The Falcon Hotel  Access Statement

Introduction

·        The hotel is in a beautiful setting and has lovely views over the famous Bude Canal to the front and over the walled hotel gardens to the side. The sea is a 5 minute level walk and there is ramped access down onto the sandy beach. There are 29 rooms all en-suite offering double, single, and twin/family rooms including 3 superior rooms and a luxury suite. We look forward to welcoming you to the Falcon Hotel and with our reputed high standards of service and friendly staff, aim to make your stay an enjoyable and memorable one.   All staff are easily identified by their uniforms.

·        We offer the following services and facilities:

Pre arrival

·        For special assistance prior to arrival please contact The Falcon Hotel’s reception desk on (01288) 352005.

·        The centre of Bude is only a 5 minute level walk away. There is a bus service available from the mainline station at Exeter to the Bude town centre (Traveline bus service enquiries 0871 200 2233 approx. travel time 1.5 hours) and there is then an easy walk from the bus stop to the hotel. There are Taxi firms that specialize in accessible transport please telephone either Robs Travel on 07771824141 or B&S Taxis on 07889833127.

·        Our sample menus are available in larger font on request.

·        You can contact the hotel by Telephone (01288 352005), or E-mail (bookings@falconhotel.com). Replies to E-mail will only be between the hours of 8.00am and 10.00pm.

Arrival and Parking facilities

·        There are 15 free car parking spaces including 2 spaces for the disabled immediately in front of the Hotel. The opposite side of the road to the hotel, there is further car park shared between the Falcon Hotel and the Brendon Arms Inn. This car park is approx. 60 metres from the main hotel entrance and can accommodate up to 40 cars. The car park is level and can be negotiated with a wheelchair. A shortcut to the hotel is via 8 upward steps. The front edges are clearly defined by white paint and there is a good strong handrail. For wheelchairs a level exit is via the car park entrance. Please exercise caution when crossing this road.

·        At the main entrance to the hotel  there is a drop off and picking up area. Please do not leave cars unattended in this area.  There are 5 steps and two low gradient ramps leading onto a raised terrace giving level pedestrian and wheelchair access to the front hotel door.

·        If you need guidance or help with luggage and equipment please contact the Reception Desk who will be pleased to provide assistance.

Main Entrance and Reception

·        There is a ramp giving access to the main hotel lobby.

·        The Reception Desk is immediately in front of you when entering the hotel lobby.

·        The Reception desk is 115cm high.

·        We have clipboards available if required.

·        The registration card can be enlarged if required.

Public Areas – General (Internal)

·        To the right of the Reception Desk is the lift to the first floor, the second  floor, the residents lounge and the hotel gardens. The lift gives audible information at all times regarding it’s floor position. The tactile control buttons are at a standard recommended height and also have Braille identification.

·        The Coachman’s Bar and Breakwater Brasserie are located to the left and right respectively as you enter the hotel. There are no steps or slopes on route from the entrance of the hotel to the bar or restaurant.

·        The Function Suites (The Gallery, Ballroom and Acland Suite) are through double doors to the left of the Reception Desk.

·        The main hotel staircase is to the right as you pass the first step and ramp in the hotel lobby.

·        Reception opens from 8.00am – 11.00pm and can provide facilities for photocopying. Internet access is available anywhere within the hotel using your own laptop through a dedicated WiFi system.

·        The whole of the ground floor and the gardens of The Falcon Hotel are accessible to wheelchairs.

·        There are lounge areas on the ground floor and waiter service is available in the Coachman’s Bar & Grill and The Breakwater Brasserie. 

·        All corridors and public areas are well lit.

·        All doors and corridors are wide enough for wheelchairs, Zimmer frames, and pushchairs.

Public Areas – WC

·        There is a ladies toilet at the bottom of the main hotel staircase.

·        There are also separate ladies and gents toilets attached to the Coachman’s Bar. The ladies toilet  has baby changing facilities.

·        The Function Suites have their own dedicated toilets for ladies and gents and also a fully fitted toilet suitable for wheelchairs and the disabled. This toilet also has a baby changing facility.

·        There is a disabled toilet on the first floor of the hotel, to the right after exiting the lift.  This has a fully fitted toilet suitable for wheelchairs and the disabled. This toilet also has a baby changing facility.

The Breakwater Brasserie

·        The brasserie is fully air-conditioned.

·        It has level entry from the hotel entrance and a ramp when approaching from the lift.

·        Well upholstered chairs are mostly without arms but a few are with arms.

·        The brasserie is table service only.

·        On entry the staff will seat you at the table.

·        Menus are available in large print and staff will automatically guide you through the menu and choices for the meal. 

·        Lighting is mainly natural day light as there are large windows overlooking the Bude Canal. Evenly distributed lights are on when required and the brightness is controlled with dimmers.

