The Best Stay & Play Packages for Retirement

June 12, 2023 — Finding your best place to retire can be a challenge. There are 1000’s of towns across the world, with way more than that 55+ or active adult communities, that might be a good fit for your retirement. True, you can trim down the list of possibilities by price and geography, but even then your list can be daunting. One of the best retirement tools ever is the so-called “Stay & Package”, which we will explore here.

Also called “Discovery” packages, they typically involve lodging and include a number of bonuses, like free or discounted golf, use of a golf cart, use of amenities, meals, chance to meet residents, etc. The price is discounted from what the package would normally cost, and usually entail an orientation or sales pitch. They are a great way to experience a community going beyond a quick tour, and without having to rent or buy a home. Obviously a few days in a community will not uncover all of its quirks and advantages, but it does offer a tangible experience.

Not all communities offer Stay & Play packages, although it might be a good idea if they do. Obviously, if the community is sold out and there is no longer a sales office, they won’t be available.

These communities offer Stay & Play packages

Indian River Colony Club in Melbourne, FL offers a discovery package. The community, geared to military veterans, use to offer a package including a 3 Day/2 Night “Getaway” with golf, fine dining and hotel accommodations for only $129 per Person. Call them for availability.

Trilogy has several properties in Arizona that offer Discovery packages. Typically they include an overnight stay and a chance to explore the community.

On Top of the World is south of Ocala, FL. Rentals are available from places like vrbo and On Top of the Word Real Estate. Currently they are offering the World Tour – a 3 Day/2 Night stay for $249 (it comes with use of a golf cart). Participants get the ability to sample all of the community’s amenities, although fees will apply to some like golf.

Woodside is in Aiken, SC. Their community experts will be happy to help you plan your 3-day, 2-night  Discovery Package to Aiken and Woodside, starting at $249. That includes complementary golf, fitness center, and dining.

Heritage Shores in Bridgeville, DE offers a 3-Day Stay & Play Discovery Package for interested buyers who want to experience the community first-hand.

A great retirement gift!

The Villages has several real estate centers that are beehives of activity, with renters, prospects, and owners coming and going. Many of those going through there are on their Lifestyle Preview Program, where you can stay from between 4 and 7 nights (with golf cart) at prices ranging from $99 to $199/night, depending on the time of year. There is an active rental market both for short and long term leases.

Solivita in Kissimmee, FL, has attached and single family homes. The Experience Solivita package lets you stay 2 nights and play golf for a bargain price. There are also rentals available for short or long term through real estate agents.

Del Webb. Many of the Del Webb properties invite potential residents to explore communities like Del Webb Ponte Vedra with Explore the Community passes to the community. Overnight passes let you stay in a fully furnished home and come with your own loaner golf cart. A day pass includes a meal with a resident and an invitation to experience various amenities and activities.

More Stay & Play Packages
SunRiver St. George UT. The community offered Stay & Play packages in the past, call to see if they are still available.
Pebble Creek, Goodyear, AZ. Most if not all Robson Ranch properties offer various packages, ranging from 1 day to a 4 days, and can include golf, a cart, bicycles, etc.
Talking Rock, Prescott AZ. Package incudes a two-night stay in their luxurious high country retreat, choosing from spa treatments, fitness classes, culinary offerings, and tee times on the championship course.
Golden Ocala, near Ocala FL. Live offered Stay & Play packages in the past; we are not sure they are still available.

It doesn’t hurt to ask!

If you are interested in a particular community call them up and ask if they offer a Discovery or Stay & Play package – they might just make one up for you! Just be aware that these packages typically will not be available once the community is fully developed and the sales office closes up shop.

Bottom Line
Fly and Stay packages are too good a deal to pass up. They are cheap, fun, and educational. You will at some point during your visit meet with a sales representative, which you should view as part of your learning process about the community. The New York Times ran an article, “Like a College Visit, Minus the Kegs“, in which they profile several successful “Fly and Stayers” and their journeys to a host of more communities offering these visits. Most important of all – a Stay & Play package can save you from making a terrible and expensive mistake. If a community isn’t for you, a short stay like this will probably help you find that out… before you make a big purchase and difficult move.

Comments? Have you taken advantage of a Stay & Play package? Or do you do know some other communities that offer them? Please share your experiences in the Comments section below.