I decided to attend a wheelchair curling camp in Thunder Bay during March Break
About a week and a half before departure, we called Sault Ste. Marie to book a hotel that had 2 beds and is wheelchair accessible. Crazy challenge, and it shouldn't be. Why do most accessible rooms have one bed? I would sacrifice with a pull out couch if need be. We called the Quattro and they said they had an accessible room with 2 beds. Perfect, we'll be there soon.
Wednesday
My ride arrived and you know what? They're always early or I'm running behind. Super grateful to have someone else behind the wheel as we drove from London, through Michigan, ending at Sault Ste, Marie. We saved a couple hours going this way instead of staying in Ontario.
We saw the I75 South and seriously debated going South instead of North.
We saw the I75 South and seriously debated going South instead of North.
We continued on. Great day for a road trip!
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After 6 hrs we arrived at Quattro.
The room that we had booked directly though the hotel didn't exist and it's March break! Eeeek are they going to have a room? We liked this hotel because when travelling it's nice to have a restaurant on site for convenience. Have a beer, some food and just not have to worry about anything else. When it's cold and I'm cold all the time, it's quite nice to unpack and get comfortable right away. After finding out the bad news about the room, they offered to show us another. It worked! This room had a king bed, a pull out couch and was wheelchair accessible. Even better the room was upgraded because of the oops earlier with the booking. If your kind, things seem to work out. The front desk agent included a bottle of wine and got us a restaurant reservation which is seemingly hard to get. |
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Good: Customer service, king bed, king pull out couch, tons of space
Bad: Low toilet, not functional grab bar
Bad: Low toilet, not functional grab bar
Thursday
Shannon had her granola in hand as they started the second half of our long journey to the cold abyse of Thunder Bay.
Did I mention there is a complete lack of amenities in this area of Ontario.
Finally, 7 hours later we arrived at Thunder Bay.
Fun times. Now to check in to our 3 night hotel stay.
We booked this room about 2 weeks before arrival after calling the hotel directly to book.
It had the 3 main things I look for when travelling.
We booked this room about 2 weeks before arrival after calling the hotel directly to book.
It had the 3 main things I look for when travelling.
- Two beds
- Restaurant on site
- Wheelchair accessible
I'm relieved and the height of the bed wasn't bad. It wasn't the most glamouros room. Clean just not updated. How does an older hotel like Airlane in Thunder Bay have a better room than Quattro in terms of accessibility.
We went for a beer and dinner at the hotel because that's what I look for when booking.
The 2nd half is much longer than the first. Unwind, stretch out, looked at the menu...
I asked the waitress if there were any options without meat. She offered a quesadilla, unless you don't want cheese, nah no cheese please. Well, she stared at me blankly, I asked what the soup of the day is... and she said, that would work. I think it was tomato with rice. You know what, add some fries too.
The 2nd half is much longer than the first. Unwind, stretch out, looked at the menu...
I asked the waitress if there were any options without meat. She offered a quesadilla, unless you don't want cheese, nah no cheese please. Well, she stared at me blankly, I asked what the soup of the day is... and she said, that would work. I think it was tomato with rice. You know what, add some fries too.
I took a photo of my meal (soup & fries) with lack of options and posted on Instagram and Facebook.
Low and behold, the hotel reached out ...
"Good Morning Adventurers. I just want to send you a personal message... I am sorry about the miscommunication about our vegan option in the restaurant. Our kitchen is fully prepared to handle almost any food requests, be it Halal, Kosher, Vegan, Keto, whatever is asked of us..."
Low and behold, the hotel reached out ...
"Good Morning Adventurers. I just want to send you a personal message... I am sorry about the miscommunication about our vegan option in the restaurant. Our kitchen is fully prepared to handle almost any food requests, be it Halal, Kosher, Vegan, Keto, whatever is asked of us..."
Friday
The 1st day of wheelchair curling camp didn't start until 6 so we had some time to kill, after sleeping in that is - travelling is exhausting.
After I made the fries with soup post, Carly, one of our awesome followers on Facebook was kind to offer some suggestions on vegan hot spots in Thunder Bay.
I was travelling with an Omni who wasn't up for trying anything new. So he went to the on-site restaurant and I sat there, had tea, as he ate his meat.
He was kind enough to drive me to BONOBO'S FOODS. Just to avoid any inconvenience, I called Bonobo's before I left the hotel because I heard parking was a hassle. The place itself isn't wheelchair accessible and has Parrell parking only. Problem solved, I asked if they we're willing to bring the order out to the car. They were more than happy to do so. Call when you get here, it'll take 10 mins! Great service.
