Medical Lodging in San Antonio: Patient & Family Housing Near BAMC and Military City Hospitals
San Antonio is home to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) — the Department of Defense's largest military medical facility — along with University Hospital / UT Health San Antonio, Methodist Hospital, and the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System. The city's South Texas Medical Center district anchors most civilian hospital campuses, while BAMC and the Audie Murphy VA serve military and veteran patients on the northeast side. This guide covers every patient housing option for families traveling to San Antonio for treatment.
Whether you need hotels near BAMC San Antonio, free Fisher House lodging for military families, or affordable extended-stay housing near the South Texas Medical Center, San Antonio offers more patient lodging resources than almost any city in Texas. Known as Military City USA, San Antonio has the largest Fisher House network in the country with 106 free suites, plus Ronald McDonald House for pediatric families, medical-rate hotels along Medical Drive and Fredericksburg Road, and a future Hope Lodge for cancer patients.
Find patient housing by San Antonio hospital
Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC)
DOD's largest military medical facility, Level I trauma
Military & veteran patients
View lodging options →University Hospital / UT Health San Antonio
716-bed teaching hospital, Level I trauma center
Primary teaching hospital for UT Health SA
Methodist Hospital
Largest private hospital in South Texas
Part of Methodist Healthcare System
CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System
Children's Hospital of San Antonio
Pediatric specialty and emergency care
Medical lodging highlights — free and low-cost options in San Antonio
San Antonio's patient-lodging landscape is shaped by its large military presence. Fisher House is the dominant free-housing program here, with nine houses and 106 suites across three campuses — BAMC, the Audie L. Murphy VA, and JBSA-Lackland. That is the largest Fisher House concentration in the country.
Fisher House at BAMC
Free- 4 houses, 48 suites on BAMC campus
- Military families of patients at BAMC
- 2 houses, 32 suites at the Audie L. Murphy VA
- 3 houses, 26 suites at JBSA-Lackland
- Total SA area: 9 houses, 106 suites
- Phone: (210) 916-2785
Ronald McDonald House SA
Pediatric only- Charles Katz House, 4847 Charles Katz Dr.
- Families of patients up to age 21, living 20+ miles away
- Free to guests — donations welcome, never required
- Phone: (210) 580-9000
Hope Lodge San Antonio
Under construction- ~40 rooms — expected when complete
- Cancer patients (ACS-run), free
- Not yet open as of 2026
- Nearest: Dallas (50 rooms) or Houston (64 rooms)
Hotels near South TX Medical Center
- Multiple hotels along Medical Dr. and Fredericksburg Rd.
- Ask your hospital social worker for medical rates
- 30+ day stays qualify for ~16.75% tax exemption
San Antonio patient housing resource guides
Free Patient Housing
Every free and low-cost lodging program in Texas
TX Hotel Tax Exemption
Save ~16.75% in San Antonio on stays of 30+ days
Financial Assistance
Grants, IRS deductions, and charity programs
Social Worker Resources
Printable reference for hospital social workers
Frequently Asked Questions
What free lodging is available near San Antonio hospitals?
San Antonio has two main free lodging programs. Fisher House at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) offers 4 houses with 48 suites for military families of patients receiving care at BAMC, plus 2 Fisher Houses with 32 suites at the Audie L. Murphy VA and 3 more with 26 suites at JBSA-Lackland — 9 houses and 106 suites citywide. Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio houses families of pediatric patients at no charge; donations are welcome but never required. The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge San Antonio is currently under construction and expected to open with approximately 40 rooms.
Who is eligible for Fisher House lodging in San Antonio?
Fisher House lodging is exclusively for families of military service members and veterans receiving care at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) or the Audie Murphy VA Hospital. Active-duty families, retirees, and VA-eligible veterans' families qualify. There is no charge for Fisher House stays. Contact the BAMC Fisher House program at (210) 916-2785 for availability and referral requirements.
How do I stay at Ronald McDonald House in San Antonio?
Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio serves families of children up to age 21 receiving treatment at area hospitals, and the family must live at least 20 miles from the treatment facility. The main guest house — the Charles Katz House — is at 4847 Charles Katz Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229. A medical referral from authorized hospital staff is required, and there are no income restrictions. Stays are free to guests; donations are welcome but never required. Call (210) 580-9000 to inquire about availability.
When will Hope Lodge San Antonio open?
The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge San Antonio is under construction as of 2026 and is expected to open with approximately 40 rooms. Until it opens, the nearest Hope Lodge locations are in Dallas (50 rooms) and Houston (64 rooms). Contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 for the latest construction timeline.
Can I save on hotel taxes during a long medical stay in San Antonio?
Yes. Texas law exempts guests from the state and local hotel occupancy tax for stays of 30 consecutive days or longer at the same property. In San Antonio, the combined hotel tax rate is approximately 16.75%. On a $100/night room over 30 days, that's roughly $503 saved. This applies to hotels, extended-stay properties, and furnished apartments. Ask for the long-term stay exemption form at check-in.
By the RelocateMeTX Editorial Team · Reviewed August 2026 How we verify →
Facts on this page are checked against primary sources. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, legal, or medical advice.