Kahler Grand Hotel: Any updated info about improvements?

I am interested in finding this out too. We've stayed at the Marriott for convenience but I read they are beginning a one-year renovation starting this November (when I have my next round of appointments!) -- Thanks.

Hello @davem,
It looks like this is your first post on Connect, so an official WELCOME!
I assume this is about downtown Rochester, because I think that is where all the Kahler hotels seem to be?
I have stayed at the Courtyard Marriott, across the street from St. Mary's Hospital for my open heart surgery, and the Doubletree, downtown on my first trip.
I will be going back to Mayo next month and did a bunch of research and we decided to try the Hotel Indigo, which is close to the Doubletree. It's connected to the underground/skyways and walking distance to Mayo.
I'm sorry to hear about your health issues. It must be difficult to have not one, but two issues to navigate.
I'd like to introduce you to Ginger @gingerw , a fellow Mentor who knows a thing or two about living with more than one health issue...one of which is kidney disease.
She knows a lot of other stuff too 🙂
I don't know if you have had a chance to poke around here or not, but Ginger is a wonderful resource regarding kidney issues. Take a look at her thoughtful posts if you have time.
You mention you are going in November. I went there for the first time in November as well. It had snowed and the streets had piles of the white stuff everywhere. I was grateful for the tunnels and to be inside. How long will you stay in Rochester? Do you have far to travel?

-- Which hotels at Mayo in Rochester are connected to skywalk/subway?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hotels/
Here is a search list - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=Rochester+mayo+clinic+%2Bhotels.

I got this last week from another fellow Mentor @roch who is a walking encyclopedia for all things Downtown Rochester.

@davem Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see you've been a member for a while, but this is your first post.

You've gotten some good information about where to stay while at Mayo. Having access when the weather is not so good, is important. I was only there once, in September, and didn't have any weather challenges. It was my first time being able to use indoor transit ways, which absolutely thrilled me. Then again, I am from a small town and things like that intrigue me!

As @karukgirl mentioned, there is a lot of good talk going on over in the kidney and bladder support group, so feel free to wander around there, and let me know if I can be of any help to you. Transplant and dialysis each have their pluses and minuses. Have you been evaluated for either one, yet? I'll be curious to know. Currently on daily dialysis, I have no transplant in my future.
Ginger

Hi and thank you for the warm welcome @karukgirl. Yes, I’m a newbie on here. You may receive a couple of repetitive responses from me. It’s easy to get lost in these threads.

We will be coming up from Dallas. With a comfy car, audiobooks and roadside junk food (don’t tell) it’s really a nice, and even relaxing, drive.

@gingerw great lists! The specificity of the types of hotels, and what we all need to feel safe and comfortable is testament to all the issues the Mayo Clinic takes on.

Ginger, I’m here for the kidney transplant evaluation. I will also want to do a deeper dive into the dialysis alternatives.

Once again, thank you all for the warm welcome!

—Dave

Back to my original question! Would like to stay at the Kahler Grand because it is the closest to the Mayo Building where I have my appointment. Has anyone stayed there?

Hi Donna, I stayed at the Kahler Grand because of the location last April.
I will be staying somewhere else next week when I go back to Mayo.
On a scale of 1 to 10 I would give it a five. Nothing seriously wrong except outdated, things not working etc, but had a nice, friendly staff. For just an overnight it's fine but I will be staying longer than overnight so I will look elsewhere. First world problems at it's finest example.

Hello @donnaj50. There are quite a few negative comments about the Kahler Grand. I have heard from patients in the last month that they wouldn’t stay there, but it’s convenient and there are many patients that really like the Kahler. They recently finished up a construction project, but haven’t see what improvements have been made, myself. It is so nice that it’s right across the street from the clinic and has the subway level to walk in. We have many other hotels in Rochester that have a shuttle or car service that will drop you off at the main doors of the clinic buildings. We also have a handful of hotels that are walkable with the enclosed walkway system we have in Rochester. I would be happy to share more options with you, if you would like.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g43466-d90482-Reviews-The_Kahler_Grand_Hotel-Rochester_Minnesota.html#REVIEWS
Hi @donnaj50,
I found this on Trip Advisor, with recent posts of just this week. It sounds like convenience is the #1 reason to stay, but not too bad over all. You have some great responses now, so I hope that helps?

Thank you. That's what I'm seeing too.