Crip Gold

I have struck it! At the risk of being smug too soon, I think I have wangled myself a top notch hotel room for the price of a standard double.

I was looking for a place to stay in Brighton. This might make me sound like I go places often, but I don't. The Premier Travel Inn a few posts back was a surprise bonus trip, whilst this Thursday night has been planned since last October. Brighton is full of little streets and little 3 storey hotels - and every time I found one, the photo on it's web page effectively said "no crips" as there was always a steep flight of stairs. (They could have had a back entrance of course, but sod the back entrance, I'm on an arty schmoozing trip and I don't do back entrances). Too many mops have already crossed my path in this lifetime.

So, in despair, I started looking at the really big hotels. Got one with a car park attached. Good start. Rang up, had a little chat about access. This is the time to judge whether you are really welcome, or will terrify the staff, who have likely never seen human / wheel combinations before (or will at least act like it). Staff were nice. Asked for suite with handrails and wheelchair access. There was a pause before she explained they only have one suite with access... the mini suite. Didn't sound bad, so I booked it at the standard double price - she did explain it was a little more usually but for disabled people who couldn't choose the standard room they would put me and Mr F (who's had a two day week this week, v. smug) in the mini suite.

To my surprise and glee when the booking confirmation came through today, it explained our suite - the top suite - had 'rooms' a jaccuzzi, sea views and a four poster bed...! Yay! Praise be to hoteliers who only adapt expensive suites! What's the reasoning behind that then? Old rich people are more likely to use handrails? Who cares!

Yippeee! Am off to live it up in Brighton! Crack open the champers!