Man plans to live out 'golden' age at Holiday Inn instead of retirement home
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
A man on the brink of retirement found an alternative way to live out his "golden" years: by spending them in a Holiday Inn rather than a retirement home . Spring, Texas, resident Terry Robison, 64, worked out a detailed comparison between the two options, and the mid-priced hotel chain appeared to win out by a landslide.
Robison wrote on Facebook that the average cost of nursing home care is about $188 per day. A long-term stay with a senior discount at Holiday Inn, on the other hand, is $59.23 per day. "That leaves $128.77 a day for lunch and dinner in any restaurant we want, or room service, laundry, gratuities and special TV movies," he wrote. "Plus, they provide a spa, swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge and washer-dryer, etc."
The benefits of Holiday Inn, Robison added, also include free toothpaste, razors, shampoo and soap. An additional $5 a day in tips will "have the entire staff scrambling to help you" as well, he wrote.
"They treat you like a customer, not a patient," he said.
Holiday Inn also provides a spa, swimming pool, gym, lounge and washer-dryers, but the amenities don't stop there. The location where Robison checked out reservations has a city bus stop right in front, where seniors can ride for free. In addition, guests can "take the airport shuttle bus" to eat at one of the restaurants at the local airport for "a change of scenery," he wrote. From there, they can take a flight to another Holiday Inn as well, he mused. "You're not stuck in one place forever -- you can move from Inn or Inn, or even from city to city," he wrote.
The competition to find a comfortable room isn't as steep either, Robison wrote. "It takes months to get into decent nursing homes ," he wrote. "Holiday Inn will take your reservation today." And the maintenance is virtually nonexistent, Robison figured. "TV broken? Light bulbs need changing? Need a mattress replaced? No problem," Robison wrote. "They fix everything, and apologize for the inconvenience."
Robison did not mention what kind of health he is in, but said staff like a security guard or maid could check to see if he is OK as well as call an ambulance or an undertaker, whichever is needed. "If you fall and break a hip, Medicare will pay for the hip, and Holiday Inn will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life," he wrote, adding that he'd face his "golden age" with "a grin."
A representative for InterContinental Hotels Group, which Holiday Inn is a subsidiary of, did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
Tags
Who is online
197 visitors
Interesting choice, definitely thinking outside the box
I say why not. Room service, cleaning service. Hotel amenities. Meeting people at the hotel bar.
That may serve in the short term, but I do not believe that the cleaning service covers Pamper changing. Hope the room attendant gets a large tip:)
His is actually a good plan. Amenities like a free continental breakfast included. He is on to something here.
I think a cruise might be a better option. Doctor on board. All food is included, as well as loads of free entertainment.
And you can join one of the clubs and get reduced rates after a number of cruises.
Cruises themselves are expensive, senior discount or not.
5 night cruise out of Galveston on Royal Caribbean starting at $352.
That includes food and non-alcoholic drinks.
$70 per day including meals is pretty darn cheap.
Even at $100 per day, still only $36,500 per year for lodging, food and entertainment. No utility bills, no car or car insurance.
Another interesting option. My dad loves his cruises (5 or 6 a year), my time on navy ships kinda ruined my ability to appreciate cruising.
A con that I think would keep me from choosing either would be the transient nature of other people, there would be a lack of opportunity to form closer friendships
There are some people who take multiple cruises a year.
And many cruise ships have the same basic crews running the same routes.
I get your point about longer term relationships, though!
But a hotel would be even worse in that regard, I think. Most only stay a night or two in a Holiday Inn.
At least you could take week-long cruises.
Not a bad idea either. At least a cruise ship goes to destinations.
That's not a bad deal for a cruise.
The largest private residential ship on the planet, The World is home to only 165 Residences. Residents & Guests spend extensive time exploring the most exotic and well-traveled destinations, and return onboard to a lifestyle that exists nowhere else on earth.
Actually, I found one for even less. I like Royal Caribbean even if they are a little more expensive because they have less kids on their cruises. Lots of families go on Carnival.
I haven't been on a cruise in years. Maybe it's time to start planning one?
I recommend a Mediterranean cruise. Absolutely the best cruise I have ever been on. Especially for an intelligent person like you who can imagine what it must have been like in places like ancient Athens. ( We use Princess Cruises but Texan is right ... Royal Caribbean is good too )
Thanks for the tip. I've done the requisite Bahamas cruise.
You are far too kind.
My wife and I have cruised the med a number of times. What we enjoy is not the large cruise ships but the small boats. We sailed the Dalmatian coast of Yugoslavia in a 20 passenger motor sailor. Left Dubrovnik and sailed for 14 days bouncing between the islands and the coast cities all the way to Opatia. We did the same in Greece on three different trips and also along the coast of Turkey..
To me the small vessel be it a motor sailor or sail boat is really a great way to do.
We also did it in the Caribbean on the Yankee Clipper a 199 foot sail boat. Left Fort de France in Martinique and sailed down to the Grenadines and back...A really wonderful trip.
While a Med cruise would be quite interesting another option that can be interesting that I think fewer people are aware of is river cruising. The Rhine, Danube, Nile historically humanity has always migrated to rivers so there's lots of interesting stops and sights. My Nile cruise was amazing every day there was a new temple, market, site to see and visit.
