Originally posted by Jeff Bennett
> I'm looking for
recommendations for a hotel
> in Puerto Rico, in or near San Juan or
Old San Juan.
>
> My 2 brothers and I are taking this trip together.
>
We are looking for a handicapped accessible hotel,
> ( one of my
brothers is in a wheel chair)
> on the beach - in particular a beach
suitable for just
> wading right in for either snorkling or SCUBA
>
>
It would be great if any of the hotels have "suite" type
> arrangements
( Bedroom + Living room space ),
> but this is not requirement.
Also would be
> nice to try to keep the cost under $200 per night
> for
a room / suite .
>
> Lastly - we are 3 single guys - average age 40.
>
It would be nice to have a sociable atmosphere,
> but not too crazy /
noisy.
>
> OK - so that's probably a lot to ask,
> an
overconstrained set of equations as
> one would say. Still if anyone
has any
> suggestions, please let me know.
>
>
> Jeff
Bennett
> Jeff.TakeThisOut@Bennet-Tec.Com
>
> PS - any
suggestions specific to any aspect of
> wheelchair based
tourism, or snorkling
> in Puerto Rico would also be welcome
>
> ============================================
>
>
To be
honest, I think a far better bet would be to just spend a night or two
in PR (which is a bit of a dump compared to the other more beautiful
Caribbean islands) then go on one of the cruises which depart from PR to
visit the other islands; they are well equipped for disabled people in
wheelchairs and with a fantastic variety of options to choose from all
day long.
We spent a few days in PR prior to our cruise and the old
town isn't going to be easy to get around with a wheelchair; lots of
steep hills and bumpy cobblestone pavements. The beaches were nothing
special and the hotel gates (Intercontinental hotel) were locked at 6pm
(I think for personal safety reasons) so you had to get off the beach
(although I didn't see all of this large island so I don't know if most
hotels do this!)..
We took the Royal Caribbean 'Adventure of the Seas'
7-night cruise which departed PR for St.John, St.Maarten, Antigua,
St.Lucia and Barbados. There is a variety of options to choose from when
the ship docks eg. snorkelling, swimming with sea turtles, jeep safari
or just going off alone to do your own thing. St. Maarten had a lovely
shallow beach just a few hundred feet away from where the ship docked,
with the township adjacent.
We saw a number of people of all ages in
wheelchairs and I'm certain that the cruise companies have ideas (or
even a guest relations officer) who can help and advise on things to do
when one is physically challenged. It's so easy to get around on a ship
as it has long passageways all on one level and plenty of elevators to
go up and down. Also there is always medical help on board if needed
from doctors and dentists based on the ship. I seem to remember (I may
be incorrect) that at least one of the swimming pools on the ship had
access for disabled (wheelchair-bound) passengers.
We found that it
worked out cheaper per day to go on a cruise (3 of us in one cabin - we
had one with a balcony) than to stay in the Intercontinental Hotel we'd
checked out of in Puerto Rico! It really is like staying in a floating
luxury hotel - but with a casual atmosphere.
You can eat all day long
if you wish, help yourself to beverages and ice-cream too and if you
choose to stay on the ship rather than get off it there are things going
on all day and night long. Our ship had cabaret shows in the evening and
ice-skating show....then we went to some of the 18 bars on the ship, the
casino and even the disco!
I'm sorry, this really doesn't answer fully
your question about PR but going on a cruise would be a fantastic option
for you all as there really is so much to do - but you can choose just
to laze around in your room or on deck and read a book if you want to.
I would go to the websites of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and
maybe other cruise lines depending on where you want to depart from.
Prices are variable of course depending on when and where you travel and
room type...you may be granted a free upgrade because of your brother's
needs. There is probably a section on passengers with special needs -
but in any case I would contact someone at the cruise line regarding his
disability and see what they might suggest.
I hope this helps, and have
a great vacation!
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