Accessibility FAQs
- For general details about our luxury villa in the Algarve, including photos, floor plans, prices & availability, click here. Below are answers to specific questions on accessibility at Quinta dos Sonhos:
Is the villa suitable for all types of disability
No. Quinta dos Sonhos is a normal house which has been adapted in many respects to make accessibility easier for many types of disability. However only you can say whether the villa is suitable for you, based on what you read here, on the website, & from responses we are very happy to provide to your specific questions.
Is the villa suitable for an exclusively disabled party
No. We aim to provide accessibility for disabled people who have the assistance of carer(s) or family member(s). If you have more than one disabled person in your party please discuss with us as not all rooms may be suitable. We are not
How many rooms have accessibility features
We have just one bathroom that is adapted for disabled use (level access shower, shower/w.c chair, grab rails etc). Whilst any guest in any bedroom can access this bathroom (shown as Shower Room on the floor plan), the 3rd bedroom is physically closest. The 3rd bedroom also has:
What can I assume about accessibility
We would prefer that you assume nothing. Generally however unless we state otherwise, assume a normal house with normal facilities. Be careful not to assume that we have features & facilities that you may have encountered elsewhere. If in doubt – please ask. Also, speaking generally, the more serious your disability the more important it is that everything is right for you & therefore the less you can leave to chance.
How do I access the pool/ how deep is the pool
The normal pool access is by steps in the corner of the shallow end. There is a firm handrail but you may need help to get in & out. Alternatively we provide a pool hoist. The hoist is operated by an assistant for entry & exit to the pool with a hydraulic pump. The standard seat is a sling but we can also provide a chair alternative.
The water depth at the shallow end is 1m (3ft 6″) & is level across the width of the pool, & for about 2 m along its length.
How do I access the jacuzzi
Wheelchair users can use the ramp to gain access to the turning deck which is designed such that the lip of the tub is level with a standard wheelchair seat. By sliding onto the lip of the tub & swinging legs over the tub can be then entered via 2 steps
Is there a level access shower
Yes – in the 3rd bathroom
Can you provide a shower chair/ a w.c chair/ a commode
Yes. The chair we have can be used or adapted for all three functions. It is provided on request free of charge.
Has the kitchen been designed or adapted for disabled use
No. The kitchen is modern & spacious but is not designed specifically for use by disabled people to (say) prepare meals or do the washing up.
Can you arrange wheelchair friendly car hire
Yes click here for details - these vehicles are expensive to hire however as the market for them is not well developed yet in Portugal. Please also remember that there is a very limited supply (2-3 vehicles as at end 2016). Our advice therefore is ask yourself whether you could possibly manage without for a week or two as a large car or people carrier might possibly work for you & be much cheaper. Alternatively if you have your own WAV consider driving down - we can offer advice on the journey. The drive from Santander in northern Spain can be completed in a day at a push or 2 comfortably.
Can you arrange wheelchair accessible transfer to/from the airport
Yes we can, but please think through how you will get about once you are at the villa. There are no wheelchair accessible taxis available locally, nor is the road from the villa suitable for wheelchair access (see below)
.
Can you arrange hire of mobility aids
Yes we can arrange hire of most mobility items e.g. pushers, wheelchairs, electric scooters. Click here for details. Remember that we provide: pool hoist, manual shower chair/commode.
Is the casinha suitable for disabled use
Not really. Please check with us to discuss specific situation
How accessible are the grounds of the villa
wheelchair accessible:
I need the pool to be a particular temperature - can you guarantee it will be warm enough?
You will find a paragraph on this in our general FAQs - How warm is the pool/jacuzzi. Basically - no we can't but we can advise what temperature might be achievable, depending on the time of year of your visit - please ask
Is the villa suitable for all types of disability
No. Quinta dos Sonhos is a normal house which has been adapted in many respects to make accessibility easier for many types of disability. However only you can say whether the villa is suitable for you, based on what you read here, on the website, & from responses we are very happy to provide to your specific questions.
