A Little Background
The first thing you notice on arrival at Hugo House is its Irish connections. The welcoming doormat reads “Céad Míle Fáilte,” a traditional Irish greeting meaning ‘a hundred thousand welcomes’. Then topped with the delightful Irish accent of Aoibheann Monaghan who greets you at the door to welcome you in.
The Hugo House is set up for the purpose of making it possible for people to have a holiday when they find it difficult to do so otherwise. The name Hugo House, is in memory of Hugh Green, born in Raphoe, County Donegal in 1931. He emigrated to New Zealand and became an extremely successful business man. His eldest daughter Maryanne, established the Hugo Charitable Trust in 2017 and is passionate to continue her father’s philanthropic legacy.
Location
The Hugo House is only 6 km’s from the picturesque tourist town of Arrowtown. It overlooks the stunning Lake Hayes with its mountain backdrop. It is central to everything that the action packed Queenstown Lakes has to offer. The perfect base for the ski-fields, river and lake activities, cycle-trails, sightseeing, vineyards, craft beer, shopping, ShotoverJet, AJ Hackett Bungy and so much more.
The Hugo House is fully furnished with three bedrooms that can accommodate up to six people. It has been built to be wheelchair accessible and has two bedrooms that provide height adjustable single beds. The lounge and two bedrooms have a ceiling track system (2m mono-rail) and uses the Monarch portable ceiling hoist that connects onto it.
The main bathroom has been fitted a telescopic cubicle curtain rail system and a wall rail hoist system which the Monarch 200kg portable ceiling hoist attaches onto. There are also full-body slings available and a Heron Multi-functional shower / commode chair if required.
Kitchen
The kitchen is fully-equipped with incredible views overlooking the lake.
Master Bedroom with Ensuite
The master bedroom isn’t classified as accessible with an ensuite that has a cubicle shower. There is plenty of room to be able to utilise this room if in a wheelchair. Plenty of space under bed for a mobile hoist if travelling with one. The doorways are wide enough to wheel through. The ensuite isn’t accessible.
Twin Accessible Room One
Both twin accessible rooms consist of a single height adjustable bed and a pull-out single. Both have sliding door access to a large accessible bathroom with wet-floor shower. There is a ceiling track to enable transfer from wheelchair into bed. The Monarch Mobile Ceiling hoist just clicks onto the ceiling track. Slings are provided but its always a good idea to bring your own with you just in case for correct sizing. The beds have sides and have tilt capacity as well as height adjustment.
Twin Accessible Room Two
Sliding doors lead into an expansive wet floor bathroom and out to the living / dining room.
Accessible Bathroom
This has to be one of the best accessible bathrooms I’ve seen in a visitor accommodation. A full ceiling track hoist with the option of a fold down shower bench and a supportive shower commode on wheels. There is ample room for two carers to assist if needed.
Lounge/Dining
There is a mounted ceiling track rail in the lounge to allow hoist transfer out of wheelchair and onto couch or floor. Uncarpeted flooring around the dining table leading to easier access. The ranch sliding doors open out onto the deck where you can take in the breath taking views over looking the lake.
The gas fireplace is easy to use with remote control supplied.
A spacious corridor/hallway takes you through to all the rooms. There is plenty of extra bed linen and towels, with extra heaters to use in the colder months. A deck wouldn’t be complete without a gas barbecue to cook some freshly caught fish on.
I have never come across visitor accommodation in Aotearoa New Zealand that ticks all of our access needs, like Hugo House in ArrowTown!
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For Further Information
If interested in staying at The Hugo House please email Aoibheann Monaghan on aveen@hugocharitabletrust.nz with a little bit about yourself. The house is free of charge to stay at and attracts a lot of interest. This leads to the need of a waitlist and a call to you when a cancellation may arise. It is possible to plan a year in advance and get yourself booked in. Cancellations do occur, so make sure you are not put off by a waiting list.
Potential Grant Providers to Transport you here!
- The Wilson Home Trust – For families with a child up to the age of 22 years of age with a physical disability, living in their qualifying catchment area.
- Cerebral Palsy Society
- CCS Disability Action
- Make A Wish
- Mazda Foundation