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Sleeping at the hospital

Inpatient units

If your child is hospitalized overnight at Boston Children's Hospital, one caregiver can stay with the child in his or her room. Chairs in most patient rooms fold out into cots, and some rooms have beds built into the window alcoves.

There are showers in each patient room for caregivers to use. Lockers and safes may be available where you can secure valuables. The unit provides towels and bed linens.

Laundry

There are free, self-service laundry facilities available for all inpatient families. Please ask the staff on your floor for laundry facility information.

Sleeping outside of the hospital

Patient Family Housing Program

The Patient Family Housing Program provides affordable accommodations to any family, parent, or guardian of a Boston Children’s Hospital patient that lives beyond 50 miles from the hospital, while their child receives the medical care they need from Boston Children’s. The program offers housing at two main locations: the Yawkey Family Inn (241 Kent St., Brookline) and the Bon (1260 Boylston St., Boston).

Both locations are wheelchair accessible; provide free internet, secured facilities, and smart TVs; and have FREE on-demand shuttle transportation to the hospital. Other amenities specific to each location include:

Yawkey Family Inn
  • Individual bedrooms with smart TVs and small refrigerators that can sleep one to four people, depending on room size
  • Comfortable communal style housing featuring a common space kitchen, living rooms, and shared, single occupancy bathrooms
  • Free laundry facilities
  • Complimentary coffee
  • 24-hour staff: The office is open every day 8:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., including holidays and weekends. Staff members are on site 24 hours a day and are available after hours for emergencies only.

Nightly rate: $30

Address: 241 Kent St., Brookline, MA 02446 (0.6 miles from the hospital)

The Bon
  • Individual apartments with private kitchen and bath that can sleep one to four people, depending on apartment size
  • Laundry facilities for a fee
  • Complimentary on-site gym access
  • Shared workspaces available within the building
  • 24-hour staff: The office is open every day 8:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., including holidays and weekends. Staff members are on site 24 hours a day and are available after hours for emergencies only.

Nightly rate: $75

Address: 1260 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215 (0.9 miles from the hospital)

How can I make a reservation?

Reservations are coordinated by housing staff between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. Aside from night-of requests, reservations are not booked on weekends or holidays. If you are submitting an application for a night-of request, please call our main reservation line immediately after you submit your application to alert staff that you have placed a time-sensitive request.

If you have not stayed with our program before or have not been here in a while, we recommend that you look through our frequently asked questions prior to submitting your application.

To make a reservation:

If you have any questions about your application and reservation request, call the main office at 617-919-3456.

PLEASE NOTE: Completing the application does not guarantee your reservation. Once your application has been received, you will be contacted by program staff within three business days.

Frequently asked questions

When can I book my reservation?

You can submit your application up to four months in advance of your hospital stay.

What is the cost to stay?

  • If you are staying at the Yawkey Family Inn, the rate is $30 per night.
  • If you are staying at the Bon, the rate is $75 per night.

If you are staying for up to a week, full payment is expected at check-in. If you are staying for more than a week, your first week’s payment is due at check-in. The remainder will be billed on a weekly basis.

How long can I stay for?

Length of eligibility is based on appointments. Families are eligible for housing up to one day before their appointment and can check out as late as the second morning after. For patients with multiple consecutive days of appointments, the check-out date is based on the last appointment.

What do I do if I end up needing accommodations for longer than originally anticipated?

Please notify housing staff immediately of any changes in reservation needs. We cannot guarantee reservation extensions, but we will do everything we can to accommodate you.

When do I check in?

Check-in for both locations is daily from 2 to 7 p.m.

You will need to speak with the housing staff to make other arrangements if you are unable to check in during these times.

When do I check out?

Check-out for both locations is at 11 a.m.

How many guests can stay in a room?

Because of Boston Children’s Hospital’s current visitor policy, we are only able to accommodate up to three guests per room. This includes the patient, if they are staying in the room. No additional guests or visitors can enter the houses at this time.

Do I need to stay in my room each night?

Yes. Our policy is that an approved guest must stay in the room each night. Due to the high demand for rooms, you must check out if you will not be staying in your room.

Can I request more than one room?

No. We can only offer one room per patient due to the high need for affordable accommodations in the area.

Are pack-and-plays and/or cots provided?

Yes. Pack-and-plays and cots are available upon request.

Are linens and towels provided?

