Mayo Clinic Rochester MN: Where to Stay? Shuttles? Parking?

You've got loads of good questions as you plan your first visit to Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN, @eddieras

To answer your questions about where to stay, you may wish to review this discussion where members have been sharing their tips and recommendations:
- What are your accommodation recommendations when coming to Mayo? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-are-your-accommodation-recommendations-when-coming-to-mayo/

I expanded the title of your discussion to include questions about parking and shuttle services. I'll bring in some members who are local to the area and typically drive to appointments or who drive from out of town like @roch @johnbishop @loribmt @jenniferhunter @susan2018 @nancy82415 and others.

Also see this discussion that @ckm started:
- Help! Where can I park and get to appointments on time in Rochester? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/help-17/

Typically the shuttle services at Mayo Clinic and hotels are frequent and reliable, so you may not need to rent a car. Here are members tips about the shuttle services:
- Mayo Clinic Rochester: Shuttle services between buildings https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/solo-in-rochester/

Eddie, keep asking questions. As you can see, we've got plenty of tips to offer 🙂

Hi @eddieras, I would recommend opting for lodging that has a shuttle service to Mayo Rochester. There are 2 main parking ramps close to the Mayo Clinic - Damon and Graham. Here's map that shows the layout.
-- Parking at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/parking
The Damon parking ramp fills up quickly in the morning and it's my favorite because the elevators take you to the subway level of the Gonda and Mayo buildings. The Graham adds a longer walk to get to the buildings but you can go via the subway out of weather. If you take a shuttle, it takes you to the main entrance and you can avoid the parking fees.

If it is the Brentwood Inn at 123 4th Ave NW, Rochester, MN , you are walking distance to Mayo campus downtown. You should be able to park in hotel parking ramp and leave car for stay. I have never been in Brentwood.

If your mobile, many places are walking distance from hotel. And once inside clinic, can walk around underground and not have to go back outside and worry about MN winter.

Let me know any other questions you have about Rochester.

Laurie

Hi guys, thanks all for the great info! Couple things. I am driving from Chicago so I will have my own car. I am ambulatory so walking some should be ok. I guess my requests include pool, hot tub in more of a suite type room, with separate sitting area and kitchenette. My thinking is I may be up there a week so the extra my room and amenities would be nice. Sorry I missed the thread on accomodations. I searched specifically for staybridge. I should have broadened my search!
Any recs for hotels within walking distance that for above? I did call the closer staybridge but their hot tub isn't open!

There are two Staybridge hotels in Rochester that I am aware of, One is across the street from St Mary's hospital, it is new hotel called EVEN. The other is on west end of town by Costco.

Both have restaurants in walking distance. Though depending on weather, may be cold walk. By EVEN (St Marys) I recommend Canadian Honker. The one my Costco there is Smoak and Tap House right across street, A short drive there is 5-West.

The one disadvantage to not staying downtown is the inability to go back to hotel room between appointments. If your appointments are spread out during day, sometimes it is nice go back to room and relax for few hours. Also staying downtown during winter, your less exposed to weather and bad driving conditions. Though if from Chicago, your use to winter driving.

If park in Mayo ramps downtown, they do charge. You can buy day pass or mult-day pass. That allows you to go in and out on same day. The parking ramps can get very busy early in morning, so give your self time to park before appointment.

Laurie

@eddieras The drive from the NW suburbs of Chicago area is about 5.5 hours and my route is Rt 14 to Janesville, WI where you catch I 90/94 into Wisconsin. You'll make a split from the left lanes when you start to head toward La Cross on I 90. Once you cross the Mississippi River, you are an hour away from Rochester. There is a rest area right before you make the exit for Rochester.

My favorite place to stay is Candlewood Suites where you will find separate suites with full kitchens with a full size refrigerator, coffee maker and microwave. They also have lending for kitchen items like a crock pot, etc. There are basic pots and pans, plates, glasses and silverware, but you may want to bring storage containers for saving food you cook or serving utensils. There is free shuttle service to Mayo campuses and they have free parking so either will be an option. Many closer hotels charge for parking, and Candlewood are reasonably close, probably within a mile of the Mayo campus for the Gonda and Mayo buildings. I do think they have a pool and hot tub, but that had been closed with Covid precautions in the past, so call and ask. The rooms are nice and clean. This is a newer hotel and offers Mayo Clinic rates. This is right near the corn water tower in Damon Park on Broadway. If you drive to Mayo and pay to park, get there early. It is harder to find a spot after noon. There is a cafeteria on the lower level of the Gonda Building.

Candlewood Suites Rochester Mayo Clinic Area
1640 South Broadway, Rochester, Minnesota 55904 United States
Reservations
1 877 CANDLEWOOD (1 877 226 3539)
Front Desk
1-507-3616000

How soon are you going? It is winter as you know and in Minnesota winters are legendary, so please have extra warm clothing and blankets, food, water, charged cell phone, and a small shovel in your car in case of hazardous travel, and try to time your trip to avoid any snow or ice storms even if that means going a day earlier than anticipated or staying a day later before leaving. In case of bad weather, communicate with your care team, because they may be able to juggle your schedule if a weather emergency arises. If you need some warmer clothing, you'll find sweatshirts, and probably socks and gloves at the Mayo gift shops (lower level in the Gonda building). There is also a Trader Joes in town in you need groceries and also a Hy-vee grocery store.

