continental shower

Located at the foot of Zafarraya Gorge, just an hour from the Malaga Airport, Villa Zafarraya is an excellent lodging choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. But it wasn’t always that way. Previously, the three-bedroom two-bathroom unit was not wheelchair-accessible; so prior to an extensive renovation the owners sought input from wheelchair-users to determine how to improve access in their villa. Today, after lots of hard work, the results are apparent, and Villa Zafarraya (www.villazafarraya.com) is now truly a wheelchair-accessible Malaga villa.

The Property

Although wheelchair-access was the ultimate goal of the renovation, the owners also wanted to make Villa Zafarraya a relaxing and inviting lodging option, free from any hospital or institutional trappings. And in that respect they greatly exceeded all expectations.

There’s level access from the parking area to this boutique villa, which can sleep two to six people. Inside there’s barrier-free access, with wide doorways and tile floors for easy rolling. Large windows dot the unit, and there are gorgeous views of the swimming pool and gardens from just about everywhere. The large kitchen features a wheelchair-accessible workspace, as well as appliances that are easy to operate from a wheelchair.

Outside, level cement pathways wind through the gardens and around the swimming pool. There’s ramp access to the pool, and you can roll right into it in the provided water wheelchair. And there’s even barrier-free access over to the quiet little nook under the pergola with a table underneath. No matter where you look, you get that true Mediterranean vibe at this wheelchair-accessible Malaga villa. .

A Wheelchair-Accessible Suite

Great care was also paid to the renovation of the wheelchair-accessible suite. There’s good pathway access throughout the bedroom, which is furnished with a double hospital bed. Rest assured, it doesn’t look like a hospital bed though, as the bedding and interior design bring out a true Mediterranean flavor.

There’s a sliding barn door to the adjacent bathroom, which has plenty of room to maneuver even the largest wheelchair. It includes a Continental (no-hub) shower with a hand-held showerhead, a grab bar and a fold-down shower seat. The shower seat can easily be folded up out of the way if you’d prefer to use the included shower/pool wheelchair. Round out this accessible unit with fold-down grab bars on both sides of the toilet, and a roll-under sink, and you have just about everything you need in this wheelchair-accessible Malaga villa.

The Extras

This beautiful rental comes with a lot of extras, as well as some referrals to sometimes hard-to-find accessible services. First off, as noted earlier, it includes a shower wheelchair that can also be used to access the pool via the ramp. A mobile electric hoist is also included in the rental. And if you want to get out and see some of the sights, a lightweight wheelchair that can be easily folded up and put in the back of a car, comes along with the rental. Additionally, if you need additional medical equipment, the owners can recommend a local equipment rental firm.

Finally, if you need an adapted rental car or caregivers while you are in the area, the owners can refer you to the appropriate folks. It’s a full service rental package. Best of all, you won’t pay extra for any of these access features or services, as this wheelchair-accessible Malaga villa is competitively priced. All in all, it’s a great vacation pick.