Places to stay near the Gonda building

I have been a patient at Mayo since 2016. I usually stay at the Kahler Grand Hotel. The renovations are finished and the lobby is gorgeous. It is an older hotel and I have enjoyed my stays. There is an elevator that goes down to the subway level. It is only a short distance from the elevator to the ground level of Gonda. Check out the hotel rates for Mayo Clinic patients.

Most of the hotels in Rochester have shuttle service that drops you off at the curb in front of Gonda (where there are hundreds of wheelchairs). I’ve ridden both the pink shuttle and the green shuttle and both are very nice, and most of the drivers are funny/entertaining! Good luck with everything!

@jferg01 is the wheelchairs free to use ? Can they be taken to the hotel or shopping or does the businesses have them too ? I see most shuttles shut down early I have to be at the Gonda building at 6:30 pm for a CT . I’ms there access to the building on the back side also ? Is there a Parking garage in case we choose a hotel farther away and have to drive there so we can let my son be closer to shopping ? Is prices at the malls average or higher? I noticed the hotels have patient discounts is that for people that’s been admitted or like myself out of town initially there for an exam and consult ? Thanks for any help from all of you !

@sbtheplumber1
All good questions, let me see if I can answer some.

Most hotels have Mayo discount, you do not have to show any proof, call hotel directly to make reservations to get the Mayo discount.

Mayo wheelchairs are free to use. Not sure if can take offsite, but I see people using in downtown area and can take to parking ramps. That would be good question for Mayo consigner service. Also, they have Mayo employees who are called "transporters", use to be called escorts. If your son is not with you, and you need someone to push the wheelchair, they will get you from entrance to your appointment desk. Just ask the door attendant.

Access to Gonda for evening appointments: On portal under appointments, there is a link to "Patient Appointment Guide", this has additional instructions for appointments. It should have instructions on how to enter building for evening appointments. I had a imaging exam years ago later in day and had to enter via Charlton Building entrance and then go to Gonda building via a locked door. There was speaker button to talk to security that then opened door remotely. All the instructions were in my appointment guide.

There are multiple parking ramps close to Mayo, they do charge. There is also a valet service for an additional charge. You can also drop someone off and then park car if your son is driving. WARNING - the drop off area at Gonda can be very busy, especially in morning, so plan extra time if using valet or dropping someone off.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/parking
Alos, parking on streets around Mayo is free after 5 PM.

Keep asking question, Mayo Connect members have lots of experience with logistics of navigating Mayo. It can be overwhelming for first appointment, but there is always people to ask.

@roch That’s why I came here to ask everyone has been so hopeful with other posts I’ve made. I’ve really never travelled except to family out of state so I’m trying to get the best deals and make it into a vacation also. I don’t want bed bug infested rooms but also don’t want to pay $300 a night if I don’t have to. My wife will be with me, my son is coming along to help drive 🫣. Being 17 and always bored I’m trying to find a place with a pool and be around places he could go to. How is the ace loot y in doctors offices to get a scooter in, I don’t really want to leave it setting for someone to take off on? I am going to have to make sure I can get a recliner or they let me use an air bed I can’t sleep on a regular bed due to the pressure on my tailbone.

Congratulations on getting an appointment!
When I go yo Mayo I stay at Centerstone—regular hotel rooms or extended stay building. Free parking but they also have a free shuttle that runs frequently throughout day. The hotel has a w/c lift van if you bring your w/c and drops you at the front door. Centerstone is a block from soldiers park, they have a pool and fitness room. There are basketball courts and probably pickleball by now besides walking and a gold course right there. Centerstone is about 1.5 miles from Cascade lake/park with paved biking/walking paths, sandy beach area also. It is a nice break after a busy day of testing.

@legeke since I’m taking my mobility scooter I’m not sure if the wheelchair accessible vans can or will haul it.

Call the concierge and they will either know or find out for you.

Experiencerochestermn.com

UPDATE ON MY TRIP :Wow what an amazing facility sure wish I lived closer! I went that evening for a CT I was pre registered and I got there about 35 minutes early so I checked in at the kiosk set down less than 3 minutes and was called back, the lady that took me back and another lady got me on the table and I’m assuming the radiologist or whoever took the tests come in and got my name and birthday he had I’m assuming a couple students with him, they got the test done and I was out of there within about 10 minutes. Same way with an X-ray the next day they had extra workers which sped up the process. We chose to stay at the Aspen Suites it is a little dated but we got the 2 queen beds and a living room, they have a nice pool and hot tub , exercise room, breakfast and a social dinner-soups or sandwich. It was about 3/4 of a mile from the Gonda building which we rode the free shuttle. Plenty of shopping at the Gonda building and Apache Mall was nearby. If your able and have time go check out the Mall of America and plan on walking or you can rent scooters because with 4 floors your going to be tired . After a 1-1/2 years I finally found out what was wrong with my back I have a screw lose in my back (not my head) I was told by Dr Sebastian to leave it alone and have a pain stimulator put in. Doesn’t make sense since I’m getting more nerve damage everyday but he’s the expert.