Impressive Premium Resort and Spa in Punta Cana, Domincan Republic is complete paradise. The white sand, blue sea, sunshine, beach and pure relaxation is what holidays are for. Caribbean music in the beach bar, the sound of the waves and frozen slush puppies and cocktails is heaven! The interesting thing is, although the pictures are beautiful and the holiday itself was amazing, to get there is always the challenge, when travelling in a wheelchair.
Although we requested bulk head seats on the aeroplane, so I can sit on the floor on the flight, we were not given them. Therefore the 9 hour flight meant I had to lie on my husbands legs and pray the time would go fast. Thankfully it did. I got on and off the flight using an aeroplane wheelchair, as I am unable to walk. The staff were so good. When we got to Punta Cana there was a gradual ramp going backwards and forwards to get me onto the ground. Never seen that before . Although we would love to take pictures to show the ramp, in reality our main focus was holding on and getting safely off the aeroplane. My husband took care of our luggage.
In advance of arriving in Domincan Republic we had done our research to find a wheelchair accessible transfer, using the company DAT. As I was travelling in my electric wheelchair we needed a ramp and lift into the van. It was a short transfer and we were soon at our hotel, greeted with a glass of champagne on arrival. I can't relax and settle until we get into our hotel room , I can see the walk-in shower and check the bed height. Fortunately, everything went smoothly. The bathroom was a wet room with really good non slip tiles and space to move around the room in my wheelchair. My husband Nath would have had to lift me into bed. It was too high, so we asked the hotel to remove the bottom part of the bed. Then it was the perfect height to get into.
Before we go on holiday we always check hotel reviews and contact the hotel directly to check they have wheelchair access. We knew the hotel did have wheelchair access, but we were pleasantly surprised at just how good it was. All around the hotel there was ramped access, where there were any steps. At the beach they had a wooden walk way area for wheelchair users and a clear sign for a wheelchair user, advertising the area was reserved for disabled people. They also had a wheelchair sea buggy, so if you are unable to walk, you can sit in it and someone can pull you along across the sand and into the sea. I went into the sea twice, as at first I thought I may not be able to sit in it with my condition, but I managed and it was absolutely amazing! For the first time in 7 years, I managed to float in the beautiful turquoise sea with the help of a French Couple we met, Chantelle and Michel, a life guard and Nath, helping me in and out of the sea buggy. Such a fantastic feeling!
At the resort, there were two disabled toilets by the 'Grill', 'Italian' and 'French' restaurants. The disabled toilet upstairs in the Italian was larger, so much easier to transfer. When I go on holiday I get so excited when I see a disabled toilet, as I'm no longer able to use a standard toilet. It means I can relax and enjoy the holiday and drinks, knowing there is a toilet near by, otherwise it's a long walk to our bedroom.
The hotel had entertainment each night and a great entertainment team. One night there was a Beach Party, so we headed down to the beach. The party was on the sand, but a few strong men helped to pull my wheelchair across the sand, so I could join in the dancing!
The staff at the hotel were so lovely and very helpful. If Nath was getting my lunch or breakfast, they would come over to help carry plates, or drinks, etc.
On returning home, we used the DAT transfer company again, but unfortunately it was an hour late, as the wheelchair transfer vehicle had broken down! An alternative van turned up, but there was no ramp, so 5 men lifted me and my wheelchair into the van! My electric chair is really heavy!!! We were unsure if we would make our flight, but the company was very apologetic and said if we missed our flight they would pay for our new flight home, expenses and hotel. It was just a broken down vehicle, (could have happened to anyone), so if I returned to Domincan Republic, I would definately use DAT again.
Their manager was at the airport to greet us and apologise. He stopped to make sure we were checked-in & had made our flight on time! The airport had full wheelchar access. The disabled toilet was within the able-bodied female, or male toilets, but at least there was one!
There was a wheelchair lift to get me onto the flight. The flight wasn't the best journey home. It's never easy, but the shortage of space and cramped conditions, were worth it. Punta Cana, in the Domincan Republic, was paradise and such a fantastic holiday.
Once again thank you to my husband Nath for being my arms and legs, for the staff and other holiday-makers that helped and for Chantelle and her husband for helping me into sea. A holiday I will never forget!
Judith Smale
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