Many of us dream of all of the places we will go to when we retire. Based on a poll by RBC Wealth Management, 63% of retirees plan on traveling, but more than 50% of us have concerns about the cost. And those concerns are a reality for a lot of us, but with the right planning and preparation, travel can still be attainable.
Statistics show that the average hotel room stay costs $122.55/night; this is based information gathered in December 2019. But the smart traveler plans and books early, and with just a little research hotel rooms, can cost as low as $62.99, and that’s before a discount.
Many beautiful things come with age, including wisdom, retirement, and discounts. And some of the best senior discounts available are for hotels and motels, making travel a lot more economically friendly.
Below we have listed the top 10 hotel corporations that offer senior discounts. Though not all of the hotels list the discount amount on their website, they do state one is available. However, for those hotels that do show their discount online, we have listed it below.
Our hotel choices are based on location, discount, and accommodation styles.
Of course, discounts may change or vary from location to location, so it is always best to check on pricing before you book. Although some of the hotels below are international, we have chosen them based upon their domestic presence.
Hotels
- Marriott
- Choice Hotels
- Best Western
- IHG
- Wyndham
- Motel 6
- Red Roof Inn
- Omni Hotels
- Hyatt
- Hilton 65+ 10%
Marriott Hotels
Discount: 15%
Age Requirement: 62+
The Marriott was not always an international hotel chain; it originally started as a root beer stand. Its founders J.W. and Alice Marriott, opened their first rootbeer stand in 1927. But over time, they left the beverage industry behind and opened their first hotel, the Twin Bridges Motor hotel in Arlington, Virginia.
Since the Twin Bridges Motor hotel, Marriott has expanded and now owns over 6,900 properties, plus more than 1.3 million rooms, in 130 different countries.
Hotels in Marriott’s portfolio:
- Marriott Hotels
- Homes & Villas by Marriott International
- Marriott Vacation Club
- J.W. Marriott Hotels and Resorts
- Ritz Carlton
- St. Regis
- The Luxury Collection
- W Hotels
- Edition
- Sheraton
- Delta Hotels
- Le Meridien
- Westin
- Marriott Executive Apartments
- Renaissance Hotels
- Gaylord Hotels
- Courtyard Hotels
- Four Points
- SpringHill Suites
- Protea Hotels
- Fairfield Inn & Suites
- AC Hotels
- Aloft Hotels
- Moxy Hotels
- Residence Inn
- TownePlace Suites
- element
Choice Hotels
Discount: Up to 10%
Age Requirement: 60+
Choice Hotels originally named the Quality Courts system started in 1939 by a group of seven Floridian hotel owners that worked together as a market cooperative. Their goal was to set and achieve premium standards for their hotels, to provide an optimal guest experience.
Over time the cooperative expanded, allowing other hotels to join aiding in setting a new industry service reputation. Not only did the cooperative grow, but so did their goals. In addition to providing an excellent guest experience, they wanted to also make sure they provided affordable and convenient hotel accommodations.
Today, Choice Hotels is an international hotel chain with more than 6,400 hotels and 500,000 rooms found in over 40 countries.
Hotels in their Portfolio:
- EconoLodge
- Comfort Inn
- Quality Inn
- Comfort Suites
- Clarion
- Rodeway Inn
- Sleep Inn
- MainStay Suites
- Suburban Extended Stay
- Ascend
- Cambria
- Autograph Collection Hotels
- Design Hotels
- Tribute Portfolio
Best Western
Discount: Up to 15%
Age Requirement: 55+
M.K. Guertin founded Best Western in 1946, as an unofficial referral program among specific hotels. Less than 20 years later, Best Western was the largest hotel chain in the US. They were made up of 699 hotels and 35,201 rooms nationwide.
Later in 1964, Best Western took its first step to becoming the globally known hotel chain it is today when they expanded into Canada. Since then, they have opened more than 4,000 hotels in over 80 different countries.
Best Western offers an array of hotel levels, from everything from the basics to the premier level. But regardless of which level hotel you choose, they all stand behind their promise of cleanliness, quality, and excellent customer experience.
Hotels in their Portfolio:
- Best Western
- Best Western Plus
- Best Western Premier
- Executive Residency
- Vib
- GLo
- Sadie
- Aiden
- BW Signature Collection
- BW Premier Collection
IHG
Discount: Contact the hotel to learn about its discount program
Age Requirement: 62+
IHG has been a leader in the hospitality industry for more than 200 years. It all started in 1777 as a brewery, owned and operated by William Bass.
Bass opened a brewery in the UK, which was what started him in the hospitality industry. Bass soon acquired what later become a globally recognized hotel brand.
Now centuries later, IHG owns and operates 17 hotel brands that encompass over 5,500 hotels all around the world.
Hotels in their Portfolio:
- Six Senses Hotels and Resorts
- Regent Hotels and Resorts
- InterConntinnental Hotels and Resorts
- Kimpton Hotels
- Hotel Indigo
- Even Hotels
- Hualuxe Hotels and Resorts
- VOCO
- Crowne Plaza
- Holiday Inn
- Holiday Inn Club Vacations
- Holiday Inn Express
- Holiday Inn Resorts
- avid
- Staybridge Suites
- Atwell Suites
- Candlewood Suites
Wyndham
Discount: 10%
Age Requirement: 60+
Wyndham started in the time when Jazz was at its height in New York City. They first opened in 1929 and was the largest hotel in the city, with 2,500 rooms, ten dining areas, and the world’s largest barbershop.
