San Antonio, TX, USA - Riverwalk

I have written about San Antonio and the Riverwalk before (see here) so this is just an update on two particular points.

Firstly, I found an elevator just by the junction of St. Mary's St. and Houston St. I have rolled past this point at least twenty times before and never noticed this elevator (lift) so I thought I'd mention it!

Secondly, on this occasion I took a barge ride on the river. These barges have fairly level access (you might need to negotiate a level difference of a few inches) and there is space at the back by the guide to sit in your wheelchair. (Getting out of the chair into the main seating area is not really an option unless you can walk a little or are very dexterous). The downside is that you are sitting right by the diesel motor and the noise can drown out the guide's information. I found it a pleasant enough way to pass 30mins though and would recommend it. It is a good way to get oriented with the riverwalk also. I had the pleasure of doing it at Christmas time which, although cold, was well worth it for the lights!

San Antonio, TX, USA - Hotel (Holiday Inn Express, Nt Riverwalk)

These wheelchair access and travel notes refer to the Holiday Inn Express, North Riverwalk, 120 Camaron St., San Antonio (http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/satcm). This hotel is centrally located, about two block from the Market Square and about 4 blocks from the Riverwalk. It's actually occupies an historic building, formerly a prison, that makes it's access a little awkward.

Parking for the hotel is about a block away, but there is a single handicapped parking space at the front of the hotel. Since this was occupied, hotel staff allowed me to park in the 15-min registration space but the parking situation is far from ideal. (Although, at $10/day, it is a lot cheaper than other local options). There are many steps into the hotel, so the handicapped entrance is down the right hand side. You go up a long and treacherously slippy ramp to a door. You need a room key to open the door, but there is a bell that will alert the reception staff to your presence. Once inside everything is level. There is an elevator to upper floors, although this is at the back of the hotel so you have a bit of wheeling to do! Being a Holiday Inn Express there is no restaurant or bar, but the breakfast area is by the lobby and fully accessible.

My room (tow double beds, accessible, bath) was large and comfortable with adequate circulation space. I could just fit between the two beds in my chair but there was plenty of space at the end of the beds. The workdesk was a comfortable size. There was an electric socket in the desk lamp that was easy to reach. Wired Ethernet (free) was available and worked well. The TV controls were left in front of the TV and easy to reach. The coffeemaker easy to reach also. There was a fridge and microwave, all conveniently positioned for a wheelchair user. The air-conditioning controls were located at a comfortable height. When we arrived the A/C unit was unplugged which would have required a call to housekeeping had I been on my own, but my walkie partner was able to stand on a chair and plug it in.

The bed was about wheelchair height and transfers in and out were easy. Bedside light could be reached (not easily) from the bed, but the room lights could not be turned off from in bed (so remember to turn them off before getting out of your chair!). The closet was easy to use.

The bathroom was large with plenty of turning space. The grab-rails by the toilet were well positioned. The toilet at a comfortabe height. The sink was comfortable with plenty of knee space underneath. My room had a bath. The grab rails were not in the best position - being a little high for me. However it was usable. There was a shower seat supplied although I don't use them.  The shower rose was hand-held type and mounted on a rail that could just be reached from the chair. Towels were placed at a comfortable height and easily accessible.

All in all, the access levels and comfort in this hotel are acceptable. As an economic place to stay close to the San Antonio Riverwalk it is not a bad option. You can find some wheelchair and disabled access notes about the San Antonio riverwalk itself here.

Austin, TX - Hotel (Hilton Garden Inn Downtown)

These wheelchair access and travel notes refer to the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown, Austin TX. These notes reflect my observations during a recent visit and are intended as a guide for other disabled or handicapped travelers. This review is actually of a non-ADA approved room. Due to a mess-up in the booking they had given my reserved handicapped room away. I had no option but to take what they had as my kids were beyond exhaustion when we got there. They moved me to an ADA approved room the next day and I was also able to review that.

The hotel is situated on 5th St so it is very close to the heart of Austin. There is valet and self parking (half the hotel's 18 floors are reserved for parking). There is level access from the street level to reception. Bar and restaurant space is on the 18th floor and is accessible. Although I should mention that these were closed for private functions during the two nights I was there. I think it is outrageous that a hotel that claims to have on-site bar and restaurant does not provide access to these for regular paying guests. But that's another argument, off-topic for this blog, and more suited to the general travel reviews on a site like travelocity.

