Lodging Near Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center: Free Programs, Hotels & Furnished Apartments
Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center is an 881-bed teaching hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center. It is home to the Texas Heart Institute (THI) — one of the world's top cardiovascular centers, pioneering heart transplantation, ventricular assist devices, and minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Baylor St. Luke's is part of the St. Luke's Health system and is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For patients and families traveling to Houston for cardiac care, transplant evaluation, or complex surgery, this guide covers every lodging option within reach of the hospital.
Quick Facts — Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center
Why patients travel to Baylor St. Luke's
Baylor St. Luke's draws patients from across the country — and internationally — primarily for cardiac and transplant care. The Texas Heart Institute has performed more than 100,000 open-heart surgeries, pioneered the first successful total artificial heart implantation in the United States, and remains one of the highest-volume heart transplant programs in the nation.
Heart transplant
One of the top-volume programs in the U.S. Wait times vary — patients must stay within 2 hours of the hospital.
Ventricular assist devices (VADs)
LVAD implantation as bridge-to-transplant or destination therapy. Requires extended follow-up near TMC.
Liver & kidney transplant
Multi-organ transplant program. Evaluation period typically requires 1-2 weeks on-site, with ongoing follow-up.
Complex cardiac surgery
Aortic repair, valve replacement, TAVR, and minimally invasive cardiac procedures. Hospital stays typically 5-14 days.
Free and low-cost lodging
Hospitality Apartments
Free46 fully furnished one-bedroom apartments at 7300 Bertner Avenue — a short walk from Baylor St. Luke's. Rent-free with a nonrefundable cleaning fee of approximately $100-$140 at check-in.
- Who qualifies: Any medical condition. Must be receiving treatment at any TMC facility. Must live 50+ miles from TMC.
- Caregiver: Required — must be present 24/7 for entire stay.
- How to apply: Self-referral accepted. Call (713) 790-9120. Must call every 4 weeks to remain on waitlist.
- Waitlist: Typically 2-3 months due to high demand.
- Stay limits: Minimum 2 weeks, maximum 3 months.
- Amenities: Full in-unit kitchen, free laundry, free parking, MD Anderson shuttle (Mon-Fri), WiFi, wheelchair accessible.
Phone: (713) 790-9120 (Mon-Fri, 9 AM-5 PM)
Hope Lodge Houston
Free Cancer patients onlyThe American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge has 64 private suites near the TMC. Completely free for adult cancer patients in active outpatient treatment.
- Who qualifies: Adult cancer patients in active outpatient treatment at a TMC-area center. Must live 40+ miles from treatment facility.
- Caregiver: One caregiver per patient; strongly encouraged.
- How to apply: Referral from your social worker or treatment team required.
- Waitlist: Common — can be days to several weeks. Apply as early as possible.
- Amenities: Communal kitchen with designated storage, free laundry, free parking, shuttle to TMC, WiFi.
Phone: (713) 848-8905 · ACS helpline: 1-800-227-2345
Dan's House of Hope
FreeFree housing for young adult cancer patients ages 18-39 receiving treatment at any TMC institution. Located at 4917 Jackson Street near the medical center.
- Who qualifies: Cancer patients ages 18-39 receiving active treatment at any TMC facility.
- Stay limits: Minimum 3 nights.
- How to apply: Contact Dan's House directly or through your hospital social worker.
- Amenities: Furnished rooms, communal kitchen, laundry, WiFi.
Phone: (713) 239-3464 · Address: 4917 Jackson St, Houston, TX 77004
Aishel House
~$50/night23 furnished apartments near the Texas Medical Center. Open to patients of any faith or background — operated by Chabad but serves everyone.
- Cost: Approximately $50/night, with financial assistance available for those who qualify.
- Who qualifies: Any TMC patient or family member. No diagnosis restriction.
- How to apply: Call directly or through hospital social worker referral.
- Amenities: Furnished apartments, kosher kitchen, laundry, WiFi, free parking.
Phone: (713) 522-2004 · Address: 1955 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77030
Hotels with medical rates
Several hotels near the Texas Medical Center offer discounted rates for patients and families. Joe's House (joeshouse.org | 877-563-7468) maintains negotiated corporate codes at major hotel chains. Ask your Baylor St. Luke's social worker for the hospital's partner hotel list — some properties offer additional discounts for St. Luke's patients specifically.
| Hotel | Rate | Distance to St. Luke's | Key Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Medical Center | ~$195-219/night | 0.3 miles | Shuttle, skybridge to Methodist |
| Hilton Plaza Medical Center | ~$129-159/night | 0.5 miles | Shuttle, parking |
| Westin Houston Medical Center | ~$189/night | 0.4 miles | Shuttle, near METRORail |
| Extended Stay America | ~$61-104/night | 2-3 miles | Full kitchen, free parking |
All rates are approximate and subject to change. Always call the hotel to confirm current pricing.
Furnished apartments for extended stays
Cardiac and transplant patients at Baylor St. Luke's often need lodging for weeks to months. A furnished apartment with a full kitchen, in-unit laundry, and covered parking is significantly more practical than a hotel for these extended stays — especially for heart transplant candidates who may wait months for a donor organ while staying within 2 hours of the hospital.
