ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL: The Sheraton Grand, Rio
By Erica Crompton Nestled on the fringes of the tropical Leblon beaches, between a favela, the mountains and the south Atlantic sea, is the Sheraton hotel. A tall, white statue of luxury piled on luxury, where we were fortunate to stay for our engagement trip to Brazil this spring. Each room has a balcony, which […]
ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL: I took my wheels around the Grand Hyatt, Rio
By Paul Nicholls The Grand Hyatt Rio delivers an experience that blends luxury, accessibility, and the unmistakable charm of Rio’s beachfront lifestyle. Travelling as a wheelchair user, I found the hotel not only welcoming but thoughtfully designed – the entrance is step-free, the pool has rails and there’s even a wetroom on offer for disabled […]
Welcome to Winter 2025-2026 Hopezine!
Editor’s letter In this special winter edition, we’re focussing on beating addictions with tips from people who have stayed sober for good, to myself knocking a 40-a-day smoking habit on the head. Experts also share their tips on beating all kinds of addictions, and we’ve even discovered beautiful necklaces to help you quit smoking or […]
“We found Scotland’s most accessible night out on our wheelchair-friendly Pitlochry escape!”
Hopezine’s Founding Editor, ERICA CROMPTON, falls under The Enchanted Forest’s spell… As the sun sets over Scotland’s Pitlochry village, with its silver stone cottages and independent shops and cafes, the nearby Faskally forest lights up at the Enchanted Forest. I’ve just returned here with my wheelchair-tooting partner – it’s Scotland’s biggest annual attraction for all […]
ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL – Hilton Taghazout Bay Beach Resort & SPA
By Erica Crompton We pull-up to Taghazout’s Hilton Hotel in a large, white people carrier and are greeted with a sprawling foyer in sandy-hued marble, thoughtful designer lighting and friendly smiles at reception. Nothing is too much to ask of staff here at the 5-star resort. In fact, we came to view the locals as […]
ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL: The wheelchair-friendly Prague CoolPass city cruise
This winter, Paul, Dan, Coz and I took the flight from a drizzly Birmingham to a colder climb – Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic. Prague is a majestic city and we discovered the best way to sightsee was the Prague CoolPass cruise along the Vltava River which gives panoramic views of the […]
ACCESSIBLE STYLE
BY Erica Crompton Whether it’s a button-free T-shirt or a velcro fastening shoe, dressing with a disability often needs a little thought. Laces are too fiddly for a single hand, buttons are too. So, I recently handed over my Amazon account to Paul, my wheelchair-wonder boi, and he was impressed with the inexpensive clothes on […]
Welcome to spring 2024 Hopezine!
For my 15th editor’s letter, I thought I’d check-in with readers to remind us why we began this hopeful journey. Launched in November 2018 at an NHS suicide prevention conference at the Bet365 stadium, Hopezine aims to share stories from people who have survived adversity in all its forms to offer hope for all people. […]
Suite dreams, an accessible sofa
Last month I discovered my dream lounge suite on Amazon. As I write, I’m laid-up on the sofa typing on my laptop – it’s firm, supportive and comfortable enough to fall asleep on! This particular set is in a navy velvet Chesterfield style by a brand called Bravich. It’s proving resistant to my two tabbies […]
ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL – Aberlady in Scotland
By Erica Crompton My partner Paul, a wheelchair user, and I have just returned from a trip where we spent a day out in Aberlady, on the Scottish coast. We found Craigielaw Golf Course hotel very accessible (we paid £72 for one night for two with a Scottish breakfast included) and it even boasts its […]