As a family we have always stayed at Lake Cathie in a little house by the lake which we loved. This visit we felt staying in Port Macquarie would give us easier access to the beach and having a pool was also attractive.
BEACHSIDE APARTMENTS
is where we stayed this holiday. (January 2013)
Although we liked the look of this accommodation on the internet what sold it for us was the flexibility and understanding, the manager Tony had when we phoned. He immediately had in mind which apartment he would put us in and explained why the access would be better. That is always half the battle won if people understand your needs.
The apartment we stayed in was very spacious, which is something we always look for with the wheelchair. There was a heated pool and it was opposite Flynns Beach which is patrolled and there is also a beach wheelchair at the surf club.
Although we did not stay in the accessible apartment I did have the opportunity to have a look inside it. There is a ramp into the room, so no stairs.
The bathroom comes with a shower chair and has grab rails both in the shower and beside the toilet.
Although it is a two bedroom apartment they can put another bed in the lounge area to accommodate more people.
Even with the extra bed there was plenty of space. Please note some amenities like the microwave are not at a height for a wheelchair user. I’d suggest asking staff to put it on a bench if required.
We loved the pool as it was just the right temperature and perfect for the afternoons when we didn’t feel like heading back to the beach. The pool had a lovely large ledge in it, which would have been wonderful when our son was little and not so independent in the pool. For littlies I think this is a big plus.
We now understand when we book accommodation that there are generally some compromises and it is a matter of what is right for your family. Beachside parking is under the building which has a steepish drive to come up with a manual wheelchair (in saying this my husband didn’t find the steep driveway a hassle) There is a parking spot which is in a level position at the front of the apartment block for guests checking in but also can double for someone using a wheelchair. The car cannot stay here though so this would suit a family like ours but not someone who uses a wheelchair AND is the driver. Although the beach is right across the road, Flynns Beach area is hilly by nature and it is a steep walk. We did do it once but decided it was easier with all our towels, boogie board etc to take the car.
Beachside was very reasonably priced even in peak season so I think it is great value for money and for us worked perfectly. Take a look at the website if you are interested.
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