Yes. Linens and towels are provided to each guest.

Can I do laundry?

Yes.

  • At Yawkey Family Inn: Laundry facilities (two washers, two dryers) are open for all guests to use on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests are responsible for providing their own laundry detergent. Only high-efficiency liquid detergent or pods, please.
  • At the Bon: There is a full laundry room in the building. There is a cost of $2.50 per wash and $2.50 per dry. Guests are responsible for providing their own laundry detergent.

Can I cook at the houses?

Yes.

  • At Yawkey Family Inn: There is a shared kitchen with a stove, oven, and prep surfaces. Pots, pans, and other cookware is supplied by the program and stored in the kitchen. There is a coffee station on the first floor near the office for all guests to enjoy.
  • At the Bon: Each room has a kitchenette with an induction cooktop, microwave, and oven. Rooms are supplied with baking sheets, pots, pans, plates, cups, and utensils.

Is there a place to store my food?

Yes.

  • At Yawkey Family Inn: There is a small space (approximately the size of a shoebox) in the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer for you to store food. Additionally, we are now allowing families to store food items in their room, in the closet or in-room refrigerator.
  • At the Bon: Each room has a refrigerator, freezer, and plenty of shelf storage. All rooms have a single-pod Keurig to make coffee.

Where can I store my breast milk or medications that need to be refrigerated?

We have breast milk freezers and medication refrigerators for your use at Yawkey Family Inn. Additionally, there is a mini fridge in your room/apartment for refrigerated medications.

Is there a staff member available at all times?

The office is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., including holidays and weekends. Staff is on-site 24 hours a day but is only available after hours for emergencies.

Is there a shuttle to the hospital?

Yes. There is a free, on-demand shuttle between the houses and hospital from 6:15 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call for the shuttle no less than 30 minutes before the time you need to be picked up. On holidays, weekends, and overnights (midnight to 5:45 a.m.), a free security escort is available.

 

Directions and parking

Directions

  • Yawkey Family Inn at 241 Kent St., Brookline, MA 02446: Exit the main entrance of the hospital. Turn left onto Longwood Avenue. Proceed straight for about six blocks (cross over Brookline Avenue and the Riverway). Turn left on to Kent Street. The house is number 241. Please use the side entrance.
  • The Bon at 1260 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215: Exit the main entrance of the hospital. Turn left onto Longwood Avenue. Proceed two blocks and turn right on Brookline Avenue. After 0.4 miles, take a slight right on to Boylston Street. The Bon is 0.4 miles down on the right. The building is a 17-story apartment building labeled with an orange sign above the entrance. Our program is located on the seventh floor, and you will need staff to escort you up upon arrival.

Parking

There is no parking available at either location. To load and unload your luggage, you will need to obtain a 20-minute parking pass at Yawkey Family Inn or stop at an available parking meter near the Bon. Staff can provide a cart if you need help with your luggage.

Long-term parking is available for all Boston Children’s patients and families at the Boston Children’s Garage, across from the hospital’s main entrance. The garage is open 24 hours a day. See additional information on parking at the hospital.

 

Become a Patient Family Housing Program volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Patient Family Housing Program.

Our volunteers are instrumental in helping us achieve our goal of providing a warm and supportive home-like environment for our guests. We depend on our volunteers to assist with the daily operations of the Yawkey Family Inn and the Bon. The Patient Family Housing Program accommodates up to 50 families at a time across our two locations.

Volunteer opportunities (for individuals and groups)

  • Creative groups and activities: drop off individual craft or activity bags for the families, or schedule an onsite activity with families.
  • Donate a meal for the families: We welcome catered meals, which can be delivered any day of the week.
  • Prepare a meal onsite for families.
  • Host a holiday meal for families.
  • Host a pantry drive.

If you are interested in becoming a long-term volunteer, please see if any opportunities are available through the Office of Volunteer Services at Boston Children’s Hospital.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please complete the volunteer interest form linked here. A Patient Family Housing Program staff member will contact you within two business days to discuss your interest further.

If you are unable to submit the form for any reason, please contact Sharon Healey at 617-919-3455.

Housing partners

Many local agencies provide free or low-cost accommodations specifically for families whose children are being treated in the Boston area. Please call each agency directly to find out about eligibility criteria and/or to make a reservation.

