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Sands Beach Villas, Lanzarote
Youreable founder Joe Rajko visits Lanzarote's Sands Beach Villas (www.sandsbeachvillas.com)
It's a pity but I found each of the villas at Sands
is situated directly on a private beach around a central lagoon, offering
luxurious seclusion.
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Sometimes, you get those weeks where every day
is like Monday! I was enduring my fifth such week on the trot, when a call
came in from the very lovely Louise Clifford of MCA Associates (our chosen
& caring Media and PR people).
On behalf of another of her clients, Louise was asking me to go on a mission!
She said she fully understood I had a tremendous amount of work to do, but
could I 'possibly' squeeze in a two-week trip to Lanzarote? To advise on
accessibility issues in and around a complex of luxury villas within the
resort of Costa Teguise, called Sands Beach Villas…
Instantly two words sprang to mind, and the second one was YES! But before
I could actually say anything Louise continued with how she knew it sounded
odd, but I would have to spend the entire two-weeks 'truly' on holiday (&
she said this apologetically!)
Apparently Sands Beach Villas had already been advised on what should be
done to make some of their luxurious five star villas completely accessible,
and what they needed now was an experienced 'user' to bench test their efforts.
So… They had already been advised had they? I could see a gauntlet
being thrown down…
True, I was an experienced wheelchair user, well versed in travelling, and
so naturally in spotting problems associated with, but what if I got there
and I couldn't even use the loo? I would have to get the very next flight
back!
I mean, just where did they get their 'expert' advice from anyway? I put
this question to Louise (ha! Check). She answered by telling me that SBV
(Sands Beach Villas) had welcomed advice from various experts and, of course,
from Youreable.com (doh! Checkmate). There were no two ways around it now…
I had to just - go!
So there I was a couple of weeks later, sat in the departure lounge of my
local airport, about to embark on what was billed as 'a fortnight of fully
equipped and fully accessible luxury' but with an ominous feeling of trepidation…
Sure, as a fully disabled person I'm not entitled to feel relaxed or comfortable
when using public transport of any kind, right? Especially when flying!
They pack 'em in - they pack 'em out, and if you happen to be severely disabled…
well, that's your own fault isn't it? (It's not as though it's too difficult
or expensive to sort out - just needs common sense and a little know-how
from someone in the know!)
No, it wasn't just the usual nauseating anxiety you get when travelling
to and from your holiday destination, worrying if things will actually be
'as promised', but also because I was being invited to inspect disability
applications that, in part, Youreable.com had already advised upon…
What if I were to highlight a problem in a villa bedroom for example, only
to be told that the advice had either come from, or via, my website!
My thoughts were brought back to earth by a loud intercom announcement saying
that it was time to fly (how surreal), or as the announcement went: "Could
all disabled passengers, needing assistance, please make your way to gate
27 where you will be met and assisted (how real) to pre-board the plane…This
is purely to prevent the delays that usually occur (what?!)…Normal
passengers flying to Lanzarote will hear the correct call to board (what
the?**?!) in approximately ten minutes." (J, Fat chance! Though I had
to admire their confidence.)
It wasn't long before the struggle to board (public humiliation) was over.
At last, I was seated on a Spanish airways jet with a four and a half hour
flight (reprieve) ahead of me, and as the words 'at least it can't get any
worse now' rolled into my mind, the jet rolled onto the runway…
I had nothing to worry about. It was a perfect flight. But little did I
know that things were about to get even - better? Upon arrival at Arrecife
airport, two towering 'young' and obviously fit Spanish airport aides, trained
medics no less, boarded the plane with their own purpose-made aisle chair
(type of wheelchair designed to fit the aisles of aircraft). It was level
with where I was sat, had a broad seat, and a high back.
I was able to 'transfer' myself onto the aisle chair, and, straighten myself
up before even leaving the plane. And when I did leave the plane, what was
there to meet me but my very own wheelchair, right at the door! The two
medics waited patiently (swapping jokes by what I could gather) as I 'transferred'
once more, this time from the aisle chair to my wheelchair. Then they nonchalantly
took all of my hand luggage and strolled either side of me, into and all
the way through the impressive, clean and cool, granite and marble Arrecife
airport.
What a contrast! And what a difference (when correctly trained/advised &
equipped) it can make. I only hoped it was a sign of things to come.
