question about Houston

[disneyholic family]

we're heading to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston next week and i was hoping Disers who are familiar with Houston could give me an idea of what the neighborhood is like there.

I'm talking about the area around the Texas Medical Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Mays Clinic.

Unfortunately, the hotel right inside MD Anderson is full, so i'm trying to figure out which hotel to stay in, but i haven't a clue what the neighborhood is like. (or even which is the closest).

I've never been to Houston and know absolutely nothing about it.

Any comments, tips, advice would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

 

[exwdwcm]

let me see if my Uncle can let me know. He has spent a lot of time there at MD Anderson unfortunately in the past few years fighting pancreatic and now lung cancer. He also worked (and his wife) at UTMB in Galveston before he got ill.

Anyhow- I'll find out- it is a huge hospital and one of the best though.

 

[mikelan6]

I have not been to Houston (other than to change planes) in a while, but I remember this area as a kind of civic center with lots of hospitals and a university area.

I would recommend renting a car while in Houston as it is a very big and spread out city.

If you're looking for places to visit while you're not at the hospital, I would recommend NASA, a few miles away.

 

[exwdwcm]

so my uncle didn't give me exact hotels- but said if the Rotary House isn't the one you mentioned (as being full)- try it. Otherwise, he said he found calling the hospital concierge was best and they will give you a ton of options nearby as well as let you know which ones might have shuttles to get you back and forth for appointments too. good luck and pixie dust!

 

[aggielawyer]

The only person that I know of from the Houston area is k5jmh (Mike), who is from Spring. I'm not familiar enough with the area to give you an idea.

Also, some travel sites will list hotels by the area that they are in, and even show it on a map so you can see how close. I would imagine that travel to MDA is common enough for it to rank as an 'area' for those purposes.

 

[nedac]

My dad was at MDA this year, horrible experience to say the least. The dr. he had should have his license revoked, but thats another story. I wish I could say something good about it, but it was that bad.

The area is near downtown and there are several other hotels in the area. Parking will eat your lunch, so be prepared. It is a nice area of the city though. I go to Houston a few times a year and I usually use priceline for hotels. You can stay fairly inexpensively in Houston.

 

[KathyTX]

Sounds like Rotary House is the one you tried. Staying anywhere else, you'll definitely want to have a car. There a lots of hotels in the area, several of them are the extended-stay type with kitchenettes, which is nice when you're there for hospital stays rather than as a sight-seer.

The medical complex is HUGE, the area around it is okay.

The hospital has provided accommodation information on their site, listing the hotels, prices and the basic amenities you'll be interested in- start here: http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-a...uide-to-md-anderson/getting-here/lodging.html

You'll find that most of the people staying in the area are there for the same reason you are.

 

[peacelovemickey]

There is a lot of construction around the medical center right now, so allow extra time. The medical center kind of functions as a city within a city. The zoo and musuems are all right there in the area as well as Hermann Park. Don't know if you will have time for any entertainment, but wanted to let you know a bit about the area. MD Anderson is an amazing facility and people all over the world use it for treatment. You will be in good hands. I am about 20 minutes from there...PM me if you need any information or anything. Sending you prayers and pixie dust.

 

[drakethib]

Just a note, many of the hotels have a free shuttle to the hospital. Hospital parking is outrageous.

We stayed at a Holiday Inn that was set up like an extended stay. There are several around there. You may want to look at Residence Inn which is close.

Just a note just because they say the offer a hospital rate, there may be a cheaper one available.

 

[k5jm]

Hey Beth, My office is near the medical center and I can scout you out anything you need. Just let me know. The Renaissance Hotel is next to my office as is the several other decent places. The Medical Center is next to the Rice University area which is nice and the Astrodome Area which is not so nice.

PM me what you need and Christy and I will do what we can to assist.

 

[disneyholic family]

the dis is an incredible place!!!

thanks everyone for your responses! they were all very helpful!

it's actually my mom and sister who will be at MD Anderson this week - i'll join them when they schedule my mom's surgery.

thanks again for all your help!!

 

[safetymom]

Beth, I hope everything goes well with your Mother!

 

[disneyholic family]

Beth, I hope everything goes well with your Mother!

thanks Kathy!

 

[momofrrr]

Beth
You should be able to find just about any level of accomidations around there. The Med Center is planned out very well with lodging and dining as well as Museums and the zoo. You could use Reliant Stadium as a reference point, it is only about a 5 minute drive from the Med Center. There is a really nice area called Rice University there which is near Rice University, I would imagine there would be some housing near there. I would suggest that you do not try and park there but instead find lodging that provides a shuttle because the parking garages are very expensive.

I don't live in the area but have lived in Houston and the Houston area for 40 years and would be glad to give you any help I can. I wish you all the best.

 

[disneyholic family]

Beth
You should be able to find just about any level of accomidations around there. The Med Center is planned out very well with lodging and dining as well as Museums and the zoo. You could use Reliant Stadium as a reference point, it is only about a 5 minute drive from the Med Center. There is a really nice area called Rice University there which is near Rice University, I would imagine there would be some housing near there. I would suggest that you do not try and park there but instead find lodging that provides a shuttle because the parking garages are very expensive.

I don't live in the area but have lived in Houston and the Houston area for 40 years and would be glad to give you any help I can. I wish you all the best.

thanks for that description....
they have reservations near rice, but the reviews of the hotel i saw on trip advisor aren't so great.....they'll stay there for the 3 days of her initial visit and then for the longer stay (surgery/recovery period) i'll see if i can find something in that area with better reviews.

 

[peacelovemickey]

Beth
You should be able to find just about any level of accomidations around there. The Med Center is planned out very well with lodging and dining as well as Museums and the zoo. You could use Reliant Stadium as a reference point, it is only about a 5 minute drive from the Med Center. There is a really nice area called Rice University there which is near Rice University, I would imagine there would be some housing near there. I would suggest that you do not try and park there but instead find lodging that provides a shuttle because the parking garages are very expensive.

I don't live in the area but have lived in Houston and the Houston area for 40 years and would be glad to give you any help I can. I wish you all the best.

Wow...small world! You must be my neighbor!