My room (two doubles, non ADA accessible, bath) was moderately sized. There was enough room to navigate around in the chair, and the beds could be accessed. There was a lot of furniture but circulation space was ok. The work desk was a comfortable size. There were two electric sockets in the desk lamp that were easy to reach. Wifi Ethernet (free) worked great. The TV controls wereeasy to reach. Fridge and coffeemaker were easy to reach, but the microwave was too high to use. The air-conditioning controls were reachable.

The bed was high making transfers in and out a little difficult. The bedside light could be reached from the bed, but the room lights could not be turned off from in bed (so, as always, remember to turn them off before getting out of your chair!). The closet hang space was too high to reach. 

The bathroom door was too narrow for the chair to get in so the bathroom was completely out of bounds for me.

Since this was not an adapted room, it is not surprising that it lacked most of the facilities that one would expect. If you are able to stand or walk short distances (enough to get into the bathroom) then this might work for you, but not for me.

San Antonio, Texas - Nightlife (Drink, Club Rive)

These notes are intended for wheelchair users visiting San Antonio Riverwalk district. They supplement more detailed notes recorded previously here.

Drink Cocktail Bar (200 Navarro St.)
A small, comfortable, contemporary bar serving wines, beers and cocktails. Friendly staff and clientele and (at least the night I was there) more locals than tourists.

There is a very large step from the street into the bar. However, there is an accessible side entrance. You may need to attract the attention of the bar staff to get someone to open the side gate for you (it is open only on some nights). Large, fully accessible toilet available.

Club Rive (245 E. Commerce St.)
The only barrier to entry here are the tough looking bouncers at the door.

This is a dance bar, a very popular spot at weekends. Fully accessible with fully accessible toilets. Loud, popular, and can be crowded.

San Antonio, Texas - Hotel (Crowne Plaza Riverwalk)

This entry addresses the handicapped (wheelchair) accessibility of the Crowne Plaza Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.

Access to the hotel from the street is level. Note that the self parking garage is in a different block from the hotel itself. If using the self-parking, take the elevator from the parking garage to lower level (LL) and connect to the hotel via an underground corridor. There is a handicapped parking area at street level (seperate from the "normal" entry to the garage). To access the elevator from this, wheel towards the corner of Soledad and Martin, and go throuh the pedestrian door to the parking garage (it's a heavy door!). Like all city centre hotels in San Antonio the Crowne Plaza charges an exorbitant daily parking fee (about $24/day at time of writing, and add $10 for valet parking). Another point about location is that this hotle is a block or two off the beaten path for the heart of the riverwalk action.

Breakfast and dining area is on the same level as reception. There are two step to the bar area, there is a ramp near the front door.

Hotel corridors have deep pile carpet that is tough to wheel through.

The room I had was large with two double beds. There is too much furniture, but the room is easy enough to get around. Work desk was a little low. Electric sockets and wired ethernet were very easily accessed (electrical sockets in desk lamp). There was wireless ethernet also.

Beds were at a comfortable height for transferring and bedside lights were easy to reach. It is not possible to control main room lights from bed.

TV controls were left by bed, and air conditioning controls were at a comfortable height.

Room closet had clothes hangers at a good height for wheelchair users.

Bathroom was large. Toilet was easily accessed and grab bars well placed. My room had a roll-in shower with large shower seat (floor-standing, not attached to the wall, adjustable height). The shower was hand-held with a mounting bar at perfect height. Shower controls and grab bars were well placed. Sink had plenty of room underneath, mirror was at a good height. Towels were stored at an easily accessible height.

One of the better rooms I have stayed in.

San Antonio, Texas - places bars and hotels

These brief notes are intended to help anyone in a wheelchair travelling to San Antonio, Texas. They are based purely on my own observations so they encompass only places I have been myself. Hopefully if you are a disabled traveler or wheelchair user you will find them useful.

Riverwalk

The Riverwalk area is one of the main tourist attractions of San Antonio (along with The Alamo - which is pleasingly close). It consists of over 2 miles of pleasant water side walking (rolling) with numerous bars and restaurants.