It was… In less than twenty minutes I had arrived at Sands Beach Villas
and it was time to work (nice job, but a hell of a commute). Naturally the
first thing I noticed was the car park. It had a firm, level and smooth
surface and offered ample room to get in and out of the vehicle.
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That done, in less than ten revolutions of my wheelchair wheels
I was outside the small and friendly reception 'villa' with parasol,
table and chairs out front. Less than ten more and I was being shown
into my villa and introduced to it's features. |
During the course of the next twenty minutes or so, a couple of key members
of staff just popped in to welcome me to SBV and to point out that if there
was anything I required etc. etc… This was a good opportunity for me
to make a point of my own. I stated that I was not there to criticise or
judge, but to help.
I asked that if there were any known problem areas for people with disabilities,
perhaps I could be shown them as opposed to being left to discover (or miss)
them for myself. This way I would have more time to work 'with' SBV while
I was there, to find the solutions to solve any such issues etc… and
so the ice was broken.
As soon as I was left to my own devices, you can bet your bottom dollar
that the very first thing I checked in the villa was the adapted bathroom.
I 'needed' to know I could use the loo in the morning or it was game over.
Go straight to England, do not pause for thought, do not collect any duty
free's, etc. etc.
WOW! It was perfect! In fact, the whole bathroom was as though it had been
designed just for me. It was a large, spacious and airy en suite bathroom,
with wide access door to my bedroom. It had plenty of light, both supplied
and natural. The toilet was firmly set and at the correct recommended height
and with the right seat. Even the 'three' adjustable grab rails were in
their correct positions and did not get in the way of wheelchair access
space to either side (phew, guess I was staying then).
This room demanded further inspection. The washbasin was fully height/angle
adjustable, which naturally offered full and free leg room access beneath,
but most refreshing to see, was something I have hardly ever seen put into
practice. The mirror over the washbasin was mounted onto the wall at an
angle, as though its top was falling away from the wall. This is such a
simple idea but it means that those who are seated when washing, get the
use of a mirror just as anyone else does when washing, as opposed to merely
seeing a reflection of ones head only. It didn't end there.
The washbasin was big and had plenty of shelving around it for soaps etc.
It had one tap with a single large, easy to use lever. The tap could be
swung from left to right 'and' pivoted, allowing the flow of water to be
angled left, straight down or right. The tap could also be removed from
its fitting as it was attached to a long, self-retracting bendy-hose similar
to a showerhead (great for aiming at people).
In one corner of the bathroom was a roomy roll-in wet floor shower cubicle
(half-height) with its own wall-mounted fold down chair as well as a standard
'wheeled' shower chair. The controls for the shower were easy to handle
and operate, just like the washbasin.
My highly experienced and sought after advice for the bathroom? Perhaps
they could fit a full-length mirror!
I left the superbly adapted bathroom and cast my beady eyes over the bedroom.
The bed was at the correct recommended height for ease of wheelchair transfer
and there was ample room for me to navigate my wheelchair and choose which
side of the bed I wished to sleep. There were no less than two light switches
on either side of the bed, one fixed and one free to place, that operated
both the main bedroom lighting and the bedside lights. The room also had
a wall of fully fitted wardrobes with full-length mirror fronts (kinky -
I mean useful).
I had to point out the lack of lower fitted clothes rails that I could reach,
but I was assured this was an oversight that was about to be amended.
I also suggested some form of thin complimentary wall panelling, purely
to avoid wheelchair scuffs and scrapes on their beautiful walls.
Finally, I took time to investigate the rest of my new surroundings. I found
the villa to be spacious affording me lots of room to manoeuvre my large
wheelchair. I could reach practically all plug points and light switches.
All doors and cupboards had large, easy to use lever handles. All users
of but the highest wheelchairs would fit their legs under the beautiful
dining table. But best of all, absolutely everywhere was completely level,
even when venturing through the patio style doors and onto the sun-kissed
patio which, talking about it, also had room for manoeuvre and again, a
patio table I could get my legs under with room to spare.
Suddenly my eyes seemed to adjust to something new! I had spent the first
twenty minutes or so discussing important issues with key members of SBV
staff. I had then feverishly cast my qualified eyes over every aspect of
accessibility within the villa for at least another twenty minutes. But
I had failed to take in the total splendour of this typical Sands Beach
villa. It was absolutely beautiful!
