Hi Victoria and welcome to this forum .....
I had translab surgery at House in May, 2011. We stayed in Seton Hall the entire 16 days we were in LA. Since we were flying cross country also, we built in 4 days ahead of surgery to do some sightseeing and then scheduled the return flight for 12 days post-op. I could easily have flown home many days earlier, but I was glad to have the extra days to do some additional sight-seeing around the area.
In May, Seton Hall was still $65 a night. They have a breakfast room, where there are two old computers (they worked fine for emails, etc.) and a printer. Our room had a small refrigerator in it. We had a lovely room with a king-sized bed (not all rooms are king-sized, however), a couch, easy chair, TV, large walk-in closet/dressing room and small bathroom (shower only). The breakfast room has a large shared refrigerator, two microwaves, and toaster oven. No regular stove. As Catherine said it is not luxurious, but certainly very quiet and comfortable. The plus to it was the interaction with other families and patients going through surgery ..... lots of support.
There is a tunnel connecting Seton Hall with St. Vincent's that was wonderful to use at night or when the weather was iffy. We, also, walked over to the Cafeteria for one meal a day at least ...... the exercise was good. Food was typical hospital cafeteria fare ...... certainly adequate for the short-term.
We did not rent a car. My husband's brother and wife drove down from northern California (they stayed in a motel about a mile away) for the first few days we were there so they made sure we had groceries for breakfast and lunch at Seton, if we did not feel like walking over to the hospital. Always Chinese or pizza carry-out delivery nearby too.
If we had to do it again, we would do exactly the same. Just be sure if you are discharged on a Saturday or Sunday, that Dr. Stefan gives you your Rxes on Friday to be able to fill them at the Clinic Pharmacy (no nearby open drug stores on the week-end).
Feel free to private message me if you have any other specific questions.
Many thoughts and prayers.
Clarice