Accommodations Near St. Joe's Hamilton

I'm hopeful that my surgery will happen before summer, so in preparation I'm hoping that you can provide this Northerner with some info.

1.  What hotels are near St. Joe's?  Everything I've found appears to be over by McMaster - is there a place you can recommend that's closer to St. Joe's.  How far is it between the two sites?

2.  Since we'll have to hang around for a few days, do you know if Toronto or Oshawa is too far away - I have nieces in both places with whom we could stay, but I don't know if it's close enough.

3.  During the post-op stay, if we're in a hotel, what kind of equipment would we need to have on hand - do I need a blender?  That sort of thing.

4.  What's the best way to get from either airport to Hamilton?  I know there's taxi and limo, but is there anything else that's less costly?

5.  Is driving there and back an option?  We're coming from Thunder Bay, so it's one l-o-n-g day of driving, but better done in 2 days - I think total is about 18 hours driving.  Is this too much to take on after surgery?

Since I don't know anything about the area, I'm glad to have this board to turn to.  Thanks for the help.

There is a Howard Johnson's close to the hospital that offers a weekly rate of $299 I believe.  Toronto and Oshawa are more than an hour away from Hamilton, probably closer to 2 with traffic.  You probably won't need a blender because you will be on fluids for the first week anyway.  You can rent a car from the airport, maybe catch a bus but I think taxi would be your best bet.  Driving back before your first follow up appointment probably won't be a good idea just in case you run into problems.  You would be too far away to get help if you need it.  Hope that's helpful. :)  

http://www.hojo.com/HowardJohnson/control/Booking/property_i nfo?propertyId=32482
It's driving distance to the hospital, probably about 10 minutes away.

 Yes the Howard Johnson is a good place to stay thats where I stayed when I went to meet the surgeon..I'm booking a room for a week when I go for my surgery

Tammy

 and i so can't wait Miss Tammy, we will have to go hang out at the beach this time, its  so nice there  in May.

Joy

 Well hopefully it will be at the beginning of May like Krista said..But what the heck is with these posts i know i commented a hour ago and its saying I posted 7  hours ago haha

 hahaha i donno..

Thanks for the great info both here and in personal messages.  Looks like we'll fly, and there's a couple of hotels I'll check out.  Let's get this ball rolling, Hamilton, as I'm ready and waiting for my teleconference, and definitely ready for surgery.  Let's do this before the end of June, okay!!?!  Hopefully my telebegging will make the phone ring!  Have a great day, everyone.

It depends on where in Toronto your niece is.  I work downtown and can make the drive in little over an hour (off rush hour).  If you're looking to the east end, add about 15 - 25 min. (depending on where in the east end you're talking about).

Oshawa is about 1 1/2 hrs from Hamilton via the 401, but again, it depends on where in Oshawa, and of course, traffic.

You could rent a car from Hamilton or Toronto airports, or catch a bus from Toronto.  Not sure if there's a shuttle bus from Hamilton, but I would assume there is.

I definitely wouldn't try an 18 hr car ride immediately after surgery.  It's going to be bad enough for me just travelling 10 minutes, I'm sure, when my time comes.

HTH and Good luck.

Hey Megan there are a few of us from TBAY on here i too have been contemplating the drive vs fly and have decided fly it shall be

OK dumb question and none of my bus... but ... does this flight come out of your own pocket??