Overview

I’m going to try to talk through this as if it’s a trip in order. The trains from Schoenefeld to Brand are accessible if you arrange to have the ramp put down. The platforms are of varying heights at different places along the route, so even if it’s flat when you get on, you might find a massive step to get off. There is a manual ramp for the transfer bus, just wave at the driver and someone will come and let you on board. On arrival, ensure you are given the correct map, there is a disabled access map available which tells you the routes to take and which areas are fully, partially or not accessible. I was given the standard map. Your locker is pre-allocated, and they gave me a high locker! Ask if you can have one which is low down and near the disabled changing area. It is common for even those German natives who speak English to use the direct translation “Barrier Free” so it’s well worth using this term, as things like “wheelchair user” and “accessible” are not well known. Accessible rooms are ample size with great turning space and a huge wet room. If you are ambulant then a non-accessible room on the ground floor of a unit which is closer to the activity you are most interested in could be easier to manage than the large distances, though many will have a single step at entry. We were able to reach the breakfast items unassisted. Now, much as I hate being told that assistance is recommended, anyone short of an Olympian is going to want some help with this. Ramps are steep, can be a good 50 yards in length and are often also of a cobbled surface. The entrance to the Amazonia area is up a massive hill, then up another huge ramp right away. There is then a lift down to the water area – if only they had not made you go up! On the positive side, you miss out on a huge line that snakes up and down the stairs. To reach the Lagoon, don’t follow “Lagoon”, follow “Lagoon Bar”. Entrance to the water in the Lagoon is via a beach area or via a sort of transfer step thing. You transfer at wheelchair height onto a set of steps large enough for you to sit on and pull yourself down into the water. You can get up by pushing up on two handrails. Entrance to the water at Amazonia is via shallow steps only with handrails both sides. There is one water hoist available which is into the “Tropical Sea” area. Disappointingly, this is not from the side where everyone else will be sitting on the beach and was incredibly hard to find. There won’t be staff there, you need to ask first and have someone come down with you. Water is warm, typically 30-32C. Be aware that should you decide to go swimming at night, it will be dark! There is a little mood lighting around the pool, but visibility is restricted. There are disabled toilets dotted around the resort but distances could be large, and there was one disabled toilet that I never found a way to get into without using steps! On checking out of accommodation you can remain in the resort. They will try hard to get out of taking your luggage for you, telling you to keep it. Politely insist that they have to have it as you cannot keep lifting it around, they will suddenly find there’s a luggage room with tags and baggage receipts! The return train trip is not accessible as there’s no ramp/lift to the Berlin-bound platform. You need to leave extra time, take the train from the arrival platform one station down, turn around and come back. General tips: If you have accommodation which includes the spa, you do not pay for robes and towels, so save yourself some suitcase space, just leave a deposit and take theirs. The deposit isn’t “real money” as you only pay for it on checkout if you haven’t returned the items. Although the main lockers are allocated, there are smaller lockers located around the dome and Amazonia which are available to anyone, so you can carry a few small items with you and still be able to secure them away. There can be queues to cash up and leave, give yourself plenty of time to get out and catch your transfer bus. The spa area is a naked zone. Some areas are clothing optional, some are compulsory nudity. If you go through the spa gate at all, you have to be comfortable with full frontal nudity.

Transport & Parking

I didn't drive, but there are disabled parking spaces. They aren't right by the door as there is a coach park, but they are just after that area. There is parking for literally miles, if you can't get a good space, you could be an incredible distance away, it might be easier to use the shuttle bus than to walk.

Access

Toilets

Staff

Staff were efficient enough, but there aren't really enough staff to go around, it's hard to find people when you need them without going to an information desk