The Doorways

Lots of kind people here. A much needed place to stay while getting treatment at VCU.

This is such a wonderful facility with an amazing, caring and helpful staff. It's a place for patients and their families to stay during treatment, sort of like a Ronald McDonald House. You need a referral from your doctor then you can simply check in with your photo ID. It's very easy. There is a $30 deposit but if you don't have the money to pay it they will allow you to stay anyway. Even though it costs them about $50 per day for each guest they only ask a fee of $18. As you would expect, if you can't pay they aren't going to kick you out so you will still have a room. Their website says they provide a healing, emotionally supportive environment for those who need to be close to the hospital but not far from the feeling of "home." This is not mere lip service, they take their mission seriously.

How can they afford to carry out their mission and maintain the facility? They are supported by grants and donations. They also have occasional fundraisers. The staff is made up of a few paid employees and large staff of volunteers. Various community organizations donate meals and their time to The Doorways. There are several kitchens throughout the facility and guests are able to prepare their own food if they wish. The refrigerators, freezers and cupboards are kept stocked and guests are free to enjoy the contents. In addition to the kitchens there are many small common areas where guests may comfortably entertain visitors. There is a shuttle
that runs between the hospital and The Doorways so you don't have to suffer the burden of driving the confusing maze of streets many of which are one way.

My cousin recently underwent a serious procedure at the VCU Medical Center. She and her husband live in West Virginia so The Doorways was a real blessing to them which relieved them of the burden of hotel expenses and navigating to and from the hospital. I live in Chesapeake and was able to make the drive to Richmond and have a wonderful visit in a very relaxed and comfortable setting. Other family members were also able to enjoy visits at The Doorways. I am just so thankful for the existence of this amazing organization and the wonderful work they do.

I gave Doorways five stars not because it is an upscale facility but for the purpose it serves and it serves its purpose very well. Initially, I was skeptical about staying there. However, after A day or so I realized that it does not exist to impress but to serve a purpose for those that are being treated for an illness or have a love one that is being treated. The people that work there and those that reside there made my stay a memorable experience. The staff there makes an effort to ensure the facility was clean and the needs of the residents are met. Doorways definitely left a lasting impression with me and I thank them for that.

This place will always hold a special place in me and my family's hearts. Pay what you can to stay at a place close to the hospital with dedicated floors for transplant patients (my partner) and pediatric patients. There are kitchens available for all guests to use with a walk in refrigerator and freezer stocked by donations. There is also a free shuttle to take you back and forth to the hospital. Free WiFi, HD TV's, mini refrigerators and microwaves in each room. The pediatric and transplant floors also have dedicated kitchens and laundry rooms for guest use. The staff here are all incredible people. The make our stay here feel like a home away from home.

This is a great place to stay when being hospitalized at VCU Health. Staff is very nice and helpful. It's a non profit he hospitality house. Snail daily donation is encouraged. But no one is turned down as long as there is room.

We stayed here and the dirt drove us away. We came at the expense of the hospital to treat a serious illness. Rather than focusing on that we were blindsided by the dirty, sticky floors, blood stained sheets, clogged sinks and tubs, and huge amounts of dust and dirt in the vents (which should violate safety/health codes). The staff was nice and put in trouble tickets, but the maintenance here was horrible. There should be no way a place that harbors sick individuals should have filthy HVAC systems or vents throughout.This caused us to actually get sicker and we had to leave due to a spike in our respiratory issues because of the lack of cleanliness. This place has good intentions (maybe) with little follow through where it really counts. As an outsider looking in it is wonderful but if it does not safely house its guests, especially the I'll persons that it prides itself on supporting, all of the other amenities are voided.

We have stayed at Doorways on several occasions for various lengths of time. We have had no problems with the rooms nor anything else. Yes sometimes it was difficult to get into our out of the Van's but they were happy to help get in and out or even other passengers would also help. Don't know what they could do to make it easier to get in or out but they are helpful. As far as refrigerator went you need to consider how many people are getting things in and out of them and we have never found them that dirty. Doorways does a good job keeping rooms cleaned and available for the guests.

This place doesn't get the 5 stars for being a top notch resort- it's not. At least in appearances. In every other way, it's wonderful. I drove in from philly to be with my dad whose house is an hour and a half away. Rather than drive back and forth each day, I figured id get a hotel which I really can't afford right now. A nurse suggested the Hospitality House. I didn't even know places like this existed. There are just good people behind this operation. My stay will cost what I want it too, anywhere from zero to infinity. There's a shuttle to take me to and from my dad, I've got a tv, wifi, and a book from their library. I'm just so happy that good people and good things like this exist.