Another contender is SenSpa at Careys Manor in the New Forest. This is a delightful location for a spa break and has Thai therapists and a stunning relaxation room. Products include Living Nature which is a chemical-free range from New Zealand.

The pools have a hoist for easy access but the down side is that there are steps into the very limited changing rooms – this is typical of my findings – a hoist is a great facility to have but day-spa guests would have to change in the disabled toilet without showering. The hotel does not offer bedrooms with walk-in showers but there are plans for 18 new 5-star bedrooms which will be designed with disabled access and ease in mind in the near future.

Main features at SenSpa, Careys Manor: good wheelchair access in hotel and spa receptions and the Zen Garden in the spa;ground-floor hotel rooms and spa treatment rooms; some hotel rooms are equipped with toilet and bath grab rails; a hoist for both swimming pool and hydrotherapy pool; two disabled toilets in the spa; treatment couches are hydraulically operated and easily lowered and raised; a basic accessibility kit which has a bath stool, bath mat with sucker pads, sucker handles, bath seat and elephant feet to raise the height of the bed; some doors in public thoroughfares open automatically

Thermae Bath Spa recommends that, where possible, people visit during the middle of the week when the spa is quieter. It has lifts to all floors and ‘access chairs’ to all the pools (these are seats which are lowered into the water); there is a lift to the changing rooms; there larger changing rooms specifically for disabled people which are large enough for wheelchair access and enough space for at least two people; there are showers and toilets specifically for disabled people; there is disabled access to the treatment rooms; all the internal signs are also written in tactile and Braille. The spa offers a 50 per cent discount to all disabled people and their carers.

There is no hoist or access chair in the changing room area and they request that guide dogs do not go ‘poolside’ and remain in a public area in the reception. There is limited parking in a side street within 100 yards of the entrance

A more intimate option is CCSpa at The Captains Club Hotel situated on the banks of the river Stour in Christchurch, Dorset. This strikingly contemporary building with wonderful views is spacious, friendly and very well equipped for wheelchairs.

They have a dedicated bedroom for disabled guests and, with lifts, all areas of the hotel are easily accessible. The CCSpa offers excellent treatments with couches that lower to one foot off the floor. Spa changing facilities are more than adequate. Again, the down side is the lack of assistance for entering the pools.

Miranda Allard runs SpaContacts.com which features a limited selection of spas invited by her to join

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