A few weeks back, my son’s pediatrician told us he might have a condition that couldn’t be diagnosed in our small city and that we needed to take him to St. Louis Children’s Hospital to see a specialist.

Of course our first thoughts were for our boy—no parent ever wants to hear the words “children’s hospital” and “breathing issue” in the same sentence.

Once we got over our initial shock, we started planning our trip, which would require a three-hour car ride with our infant and our 3-year-old daughter.

That meant at least one night in a hotel.

Logistics are the last thing you want to think about when your kid is facing a potentially serious medical diagnosis. Not to mention that, in today’s world, medical costs are mounting. So not only are you concerned about your baby, you also are worried about how you will pay for it all—the co-pays, the gas or plane tickets for the trip, the restaurant and the hotel room.

Hotel Deals for Family Hospital Stays

Fortunately, there are resources for families who need a place to stay near their child’s medical caregivers. Lots of hotels offer special rates for patients of nearby hospitals.

Hotel Nexis in Seattle offers a special block of rooms for patients of that city’s medical centers, along with a complimentary shuttle service to and from area hospitals. The Drury Inn and Suites St. Louis also has a special rate for families of patients, and the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh is a luxury inn that offers a rate of $99 per night for patients of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and their families.

If you are unsure where to stay and whether or not special rates are offered, ask the hospital staff, or do a quick Google search with the name of your hospital and the phrase “special hotel rates.”

Our son is fine, and he saw a doctor here at home. But I rest a little easier knowing that if we ever do need to travel for medical reasons, finding a hotel room will be the least of our concerns.