Patient Housing & Hotels Near UT Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, TX
UT Southwestern Medical Center is one of the nation's top academic medical centers and home to the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center. If you're traveling to Dallas for treatment at UTSW, finding the right place to stay during your care is one of the most important logistics you'll face. This guide covers every option — from free nonprofit housing to medical-rate hotels to furnished apartments for extended stays.
UTSW does not operate its own patient housing, but several excellent options exist nearby. Hope Lodge Dallas offers 50 free rooms for cancer patients, while hotels along Harry Hines Blvd and the Medical District corridor provide medical discount rates starting around $60/night. For transplant patients facing stays of 60–100+ days, furnished apartments with the Texas hotel tax exemption typically offer the best value. Contact UTSW Guest and Patient Services at (214) 633-4700 for personalized lodging guidance.
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 only77 private bedrooms 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: Donation-based; $10–25/night suggested contribution. No family ever turned away for inability to pay.
- 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: Typically full most days — backup lodging plans advised.
Phone: (214) 857-4401 · Manager: Lydia Henderson
Ark House Dallas
~$28–30/night Any diagnosis~26 beds across multiple furnished private apartments in Richardson, TX. The only verified Dallas-area lodging program accepting patients with any diagnosis — not restricted to cancer, pediatric, or military. Operated by First United Methodist Church of Richardson (40+ years of service).
- Who qualifies: Any diagnosis. Hospital social worker referral required. Interview process.
- Cost: ~$28–30/night plus utilities.
- Stay: 7–90 days.
- Check-in: FUMC office, 503 N. Central Expressway, Richardson, TX 75080.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonesta ES Suites Medical/Market Ctr | ~$60–100/night (use code "UTSW") | ~1.5 mi | Full kitchen, free breakfast, free parking |
| 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.
Furnished apartments and corporate housing near UTSW
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 | $0–25 | $0–750 | Communal | Free | Pediatric only |
| Hotel (med rate) | $60–180 | $1,800–5,400 | 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 from patients who've done this
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 patient housing near UT Southwestern
How much does lodging near UT Southwestern cost?
Hope Lodge Dallas is free for eligible cancer patients but has a waitlist. Hotels with UTSW medical rates run $60–180/night — Sonesta ES Suites offers the best value with full kitchens and the promo code 'UTSW'. 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 reserved for students and faculty only — patients are not eligible. 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 77 bedrooms and 6 transplant apartments for families of children receiving treatment at Children's Medical Center and other Dallas hospitals. The suggested donation is $10–25 per night, but no family is ever turned away. A hospital referral is required. Phone: (214) 631-7354.
Reviewed by RelocateMeTX Editorial Team
Content verified March 2026. Relocation information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, legal, or medical advice.