I am always excited to hear about accessible accommodation which I think will provide a lovely stay for our Have Wheelchair Will Travel community. Skye Suites Parramatta, located just 30 minutes from Sydney’s CBD, is not only perfect for a staycation for our Sydney readers, but it is a great base for anyone looking for an accessible Sydney stay. In practical terms, it’s also a good home away from home for anyone visiting Sydney for treatment at Westmead Hospital or Westmead Children’s Hospital. Skye Suites offers facilities that make it accessible for an overnight break or a longer stay. Hubby and I had a one night getaway, just ahead of our wedding anniversary and found the location ideal for exploring the many nearby attractions Parramatta has to offer. It also has a fabulous rooftop bar, ideal for an accessible night out.
Skye Suites Parramatta – accessible Sydney accommodation
It’s always a delight when I walk into a hotel room and see accessibility has been top of mind in the design process. Skye Suites Parramatta ticks many accessibility goals, including providing access to the pool with a hoist.
A two bedroom suite is perfect for families or anyone travelling with the assistance of a support worker or additional support crew. It’s rare to find accessible apartment accommodation which is why Skye Suites is extra special. We like to have space to spread out and we also love having a separate lounge area.
Self-catering is made easy with a full-size fridge, stove top and microwave.
The queen bedded room offers good circulation space on both sides of the bed and is generously sized. A solid bed base however prevents the use of a hoist under the bed.
Bedroom facts – Bedroom door clearance 86cm, bed height 54cm, bed clearance 22cm, recession of bed base 15cm.
The second bedroom offers a single bed and doubles as an office with a work space if needed.
Bedroom facts are the same as above.
The spacious accessible bathroom features lever taps, a shower bench, grab rails throughout, height-adjustable shower and a toilet with a back rest.
Bathroom facts – toilet door clearance 89cm, height of toilet to pan 44 cm, height of toilet to seat 47cm, height of shower bench 51cm, height of sink 82cm.
All features are lowered in the bathroom including the towel hooks and there’s even a vanity cupboard. If you’ve been following along for a while you’ll know how frustrated we get with accessible hotel bathrooms with no provision for storing our toiletries. It’s great to see a cupboard and it was also refreshing to see that the glasses and additional hotel supplied toiletries are at a height which is accessible to a wheelchair user.
As much as I love to leave my usual household duties behind, I do love accommodation which is equipped with a washing machine. Having access to a machine in the room makes it so much easier for us to travel. It cuts down on what we need to pack and lessens my work when I get home.
It’s great to see that a washer/dryer has been provided at a lowered height for easy access. Additional bathroom and pool towels are also available. I know that many of you need extra towels for positioning in bed and other reasons and for once you won’t have to ask for additional towels. Skye Suites really have thought of everything.
I know you all like a walk-through video so take a tour with me below.
Skye Suites Parramatta offer four two bedroom suites. Two of these suites offer a king-bedded room with a second bedroom with two beds. The other two suites offer a king-bedded room and a single bed in the second room.
Skye Suites Parramatta – accessible facilities
While it’s great to have accessible accommodation, the true sign of an inclusive property is the provision of accessible recreational facilities. I get ridiculously excited when I spot a pool hoist. Even though Braeden doesn’t need a hoist, I know what it means to so many in our Have Wheelchair Will Travel community to be able to access a pool. A sling is also provided to use at Skye Suites Parramatta so don’t worry if you don’t have your own. A unisex accessible bathroom is located near the pool and a water wheelchair is available for getting around.
As usual, I dropped in to check out the gym but, as usual, I didn’t manage to fit in a work out. I must say I was far more inclined to head to Nick and Nora’s, the rooftop bar, than spend time in the gym. No surprises there, but it really is a special bar.
Nick & Nora’s
Skye Suites Parramatta may not have an onsite restaurant, but with Nick & Nora’s rooftop bar and Parramatta’s Eat Street nearby, I’d argue that there’s no need.
We enjoyed a fabulous evening at Nick & Nora’s. We arrived before sunset so we could relax with a cocktail while watching the sun disappear on the horizon. The views are stunning and the cocktail list is extensive and delicious.
A little call button on the table ensures that ordering just one more drink is easy.
As the family’s chef I am always happy to take a break from the kitchen and the ‘Feed Me’ menu at Nick and Nora’s sounded like it was designed for me. Plate after plate of delicious share dishes arrived at our table offering a lovely variety of seasonal flavours. We happily ploughed our way through each of the four courses – it was a pre-wedding anniversary celebration after all.
My favourite dishes are the mushroom and pea arancini and the lobster tacos – yum!
You don’t need to be a guest at Skye Suites Parramatta to enjoy a drink or dinner at Nick and Nora’s. A unisex accessible bathroom is also located within the bar area.