Though not a fan of either option I agree a hotel would be worse in that regard
Sounds great! We are scheduled for a northern Europe cruise (all the way to St Petersburg) later this year. Our Mediterranean cruise was on one of the larger Princess ships (which we like). This trip will be on one of the smallest. The alternative was a river cruise boat. So I am happy to hear that you find the smaller vessels to be enjoyable.
It is hard to beat the Mediterranean cruises given the ports of call. The history and culture are so rich (and diverse). Read up on your history before you go and you will get so much more out of it. ( The Romans were awesome. )
Agreed. We seriously considered the river cruises for this year. We likely will take one later on.
We love the smaller boats, motor sailors or pure sail boats. 20 to 30 passengers and we could and did pull into ports that the cruise ships cannot get into. It gave us amazing contact with the history and people of the countries.
I've not been on a river boat cruise in Europe, but some friends have and rave about them
Our next river boat cruise will be up the Columbia River and through the Columbia Gorge next year.
If you want a real adventure try a long tail boat down the Kok river in northern Thailand. You leave from Chiang Mai and head to Chiang Rai and points beyond. 2 to 4 people on the boat with one guide. You sleep on the shore line or in native villages. It's right through the middle of the ''Golden Triangle''.....We took the river as far as the Laos border but did not cross into Laos...
Our method thus far has been to enjoy the amenities of the larger ships and then go aggressive on the ports of call. We favor the hiking, helicopter, train, long walking tours, small boat tours, etc. We avoid bus tours like the plague.
Basically we want to be as active as possible at the ports and then chill on the ship (reading on the balcony while at sea, theater, casino, wine-tasting, etc.).
That sounds adventurous. My first concern would be the insects. Sounds like a blast though.
Yep, Haze Grey Underway Cruise Lines did that for me as well. 2 WESTPACS in 20 years turned me off to that...
Very understandable. My wife and I enjoy the sail boats. The accommodations are fine but certainly not at the level of the cruise ships. But there is nothing better than throwing anchor off an island in the Adriatic sea and jumping overboard into that crystal water. The ability to pull into small ports that rarely see tourists is a real treat and some of the history available to one is amazing. This is especially true on the coast of Yugoslavia.
Sitting on a ship off of DaNang for months on end with helo flights across the coast in the early 70's was more than enough seagoing excitement for me...
Now that is something that we could really get into.
LOL, well 24 months in the Central Highlands waving at the helo's was interesting to say the least but it didn't dull my taste for some adventure just not the type that had people shooting at me...
Hey don't complain to much, you had clean sheets every night. LOLOLOL
Ueah, spent way too much time helping clean out the blood and gore from my patients from th Huey's. Can't tell you the number of flight suits I ruined. But yes, I did usually sleep on clean sheets...
Nice did you ever get a chance to stop into a place called Trojir, Croatia during your travels. I spent 2 weeks there once and it's one of my favorite vacations
We sure did. It's a bit north of Split and we hit most of the islands around the area. Brac, Korcula, Vis, Milijet..
A really great town and area....
When I traveled a lot I liked to stay in the same hotel. Maybe he can find someone like that
Who's bringing the bait?
That's what I want to do, especially the Danube (does that go thru Budapest?) Anyway, I think it would be neat to travel rivers my ancestors traveled on
They like stinky fish, too
The last time I took a non indigenous person alligator hunting he went overboard...Never to be seen again.
I had a difficult time explaining it since being an indigenous guide I'm supposed to save the dumb asses that think they can swim with the alligators...
So my friend and fellow alligator hunter when do we leave?
I would also read up on the Byzantine Empire .
TG it certainly does, almost right through the middle
Then that's the one! I hear Budapest is beautiful
Gotta love this guy....He has the right idea.
Then there are people that are living on cruise ships instead of retirement homes.
If he can get the Medicare to pay, I think it's a winner of an idea.
Here is a lady "Mama Lee'' that has been living on a cruise ship for a number of years. It's a bit pricey but she seems to be having a ball.
I think that I'll join the ''Gentleman Hosts''....I have all the qualifications...Multi lingual, fabulous dancer, witty, charming and .....Oh wait, I'm married. Well it was a good idea...LOL
Honey, I was just kidding, honest....
Lol, don't forget modest
Thanks for reminding me. I always forget to add that to my bona fidies. Another that I tend to forget is that I'm a member of Mensa Plus....we are a digit above.....
I never speak with forked tongue...
Thinking outside of the box. Clever guy; good for him.
I never got free toothpaste at a Holiday Inn.....
Ya have to say you forgot to pack yours and ask at the front counter, they'll give you a little mini tube.
Ah
Dear Friend Freefaller: A most interesting and relevant topic.
Thanks for posting.
Coming in under the cost of nursing homes is an easy task.
Nursing homes have a license to steal.
It is also the case that selling ones home, using the proceeds, free one time from capital gains tax for staying in mid to low priced motels, or buying an RV and making the open road your home is cheaper.
You pay no upkeep, property and school district taxes. Insurance costs lower. Some are eliminated entirely. Weather improves. Just drive through "endless summer".
My cousin did that. He never looked back.
Enoch Starting the Engine on My New Six Cylinder A-Frame.
Enoch you're welcome I'm glad you enjoyed it
I've thought of doing open road thing too, but still prefer my Costa Rica retirement plans
Dear Friend Freefaller: Our son honeymooned in Costa Rica.
He has been back several times since.
I hear many good things about it.
Where ever you decide to invest the time remaining in your golden years, we wish you every great joy.
P&AB.
Enoch.