Posted by Sarah on December 05, 2003 at 16:25:19:
John Behle,
Besides, putting the AF Summit report with the other referance buttons, I have another report that may be of help to some people.Another forum I am on, "Spinal Tumors", wanted people to send in their physician, places, lodging and transfer information, where they had their surgeries done. Since mine was at Cleveland Clinic, I modified it somewhat for OUR board.
Here 'tis:
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I was referred to Dr.Robert Schweikert, EP, by my neurosurgeon when I went to CC for spine surgery.The first trip to/from Cleveland from NW Arkansas for the spine surgery was by plane. We took a Taxi to the downtown Holiday Inn Lake Side, which advertized discounted rates for CC patients, and a shuttle to/from the Clinic. The shuttle did not run very frequently but with planning, we used it when possible. I spent a lot of time waiting for the shuttle. Otherwise we got a Taxi to go to/from the Clinic, and find restaurants. It was difficult and expensive.
The second trip, we drove our car, stayed at a bed and breakfast, which I would not recommend.The third trip, back at the Holiday Inn Lakeside, except we drove, and had a car....a "little" better.
The fourth and final trip was the best, and most efficient in time, effort given, and money!! I flew by myself to Cleveland, stayed at the Comfort Inn/Airport, one of several hotels like the Baymont, Holliday, Sheraton, Days Inn, near the Airport that has on call transportation to and from the Airport Terminal, whenever I needed it.
This turns out great, because the air-terminal has the connection to the RED LINE train/bus, public transportation. Some of the other hotels, like the Baymont are right across the street from one of the train stops, and you wouldn't need to go to the airport to get on, but I didn't find it a problem.
This is how I did it: I flew in the night before my appointment, and called the Comfort Inn hotel pick up van. The Comfort Inn was across the street from a choice of family restaurants. It was cleaner and newer that the down town Holiday Inn.
The next AM, (ALLOW 1HR). I took Airport transfer back to the terminal (10min or less), went down to the RED LINE entrance and bought a one day pass (24hrs,all day, anywhere) to ride the train and #6 Euclid Ave bus to Cleveland Clinic's front door, for $3:50! The train takes you from the airport to a "gorgeous" restored Union Station called Tower City about 20min.
Tower City has two beautiful European style hotels, The Four Seasons and The Ritz Carlton, (it would be fun to stay there, if money were no object). Along with restaurants, upscale stores, Movie Theater, food court, kiosks. If you can get through that area without stopping, you take escalator/elevator to exit onto the main level, where the busses stop every 15min. Everything is marked quite clearly.
Take #6 Euclid Ave North, going, and South #6 coming back from the clinic. The ride to CC @ 9500 Euclid Ave. is about 20min. I was early for my appointment with Dr.Schweikert.
When you get off the bus, there is about a 1/4 block walk through their park like entrance to the main entrance. Right inside is the information/registration desk and lovely little quiet, Chapel. This is also where the wheel chair attendants are.
You can spend the day there comfortably, between tests/appointments, with nice lobby areas to rest, good cafeteria, McDonald's, chapel, gift shop, fine art and quality craft displays for entertainment.
When I was ready to go back to the hotel near the airport, I was tired, but wanted to celebrate my Atrial Fibrillation cure by doing something special! Even though they had discovered a new growth on my spine, I wanted to celebrate the end to 25-30yrs of Atrial Fib/Tachycardia!
So, I took the bus back South, got off at Tower City (old Union Station), went to the Ritz Carlton and had "high tea" served in the "Library with a fire place". Got on the Red Line train, and went back to the airport...called for my ride back to the hotel, and went to bed. If I had stayed at one of the hotels that had access to a Red Line train entrance, I wouldn't have needed the airport/transfer step.
I left the next morning at 6:15am for home. Two nights of hotel, plane fare bought at reduced rate, and my meals, cost around $400-$450. Which cost us about the same, or a little less, than when we drove from Arkansas!
It was actually kind of fun! Clevelands public transportation is nicer that most city's. Being a woman, traveling alone, one needs to be "aware" and street smart, but at no time did I feel uncomfortable.
I was able to research online from home; Cleveland Ohio..Red Line Transportation, and found quite a bit of information on the city, and getting around, even printed out bus schedules. There were phone numbes, one could call for specific info too.
Hope this is of some use to others.
Sarah