Just remember to make a booking because the secret is out about this spot. You can read more about Nick and Nora’s on their website.
Breakfast at The Shed
Breakfast was included in our stay at a cafe next door to the hotel. I visit Parramatta relatively regularly and I’ve never noticed The Shed. Clearly locals are well aware of its existence by the number of people dropping in for take away or sitting down for a more leisurely breakfast. Families, couples and hotel guests, like ourselves, kept the kitchen busy.
Fresh juices and eggs had us energised for another day exploring Parramatta.
The Shed has good accessibility and you don’t need to be a guest of Skye Suites to pop in for breakfast or lunch. You can visit their website for a full menu.
And we didn’t have to go far to find another attraction I’d missed over the years, The Phillip Ruddock Heritage Centre opened in 2017 and offers an insight into convict life.
This beautifully preserved site includes the footings of a convict hut dating from the 1790’s or early 1800’s. Archaeologist Edward Higginbotham pointed out that ‘This is the first time that the physical remains of a convict hut have been put on display’, which makes this a unique attraction for history buffs.
A range of crockery, toys and other items from the time were unearthed and have now been preserved for everyone to enjoy and learn from.
Access to the Phillip Ruddock Heritage Centre is excellent with lift access located just beside The Shed Cafe. Level pathways lead around the archaeological site and signage is at a good level for wheelchair users to read.
Accessibility at Skye Suites Parramatta
Ramp access is provided at the entrance to Skye Suites.
Accessible parking is available in the undercover car park at Skye Suites. Four accessible parking spaces are available. Car park clearance is 2.2m.
Nearby attractions
I feel like everyone knows what to do in Sydney’s CBD but perhaps you are less familiar with what Parramatta has to offer.
The Riverside Theatre is a short level walk or wheel away and offers a wonderful accessible program. The theatre provides wheelchair access, some Auslan interpreted performances, tactile tours and more. We’ve visited on many occasions during Sydney Festival and thoroughly enjoy the ease of this theatre. You can read more about Riverside Theatre on their website.
Parramatta River walk
The Parramatta River walk offers level walking paths on both sides of the river. We’ve explored this area extensively and love the accessibility.
The story of the local Indigenous people is featured on the walkway in a series of artworks and explained on information boards staggered along the way.
Parramatta Park
Parramatta Park is only a short walk from Skye Suites and offers a wheelchair accessible path, inclusive playground and a selection of historic sites to explore.
In spring the Wistaria Gardens delight visitors keen to see the blossoms and wisteria in bloom.
While we enjoy exploring Parramatta’s outdoor options, we also found it handy being within easy walking distance of Westfield Parramatta. Hubby and I went to the movies and did a bit of shopping. Westfield Parramatta has a fabulous range of stores including many of the major chains as well as plenty of boutique stores.
Lake Parramatta Reserve
Lake Parramatta Reserve is a five minute drive from Skye Suites and the perfect spot for a picnic. When Braeden was younger we used to meet friends here regularly because there’s an accessible cafe, a Liberty Swing (wheelchair accessible swing) and a short accessible walk. We’ve even taken the pedal boats out for a lap of the lake but that does require a standing transfer to access the boats and it can be challenging.
If, after exhausting all of Parramatta’s activities, you’re keen to head for the bright lights of Sydney CBD, the Parramatta River ferry (the RiverCat) offers a relaxing and accessible way to get there. Catching the train is another option but nothing beats a ferry ride and the Parramatta River ferry is quite different to our Harbour ferry rides. You have the opportunity to get a glimpse of various Sydney suburbs along the way. I usually dream about living in one of the many beautiful historic waterfront homes. We’d have to install a wheelchair lift mind you because most are multi-storey homes.
Skye Suites is also conveniently located near the CommBank Stadium and a train ride away from Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park. Perfect for anyone heading to see Ed Sheeran or Harry Styles next year.
When we visited the Phillip Ruddock Heritage Centre site we read about the convicts that were first settled in Sydney. Many were settled in what is now Sydney’s CBD but others were sent to Parramatta. Those settled in Parramatta were the lucky ones as they were given larger plots of land which they could use for growing vegetables to earn an income. Space was plentiful in Parramatta and that seems similar today. Skye Suites offer far more spacious accommodation and greater value for money than traditional Sydney hotel rooms. I think you definitely get more bang for your buck at Skye Suites Parramatta.
Our stay at Skye Suites Parramatta and our dinner at Nick and Nora’s was hosted but as always a glowing review is the result of a wonderful experience.
You can read more about Skye Suites Parramatta on their website. And remember, if you book direct with the hotel, the goodies in your mini-bar are free. Who doesn’t get excited about free mini-bar snacks for that midnight feast. More likely a 5pm feast for this overtired mother!
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