Last Friday, Finlay and I were on our way to the much-anticipated launch of the Outdoors Accessibility Design Guidelines, a project we had been working on for the past three years as part of a Working Group under Recreation Aotearoa. The launch was set to take place under the sails at the Redwoods in Rotorua, and I was looking forward to reconnecting with fellow group members and celebrating this milestone achievement.
Since we were making the trip, we decided to take the opportunity to review the accessible rooms at Rydges Rotorua, a hotel we had heard great things about, particularly for families. We were also excited to try out Chapman’s Restaurant and Bar, well known among locals for its incredible seafood selection, and a great perk – kids eat free when staying at the Rydges! Our plan was to enjoy dinner at the restaurant after the launch and breakfast the next morning before heading home.
Change of Plans
Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go as expected. About halfway from Auckland to Rotorua, in Matamata, I started feeling the effects of a stomach bug, the very one Finlay had been dealing with earlier in the week. By that point, it was too late to turn back, and I was hoping it would pass, but it only worsened as we continued our journey.
On arrival at Rydges Rotorua, I grabbed the swipe key and drove around from the main reception to the entrance where the ground-floor King Deluxe Accessible Rooms are located. I was relieved to find mobility parking right outside, no need to navigate lifts or upper floors, which was a real advantage given I had to unload all of Finlay’s assistive equipment: his mobile hoist, shower commode, sleep system, and other essentials. Each room also had the option of an adjoining room for a caregiver, family member, or friend, which is a thoughtful and practical feature.
One great feature I immediately noticed was that access to the hotel from this end is via the room key. Swiping the keycard automatically opens the large glass sliding doors, allowing a seamless entry – an absolute relief, especially as I was feeling worse by the minute.
First Impressions of the Room
The wide, well-lit corridors and clear signage made it easy to locate our room. By this point, all I wanted to do was collapse into bed, but first, I had to unload Finlay and his equipment, a slow and exhausting process between dashes to the bathroom.
Despite my worsening condition, I took a moment to assess the room’s accessibility features. While the hinged door to the room was a bit tricky to navigate with Finlay’s powerchair, using my body to hold it open while reversing in worked well.
The bathroom had a hinged door that opened out. There was clearance under the basin, allowing for easy wheelchair access. The mirror was positioned at a suitable height for both standing and seated guests. Hooks were located in accessible places.
The toilet seat was higher than standard (47cm from the floor), making transfers easier. It was also a little further from the wall (71 cm), which would make it suitable for a commode on wheels. The grab rail was incredibly useful, especially in my weakened state! It’s funny how the older I get, the more I find myself using them.
The shower featured a sturdy fold-down seat with soaps within reach, and towels and flannels were easily accessible. A bath with a grab rail was a unique feature, as we don’t often see baths in accessible rooms. It had an easy-to-use mixer tap.
The front door had two security peepholes, one at wheelchair height and one at standard height. There was also a safe in the room within easy reach. A full-length mirror against one wall was really useful. There was no clearance under the bed for the hoist, but I solved this by placing one of Finlay’s shoes under a bed caster, which gave just enough lift for the hoist legs to slide underneath. The bed height was 56cm from the floor, which is considered ideal for self-transfers.
The King Deluxe bed had been split into twin beds, and light switches and the television were still within easy reach from the beds. The thick carpet made hoisting slightly harder than in other rooms we’ve stayed in, but it was still manageable.
Being on the ground floor, our view was of the hammocks and pool seating area, with visible geothermal steam rising from the ground—a classic Rotorua touch.
I loved the positioning of all the switches and plugs in this room. This is important to us as we need to plug the mobile hoist and the powerchair in overnight. Having places to do this in easily accessible places makes such a difference.
Recovering and Exploring
Along the same ground-floor corridor, we discovered an easily accessible laundry.
Once I had managed to unload all of Finlay’s equipment, I was too sick to leave the hotel room. The launch at 3:30 pm was no longer an option, I had to prioritise getting better and not passing it on. Fortunately, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to rest. The bathroom was close by, and Finlay was comfortable and relaxed once I got him settled into bed.
By the next morning, I was feeling much better, though still a bit drained. We decided to venture to the breakfast buffet to check it out.
What a spread! The selection included ham, cooked breakfast choices, fruit, yoghurts, pancakes, coffee, juices, and tea. Finlay had pancakes with fruit puree and cream, and I tested him with baked beans, hash browns, and scrambled eggs.
He wasn’t too hungry, still recovering his appetite, and I ended up settling for just a coffee, though I couldn’t help but feel like I was missing out on the cooked breakfast options!
The lounge bar was located right next to the restaurant, and nearby were lifts to the upper floors, the main reception, and an accessible toilet in the lobby.
Checking Out the Facilities
After breakfast, we explored the pool area. I’m always hopeful to find a fully accessible hotel pool, but unfortunately, this one wasn’t. The geothermally heated swimming pool looked amazing, and I would have loved to get Finlay into it.
At the deeper end, I could see the perfect spot for a pool hoist; I wonder if hotel management would consider installing one?
The spa pools were also only accessible via steps, making them unusable for us.
Rotorua has become a real mecca for Māori cultural experiences, hot pools, and geysers, but it’s also hugely popular for mountain biking. The hotel clearly caters to biking enthusiasts, right outside, there was a bike station with a pump, tools, and a lock-up rack.
Inside, they had a dedicated mountain bike storage area and a map of all the trails in the area. No wonder the Accessible Guidelines launch was held here, it’s a key hub for outdoor recreation!
Exploring the Area
Feeling much better, we wanted to check out the immediate surroundings before leaving. Right next to the hotel, within walking and wheeling distance, is the Whakarewarewa Village, the only living Māori village in Rotorua, home to around 40 residents. This cultural treasure is a must-see, and it’s a real bonus that it’s right next door to Rydges Rotorua.
Read about our visit to Whakarewarewa Village !
Check out our previous visits to Rotorua
- Rotorua Bush Tracks with the TrailRider All-Terrain Wheelchair
- Affordable Wheelchair Accessible Family Accommodation in Rotorua