They employed:
- 150 laundry workers
- 35 chefs
- 95 switchboard operators
As the largest hotel in the city, they attracted celebrities from around the world, such as:
- Nikola Tesla
- John F. Kennedy
- Muhammad Ali
- Joan Crawford
They even hosted famous mobsters, athletes (in 1941 they hosted the Brooklyn Dodgers), and politicians. They offered big-name entertainment like Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey.
Today Wyndham now owns 20 brands making up their more 9,000 hotels in more than 80 countries.
Hotels in their Portfolio:
- Wyndham Grand
- Wyndham
- Wyndham Garden
- La Quinta
- Ramada
- Days Inn
- Microtel
- AmericInn
- Baymont
- Super 8
- Howard Johnson
- Travelodge
- Hawthorne Suites
- TM Trademark
- Wingate
- Esplendor
- Dazzler
- Dolce
- Tryp
Motel 6
Discount: 10%
Age Requirement: 60+
Motel 6 first opened in 1962 in Santa Barbara, California. Its name was inspired by the initial cost of the hotel rooms, $6 per night. Since its start, Motel 6 is now under the new ownership of The Blackstone Group, which started G6 Hospitality. They are still a privately owned company.
G6 Hospitality owns and operates 1,300 motels in both the US and Canada under the names of Motel 6 and Studio 6.
Red Roof Inn
Discount: 10%
Age Requirement: 59+
Red Roof Inn founded by James Trueman, who was an Ohio contractor. Red Roof Inn originally owned Motel 6, and to best focus on Motel 6’s growth sold the Red Roof Inn in 2007.
Today the Red Roof Inn operates in 38 states and consists of 3 brands. It manages 350 hotels and is still a leader in the budget motel industry.
Their rooms are available in a variety of sizes up to large suites that include executive desks. All locations offer a continental breakfast, meeting rooms, and business accommodations.
The majority of their hotels are located in the Midwest, East, and Southern areas of the US. Red Roof Inn plans to continue to expand and grow the franchise side of the business.
Hotels in their Portfolio:
- St Clair Hotel
- State House Inn
- Lord & Morris Times Square
Omni Hotels and Resorts
Discount: Contact the hotel to learn about its discount program Age Requirement: 55+
In 1958 the Dunfey Family founded the first Omni Hotel. It started as a 35 room motor inn in Hampton, New Hampshire. Since then, Omni hotels has expanded to other locations and transformed itself into a first-class full-service hotel chain.
In 1996 Omni Hotels was purchased by the TRT Holdings out of Corpus Christi, Texas. Today they have 60 different properties in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Though the company has grown, they are still privately owned and always operate with the same vision and mission of providing their guests with a “unique, memorable experience.”
Hyatt
Discount: Contact the hotel to learn about its discount program
Age Requirement: 60+
The founder Jay Pritzker purchased the Hyatt House Motel in 1957 in Los Angeles, California. From there, Jay and his brother Donald expanded the Hyatt hotel business.
Later in 1962, the hotel became a public company. Around that same time, Hyatt International was started and was also a public company.
But in 1979 and 1982, the Pritzker family reclaimed both Hyatt Corporation and Hyatt International as privately held businesses. Finally, in 2004 the two companies merged into one under the Hyatt Hotel Corporation.
Hyatt Hotel Corporation now owns more than 850 properties in around 60 different countries.
Hotels in their Portfolio:
- Hyatt
- Hyatt Centric
- Park Hyatt
- Grand Hyatt
- Hyatt Regency
- Hyatt Zilara
- Hyatt Place
- Hyatt House
- Caption
- ANdAZ
- Alila
- Thompson Hotels
- Miraval
- Hotel Du Louvre
- Destination Hotels
- joie de vivre
Hilton
Discount: 10%
Age Requirement: 65+
In 1919 Conrad Hilton purchased the first Holton Hotel in Cisco, Texas.
Fun Fact Conrad was actually on his way to buy a bank but opted to buy a hotel instead.
Since then, the Hilton hotel business grew to expand outside of Texas and as far north as New York City, which was the first hotel in the city to offer TVs in their hotel rooms.
As a leader in the industry Hilton Hotels were the first to:
- Offer a sewing kit and booklet with helpful names and telephone numbers
- Offer brand-wide direct-dial telephone service
- Introduce multi-hotel reservations system which is still used today
- Develop a centralized reservation system using computers
Today, they are still a leader in the industry and now own 18 brands, about 6,000 properties, and have a presence in 117 different countries.
Hotels in their Portfolio:
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Hampton
- Hilton Grand Vacations
- Hilton Hotels and Resorts
- Waldorf Astoria
- Conrad Hotels and Resorts
- Canopy
- CURIO Collection
- Doubletree – Up to two rooms
- Tapestry Collection
- Embassy Suites
- Tru
- Homewood Suites
- Home2
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