Hospitals turn to hotels to house traveling patients, medical professionals

As more people travel to receive healthcare, the hospitality industry has gotten wind of the trend and is situating more hotels near hospitals.

For instance, the Edge Hotel opened about a block away from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, which is located in an area where visiting patients often had trouble finding nearby lodgings, according to an article from The New York Times.

Ari Sherizen, the operating partner of Edge Property Group, which developed the hotel, said that much of its high occupancy can be traced back to the hospital. About 90% of its customers have had some connection to the hospital, including visiting professors and potential medical students, he said.

Other hospitals are taking a more direct approach to offering more lodgings, according to the article. The Cleveland Clinic, for instance, leased land to a developer to open a hotel on its property. The Holiday Inn Cleveland Clinic is designed to cater to a variety of conditions, as well. Tables are at varied heights to accommodate people who might be in wheelchairs, and rooms have more outlets in case guests need to plug in additional equipment like respirators.

The Cleveland Clinic and patients also benefit from reduced costs. A night’s stay at the hospital could cost as much as $2,500, while a night at the hotel is $250 or less. The property also has another hotel, the Intercontinental Suites Hotel, that offers wellness programs to target medical tourists.

Hospitals are experimenting with a number of trends from the hospitality industry to improve patient satisfaction and drive business. Luxurious upgrades like 24-hour room service, private rooms and in-room spa treatments improve the patient experience and offer an easy marketing tool.