Page 286 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

284  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

Campgrounds moderate disabilities; 3, for
Throughout the Pacific people with advanced agility,
Northwest, park facilities are hearing, mobility, and vision
basic – running water, flush or disabilities and independent
pit toilets, and a tenting area – wheelchair users; and 4, for
although some sites have those with severe disabilities.
showers and running water.
Privately owned tent, trailer, Traveling with Children
and recreational vehicle (RV)
parks offer both simple sites Children are welcome in
with outhouses and full-service most hotels in the Pacific
campgrounds with flush toilets, Northwest. Many hotels and
showers, electricity, and even motels offer family packages,
playgrounds and games rooms. services such as babysitting,
In Oregon and Washington, Geiser Grand Hotel (see p287), a landmark and family rooms. Call ahead
some campgrounds accept of Baker City, Oregon to inquire about special rates
reservations, whereas others and services for families and
are first come, first served. and chain hotels are equipped special accommo dations for
Campsites may be reserved up with the necessary facilities, young children, such as cots,
to a year in advance for certain including visual notification of for which there is often a
weekends and holidays, such the fire alarm and of incoming nominal fee of $10 to $15. It
as July 4. Reservations for phone calls. Many also have is advisable to inquire about
Oregon and Washington suites designated specifically for a bed-and-breakfast’s policy
campsites can be made by people with disabilities. However, on accommodating children
contacting Oregon State Parks many of the older buildings and before booking a room.
or Washington State Parks, bed-and-breakfasts in the Pacific
or online at Reserve America. Northwest have narrow hallways
Camp grounds at British that can obstruct wheelchairs Business Travelers
Columbia’s provincial and and that are without ramps. Larger hotels often maintain
national parks fill up quickly. As always, it is best to check in full-service business centers,
Check the BC Parks website advance. In the US, the Society which provide secretarial and
to determine which parks take for Accessible Travel and courier services as well as
reservations, and reserve with Hospitality (see p319) provides Internet facilities. They may
Discover Camping by phone travel tips and information also have conference rooms
or online. about wheelchair access. that can be reserved in advance.
Many BC properties participate If you plan to stay at an older
in the Access Canada program, property and wish to do
Travelers with which seeks to make traveling business from there, make sure
Disabilities easier for seniors and people it has the facilities you require.
Hotels and motels in both the US with disabilities. Look for the
and Canada are required by law Access Canada logo, which uses
to be wheelchair accessible, with a numbered system from 1 to 4: Where to Stay
in Portland
the exception of some in older 1 indicates accommodation
buildings. The reality, however, suitable for active seniors and Most of the major hotel chains
is that this is not always the case. people with minor disabilities; are represented in downtown
The vast majority of large private 2, for seniors and people with Portland, providing good
bases for visitors who want to
feel the pulse of the city and
visit its museums and cultural
attractions. Downtown hotels
are also in close proximity to
some of Portland’s most vibrant
neighborhoods, such as the
Pearl District. Most of the city’s
bed-and-breakfasts are located
a bit farther afield.

Where to Stay
in Seattle
Seattle’s downtown is relatively
small and many sights can be
easily reached on foot, making
The luxurious Fairmont Chateau Whistler (see p291), BC the area an ideal base for

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