Patient Housing & Hotels Near UT Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, TX
Patient housing near UT Southwestern comes from nonprofits and hotels, not the hospital: UTSW doesn't run its own, so most patients choose between free rooms at Hope Lodge Dallas (adult cancer patients), medical-rate hotels along Harry Hines Blvd, and furnished apartments for long stays. UT Southwestern Medical Center is home to the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Hope Lodge has 50 rooms and a referral process, so apply early. For transplant patients facing stays of 60–100+ days, price furnished apartments against hotels: a stay of 30 days or more qualifies for the Texas hotel tax exemption. Contact UTSW Guest and Patient Services at (214) 633-4700 for lodging help.
Quick Facts — UT Southwestern
Free and low-cost lodging
Hope Lodge Dallas
FreeThe American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge Dallas has 50 private rooms for cancer patients traveling for outpatient treatment. Completely free: no fees, no deposits, no donations required.
- Who qualifies: Adult cancer patients in active outpatient treatment at a Dallas-area cancer center. Must live 40+ miles from treatment facility.
- Caregiver: One caregiver per patient; strongly encouraged.
- How to apply: Referral from your UTSW social worker or treatment team required.
- Waitlist: Common — can be days to several weeks. Apply as early as possible, ideally when you first get your treatment schedule.
- Amenities: Communal kitchen with designated storage, free laundry, free parking, WiFi.
Phone: (469) 451-4900 · ACS helpline: 1-800-227-2345
Ronald McDonald House Dallas
Pediatric only89 rooms — 77 private bedrooms, 6 extended-stay suites, and 6 transplant apartments at 4707 Bengal St., Dallas. For families with a seriously ill child receiving treatment at Children's Medical Center Dallas or other Dallas-area hospitals.
- Cost: Free to families. Donations are welcome — the house's own cost runs about $198 a night per family — but never required.
- Who qualifies: Families of children receiving treatment at Dallas-area hospitals. No diagnosis restriction.
- Transplant apartments: 6 dedicated apartments for families of transplant patients — longer stays accommodated.
- How to apply: Hospital referral required — physician, nurse, or social worker contacts RMHC.
- Amenities: Communal kitchen, complimentary meals, free laundry, free parking, hospital shuttle, WiFi, playgrounds.
Phone: (214) 631-7354
Fisher House Dallas (VA)
Free Veterans only21 private suites at 4500 S. Lancaster Rd., Bldg 79, Dallas, TX 75216 (on the Dallas VA campus). Free by law for families and caregivers of veterans receiving treatment at the Dallas VA Medical Center.
- Who qualifies: Families/caregivers of veterans at Dallas VA. Must live 50+ miles or 2+ hours away.
- How to apply: Electronic referral from VA clinical team required.
- Amenities: Communal kitchen, laundry, parking, 100% wheelchair accessible.
- Availability: Only 21 suites, so have a backup plan.
Phone: (214) 857-4401
Ark House Dallas
$28/night Any diagnosis16 fully furnished one-bedroom apartments (normally two occupants each) in a gated complex in North Dallas, near US 75 and Royal Lane. It takes seriously ill patients with any diagnosis, not only cancer, pediatric or military. A mission of First United Methodist Church of Richardson since 1985.
- Who qualifies: Any diagnosis, living more than 50 miles away. Referral from a licensed staff member at the Dallas hospital required. Interview process.
- Cost: $28/night, or $196/week.
- Stay: 14-day minimum paid stay; under 90 days initially.
- Address: Given once an apartment is confirmed.
- Amenities: Fully furnished private apartments, TV, internet, laundry, parking.
Phone: (972) 671-7144 · arkhousedallas.org
Hotels near UT Southwestern with medical rates
Dallas medical-rate hotel programs are less extensively documented than Houston's, but several options exist. Your best resources are your UTSW social worker and Joe's House (joeshouse.org | 877-563-7468), a nonprofit that maintains negotiated rates at hotel chains near hospitals nationwide.
| Hotel | Rate | Distance to UTSW | Key Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aloft Dallas Love Field | ~$84–170/night | ~0.9 mi (closest) | UTSW rate via sales manager |
| Dallas Marriott Suites Medical/Market Ctr | ~$119–205/night | ~0.8 mi | Suites, shuttle within 5 mi, UTSW rate |
| Courtyard Medical/Market Center | ~$98–151/night | ~2 mi | Rates for 6 hospitals, free parking 7+ nights |
| Hilton Anatole | ~$159–300+/night | ~1.2 mi | UTSW rate, luxury; high parking ($30–40+) |
All rates are approximate and subject to change. Always call the hotel to confirm current pricing. For the most current medical rates, contact Joe's House (877-563-7468) or ask your UTSW social worker for partner hotel lists.
Apartments near UT Southwestern Medical Center
UTSW's own apartment complex, Southwestern Medical Park, is student housing, so it isn't open to patients. For a stay of a month or longer, a furnished apartment in the Medical District is the usual alternative, at roughly $90–140 a night in the cost table below, and Ark House rents 16 furnished apartments in North Dallas at $28 a night to referred patients.