The Boston House

229 Kent St.
Brookline, MA 02446
617-734-3333

The Boston House: Hope and Healing for Children with Cancer provides no-cost accommodations for families and patients receiving oncology treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Patients must be under 21 years old, be receiving treatment for cancer or other life-threatening hematological diseases, and must live more than 40 miles outside of Boston. There is no cost for families to stay.

For more information, visit www.thebostonhouse.org.

Compass Furnished Apartments (7 day minimum required)

Phone: 866-671-1212
Email: reservations@compasscorp.com

Our Compass Cares program allows us to provide patients and families with discounted fully furnished and equipped apartments conveniently located near hospitals and medical centers.

All of our apartments are pet friendly and include Wi-Fi, fully equipped kitchens, TVs, a Roku device, housekeeping services, grocery packages, and 24/7 guest services.

See the perks of staying with Compass Furnished Apartments.

Hospitality Homes

PO Box 15265
Boston, MA 02115
1-888-595-4678

Hospitality Homes provides free to low-cost temporary housing in volunteer host homes, and other donated accommodations for families and friends of patients seeking care at Boston-area medical centers. Since 1983, Hospitality Homes’ unique, home-away-from-home lodging option has provided a caring response as well as relief from emotional and financial challenges for individuals and families. There is a suggested donation of $25 a night in host homes. The rates for other lodging options vary depending on the accommodation.

For more information, visit www.hosp.org.

Ronald McDonald House Boston Harbor

250 First Ave., #318
Charlestown, MA 02129
617-398-6458

Ronald McDonald House Boston Harbor provides low-cost accommodations for families and patients receiving treatment at Boston-area hospitals. Patients must be under 21 years old, receiving treatment at a Boston-area hospital, and must live more than 40 miles away from the house. Please contact for rates.

For more information, visit www.rmhbostonharbor.org.

Hotels

Please call for discounted medical rates.

Hotels near Boston Children's Hospital main campus

Hilton Garden Inn (1 mile)
700 Brookline Ave.
Brookline, MA 02446
617-935-0077
Booking link: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?&ctyhocn=BOSBBGI&corporateCode=2724819&flexibleDates=true

Homewood Suites by Hilton (1 mile)
111 Boylston St.
Brookline, MA 02445
617-232-1487
Booking link: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?&ctyhocn=BOSBRHW&corporateCode=0002784134

The Inn at Longwood (0.3 miles)
342 Longwood Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
617-7314700
Booking link: https://be.synxis.com/?Hotel=58219&Chain=65&promo=CHP

Residence Inn by Marriott (0.7 miles)
125 Brookline Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
617-236-8787
Book your corporate rate for Boston Children's Hospital - Patient Discount Booking Code

Hotels near the Waltham campus

Best Western Plus Waltham Boston (3 miles)
380 Winter St.
Waltham, MA 02451
781-890-7800
Booking link: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-waltham/best-western-plus-waltham-boston/propertyCode.22009.html

Hilton Garden Inn Boston/Waltham (2.9 miles)
450 Totten Pond Road
Waltham, MA 02451
781-890-0100
Booking link: https://secure3.hilton.com/en_US/gi/reservation/book.htm?ctyhocn=BOSWAGI&corporateCode=2724819&from=lnrlink [secure3.hilton.com]

Holiday Inn Express Boston-Waltham, an IHG Hotel (3 miles)
385 Winter St.
Waltham, MA 02451
781-890-2800
Website: www.holidayinnexpress.com/walthamma

  • Use code 100222347 under Corporate ID.
  • Reservations can also be made by calling our toll free reservations line at 888-465-4329 and referencing the Boston Children’s Hospital rate to book.

Courtyard by Marriott Boston Waltham (3 miles)
387 Winter St.
Waltham, MA 02451
781-419-0900
Website: www.marriott.com/boswm

  • Use code C9H under the special rates drop down Corporate/Promo
  • Reservations can also be made by calling our toll-free reservations line at 866-296-2296 and referencing the Boston Children’s Hospital rate to book.

Contact us for more information

For more information on the Patient Family Housing Program or special accommodations, please call 617-919-3456 or email us at familyhousing@childrens.harvard.edu.

For more information on local hotels, inns, and short-term rentals, please call 617-355-4626 or email us at conciergeservices@childrens.harvard.edu.

Patient Family Housing Program
Phone: 617-919-3456
Fax: 617-919-3451
Email: familyhousing@childrens.harvard.edu