United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I need info about the hotels.
Best Western?
Marriott? I've read some info. What do I need to know to get $79 rate?
Crowne Plaza?
Holiday Inn?
Do any of these provide transportation for airport to hotel and back to airport?

Marriott seems to be the most expensive - but they have an really nice indoor pool (if you are into that). BUT last time I was there I paid $69 by using my Entertainment card. We had a free microwave and refrigerator in the hotel. We stayed there two nights and then just moved all our stuff to the hospital.

We also stayed at Holiday Inn two times and we got a mini suite there- I think back then it was $79 "medical rate" - and it had a real (but little) kitchen - stove and all. BUT we never used the kitchen because we slept on the hospital the whole time and never used the room.

People have said good things about Crowne. The Crowne and the Marriott are directly across the street. Holiday Inn and Best Western are directly across the street and another street.

Best Western is brand new - we heard it is a little less comfortable and it also has a heated indoor pool. I haven't heard of too many people going there - I think they had less shuttle availability....meaning that they will shuttle you to the hospital but not to the surrounding areas for food, etc.

Marriott, Holiday Inn and Crowne have shuttles that will take you in a certain mileage radius around the area (if you want to go out to eat or visit the zoo, etc.)

To get from the airport to the hotel - the best buy is the private car - I think I have Robert Soto and someone else listed on my travel page. A rental car is pretty unnecessary because of the shuttles unless you are spending extra days there and feel claustrophobic without a car. There is a shuttle from the airport but depending on how many people are traveling it can be more expensive or the same amount as a taxi or private car. PLUS you have to deal with shuttle schedules and shuttle stops - double ugh.

For taxi and private cars there are STANDARD rates by zone. So once you decide to use a taxi or car you need to ask them what the STANDARD rate is - and they will use that rate. If you don't mention the standard rate, they will take advantage of you. Once we didn't mention that we knew about standard rates and they overcharged us by $20- well tried to - and then I asked "I thought the standard rate was ......" and they said 'Oh yea..." hmmmmmmph

The area you are traveling to is the "Texas Medical Center" - it's an area where there are bunches of hospitals all gathered together. It's quite unbelievable actually. So when you find out about standard rates - that is what you are asking for.

For the hotels ask for the "brachial plexus clinic at Texas Childrens Hospital medical rate". I know that the bpi clinic has contacted a couple of hotels to make sure families can get a medical rate - this was a while back. Don't know if it still exists - but you can always try. Also - if one employee doesn't know about it - speak to a manager. We've read posts where one employee will insist that it doesn't exist and another employee gives you the rate. I guess this is where we learn to be pushy. Also- if you have the cards you can also ask for AAA rate of Entertainment Card rate... If Entertainment card rate (which is50% of the rack rate) is really great and you don't have a card - you can get a card online for $25 - may be worth it. AAA discounts are usually much less.

hope this helps,
francine

http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/travel.html

I do have pictures of the hotels on my site as well...

I will have my daughter at TCH on November 25th and I made reservations at Holiday Inn Suites and asked for the brachial plexus rate and got a kitchenette suite with king size bed for $59.00 it is normaly $79.00. They have a shuttle running to TCH every 1/2 hour starting at 6 am and ending at 11pm. Their number is 713-528-7744.

hope this helps

Sam

We stayed at the Holiday Inn the first time we were there. The second time we stayed at the Marriott and I very highly recommend that over the Holiday Inn. We rented a car there but I remember seeing shuttles.
Cindy

I found that the rates really change based on what time of year or even what week you are going down there so my advice to all is don't wait til the last second to book a hotel.

And also- when you book and make your reservation with a credit card - you can do that in a couple of places and as long as you cancel by 3 or 4 or 6 - whenever your deadline for that hotel is for not being penalized. You can do that so you can see which one you feel better about when you get there, etc. But you have to REMEMBER to cancel that additional reservation in time.

The other thing I want to say is that we've heard good things about the Residence Inn and even the Hampton Inn which are a bit further away (and on the 'right' side of town) but we've heard really bad things about other 'cheaper' hotels in other sections- so be careful and try to stay within the Texas Medical Center area. We found that the hospital room was very sufficient at TCH and we didn't keep a hotel room while Maia was in the hospital. I don't really sleep too much while she's in anyway, I sit there and listen and watch her usually but that's personal preference - many families keep a room so that at least one person can rest outside of the hospital.