Huge variations exist in the single supplement charged by different hotels, according to a survey carried out by a network of retired people’s groups.
Single supplements, which ranged from €4 up to €80 a night in different hotels, act as a disincentive to older people taking leisure breaks, according to Active Retirement Ireland (ARI).
It called on hotels to abolish the supplement for over-55s, especially during off-peak periods, in order to stimulate business during the current economic crisis. "This would boost the hospitality industry, as well as having social benefits for those taking up breaks," said the organisation's chief executive Maureen Kavanagh.
Of the 25 hotels surveyed, 24 charged an additional fee for a single occupancy room. Over half the hotels charged a fee that was set at 40-50 per cent of the per-person rate for double occupancy. However, other hotels pegged the charge to 10 per cent or less.
The average additional fee was €27 per night for a single occupancy room.
"For a widow or widower on a State pension, this can be a real inhibitor to taking part in a leisure break," said Ms Kavanagh.
She pointed out that retired people were important customers for the leisure industry, and much of this business was driven by active retirement associations around the country, which tend to organise three to five short breaks for members each year.
She acknowledged that many hotels and other accommodation providers were starting to realise the potential of the "silver market" by developing packages that enable older people to avail of off-peak breaks at discounted rates, but said her organisation was constantly getting feedback from members about the single occupancy issue.
Many of ARI's members were widowed simply did not wish to share a room and valued their privacy, she said. One-third of people aged 55 and over is either single, widowed, separated or divorced.
Single supplements tend to be highest at the top of the market, the survey shows.
One five-star hotel charged €80 extra for single occupancy, while an "international" hotel charged €79.50.
However, a range of three- and four-star hotels, some of them family-run, charged less than €10 for single occupancy.