Life & Culture

Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel? Sign Me Up.

By Erica Manfred Monday, March 16, 2015 15 Comments Share This:

I saw “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” last night and came home fantasizing about living in such a fabulous place. So I Googled to find out if there’s a real retirement hotel like the Marigold in India; after the huge success of the first “Marigold Hotel” movie it seemed like a no brainer – surely an entrepreneur in India must have started one.

I found nothing, which doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist – just that Google doesn’t know everything.

For me, the movie created an intoxicating fantasy. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is not a commune (which doesn’t appeal to me – too much responsibility), but an inexpensive hotel that caters to “the elderly and beautiful,” with private rooms, meals, staff to clean up and interesting retirees to schmooze with. It’s run by a charming if rather tactless young innkeeper who cares about all his residents so much that he takes roll call in the mornings to make sure no one has died in the night.

The hotel is in a warm climate, so you hang out on the patio and in the gardens and socialize with the other residents, and admire the tropical foliage instead of being cooped up in your room. It caters primarily to retirees, but rents out rooms to other travelers as well, which makes for some interesting companionship. And it’s really affordable because it’s in India (which is why the British retirees in the movie moved there). OK, it would be nice if it had a few adorable single men in residence like Bill Nighy and Richard Gere, but I’d settle for Dames like Judy Dench and Maggie Smith for schmoozability.

Then there’s glorious Jaipur, India, known as the pink city, which is its own character in the movie. It’s an enthralling historical city and the gateway to Rajisthan, India’s most flamboyant state. According to Lonely Planet, “The city’s colourful, chaotic streets ebb and flow with a heady brew of old and new. Careering buses dodge dawdling camels, leisurely cycle-rickshaws frustrate swarms of motorbikes, and everywhere buzzing autorickshaws watch for easy prey.” Lonely Planet fails to mention the country’s dreadful poverty, but hey, this is my fantasy, and I don’t want to ruin it. (I’m sure that if I were to live in India for real, my inner social worker would emerge and I’d get involved in helping the poor.)

My fantasy is not in the least bit unrealistic. In checking out places to stay in Jaipur, I discovered guesthouses that sound very much like the Marigold Hotel and are ridiculously cheap, ranging from $9 to $20 per night. There is the Shahar Palace with Peacock Gardens from $12 per night including peacocks, and Tara Niwas, which looks a little like the Marigold and offers efficiency apartments for $9 a night. They both have restaurants and are family-run.

So why isn’t one of them offering rooms for “the elderly and beautiful”?

I can’t be the only one who’s had this fantasy. If you’ve seen the movie, have you thought about finding a “Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” somewhere?

COMMENTS

15 responses to “Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel? Sign Me Up.”

jackie chase:

Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 7:40pm

There are a lot of “us” that want to live like the guests at the Marigold. Seems like someone would have an automatic list to fill up a hotel if they would start something like the Marigold? This list needs to be seen by some entrepreneur in India. I”ve been looking for some hotel where other expats live but just haven’t found a thing?

Reply to jackie chase
Amanda:

Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 11:02am

If anyone opens one, i’ll be there!!

Reply to Amanda
1. Linda Ingham:
  
  Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at 6:26am
  
  I’m up for it. Dream about doing it.
  
  Reply to Linda Ingham
Brenda Flippen:

Monday, November 27, 2017 at 6:42pm

Sign me up. Even if I have to drag hubby by the hair, I’d do it !!

Reply to Brenda Flippen
Ronnie Miller:

Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 1:22pm

I know that seniors all over America would flock to a place like this! I certainly would! Why doesn’t someone start a place like this? A great way to capitalize on the popularity of the movie. Signed me up!

Reply to Ronnie Miller
J Barnard:

Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 10:25pm

I am seriously looking for an opportunity like this and am surprised that I haven’t yet found it!

Reply to J Barnard
Wanda:

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 8:21pm

I have been looking for a place like marigold hotel. I wonder if it exists in the US. My friends have talked about it….guess not seriously enough to build but surely interested in living in one. Glad I am not alone.

Reply to Wanda
Pamelawhiteweston@yahoo.com:

Monday, March 14, 2016 at 12:53pm

I do not have much in resources. I am almost 60 just finished a two year degree in Health Information Technology and am trying to find work. When I get work; if there is enough left over to put towards a place like this I sure would.

Reply to Pamelawhiteweston@yahoo.com
Phyllis Hyland:

Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 3:42pm

I think this situation is brilliant and believe it can be done in the US somewhere. Who wants to pool their resources to buy a place where each person has a private room and bath, there’s a communal lounge, kitchen and dining area? We look after each other but it’s not intrusive, we share in the expenses so it’s not astronomical and we are there for each other as friends and companions.

Reply to Phyllis Hyland
1. Pam:
  
  Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 2:55am
  
  I do not have much in resources. I am almost 60 just finished a two year degree in Health Information Technology and am trying to find work. When I get work; if there is enough left over to put towards a place like this I sure would.
  
  Reply to Pam
Bornwithitchyfeet:

Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at 8:46am

No you are definitely not the only one to have the same idea. Me and hubby are both late 40s. As soon as we saw the first film we were swept away by the idea. The second film just reconfirmed it. ws just need that lottery win to be able to buy a place!

Reply to Bornwithitchyfeet
Girl:

Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 6:31pm

Wow! Getting older and having that level of comfort and security sounds wonderful. A place where we can live out our lives and still be productive and cared for. The Marigold Hotel had it all.

Reply to Girl
1. Linda Ingham:
  
  Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at 6:25am
  
  Omg. I’m like the rest of you. I want to find a Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in India. As the writer said Udiapyr was ideal. I agree I went there on an Inrepud tour and fell in love with the place. I’m up for it. We just need to get a group together and do it.
  
  Reply to Linda Ingham
Collenbawn:

Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 6:58pm

Would love to visit India at a slow “seniors” pace,…..not too much walking

Reply to Collenbawn
lynnemb:

Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 6:40pm

It does seem like a good place to start a new life. i’d at least like to visit.

Reply to lynnemb