Is the villa suitable for an exclusively disabled party
No. We aim to provide accessibility for disabled people who have the assistance of carer(s) or family member(s). If you have more than one disabled person in your party please discuss with us as not all rooms may be suitable. We are not
How many rooms have accessibility features
We have just one bathroom that is adapted for disabled use (level access shower, shower/w.c chair, grab rails etc). Whilst any guest in any bedroom can access this bathroom (shown as Shower Room on the floor plan), the 3rd bedroom is physically closest. The 3rd bedroom also has:
- twin beds, that can be moved for you;
- 3 different exit doors (one with direct access to the pool terrace) allowing the shortest wheelchair routes.
- large area of free floor space e.g. for turning, or for moving a bed hoist.
What can I assume about accessibility
We would prefer that you assume nothing. Generally however unless we state otherwise, assume a normal house with normal facilities. Be careful not to assume that we have features & facilities that you may have encountered elsewhere. If in doubt – please ask. Also, speaking generally, the more serious your disability the more important it is that everything is right for you & therefore the less you can leave to chance.
How do I access the pool/ how deep is the pool
The normal pool access is by steps in the corner of the shallow end. There is a firm handrail but you may need help to get in & out. Alternatively we provide a pool hoist. The hoist is operated by an assistant for entry & exit to the pool with a hydraulic pump. The standard seat is a sling but we can also provide a chair alternative.
The water depth at the shallow end is 1m (3ft 6″) & is level across the width of the pool, & for about 2 m along its length.
How do I access the jacuzzi
Wheelchair users can use the ramp to gain access to the turning deck which is designed such that the lip of the tub is level with a standard wheelchair seat. By sliding onto the lip of the tub & swinging legs over the tub can be then entered via 2 steps
Is there a level access shower
Yes – in the 3rd bathroom
Can you provide a shower chair/ a w.c chair/ a commode
Yes. The chair we have can be used or adapted for all three functions. It is provided on request free of charge.
Has the kitchen been designed or adapted for disabled use
No. The kitchen is modern & spacious but is not designed specifically for use by disabled people to (say) prepare meals or do the washing up.
Can you arrange wheelchair friendly car hire
Yes click here for details - these vehicles are expensive to hire however as the market for them is not well developed yet in Portugal. Please also remember that there is a very limited supply (2-3 vehicles as at end 2016). Our advice therefore is ask yourself whether you could possibly manage without for a week or two as a large car or people carrier might possibly work for you & be much cheaper. Alternatively if you have your own WAV consider driving down - we can offer advice on the journey. The drive from Santander in northern Spain can be completed in a day at a push or 2 comfortably.
Can you arrange wheelchair accessible transfer to/from the airport
Yes we can, but please think through how you will get about once you are at the villa. There are no wheelchair accessible taxis available locally, nor is the road from the villa suitable for wheelchair access (see below)
.
Can you arrange hire of mobility aids
Yes we can arrange hire of most mobility items e.g. pushers, wheelchairs, electric scooters. Click here for details. Remember that we provide: pool hoist, manual shower chair/commode.
Is the casinha suitable for disabled use
Not really. Please check with us to discuss specific situation
How accessible are the grounds of the villa
wheelchair accessible:
- From the entrance gates at the perimeter of the property, a 70m paved driveway downhill to:
- A paved parking area with generous space to fully open doors, slight left to right slope.
- From the parking area, paved drive, then pathway to the front door of the house, alternatively along a covered arcade & around the villa directly to the pool terrace at the rear;
- Alternatively, from the front door, a long paved pathway, downhill for around 80m to the boule pitch & 20m further to the table tennis area
- From the back (kitchen) door of the house onto a raised terrace (level with the house) with access to living room & bedroom 3. From the raised terrace down a shallow ramp to the pool terrace.
- Everywhere apart from the above - gardens, tracks & trails around the estate, the driveway from the main road to the house.
I need the pool to be a particular temperature - can you guarantee it will be warm enough?
You will find a paragraph on this in our general FAQs - How warm is the pool/jacuzzi. Basically - no we can't but we can advise what temperature might be achievable, depending on the time of year of your visit - please ask