For stays of 30 or more days, furnished apartments often make more financial sense than hotels. You get a full kitchen — critical for patients on restricted diets or with suppressed immune systems — plus in-unit laundry, which is essential for immunocompromised patients who need to wash bedding and clothing frequently.
The biggest advantage: stays of 30+ consecutive days at the same property qualify for the Texas hotel tax exemption, saving approximately 15% on your total cost in Dallas. Dallas has a lower combined hotel tax rate (~15%) than Houston (~17%), which means slightly lower nightly costs to begin with.
Several furnished apartment providers serve the Dallas Medical District area, offering full kitchens, in-unit laundry, and covered parking within a short drive of UT Southwestern and Parkland.
Tax tip: The Texas hotel tax exemption (up to 15% savings in Dallas) applies to stays of 30+ consecutive nights at the same address. Read our full guide to the TX hotel tax exemption →
What your stay will actually cost
| Option | Nightly Cost | 30-Day Cost | Kitchen | Parking | Referral |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hope Lodge Dallas | Free | Free | Communal | Free | Social worker |
| Ronald McDonald | Free | Free | Communal | Free | Pediatric only |
| Hotel (med rate) | Ask for the hospital rate | Varies | Rarely | Varies | No |
| Extended Stay | $69–110 | $2,070–3,300 | Full | Free | No |
| Furnished Apt | $90–140 | $2,700–4,200* | Full | Covered | No |
*30-day rate with TX hotel tax exemption applied. All rates approximate — call to confirm.
Tips for a stay near UTSW
Apply for Hope Lodge the day you get your treatment schedule, not when you arrive in Dallas. The waitlist can be weeks long, and early applicants are prioritized.
Ask your UTSW social worker about all options — they know which programs have openings, can submit referrals, and may have access to emergency funds for lodging.
If staying 30+ days, ask your property about the Texas hotel tax exemption. It saves hundreds of dollars in Dallas. Learn more →
Dallas parking near UTSW is more manageable than Houston's TMC, but still factor it in. Many hotels along Harry Hines Blvd and Medical District Drive offer free parking — prioritize these if you're driving.
Bring a cooler and basic kitchen supplies if your lodging doesn't have a full kitchen — eating out during treatment is expensive and often impractical for immunocompromised patients.
More Dallas medical lodging guides
Frequently asked questions about lodging near UTSW
How much does lodging near UT Southwestern cost?
Hope Lodge Dallas is free for eligible cancer patients but has a waitlist. Several nearby hotels offer UTSW medical rates; ask for the medical or hospital rate when you book. Furnished apartments for stays of 30+ days run $90–140/night with approximately 15% savings from the Texas hotel tax exemption.
Is there free housing for UT Southwestern patients?
Yes. Hope Lodge Dallas has 50 free rooms for adult cancer patients through the American Cancer Society. You must be in active outpatient treatment, live 40+ miles from the facility, and obtain a social worker referral. Both patient and one caregiver stay together. Apply as early as possible — ideally when you first get your treatment schedule.
Does UT Southwestern have its own patient housing?
UT Southwestern does not operate dedicated patient housing. The Southwestern Medical Park Apartments near campus are student housing; UTSW says even residents, fellows and faculty are not eligible, so they are not an option for patients. For lodging assistance, contact UTSW Guest and Patient Services at (214) 633-4700 or the oncology social work team at (469) 852-0270. They can help with Hope Lodge referrals, hotel discount lists, and other options.
How do I apply for Hope Lodge in Dallas?
Ask your UT Southwestern social worker or oncology care team to submit a referral to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Dallas. You must be an adult cancer patient receiving outpatient treatment and live 40+ miles from the facility. Both patient and one caregiver stay together. Apply before your treatment start date — the waitlist varies but spaces fill quickly. Phone: (469) 451-4900.
What is the Texas hotel tax exemption and how does it work in Dallas?
Texas exempts stays of 30 or more consecutive days at the same property from state and local hotel occupancy taxes. In Dallas, the combined rate is approximately 15% (compared to 17% in Houston). On a $100/night room, that's about $450 saved over a 30-day stay. This applies to hotels, extended stays, and furnished apartments. You must stay 30+ consecutive nights at the same address to qualify.
Is there lodging for families of pediatric patients near Children's Medical Center Dallas?
Yes. Ronald McDonald House Dallas at 4707 Bengal St., Dallas, TX 75235, has 89 rooms — 77 private bedrooms, 6 extended-stay suites, and 6 transplant apartments — for families of children receiving treatment at Children's Medical Center and other Dallas hospitals. Families are never required to pay; donations are welcome but not required. A hospital referral is required. Phone: (214) 631-7354.
By the RelocateMeTX Editorial Team · Reviewed August 2026 How we source our data →
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, legal, or medical advice.