Hy-Vee, 1315 6th St NW, Rochester, MN, United States

Trader Joe's, 1200 16th St SW, Rochester, MN, United States

I like to stay at The Gift of Life Transplant House. It’s 4 blocks from Mayo. It has a free shuttle service. You can get blood drawn downstairs after you have been transplanted. You can get walkers and showers chairs when needed. They give you refrigerator, freezer, and cupboard space, with full kitchens full of pots, pans, silverware, etc. it has gym equipment. No pool or hot tubs. No tvs in the rooms, only in community areas, and you can only eat in the dining areas…not in your room. It was great getting to know the other people staying there that have been transplanted. I asked them a lot of questions during my 2 week eval. I saw the struggles of the caregivers as they also are going through this. I’ll be back there on the 15th. An oxygen company delivers a concentrator to them ahead of time and refills tanks as needed. I can’t say enough good things about the place and staff! Everyone is so helpful and caring.

My husband and I stayed at Homewood Suites right across from St. Mary’s for 6 weeks when I had proton beam radiation. Very comfortable rooms with kitchenette, sitting area, bathroom separates area from bedroom. They have shuttle service or you can walk across the street and take St. Mary’s shuttle which runs more often. Restaurants and Thyme Market within walking distance. They have a great breakfast and on Mondays thru Thursdays they have a HaPpY Hour. There was always enough options (baked potatoes or soup or taco bar, etc) that we could get plenty for our supper. We would plan to eat a nice lunch at a restaurant and found that less expensive than going out for evening meal. On weekends we usually cooked in the room. I took a crock pot with us. Everything else I needed was in the room (even some spices).

Lots to see and do in Rochester. Easy to get around, even in the snow. Be sure to plan to go to Flapdoodles for homemade ice cream.

@eddieras I don’t remember if your trip to Mayo Rochester is for transplant related evaluation (mine was) but Mayo Rochester is fantastic in so many ways!
First Lodging. Mayo can mail a brochure that has all the lodging options listed. It is organized by location, price (downtown is more expensive than further out) amenities etc. I am a lover of pools and especially hot tubs too (top priority). You can easily eliminate a bunch of options based on that.
Second shuttles/ parking. Almost all lodging has shuttles to the Mayo Campuses because Mayo is the main thing there. If they don’t have shuttles to Mayo they probably cater to a different kind of clientele and you wouldn’t want to be there anyway! Parking is notoriously bad in Rochester especially downtown where I assume most of your appointments will be. There are the two ramps but it will get expensive if you are going to come and go through the day and evening. It is better to check the parking where you lodge and use the shuttle system to come and go. When you are at the downtown campus the buildings are connected by skyway &/or a subway level and covers several city blocks. It can be easily walked and is protected from the MN winter weather. You can receive a map of this also. If you are less mobile there is a concierge service that can set you up with wheelchairs &/or motorized carts plus pushers &/or drivers. The concierge people know everything and can help with just about anything.
Third eating. I don’t care for the cafeteria in Gonda. There are a few other convenience like shops throughout the campus where you can get sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, salad, fruit, yogurt, snacks, beverages etc. On one of the levels there is a food court with some smaller eateries. There are also lots of restaurants close by (a block or two) from the main campus.
Fourth resting. There are lots of lounges, nooks and crannies throughout the campus to rest, nap and read that are comfortable and attractive. I did not find the need to go back and forth between Mayo and my lodging. There was another system (I forget the name) where Mayo will make every effort to make adjustments to your initial itinerary schedule if it is terrible. If you need this ask your coordinator or social worker about it.
Lastly, what I did (yearly 2016 - 2019) was to stay at Comfort Inn Medical Center on the West side of Rochester. They have a pool & hot tub, full hot breakfast, soup & crackers in the afternoon /early evening and of course a shuttle. It was my home away from home during those Mayo visits those years. I haven’t been there since 2019 (during the pandemic) so there may be some changes now. I was there for pancreas / kidney pre-transplant eval. Thank God my CKD stabilized and I’m eeking along with more traditional treatments for my diabetes. Oh! Make sure you are signed up for the Mayo Portal. It will help keep you in the know.

thank you so much for the very detailed response! I am so glad that you are doing well! Our priorities are identical! I too wanted a pool and hot tub, also since they say to plan on being there '5-7 business days' i wanted something a bit bigger- room wise. I booked with Staybridge Suites. King Suite, full Kitchen, sitting area AND a indoor pool and hot tub! They do have a shuttle and i should be able to walk when/if necessary. If not i'll take the shuttle. I am visiting for neurological issues, but while my gait (muscle loss in my legs) is a bit off - i can walk- just a slower pace! they also have free parking for Mayo patients and an evening social with beer, wine and snacks! I've stayed in Staybridge before (not Rochester) and it was nice- i'm hoping the same! Any area restaurant recommendations? thanks again and happy new year!