As my vision shifted focus my attention was drawn to the sheer quality of
the fixtures and fittings, to the subtle and complimentary 'typically Mediterranean'
decorations, to the aptly themed (& placed) very expensive looking fitted
'designer' wooden furniture that flowed through the entire villa, to the
very design of the villa itself. Add to this the multiple choices of mood
lighting effects that could be achieved in any given room, and then the
patio lighting, well…I spent the next forty minutes trying to wipe
the smile off my face!
I remember feeling the urge to get out my trustee notepad and pen. It might
be crass, but I often do this when on the job, to take note of my inner
most feelings about particular circumstances or situations etc. I find this
to be very effective when later searching for references to said situations
as it enables me to re-capture moods as well as details. That said I would
like to replicate my first notepad entry for you, now.
Why? Because I meant it… and still do.
Not been here two hours. Not been anywhere. Not seen anything, no shops
or restaurants etc. No idea what Lanzarote is like, let alone this resort.
BUT, it feels like I have come home from a long trip! This villa 'actually'
feels like my home. Not a holiday chalet or rented accommodation or even
someone else's property that I am using for a couple of weeks, NO…
I HAVE COME HOME!
I could see it was going to be a real challenge to earn my keep here at
Sands Beach Villas.
I decided to settle down for the night, and start my work 'proper' the very
next morning by doing exactly as I was told…I would begin 'spending
the entire two-weeks 'truly' on holiday!' It was a tough job, but somebody
had to do it! (You should see your face as you're reading this, if looks
could kill I'd be a dead man!)
So, what did I make of the place then? (I will try to describe things sympathetically,
so as not to 'rub it in' anymore)
Unfortunately, I found that the resort itself provides the sort of luxury
only usually found in far-flung, exotic locations such as the Caribbean
or Seychelles. The whole complex is beautifully designed and maintained
in a traditional style, creating a true tropical Spanish ambiance.
It's a pity but I found each of the villas at Sands is situated directly
on a private beach around a central lagoon, offering luxurious seclusion.
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As if things weren't bad enough, in the middle of the lagoon itself,
reached by bridge, there is a large heated swimming pool with its
own fantastic rock waterfall and raised Jacuzzi alongside, if you
like that sort of thing. |
To add insult to injury, I found a further six swimming pools around the
complex. Each slightly different in design and easily accessible, and with
separate safe kiddies paddling pools, oh and Jacuzzi's etc… The rotters.
Just when I thought it couldn't get much worse, I discovered there is a
large supermarket on the complex with prices cheaper than similar shops
outside SBV, and woe of woes, there are also excellent bars and restaurants
on site, and a theatre and a disco. One bar even has a 'mini-cinema screen'
for sports enthusiasts etc. One restaurant even has a delivery service,
with a menu ranging from pizzas to a la carte, direct to your villa door.
How thoughtless of them.
With a public beach literally seconds from the private lagoon beach, and
another beach rated as one of the best in the world for windsurfing only
minutes away, I don't know how they dared look me in the face!
Joking aside.
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Although the complex is built on an incline leading down to the
beach, there are wheelchair ramps on all passageways, through-routes
and pavements within SBV. |
Venturing further a field, there are plenty of shops, restaurants, attractions
and facilities close to the complex and just beyond in Costa Teguise. Most
have ramped access!
However, if you are severely disabled and holidaying alone there are a couple
of things you should be aware of. At present, there is no access to either
the supermarket or the sports bar. I am led to believe that this is a priority
issue that SBV are hoping to resolve very soon. Also, many of the ramps
in and around SBV are quite steep and should not be tackled alone if you
have a severe disability. Alternative and less aggressive routes can be
found within the complex.
Conclusion
All members of SBV staff are at ease with disability and recognise each
person has individual needs. They are extremely conscientious and upon request
will provide whatever is required to make your holiday truly memorable.
They are a credit to the company.
If all of my suggestions are carried out, holidaying at SBV will be an experience
you will never forget! If none of my suggestions are acted upon, then holidaying
at SBV will merely be an accessible joy!
What I have found most impressive about Sands Beach Villas is the fact that
they do not want to provide facilities for disabled people. They want to
provide the very 'best' facilities you are likely to find anywhere. This
sort of enthusiasm at this level of accommodation is very rare, but it means
that people with disabilities will have something that all too often is
denied them… CHOICE!
Posted: 10 June, 2002
Joe Rajko - Founder/Chairman Youreable.com
For further information: www.sandsbeachvillas.com |
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