Eillyre Posted March 5, 2005 Report Share Posted March 5, 2005 Hi all! Got a call from Mayo last week letting me know that Dr. Low will see me in mid-April!!!! The packet that they sent has a bunch of accomodations that I'm systematically wittling down, but I wondered if any of you could recommend a good place to stay there in Rochester. I'd prefer a place that's cheap (less than $70 per night), has a kitchen (to cut down on expenses) & is close to a grocery store, is reasonably clean, and hopefully not too far from the clinic (to avoid lengthy commute). Any advice on transportation, accomodations, or anything else you can think of that might be helpful to me during my stay?Thanks!Angela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metoo Posted March 7, 2005 Report Share Posted March 7, 2005 Hi,I went to Mayo last year.Have you checked their web site?There is tons of info there. I have copied and pasted the link to lodging,it might help you.http://www.mayoclinic.org/travel-rst/lodging.htmlJust my experience...I made reservations at the Red Carpet Inn.By the time I flew half way across the country,had 3 layovers and made it to the hotel I was completely exhausted.The hotel was AWFUL!!!!! It was cheap and did have a fridge and microwave but the whole place had a very unpleasent odor.I am very aware of smells so I am sure that made it worse.The advertised breakfast is a box of assorted donughts from Wal Mart and coffee.The pillows were plastic and uncomfortable.Also I was on the second floor and there is no elevator.Having said all that...I was way too tired to care when I first arrived.All I wanted to do was lay down somewhere...anywhere...so I didn't fuss.I just did not have the energy to try to find a better room.I was there for over a week so I made a trip to Wal Mart and bought massive amounts of Febreeze,air freshner ,pillows and cases.I would have saved money by staying in a better hotel.I hope this has helped.I know it is a huge undertaking to make the trip.But...from experience...be comfortable even if it cost a little more.You are sick or you would not be making the trip.Mayo will wear you out mentally and physically so you will need to be comfortable where you are stayingAsk LOTS of questions if you are making reservations...make sure they offer what you need.Have a good trip.I hope you get the answers you need,Melanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steph37822 Posted March 7, 2005 Report Share Posted March 7, 2005 oops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tearose Posted March 7, 2005 Report Share Posted March 7, 2005 Angela, I would look through the suggestions Mayo gave and then call to see if they have any AAA discounts or some other way of easing the cost or making meals discounted...just call and ask! My hotel gave me a lunch price for dinner! (a 4-5 dollar saving on a hearty meal)If you can, try to spend any extra dollars on the place you stay not on other things. You will be going back and forth more than you realize and if you have to take a van to your hotel you may not be able to. This is NOT the time to cut corners. You will be able to squish more into your stay if you are closer! I packed lots of cheap/ easy to eat food for my "in room dining". I packed a hot pot and washable plastic utensils, bowl and cup, I also brought waxed paper and ziploc bags.. I made sandwiches in my room and instant soup. I had my oatmeal...I am so glad I did it this way. I ate breakfast and lunch in my room or took lunch in my totebag if I was out for testing. I ate the discounted dinner at the hotel or went to a kiosk in the small underground/mall.good luck in the planning stages! tearose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eillyre Posted March 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 Thank you all for your suggestions, especially about hotel comfort vs. price issue -- that's the main thing that I've been mulling over. This is all a bit new for me so I'm happy for ANY advice! Thanks again!Angela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avais1 Posted March 8, 2005 Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 Hello!I stayed at the Kahler hotel. It is connected to Mayo through the underground tunnels, which reduced walking considerably. My room had microwave, fridge, coffee maker, etc. If you need a full kitchen, just tell them. Also, when looking for a room MAKE SURE TO TELL THE HOTEL YOU ARE A MAYO PATIENT! They offer special discounts to us, better than the AAA I had. My room was great, and I got it for $69 a night as I was a patient, (they were normally $110). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldicedance Posted March 8, 2005 Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 Hello!I stayed at the Kahler hotel. It is connected to Mayo through the underground tunnels, which reduced walking considerably. My room had microwave, fridge, coffee maker, etc. If you need a full kitchen, just tell them. Also, when looking for a room MAKE SURE TO TELL THE HOTEL YOU ARE A MAYO PATIENT! They offer special discounts to us, better than the AAA I had. My room was great, and I got it for $69 a night as I was a patient, (they were normally $110).<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I totally agree with Avais1 about the Kahler. The name of the hotel is the Kahler Executive Inn/Suite==NOT the Kahler Grand, which is much more expensive. The Kahler has shuttle service to a number of places, has a small grocery store on premise. For us, the full kitchen was a godsend and so was having the suite. One room can get pretty small for 2 people for a week.A suggestion for a weekend activity--go the Mystic Lake Casino. You can get some really good rates for certain days. You can check out of the Kahler, store some bags, and then retun to the Kahler.Will you be renting a car? We de and it was nice having a car available.If you have more questions, please let me know. Lois Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelby Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 I had to stay up there for three weeks straight. If you want to go for comfort and a little luxery, then I would go with Staybridge Suites. It is right across from St. Mary's and there are shuttles to Mayo, or of course you can drive. I don't remember it being so expensive either and my suite came