@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.