COMMON QUESTIONS
Review information concerning lodging in the
U.S.A.
This section answers travel related questions
on lodging for international patients visiting the United States of America
for health care and medical treatment.
Lodging in the U.S.A.
Lodging Options | Making
Lodging Arrangements | Bed & Breakfast Inns
| Hotels & Motels | Hostels
| YMCA Lodging
Lodging Options
Hotels, motels, and apartment buildings offer both long and short
term accommodations. And some hospitals have inpatient units located within
hospital grounds for you and your family or guests. "Bed and breakfast"
lodging is another option you may wish to consider if you prefer a
homelike atmosphere. Hostels and YMCA centers offer low cost alternatives
to private lodging.
How do I make lodging arrangements
before I get to my U.S. destination?
Contact your travel agent, or consult one of the many hotel/motel/hostel/bed
and breakfast websites online. The following websites may also be able
to make reservations for you or point you in the right direction:
All the Hotels on
the Web
Along the
Way
American Hotel & Motel Association
America's Inn and
Lodge Directories
ERS Online Reservations
Great Rentals
Hotelcity.com
Hotel Discounts
The Hotel Guide
HotelNetDiscount.com
Hotel Reservation
Network
Hotels & Travel
Leisureplanet
Places To Stay
Rooms Plus Travel Guide
Travel Savers
NOTE: Consult the convention & visitors bureau for
the City and State you are visiting to obtain
a list of lodging options. You may even wish to rent a room or apartment
if you and/or your family must plan on a long stay.
Bed & Breakfast Inns
Bed and breakfast lodgings are typically hosted by a family or a couple
in their own homes. Consult one of the following bed and breakfast directories
for more information about this lodging option.
Along the Way
Bed &
Breakfast Inns
Bed
& Breakfast Network
1st Traveler's
Choice: America's Best Bed & Breakfast Inns and Small Hotels
Guide to Historic Bed & Breakfast Inns
Travel Guides
Online
Hotels and Motels
Hotels and motels offer a wide range of amenities, including comfortable
rooms with beds and chairs, balconies, spectacular views (in some areas),
suites for families, and efficiencies with stoves, refrigerators, and
cabinets (so you can save money and cook in some of the time). Many hotels
have pools, saunas, whirlpools, gyms, restaurants, bars and other entertainment.
Be sure to ask if you want lots of extras. These often come at a higher
price.
Hotel & Motel Chains:
Best Western International – 800-528-1234 www.bestwestern.com
Doral Hotels – 800-223-6725
Econo Lodges – 800-424-6423 www.hotelchoice.com
Hilton Hotels – 800-445-8667 www.hilton.com
Holiday Inn – 800-462-4329 www.holiday-inn.com
Howard Johnson's – 800-446-4656 www.hojo.com
Hyatt Hotels – 800-233-1234 www.hyatt.com
Inter-Continental – 800-327-0200 www.interconti.com
La Quinta Motor Inns – 800-257-5473
Marriott Hotels – 800-228-9290 www.marriott.com
Omni International Hotels – 800-241-5500
Quality Inns – 800-424-6423 www.hotelchoice.com
Radisson Hotels – 800-333-3333 www.radisson.com
Ramada Inns – 800-228-2828 www.ramada.com
Red Carpet Inns International – 800-251-1962
Red Roof Inns – 800-843-7663 www.redroof.com
Rodeway Inns – 800-424-6423 www.hotelchoice.com
Sheraton Hotels – 800-325-3535 www.sheraton.com
Stouffer Hotels – 800-872-6338
Super 8 Motels – 800-843-1991 www.super8motels.com
Travelodge International – 800-255-3050 www.travelodge.com
Westin Hotels – 800-228-3000 www.westin.com
What services do hotels offer to make my stay for medical treatment
less stressful?
Many area hotels and apartment buildings offer discounted rates, free
shuttle transportation and other special services to patients at nearby
hospitals. Be sure to ask the admissions or international patient offices
at the hospital you will be visiting about special programs and discounts.
Hostels
Unlike hotels or motels, hostels are a less expensive form of accommodation
in which all facilities are shared with other guests. Rooms are dormitory-style
and are usually furnished with bunkbeds. Other areas such as bathrooms
and lounges are shared as well. This shared accommodation facility keeps
the cost low.
Who stays at hostels?
People from all over the world stay in hostels. There are hostels for
people of all ages. A hostel is an excellent place to stay for people
traveling alone because it enables them to meet people and share their
traveling experience with others.
What documents do I need to stay in a hostel?
Because hostels are dormitory-style, more information is needed about
guests than is needed in the private room arrangement of hotels. Requiring
identification documents in the form of passports, drivers licenses with
photos, and state or country identity cards allows the hostel to provide
for your safety.
What do hostels look like?
They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are in historic locations and
sometimes just in an uneventful small town. Some hostels provide beds
for hundreds; others are a single room in a friendly family home. Hostels
can be located anywhere from the peaceful mountains to busy urban areas.
Some hostel accommodations can be found at American colleges and universities.
How do I find a hostel that is near the hospital/clinic I am visiting?
Guidebooks provide descriptions of hostels and their locations.
Do I need to make a reservation to stay at a hostel?
It is always best to call the hostel at which you plan to stay to find
out their policy on reservations.
What equipment do I need to go hostelling?
Basically you will need a very small amount of the same things you would
normally travel with plus a couple of extra items. You should pack lightly
because you won't find baggage porters, suitcase racks, or hanging closet
space. In some cases, the hostel may have laundry facilities so you can
wash clothing to wear again during your stay. You will need to bring a
set of sheets, towels and soap.
Hostels - Online Resources
Hosteling International
Internet Guide to Hostelling
VIP Backpackers
Resorts
Worldwide
Hostel Guide
Young Men's Christian Association
(YMCA)
YMCA centers also offer affordable rates, clean comfortable rooms, fitness
facilities and access to all public transportation with sightseeing information.
They also often host a multilingual staff and 24 hour security. Call the
local YMCA in the city you plan to visit to see if this is an option or
visit YMCA of the USA.
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