I already knew what I wanted because I dreamt of the menu. I Wanted to order more but I wasn't that hungry. I Chose my patty with the help of the girl on the phone. How do you choose with so many choices! I went with the recommended seed patty. It was messy in the car but AWE-MAZING!!! Grab extra napkins, you're gonna need it.
After I made the fries with soup post, Carly, one of our awesome followers on Facebook was kind to offer some suggestions on vegan hot spots in Thunder Bay.
I was travelling with an Omni who wasn't up for trying anything new. So he went to the on-site restaurant and I sat there, had tea, as he ate his meat.
He was kind enough to drive me to BONOBO'S FOODS. Just to avoid any inconvenience, I called Bonobo's before I left the hotel because I heard parking was a hassle. The place itself isn't wheelchair accessible and has Parrell parking only. Problem solved, I asked if they we're willing to bring the order out to the car. They were more than happy to do so. Call when you get here, it'll take 10 mins! Great service.
I already knew what I wanted because I dreamt of the menu. I Wanted to order more but I wasn't that hungry. I Chose my patty with the help of the girl on the phone. How do you choose with so many choices! I went with the recommended seed patty. It was messy in the car but AWE-MAZING!!! Grab extra napkins, you're gonna need it.
Check out this weeks special, Hawaiian jalapeño popper burger.
Aioli, lettuce, grilled pineapple, heartbeat cream cheese topped with crispy fried peppers! 100% vegan and available all week.
I had to get it.
We still had some time to kill so we did the touristy thing and checked out the Terry Fox Memorial and the Sleeping Giant, rock formation.
For dinner, we went to the curling rink early and they had a chinese restaurant there. The menu was huge and our server was awesome & vegan. She made it really easy to order. I asked what should I eat. She shared her almond milk to make my meal vegan - Thai tofu.
Saturday
Wheelchair curling camp from 9 to 5 about strategy and having fun!
For lunch, I ordered the same thing I had the day before since I knew it was vegan and tasted good!
Great turnout!
This was St. Paddy's Day, and instead of going out with a group from camp, we headed back to the hotel. I was really excited to try the special menu I was told existed.
The waitress comes over and I told her I was vegan and was told there was a special menu. She looked at me in a confuzzled look. Wait a minute - she disappeared into the kitchen. I could hear her talking to the cook. she returned and said he knew nothing about it either. So can you make me anything?
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She offered up a garden salad.
I Asked what the soup of the day was - Chicken Noodle You know what, fries it is! Bummer, because I was so excited to see this menu. Had I known, I would have gone for another burger at Bonobo's! (that I still can't stop dreaming about) |
Sunday
Bye Thunder Bay & Airlane Hotel.
It's time for the adventure home.
Good: wheelchair accessible room with 2 beds
Bad: Communication & less than thrilling menu
Bad: Communication & less than thrilling menu
On the way back to the Sault Ste. Marie we we're debating if we we're going to stay at the Quarto Hotel, with the crappy toilet literally, or chance it somewhere else. We saw a good looking hotel on the way out of the Sault called the WaterTower Inn with a restaurant attached.
We were once again on the hunt for 2 beds or bed with couch with accessible washroom. We called a few places - with no success. We knew that the WaterTower did not have 2 beds in an accessible room but normally a regular room will work, especially if it is just for one night so I called and booked a room.
We arrived and asked to see a few rooms. We looked at the accessible room. It appeared to have what looked like a twin size bed, no couch, washroom was great but I wasn't ready to share a bed with my team mate. So let's look at regular room, fingers crossed...
Behind door #2 - I went to go check out the washroom. It's my go to right away. I rolled myself in and it was tight, but I could make it work for one night. 2 beds, perfect! Next my team mate tried the bathroom - FAIL! He could not fit his wheelchair through the doorway
Behind door #3 - We checked out the suite! It was amazing! Pull out couch, big bed, somewhat like the Quattro for set up. The washroom was gigantic but the toilet was in it's own separate closet. So we asked for our money back.
The front desk agent gave us our money back and recommended the Microtel, we called them and they said yep... 2 beds wheelchair accessible room - jackpot!
We ate at the hotel before departing. I had the quinoa salad over the ever so popular garden salad and fries.
The check in girl at the Microtel was so friendly. Went up to our room, opened the door and TADA!!!! First thing I did was roll to the washroom and it was beautiful, and of course 2 beds.
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The only problem was the beds were too high.
Not my 1st time. I've been noticing the newer hotels seem to have high beds. We made it work, it's for a night. |
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Monday
From Thunder Bay to London
What I learnt while travelling & especially with 2 wheelchairs is 4 things ...
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