Retiree Decides to Spend Rest of Life at Holiday Inn, Since It’s Cheaper Than a Senior Home

Retiring to Holiday Inn

One man’s unusual retirement plan went viral when he proposed an alternative to living in a senior home. Since nursing homes tend to be exorbitantly expensive, Terry Robison said that he would choose to retire to a Holiday Inn instead. (1)

“No nursing home for us. We’ll be checking into a Holiday Inn!” Robison wrote on Facebook. Robison said that the average cost of living in a nursing home is $188 per day. But with the combination of a long-term stay discount and a senior discount, it would cost just $59.23 to stay at the Holiday Inn. (1)

And Robison has plans for the cash he would save. He wrote, “That leaves $128.77 a day for lunch and dinner in any restaurant we want, or room service, laundry, gratuities, and special TV movies.” (1)

Beyond the upfront savings, Robison listed the many amenities the hotel offers. “Plus, they provide a spa, swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge, and washer-dryer, etc.” he said. “Most have free toothpaste and razors, and all have free shampoo and soap.” (1)

Freedom

And Robison liked the idea of the freedom a Holiday Inn would provide over a nursing home. “They treat you like a customer, not a patient,” Robison wrote. “$5 worth of tips a day and you’ll have the entire staff scrambling to help you.” (1)

If Holiday Inn retirees get bored, Robison has some suggestions. “There’s a city bus stop out front, and seniors ride free. The handicap bus will also pick you up (if you fake a decent limp). To meet other nice people, call a church bus on Sundays. For a change of scenery, take the airport shuttle bus and eat at one of the nice restaurants there. While you’re at the airport, fly somewhere.” (1)

If you do decide to fly somewhere, another Holiday Inn will be waiting for you. In his Facebook post, Robison said, “And you’re not stuck in one place forever, you can move from Inn to Inn, or even from city to city. Want to see Hawaii? They have a Holiday Inn there too.” (1)

Holiday Inn had this to say about the post.

“While we’re not certain how Mr. Robison arrived at his current budget calculations, we look forward to welcoming him when he reaches his ‘golden age,’” the company said in a statement reported by KHOU. “He did miss one big benefit in his long list of reasons to stay with us — kids eat for free at Holiday Inn. So that’s another excuse for the grandkids to come and visit.”

Not For Everyone

Robison’s plan, although clearly offered in jest, has drawn criticism from some. Caroline Cicero, who is an associate professor of gerontology at the University of Southern California, finds the plan impractical. “This is all just based on the idea that you have nothing else to do but check-in and out of a Holiday Inn and take an airport shuttle,” Cicero told USA Today. “And that’s just not based in reality.” Many seniors have physical disabilities that mean they need assistance with tasks like bathing, eating, and getting dressed. For them, living in a hotel alone wouldn’t be possible. (2)

After his post went viral, Robison explained that he meant to outline why living in a Holiday Inn would be a good, inexpensive alternative to an independent living center for seniors who could care for themselves. He based the daily costs off of a Houston Holiday Inn and what his friends pay to live in senior homes. (2)

Whether you agree with Robison’s retirement plan or now, he brings up an important point. Nursing homes and senior living centers are extremely expensive and are often financial burdens for seniors and their families. It’s no wonder that a Holiday Inn seems like a better choice. (1, 2)