Hotel Accomodation Reviews for Step 2 CS Exam Centers

ATLANTA CENTER HOTELS

2005-10-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

HOTEL: RAMADA INN

Submitted by : Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, MD
Exam Date : Oct. 2005
I paid: $53 per day (including taxes)
Hotel Shuttle: Free from airport to hotel.
Travel to center : I walked - 5 Minutes!!
Hotel Pros : Very near to the center.
Hotel Cons : Dont accept credit cards, need to take cash.
My Vote : Strongly recommend hotel for Step 2 CS takers.

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HOTEL : DAY'S INN

This is an excellent review and description provided a good friend I met on Orkut - Waqas Tariq, MD and I am plugging that here verbatim:

"In atlanta I stayed at Day's Inn Hotel.
The airport is BIG and airport trains take you to the terminals, where you collect your baggage. after going outside the terminal you see a sign on your right which says Taxis/ Hotel shuttles. keep walking on your right side and you will see a gray wall...behind it the shuttles are parked in a pink section which is very clearly marked at the arrivals area in the airport. At this pink section, you will wait for your respective hotel shuttle to arrive or you can call your hotel to send the shuttle for you. Also, if you intend to book a hotel when you reach atlanta, just where the baggage claim is, there is a free phone for numerous hotels in atlanta, just call them, ask fares and go to them via their shuttle.

Day's Inn Hotel is at 5 min walking distance from the center. Dont forget to ask for CS concession :-D. I stayed at $60/night in a double bedroom. It was very close to Airport ( 3.2 miles) and was quite a nice, clean place and served good breakfast and had Mc Donalds just next to it. For meat eaters it is ideal place, as for me, I was quite contended with the fish burger at Mc Donalds.

I also had terrible experiences with Delta air line as my baggaged got delayed and I had to wait for 6 hours on the airport waiting for my baggage. Keep your baggage as a hand carry if possible otherwise use continental airways :D Luckily I have this careful nature and I kept the permit with me alongwith some important stuff in a hand bag. So, I wasnt that worried and I came a day earlier to the city so that I can adjust there.... :)

But still I am quite depressed. I will be needing a lot of prayers from you guys :) please do so if this helped you. "

Well, many must have many prayed then..he he .....Coz he passed ! Congrats Waqas , and thanks for this exceedingly detailed description.

PHILADELPHIA CENTER HOTELS

2005-10-18T00:50:00.000-07:00

HOTEL: HILTON GARDEN INN

Submitted by: Mufurc, MD
Exam Date: Oct. 2005
I paid: $110.00/night
How far from Airport: 30min by shuttle (Philly Int. airport)
Travel to center: 2 min. by cab
Shuttle to exam-center: $8.00, good but might take longer if there are many passengers
Special rates for CS takers: NO
How did you travel to center + fare: Took a cab, it was ~10$
Hotel Pros: clean, convenient, reliable, in the historical city center, close to everything if you wish to see the city to unwind... 12.
Hotel Cons: nothing really, maybe the price
My Advise: Absolutely recommend this hotel. excellent location, nice size room, very convenient. It's also next to the reading terminal, so if you travel by train it is again very convenient.
Others words: I really liked Philly, if you can afford it, stay for an extra day and explore the city. There is a lot to do there, it is a very cultural city with great spirit and excellent cuisine!!

[coming soon...]

Google Keywords to this blog article:

- "hotels in philadelphia for the csa exams"

CHICAGO CENTER HOTELS

2005-10-17T00:42:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Andromeda (see in the comments below) for the great info about Hotel Ramada Plaza [Formerly called Clarion]
Call for USMLE Discount: 773-693-5800
Address: Clarion Barcelo Hotel Chicago O Hare,
5615 N Cumberland Ave, Chicago, IL 60631
Google Maps

And Thanks to Zindagani ( great name - lol) for info about Ramada Inn

While we await more reviews submission - Here's another tip posted on a forum recently :

"Hotel Marriott o'hare. Its just 0.02 miles (2 mins walking distance) frm the center. Its a nice hotel and not too expensive either.They have their own shuttle from airport to hotel every 15-20 mins. If you go through the USMLE.org website - they offer an examinee discount too"

[Coming Soon...]

HOUSTON CENTER HOTELS

2005-10-15T22:44:00.000-07:00

HOTEL AMERISUITES

Submitted by: Ivan, MD
Exam Taken: Oct ' 2005
I Paid: $ 60.00 (Booked thru Expedia site)
Shuttle: Yes - Free, To-n-Fro Airport & Exam Center
Travel To Center: Hotel Shuttle, Free, 10 mins. (return too)
Hotel Pros: I liked it
Hotel Cons: None
Advice: Let the receptionist know in advance about your shuttle need for the exam.

HOTEL DAY'S INN:

Recently, a friend stayed at the Day's Inn Hotel which is about 5 miles from the Houston Center. Here's the link to the Day's Inn Google Maps - Also it is cheaper [about 45$ to 50$]
And Here's the link to Day's Inn Hotel itself with Phone Numbers..

[ more coming soon...]

LOS ANGELES CENTER HOTELS

2005-10-12T01:12:00.000-07:00

Where to stay at Los Angeles (LA) For Step 2 CS ?
Here are some places to consider :

Hotel Hacienda at Los Angeles - is about 10 minutes walk from the Los Angeles Examination Center ,
Cost - about 100 $ a night
www.haciendahotel.com : (310) 615-0015

Here's an experience submitted by Keshav Parthasarthy, MD about Hotel Hacienda:

Name: Keshav Parthasarathy
Exam centre : Los Angeles
Date: 15 july 2006
Result: passed
Rent: 85 $ /day
Experience: The hotel is the perfect location for the LA Step 2 CS test centre . It is exactly midway between the airport and the test centre . They have a shuttle service from the airport to the hotel which is hardly 5 mins away from the LAX airport. The room was quite comfortable and peaceful - you have starbucks right opposite the hotel so early morning breakfast was not a a problem !! The test centre itself is about 800 meters from the hotel and clearly visible from the hotel . I walked to the center, which helped me focus and maintain my composure . If you drive down to the hotel, parking may be an issue as we had a problem with parking my friend's car (the parking lot was almost full) . Otherwise, it's almost perfect for the test centre . Hope this information helps

Great Work Keshav !

Hotel Homestead also at a walkable distance from the center , heard its cheaper.
Site: www.Homesteadhotels.com : 310-607-4000

Hotel DoubleTree is a couple of blocks away from the center : Cost - 90$ to 100$ a night
www.doubletree.com : 310-322-0999
Click here for Directions using Google Map