The City of San Antonio has done a pretty good job of making the Riverwalk area wheelchair accessible. However, you do need to plan your route with a little care to ensure you start and end near a ramp or elevator to access the riverwalk. There is a good website with a map ( http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/maps/index.asp ) that indicates where the ramps and elevators are situated. There is one section (just East of the South Presa bridge) where the water level path comes to an abrupt halt at a gate. However, there is a ramp (some 50yds behind the point where you reach the halt) to a higher level that leads you past this obstruction and down to the river level again. The path can be rough in places, and there is one location where there are water comduits cut through the path whihc makes navigation very difficult (West of the Hyatt Regency on the Northern side of the river).

Most restaurants at the water level have access - again the Riverwalk map will help out here.

Worth a visit and a pleasant way to spend an evening.

The Cove (606 W. Cypress Av)

Eclectic and entertaining bar set behind a laundry and car wash. A great antitode to the tourist traps around the Riverwalk. Roughly finished, wide selection of beer, good food and live music. This place is rough and ready - don't expect white linen! But it is clean and has easy level access. The toilets are accessible with a large cubicle (no grab rails). The only issue might be getting to the toilets between the closely packed lines of tables. Arrive early and sit near the band.

Highly recommended.

Swig Martini Bar (111 W. Crockett St.)

Upmarket bar just by the Riverwalk. There are steps at the Crockett St. entrance, but if you turn into N. Presa there is another alley on your right with level access to the bar. The restroom is large and accessible.

Howl at the Moon (111 W. Crockett St.)

Just beside Swig is the entrance to Howl at the Moon (www.howlatthemoon.com ). There is an elevator up to the first floor (the main bar and entertainment is up here). The table area is difficult to move around in as the tables and chairs are very close together. The restrooms are accessible.

Coyote Ugly (409 E. Commerce St.)

Access to Coyote Ugly is possible from E. Commerce St. There are six or seven steps into the bar, but they do have wheelchair lift although it is not always operational. Better to walk a few step down E. Commerce St, turn right into N. Presa and walk about half a block. There is a small shopping mall on the right, and a path through here to the Riverwalk area behind. (There is a small step and you have to look for the curb cut - but it's there!). Go through the mall and turn right again. This brings you to the back door of Coyote Ugly which has level access. Restrooms are accessible.

Mi Tierra (218 Produce Row)

This mexican restaurant is located in Market Square. there is level access from both front and back, and the restrooms are accessible. The restaurant is large and colorful, and navigating between tables is reasonably straightforward.

Recommended.

Mela (4987 NW Loop 410)

Indian restaurant - excellent food. Easy level access and large accessible restrooms. Large tables, easy to navigate and sit at.

Recommended.

San Antonio, Texas - Hotel (Hampton Inn Northwest/Seaworld))

These notes reflect my experience at a recent stay in this hotel and are intended as notes to assist someone looking for wheelchair or handicapped accessible accommodation and hotels in the San Antonio area. 

Hampton Inn San Antonio Northwest/SeaWorld Area

Level access to hotel from parking lot. Lobby area is accessible. The breakfast food area is accessible but there are a few steps down to the seating area. There is one small table near the reception that is on the same level as the food service area and the staff will reserve this for you if you are in a wheelchair. 

There is an elevator and a handicapped accessible room on each of the five floors. 

The accessible room is barely functional from an access point of view. The main problem is that the bedroom itself is a little small. The space between the end of the bed and the TV stand and furniture is barely wide enough to squeeze through with my wheelchair (27"/68cm wide), scraping the push-rims along both the bed and the chest of drawers. There is no option but to squeeze through this as there is not enough room to stay only on one side of the bed. Once through, the heater/air conditioning presents a problem for turning. Once you have navigated all that, the space on the opposite side of the bed is adequate. The work table is accessible with an easily accessible power socket in the base of the desk lamp. Internet is by wireless (free). 

The bed is a comfortable height. The TV controls were left on the bed along with a lap-desk tray.

The bathroom (you have to squeeze back through that narrow corridor between the bed and the TV to get there) is large. Toilet is raised and the grab rails are well positioned. My room had a bath with well positioned grab rails. The shower hose was hand held, but locked onto a wall mounted holder that was way too high to reach. Towels rack is at a comfortable height for a wheelchair user. 

The sink is very odd. Although there is plenty of knee room, but the sink is set very far back from the front which makes simple tasks like brushing your teeth or washing your hands pretty difficult. 

The bottom line is this hotel is not very welcoming for us wheelchair users and is best avoided if int eh San Antonio area. 

I should clarify that it is the hotel architecture that is not welcoming. The staff are very friendly and helpful!