Hi @beckykurszewski,
I'm jumping in here with the other responses you have already received. You got some great information already, but may I add my two cents?(for what its worth in today's economy!)
How great to be able to have open heart surgery at the finest hospital in the land! This of course is wonderful, but I get not knowing where to stay, coupled with your love facing a tough surgery is nerve wracking to say the least.
I had open heart surgery at St. Mary's in Rochester three years ago. In my case I had the bulk of the pre-op testing done at the Mayo downtown, and some labs and the heart cath was done at St. Mary's the day before surgery. I don't know if your fiancé' will be having a heart cath or not? But if so, he will not be allowed to walk afterwards and they will insist he use a wheelchair...so being close by is important. Can you imagine pushing him in a wheel chair blocks away? It's not impossible, but knowing up front is good too!
There are free shuttles from St. Mary's to downtown all day long, so it's super easy to get back and forth from where you are if you are staying close to the hospital.
I was in for five days. Each person is different and will have different post op experiences, but planning ahead is the best thing you can do.
The advice you got to stay close to St. Mary's is what I would suggest too. My guy literally walked across the street to the hospital each day at 8:00 in the morning. It was super convenient for him. We stayed at the Courtyard/Marriott and it also has a Mayo discount, serves Starbucks in the lobby and has a bar (yay!) and restaurant on site.
Here is their address/phone #
161 13th Ave. SW, Rochester, MN 55902
Phone
+1 507 536 0040
There's a great whole foods kind of place near by within walking distance, called Fresh Time Market that we walked to after my surgery for more healthy options. I was able to walk there afterwards, so it wasn't far for sure. There are many other hotels on the same street, and also just across from the hospital, so like suggested, if price is the main focus, I'd get ahold of Mayo Concierge, because this is what they do every day!
We planned to stay two weeks, but ended up only staying 8 days because I got out so quick, and we did stay a day over to do to a post-op clinic visit. I can pretty much guarantee he will be weak and tired, but that is expected after open heart surgery. For your sake, being close to the hospital and safe to walk back and forth at night is important...
If you have any other questions, I hope you reach back out again. Mayo Connect is a great place to find answers to your questions, a place to share your concerns, or just have someone to virtually hold your hand.
Don't forget his cell phone charger! He will need it while he's in the hospital. I think May is good weather in Minnesota, so you most likely won't have to fight the snow. When in May is his surgery?