Tenerife, Canary Islands

The Canary Islands offer wonderful winter escape resorts!  Direct flights from Jersey to Tenerife operate during January to April. Many of the hotels are well equipped with disabled access rooms and wet-room type bathrooms. The islands are built on volcanic land and so the beaches have dark sand. But there are great boardwalk routes all along the bays, some dotted with restaurants and shops. But it is quite hilly in areas so manual wheelchairs might find it challenging. Mobility scooters can be hired at a very reasonable rate (even two seater scooters) and will be delivered to your hotel.

Disabled access taxi:  Arlene Abreu (English speaker) is a registered taxi driver who organises tours in her adapted car. It also takes a mobility scooter (max length 117cm).  Arlene operates in the north of Tenerife so in Puerto de la Cruz area. Ideal if you have come off a cruise ship.
Email:   [email protected]

On our second visit to Tenerife in 2017, we stayed at the Costa Adeje Gran Hotel. We had a delightful room with a little garden. Evening entertainment was good as was the buffet. However we were unable to regulate the air-conditioning which meant that sitting in the room was uncomfortable at times. Access to the outside pool was good although water temperature at times was a bit cool (this was in late-February).

We returned to Tenerife this year – and it was one of the best holidays ever! The weather was perfect – sun every day.

We arranged for a company called LeRo to pick us up at the airport (in the south) – a German-ran company who also do excursions for wheelchair bound visitors.  The operators spoke several languages including English so no problems.                                                                                                                                             Email: [email protected]  Tel: 0034 922 091 088

This year we stayed at the Jardines de Nivaria in the Costa Adeje area. It was a beautiful hotel with a garden and swimming pool that just about everyone could get into. There was a chair lift – but the best part was that it was a heated sea water pool with a gradual ramp to get in with a well placed grab rail the whole length. It was also very quiet – no music blaring out, plenty of shaded areas – and at the towel kiosk there was also an outside library (in many languages). A lift took you down to the esplanade area – but you needed your hotel room card to get in and out. It was possible to walk a good mile in either direction on paved areas with lovely gardens – and for those who love shopping, plenty of bargains. I discovered a lovely shop called El Paradiso which sold elegant holiday clothing as well as cotton tops etc.  We decided to go half-board this time, a good decision! The food was varied, copious salad choices, themed meals most evenings. The best evenings entertainment during our stay was a flamenco dancer! The piano players were average – our only negative comment!

We decided to do an excursion (7 hours) to the Loro Parque (Parrot Park). It was a good hour’s drive to the park near Puerto de la Cruz using the Lero company. We were picked up at our hotel at 09.15 and eventually got to the main coach at around 10.15. But once inside the coach, we were able to relax and enjoy the scenic route. We spent around 4 hours in the magnificent animal park – yes there were many species of parrots, but also a huge dolphin pool and orca displays. Whilst the animals looked in good condition, I truly believe they should be back in the ocean! It was an enjoyable day out. I think we paid around 38 Euros each which included entry to the park. There were several restaurants dotted around the park – we chose an Italian one and had a delicious veggie pizza!

https://www.loroparque.com