The mattress in this room is the standard mattress used in all the hotel's bedrooms, where a guest requires a firmer mattress the normal practice is to provide a bed board - however, it would make sense to keep a firmer mattress in store and then be in a position to offer anyone using the hoist facility the choice of mattress, as clearly a firmer mattress would have alleviated the problems Mr. S had.

Nick Campbell

General Manager"

The views above are those of the reviewer at the time of their stay. Things may have changed since the review. If we get further information we will update the review but you should check with the venue before making a decision to stay or not. We reserve the right to refuse or edit reviews.



			Raising the hopes of ceiling hoist users...