Key points

  • Accommodation is needed before admission, for attendants during the stay, and often for the patient after discharge.
  • Distance to the hospital, accessibility and food matter more than star ratings.
  • Book flexibly: the length of stay often changes.

Most treatment journeys involve three kinds of stay: a few nights before admission for tests and consultations, a place for attendants while the patient is in hospital, and often a recovery stay after discharge before the patient is ready to travel home. Each has slightly different needs.

What matters most

Distance. Families make the trip between the accommodation and the hospital several times a day. A short, reliable journey matters more than almost anything else.

Accessibility. After discharge, the patient may use a wheelchair or walk slowly. Check for lifts, step-free access, bathroom grab rails and space to move around.

Food. Patients often have dietary instructions after treatment, and attendants need regular meals. A kitchenette or nearby options that suit the family’s diet help over a longer stay.

Flexibility. Hospital stays change. Book with the option to extend or shorten.

Quiet. Recovery needs rest. A quiet room matters more than facilities the family will not use.

Types of accommodation

  • Hotels and guest houses near the hospital. Many large hospitals have accommodation within walking distance that is used to hosting patients’ families.
  • Serviced apartments. Often practical for longer stays and larger families, with a kitchen and more space.
  • Hospital attendant facilities. Some hospitals have facilities for one attendant to stay with the patient. Ask what is available, as described in questions to ask before choosing a hospital.

Recovery stays

After discharge, the treating team may want the patient to stay nearby for follow-up visits before travelling home. The length depends on the treatment and on how recovery goes. Ask the team early so that accommodation can be planned. Read after discharge: recovery and follow-up.

For international families

International patients usually arrive a day or more before admission and stay after discharge until the treating doctor confirms they are fit to fly. See arriving in India for treatment.

We arrange accommodation as part of treatment coordination, based on the patient’s needs and the family’s preferences.