Peaks & Tides Retreat

Accessibility Statement

We want every guest to feel confident about what to expect before booking a stay at Peaks & Tides.

Everyone’s accessibility needs are different, so rather than simply describing our apartment as “accessible”, we’ve provided practical information about the property and the guest journey below.

If there’s anything we haven’t covered, please get in touch. We’re very happy to answer questions and can share additional photos or videos to help you decide whether Peaks & Tides will suit your individual needs.

🚗 Arrival & Parking

Peaks & Tides is a first-floor apartment with secure underground parking and lift access.

Our allocated parking space is a standard-width space, with parking spaces on either side. The parking area itself is level.

The lift is approximately 30 feet from our parking space, with a slight slope on the approach to the doorway into the building.

The doorway from the underground car park into the building has a clear opening of 26 inches, so this is an important consideration for guests using wheelchairs or other mobility equipment.

The underground parking area has low lighting operated by light sensors.

Guests are provided with a vehicle gate fob, so there is no need to reach from the car to enter an access code. The gate fob can also be used to enter and exit through the vehicle gate when on foot, for greater ease.

🛗 Lift & Apartment Entrance

The lift is large enough to accommodate a wheelchair and another person. It has raised tactile buttons and audible floor announcements.

From the lift, it is approximately 20 feet to the apartment door. The route is level, with no additional communal doors to pass through.

There is a very slight threshold at the apartment entrance.

The apartment key is kept in a lockbox beside the door. The lockbox can require some dexterity to operate.

To open the apartment door, guests insert and turn the key in the lock, then push the door open.

🏡 Inside the Apartment

Once inside, all rooms and living spaces at Peaks & Tides are on one level.

The main living area is open-plan, and we keep furniture and clutter to a minimum. Routes between rooms are kept clear and can accommodate a walking frame or smaller wheelchair without furniture obstructing the route.

The apartment has hardwood flooring, tile in the kitchen and large area rugs. The hallway rug is movable and has anti-slip padding underneath.

There is no dedicated low-level night lighting in the hallway, so guests need to use the main light switches when moving around at night.

🛋️ Living & Dining

The main sofa is firm and standard height.

Our lounge chairs have arms but are lower to the floor, which may make them more difficult for some guests to get in and out of.

The dining chairs are standard height and can be moved. As the dining and living areas are close together, a dining chair can be moved into the living area if a higher, firmer seat is more comfortable.

☕ Kitchen

The kitchen forms part of the open-plan living and dining area.

Frequently used items including mugs, glasses, plates, tea, coffee and the kettle are kept within relatively easy reach.

Instructions for the main appliances are included in our guest guidebook. Instructions for the washing machine and dryer are also displayed inside the cabinet.

The dining table and chairs are close to the kitchen, providing somewhere to sit if preparing food while standing for longer periods is difficult.

🛏️ Bedrooms

Peaks & Tides has three bedrooms: two with double beds and one with two single beds.

The beds are standard height. Both double beds have clear space on either side. In the twin bedroom, the two single beds are positioned against the walls.

There are bedside niches with electrical sockets and bedside lighting, making it easy to charge devices and access a light from bed.

Each bedroom also has a desk/vanity area with a lamp and magnifying mirror.

There is ample storage so luggage can be put away rather than left in walkways. The main bedroom and twin bedroom also have lower shelving for clothing and belongings.

The bedrooms have blinds.

🛁 Bathrooms

Both bathrooms are on the same level as the bedrooms and living areas.

There is stepped access to the bathing area in both bathrooms.

The main bathroom has a standard-length bathtub. The side of the bath is 23 inches high and needs to be stepped over to enter. There is a shower over the bath, a non-slip surface and grab rails.

The ensuite has a separate shower with a 10-inch step to enter. The shower itself is quite small and does not have grab rails or a shower seat.

Both toilets are standard height, with some open space beside them.

The ensuite also has a magnifying mirror.

🌊 Balcony

The balcony is accessed directly from the living area through a sliding glass door.

There is a 1¾-inch threshold/track to cross at the doorway.

Once outside, the balcony surface is level and there is room to manoeuvre around the furniture.

There are two sturdy teak outdoor chairs, which are standard height and have arms.

💡 Lighting, Sound & Sensory Information

Guests can choose between the main overhead lighting and a variety of lamps throughout the apartment, including bedside and desk/vanity lamps.

There are no plug-in air fresheners or fragrance diffusers in the apartment.

Being on Newcastle promenade, guests may hear the sea, birds and general promenade activity. It is not generally loud, although there can be more activity at weekends and during busier months.

Guests control the apartment heating themselves using one central thermostat. Simple instructions are provided in the guest guidebook and are also displayed above the thermostat for easy reference.

📖 Guest Information & Assistance

Guests receive written check-in and access instructions before arrival.

There are several stages involved in entering the development, parking and accessing the apartment, so we provide detailed information in advance.

A comprehensive guest guidebook is available with information about the apartment, appliances, Wi-Fi and other useful information.

Guests can contact us by message or telephone during their stay, and we also have a local property manager.

With advance notice, our property manager may be available to assist with check-in where possible.

If our booking schedule allows, we may also be able to offer an earlier check-in or later check-out. This cannot always be accommodated, particularly during busy periods, but guests are welcome to ask.

🚨 Emergency Information

The apartment has audible smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarms. There are no visual/flashing alarm alerts.

A stairwell is located immediately outside the apartment door for emergency evacuation.

There is no step-free emergency evacuation route if the lift cannot be used.

💙 Before You Book

We know that guests with similar access requirements may still have very different needs.

If you have a particular requirement or would like more information about anything mentioned above, please contact us before booking.

We’re very happy to answer questions and can provide additional photographs or videos of the parking area, entrances, lift, apartment and bathrooms so you can see the space for yourself and decide whether Peaks & Tides will meet your individual needs.

Access Statement last reviewed: October 2026