with a microwave, tv, couch, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, they have a nice pool area, a very great breakfast. They have real food for their breakfast. They have internet access, and free laundry facilities. It was the best time of my life. I didn't want to come home. Good luck at Mayo Clinic. Shelby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnA Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 I third on the Kahler executive suites. It is the most reasonable hotel connected to Mayo priced at $69. I stayed there on both of my trips. I wanted to stay off ground at someplace cheaper, but I was afraid that I would not get comfort. I was able to walk to my room and nap when needed. Also, just to let you know the grocery store just went out of business. It was kind of expensive, but handy.Dawn A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kite#7 Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Hello all, Both times I was at the Mayo I stayed at the Kahler Grand and found it to be a really neat character place to stay as well as having wonderful proximity benefits. They do have clinic rates but I don't believe that they have kitchenetes , however , there is a Starbucks in the Lobby. It is just across the street from the Clinic which was wonderful as iwas able to rest in between testing and it has easy access thru the tunnel system to all the wonderful restaurants in the immediate area ie. Micheals. There is a wonderful coffee shop called Caribou coffee in the tunnel system were the people are extraordinary both with service and understanding , just a joy on those "DAYS" ( tell them Tony from Canada says Hi!! ). I did two 2 week stints there and was happy with the hotel , the service, its location , and after my Mayo BILL ,even the price. I hope all goes well for you when there try to enjoy as Rochester is a pleasant city with wonderful restaurants ( I actually gained weight first timein 3 yrs ) . The city has several hotel choices but you won't go wrong with the Kahler Grand in my book. Slainte` (good health in Irish) Kite#7 (aka Tony from Canada) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia3 Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Go for comfort more than budget if you can!! You need a clean room and ask for the quietest room (not close to elevator or stairs, not next to ice machine!)Also, if you don't get the prices listed here for a quote at mayo clinic, try calling the hotel directly on the long distance phone. Often the prices vary from 800 to direct numbers.And of course mention AAA and mayo like suggested.Best of luck and I hope you get a nice place.I hear you about being sensitive to smells and odors and they can set off symtpoms. I think I was a dog in another life with my terrific sense of smell. I smell things long before other people do. Same with hearing noises!Get foam earplugs and a small radio if you can to mask room noise if walls are thin.Best of luck with your visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msumom Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Hello Angela - My son and I were at mayo in 2000, so it's been awhile, but after a few days in less than stellar accomodations we found something within a few blocks of the clinic (walking distance for sure) and it was cheap and emmaculate. Hopefully it's still the same. We stayed in the older section (they had a new addition that was a bit pricier), but you couldn't really tell the difference. Continental breakfast each morning. and a small convenience store with a few groceries nearby. No kitchenettes i don't think, but with microwave (in the lobby, don't remember if in room) you could make do fairly cheaply. The name of the place is the Brentwood Inn and Suites, 123 4th Ave., Rochester, phone: 507-288-8011, www.brentwoodinn.comwe ended up staying there for two weeks, and they were wonderful. With my AAA discount of a few bucks, I room was something like $50 night, $53 w/ tax I think.Good luck with this. as far as other things, advice, etc. Mayo is a great place, staff are friendly and competent. That is where my son was finally diagnosed w/POTS after 2 yrs of no answers. Mayo is good for those mystery cases, because they just keep adding appt.s and tests, as they rule out things. You don't leave without a pretty good idea of what's going on. But it's still a big, rather impersonal place, and it's still possible to fall through the cracks if your not careful. They were about to send us home because they thought that's what we wanted, before we had answers., and we were a little confused, until we went to the patient advocates office (I think it's called) and straightened out a few things. They are very patient focused and accomodating. But don't hesitate to go there if you have questions you'r not getting answers to. we didn't see Low after my son was diagnosed. I believe it was a Dr. Fealey in neurology. He was helpful in explaining the diagnosis and giving us treatment protocols for our local dr. upon our return home. When you get to Mayo, you will get more info than you even need about the Clinic and surrounding area. We spent a lot of downtime at an indoor mall just a few blocks from the clinic downtown. we didn't spend much money, but it was fun to hang out and get away from the clinic, and a movie theatre right next to the mall. I also went on a weekend south of rochester to a small town where Laura Ingalls Wilder's husband Almanzo's family moved to, if you're into that kind of history stuff. I enjoyed that getaway. Hope this all helps. Let me know if I can answer any other questions.Hi all! Got a call from Mayo last week letting me know that Dr. Low will see me in mid-April!!!! The packet that they sent has a bunch of accomodations that I'm systematically wittling down, but I wondered if any of you could recommend a good place to stay there in Rochester. I'd prefer a place that's cheap (less than $70 per night), has a kitchen (to cut down on expenses) & is close to a grocery store, is reasonably clean, and hopefully not too far from the clinic (to avoid lengthy commute). Any advice on transportation, accomodations, or anything else you can think of that might be helpful to me during my stay?Thanks!Angela<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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