For stays of 30 or more consecutive days at the same property, the Texas hotel tax exemption eliminates state and local hotel occupancy taxes — saving up to 17% in Houston. On a 90-day stay at $120/night, that's over $1,800 in tax savings.
Cardiac patients: If you're on a transplant waiting list, ask your social worker about lodging programs specifically for transplant candidates. Some programs prioritize patients who need to remain near the hospital for extended periods. A furnished apartment with a month-to-month lease gives you the flexibility to extend as needed without breaking a long-term contract.
What your stay will actually cost
| Option | Nightly Cost | 30-Day Cost | Kitchen | Shuttle | Referral |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality Apts | Free (+~$140 fee) | ~$140 total | Full | MDA M-F | Self-referral OK |
| Hope Lodge | Free | Free | Communal | TMC shuttle | Social worker |
| Dan's House of Hope | Free | Free | Communal | No | Ages 18-39 only |
| Aishel House | ~$50 | ~$1,500 | Full (kosher) | No | Self-referral OK |
| Hotel (med rate) | $89-200 | $2,670-6,000 | Rarely | Varies | No |
| Extended Stay | $61-104 | $1,830-3,120 | Full | No | No |
| Furnished Apt | $100-150 | $3,000-4,500* | Full | No | No |
*30-day rate with TX hotel tax exemption applied. All rates approximate — call to confirm.
Tips for cardiac and transplant patients
If you're on a transplant waiting list, stay within 2 hours of the hospital. When a donor organ becomes available, you must arrive quickly. Choose lodging in the TMC area or along a direct highway route to minimize response time.
Plan for a longer stay than your initial estimate. Transplant timelines are unpredictable. Choose month-to-month housing rather than fixed-term leases so you can extend without penalty.
Ask your social worker about all options on day one. Baylor St. Luke's Patient Services can submit referrals for free housing programs and connect you with financial assistance programs.
A full kitchen matters for cardiac patients. Heart-healthy, low-sodium meals are essential during recovery. Eating out makes dietary compliance much harder. Prioritize lodging with a full kitchen.
If staying 30+ days, claim the Texas hotel tax exemption. It saves up to 17% — hundreds to thousands of dollars on extended cardiac care stays.
More Houston medical lodging guides
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Lodging for cancer patients — Hope Lodge, Rotary House, Halo House
Houston Methodist
Cardiology, neurology, and orthopedic patient lodging
Memorial Hermann
Trauma, transplant, and neuroscience patient lodging
Texas Children's Hospital
Pediatric patient and family lodging near TMC
Cancer Patient Housing Guide
Every free and low-cost housing program for cancer patients in Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free lodging near Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center?
Yes. Several free programs serve patients at Baylor St. Luke's. The Hospitality Apartments at 7300 Bertner Avenue offer 46 free furnished apartments for any TMC patient who lives 50+ miles away (one-time cleaning fee of $100-$140). Hope Lodge Houston provides 64 free suites for adult cancer patients. For young adults ages 18-39, Dan's House of Hope offers free housing. All programs have waitlists — apply as early as possible.
How much does lodging cost near Baylor St. Luke's in Houston?
Costs range from free to about $200/night. Free programs include Hospitality Apartments and Hope Lodge (cancer patients only). Low-cost options like Aishel House charge approximately $50/night. Hotels with medical rates through Joe's House run $89-200/night. Furnished apartments for stays of 30+ days cost $100-150/night and qualify for the Texas hotel tax exemption, saving up to 17%.
What is the Texas Heart Institute and where is it located?
The Texas Heart Institute (THI) is one of the world's leading cardiovascular research and treatment centers. It is physically located inside Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center at 6720 Bertner Avenue in the Texas Medical Center. THI pioneered total artificial heart implantation and has performed more heart transplants than nearly any other U.S. program. Patients referred to THI use the same lodging options as Baylor St. Luke's patients.
How long do heart transplant patients typically stay near Baylor St. Luke's?
Heart transplant patients should plan for an extended stay. The wait for a donor heart can range from days to several months — patients must remain within 2 hours of the hospital during this period. After transplant surgery, patients typically stay in the hospital for 1-3 weeks, followed by 2-3 months of frequent outpatient follow-up visits near the medical center. Total lodging needs often range from 3 to 6 months.
Does Baylor St. Luke's have a hospital social worker who can help with lodging?
Yes. Baylor St. Luke's Patient Services department has social workers who specialize in helping patients find lodging. They maintain lists of partner hotels with medical rates, can submit referrals for free housing programs like Hope Lodge and Hospitality Apartments, and can connect you with financial assistance programs. Call (832) 355-1000 and ask for Patient Services or Social Work.
Can I save on hotel taxes during a long stay near Baylor St. Luke's?
Yes. Texas law exempts stays of 30 or more consecutive days at the same property from state and local hotel occupancy taxes — up to 17% in Houston. On a $120/night room over 60 days, this saves over $1,200. The exemption applies to hotels, extended-stay properties, and furnished apartments. Ask the front desk for the long-term stay exemption form at check-in.
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.