Is having a car mandatory at transplant lodging?

I would say Yes to having a car while recovering. And a friend or family member driving for about 2 months or more. I am starting my 4th month of recovery and on a low dose of Tramadol so limit my driving to the immediate neighborhood, which I just started to do. The Tacro fogs my brain at times and I can still have balance issues sometimes. Take care and good luck to you, BB

There are places near Phoenix Mayo where they have shuttles to the clinic. The Residence Inn at Desert Ridge is easy minutes away walking distance and I think their Shuttle can run you to the Clinic. Mayo has a shuttle from Phoenix campus to Scottsdale campus and back. There is lodging on campus where you and a required caregiver can stay with a communal kitchen area. Check Mayo website and also explore patient portal for information. I believe there is a pretransplant coordinator. If not a social worker can send you a list of places to stay. Hope that helps, Barbara

To be clear it is Marriott Residence Inn at Mayo Clinic even though thay mention Desert Ridge in name. Another much more expensive Marriott hotel and Spa at Desert Ridge is 6 minutes away. I stayed at the Residence Inn for my interviews and tests; cooked in my kitchen or got take out. The Residence Inn has microwavable meals and a free hot breakfast. Whole Foods was a shuttle or uber ride just down Mayo Blvd as well as several restaurants. There is a large shopping center Market Place at Desert Ridge about 2.5 miles from Mayo clinic that has Albertson grocery; CVS; Target; movie theater; restaurants etc. Also movie theaters opposite Whole Foods on Mayo Blvd. For fun I recommend the Museum of Musical Instruments at Mayo Blvd and Tate. Has a delicious restaurant, beautiful courtyard and unbelievably interesting study of music (costume and dance) from cultures around the world. Several evening performances during the month all wrapped up in a beautifully designed building. I plan to be at Residence Inn mid April for my 1 year transplant anniversary. I will have a car as I am coming up from Tucson 2+ hours away. If you are going to be thete April 16 to 19 I can drive you to areas the shuttle doesn't reach.

Thanks for the comments and suggestio!s. It's good to know there are various shuttles. Kaiser Health Plan covers lodging and wants patient to stay at The Village patient housing, which I prefer anyway.
BUT THE VILLAGE WEBSITE SEEMS TO BE SAYING PATIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A CAR. IS THIS TRUE? I'm concerned about this because my choice would be a very long drive from home to bring our car OR renting a car. That would be very expensive for a several weeks stay in Phoenix.

When I checked out the Village which is past building 3 (radiation oncology bldg) and about a quarter mile down a side road. It is very affordable which is why insurance favors it but required a caregiver to live with me as a roommate which wasn't an option for me. My caregivers needed their own room and a less communal living situation. There is a waiting list so check the availability ASAP if you are interested. Barbara

Hello.
I understand your concern about driving or renting a car. Everything gets o expensive! If you have questions about the requirement for a car, I would call them directly and ask for an explanation and if needed, a waiver for the time you'll be there.
My husband and I are currently at the Healing Home for my 6th year heart eval. There are several vacant rooms in our casita and in others as well. $48.00 per night for those without insurance coverage. It has its pros and cons, but it is so close to the hospital. We drove up from Tucson, where we live part of the year, on Super Bowl Sunday. So glad it was all happening on the opposite end of Phoenix.
It is really beautiful here!
Good luck with making your decisions.

Hello to you @giuseppe! Welcome to Connect and congratulations on your upcoming visit to Mayo Transplant Center.
I am a patient at the Rochester Mayo where I received my transplant in 2009. My husband and I stayed at the Transplant Housing in Rochester, and it was a wonderful experience when we needed a home away from home. It was 7 blocks from the Med center, and there was a free shuttle during business hours. Our car stayed in the parking lot and we depended on the shuttle which dropped us off and picked us up at the main entrance. I don't know if there is a shuttle connection in Arizona for the or if one is necessary. @ajdo129, and @blbird33 - Do you know if a shuttle is available or necessary to get to and from the Village to the clinic?

Joe, here is a link that you might be interested in checking out.
-Hotels and lodging near Mayo Clinic in Arizona
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/arizona/hotels-lodging
In case you missed it, here is the contact for the Village: Call 480-609-1324 for lodging and updated information.

It makes sense to call The Village at Mayo Phoenix directly but I wanted to get patient and caregiver perspectives. Often the care providers like mine, Kaiser Health, have a script they must follow that doesn't always jive with how things really work.
I know there are alternatives to driving and The Village is within easy walking distance to the transplant center. At first I won't be going anywhere.
I will have to have 2 or 3 care givers over the course of my time there. Some will be fine sharing my room (my husband). Others would prefer a separate room. I'm hoping to pay that extra cost with the funds I've saved for my transplant, since most of my medical bill are covered by my husband's generous health plan.

I see two things I'd like to avoid- Super Bowl Sunday and the hottest part of summer in Phoenix.
Interesting that there are so many empty rooms. When I called the Village, the person I talked to said there was a surge in occupancy because patients and caregivers were having trouble finding hotel rooms.

Yes, there was an initial surge right before the Super Bowl. Hotels prices were outrageous. Motel 6 offered a room for $600.00. We had a back up plan and reserved a room at a nearby hotel months ago. We received a call from the Healing Home two days into our stay there that a room was available.
Because there is a kitchen and you are able to cook here, someone has to get groceries, pick up any additional meds, incidentals etc. I'm not sure if any grocery stores deliver here. Something to check into.
When I had my heart transplant, I asked my husband to get out every day and take a break and also to take me for a ride. It all helped.
Best wishes!