·        We are able to cater for varying dietary needs, please advise staff on booking.

The Coachman’s Bar & Grill

·        The main internal entrance to the bar is opposite the restaurant and the other side of the hotel lobby. There is also a main outside entrance with level access from the front hotel terrace.

·        Meals and drinks are ordered and paid for at the bar.

·        Table service is offered for diners seated inside the Coachman’s Bar.

·        Lighting is mainly natural daylight (from large windows overlooking the Bude Canal) whilst parts of the bar have low level lighting at night, there are also areas that are well lit.

·        We are able to cater for varying dietary needs, please advise staff on booking.

·        Dogs are allowed in a limited area of the bar.

·        The toilets are to the right of the service bar with one step to gain access.

 The Function and Conference Suite

·        The Function Suite comprises 2 rooms The Ballroom and The Ballroom. Both rooms are linked together by sliding acoustic doors. When these doors are slid away and stowed it then becomes the Acland Suite with a total area of 180sq.mtrs. This room is capable of cinema style seating for 200 persons, banquets for up to 180 and is licensed for dances up to 250.

The Gallery

·        The Gallery is 6 metres x 10 metres and has a central atrium giving natural overhead light.

·        Electric lighting is provided by overhead spots and ornate side lights with central 12 branch brass chandeliers.

·        The entrance is immediately to the left of the Reception Desk.

·        Toilets are accessed on the level through a door and passage on the far left hand side. Continuing through this passage brings you down one step into the Coachman’s Bar.

The Ballroom

·        The Ballroom is 10mtrs. x 12mtrs. and is lit by 2 large picture arch windows at the side, 2 large octagonal atriums in the centre, brass ornate wall lights and overhead spot lights. All these lights are controlled by a state of the art computer system giving a whole combination of lighting options.

·        The entrance is immediately to the left of the Reception Desk.

·        The Ballroom has it’s own dedicated toilets for ladies and gents and also a fully fitted toilet suitable for wheelchairs and the disabled. This toilet also has a baby changing facility.

·        It has a fully fitted 6.30mtrs. length bar serving a large selection of soft drink, beers, wines and spirits. 

·        The room has air conditioning and heating with a fresh air induction system.

·        A 6mtr. x 2mtr. stage with spotlights is also available.

Hotel Bedrooms

There are 29 bedrooms and all have en-suite bathrooms. All bedrooms are non-smoking and have tea and coffee making facilities, plasma flat screen Smart televisions with freeview, direct dial telephones and guest controlled room heating with iron and ironing board available on request.

·        First Floor

     6 Double bedrooms with baths and overhead showers.

     2 Family/Twin bedrooms with baths and overhead shower.

     1 Family/Twin bedrooms with walk in shower.

     2 Superior bedroom with Jacuzzi Bath and separate shower.

·        Second Floor

     5 Double bedrooms with baths and overhead showers.

     2 Double bedroom with walk in shower

     2 Family/Twin bedrooms with baths and overhead showers.

     1 Family/Twin bedrooms with walk in shower.

     3 Single bedrooms with baths and overhead showers.

     1 Single bedrooms with walk in showers.

     1 Double bedroom with adjoining single bedroom and shared   

        bathroom with bath and overhead shower.

     1 Superior bedroom with Jacuzzi Bath and separate shower.

·        Third Floor

     1 Double bedroom with large walk in shower.

     1 Luxury Suite comprising Double bedroom and separate lounge 

        with bathroom, large walk in shower and body jets.

         Laundry

·        A laundry service is offered. Bags are available in the bedrooms and should be delivered to reception by 10am for return by 5pm. A dry cleaning service is available but can take up to 1 week to return.

 Hotel Gardens   

·        The gardens are on two levels, the first level being accessed from the first floor of the hotel. Guests may use either the main staircase or the hotel lift. This lower level is fully accessible by wheelchairs and includes a large paved terrace with outdoor tables and chairs. The higher level is accessed by two flights of fairly easy steps. The first flight is 8 steps onto a platform and the second flight is 10 steps.

              Directions

·        Heading south on the M5, exit at junction 31 and take the A30 towards Okehampton. Stay on the A30 and continue past the Okehampton turning. Take the next turn, the A386 signposted towards Bude, then the A3079, followed by the A3072 through Holsworthy and then Stratton. Turn left heading south onto the A39 and then take the right turn into Bude. Continue down the hill into Bude and keep left at the mini-roundabout onto the Widemouth Bay road. The Falcon Hotel will be found immediately on your right as you cross over the Bude Canal Bridge.

           Contact Details

·        Address : The Falcon Hotel,  Breakwater Road, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8SD

·        Telephone:  01288 352005     E-mail: reception@falconhotel.com   Web: www.falconhotel.com