Holiday Retirement

    39 Highland St, West Hartford, CT 06119
    • Independent Living
    • Assisted Living

    Cozy warm immaculate senior living

    I feel right at home in this small, inviting senior living facility - the staff are warm, humble and genuinely welcoming. The place is immaculate with good food, lots of activities, and I've made new friends; I would recommend it to anyone wanting a cozy, home-like environment.

    Current/former resident
    Jul 2026

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    Reviews

    4.75·(4)

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      4.8
    • Staff

      4.0
    • Meals

      4.0
    • Amenities

      4.8
    • Value

      4.8

    Pros

    • Good food
    • Friendly, helpful, and welcoming staff
    • Lots of activities
    • Immaculate / very clean facility
    • Home-like, smaller environment
    • Comfortable, feel-at-home atmosphere
    • Opportunities to make new friends and socialize
    • Inviting and warm ambiance
    • Strong resident recommendations

    Cons

    • Not suitable for large gatherings / limited space for big events

    Summary of reviews

    Overall sentiment across the review summaries is strongly positive. Reviewers repeatedly highlight the community as warm, inviting, and comfortable. The tone suggests residents feel at ease and quickly settle into a home-like environment where they can form new friendships and enjoy daily life. Multiple comments recommend the community, indicating general satisfaction and a high likelihood of endorsement to others.

    Staff quality and interactions are a standout theme. Reviews consistently use descriptors such as friendly, helpful, humble, and welcoming to describe staff. There are no reported issues with staff in the summaries provided; instead, staff behavior appears to be a primary driver of residents' positive impressions and the welcoming atmosphere. The combination of approachable staff and an inviting environment contributes to residents feeling comfortable and well-received.

    Facility condition and cleanliness receive clear positive mention. The community is described as immaculate, implying strong upkeep and attention to physical maintenance. Paired with descriptors like "home-like" and "smaller environment," the facility appears to be both well-maintained and scaled to resemble a residential home rather than an institutional setting. This smaller scale is repeatedly framed positively for those seeking a cozy, comfortable living arrangement.

    Dining and activities are also important positive points. "Good food" is explicitly noted, and reviewers mention "lots of activities," suggesting a varied social and recreational calendar that supports engagement and opportunities for residents to make new friends. The combination of pleasant dining and active programming contributes to the overall quality of life reported in these summaries.

    The primary limitation called out in the reviews is scale: the community is described as "not for large gatherings." This indicates limited space or smaller common areas that may not accommodate large events or parties. In practice, that makes the community best suited to residents and families who prefer a smaller, more intimate setting rather than those who expect large-scale events or extensive communal facilities.

    Notably absent from the summaries are specific mentions of medical or clinical care, pricing, administrative responsiveness, or detailed management issues. The feedback centers on social life, staff demeanor, cleanliness, food, and the overall atmosphere. Based on the content provided, Holiday Retirement appears to be especially well-suited to independent-living seniors who prioritize a clean, friendly, home-like environment with active social opportunities and personalized, approachable staff. Those seeking larger event spaces or resort-scale amenities may find the setting too small for their needs.

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    Location

    Map showing location of Holiday Retirement

    Holiday Retirement is located at 39 Highland St, West Hartford, CT, 06119.

    About Holiday Retirement

    Holiday Retirement - Senior Independent Living & Retirement Community sat at 39 Highland Street in West Hartford, a three-story concrete building that opened in 1967 and closed in 2024 after serving seniors for decades with independent living and retirement options. The property has about 32,400 square feet, and folks knew it for its 42 resident rooms, each with private bathrooms and simple comforts like high-speed internet, air conditioning, cable TV, and a chance for residents to decorate and make things feel like home with their own furniture. The place came with a recently installed rubber roof, a secondary power source to keep the lights on, and an elevator to help everyone move around more easily, and it was right next door to Hughes Health and Rehabilitation. The building offered a safe, home-like environment for seniors, with no maintenance worry, daily housekeeping, and personal laundry services. There was a commercial kitchen, large common rooms for gathering, arts and activity rooms, a movie theater, a library, and even a game room, plus outdoor spots like a courtyard and garden for visiting or just enjoying some air.

    Residents could bring small pets, and the community always welcomed visitors and friends from around Connecticut, Boston, and New York, which helped keep a lively, social feel. The staff stayed on hand twenty-four hours a day, friendly and well-trained, to help with anything residents needed, from emergency calls to simple questions. Programs targeted seniors who enjoyed being independent, plus those managing daily tasks with a bit of help, those with mild cognitive impairment, or folks needing a short respite stay. Meals were provided three times a day in a shared dining space, and nurses were available for health help, with specialized care like doctor visits and hospice available as needed. Transportation services let residents get out to local attractions or medical offices, and structured daily activities kept minds and bodies busy, with music events, social clubs, and fitness offerings. Residents always had chances to make new friends, join outings, and have their privacy respected. There was a strict no smoking rule in all indoor spaces and the community supported an age-restricted, independent lifestyle for seniors, focusing on respect and dignity.

    In 2024, Holiday Retirement closed, and the building went up for sale, now considered a good redevelopment opportunity with possible zoning changes needed for conversion to apartments or condominiums. The site fits within a larger trend seen in West Hartford, with old or underused buildings turning into housing, but as of now, no new plans have gone public. The neighborhood stays quiet and safe, close to local shops, restaurants, and health care services, and there's off-street parking behind the building. The RI zoning allows for senior facilities, schools, or colleges if anyone wants to follow that route. All in all, Holiday Retirement served as a straightforward, community-focused place for senior living, and now waits for whatever comes next.

    About Holiday by Atria

    Holiday Retirement is managed by Holiday by Atria.

    Holiday Retirement, founded in 1971 by Bill Colson, was one of the largest independent living operators in North America with over 300 communities at its peak. In 2019, Holiday Retirement was acquired by Atria Senior Living, creating one of the largest senior living providers in the United States. The communities now operate under the Atria brand while maintaining many of the traditions and values that made Holiday Retirement a trusted name in senior living for nearly 50 years. Holiday pioneered the concept of affordable, all-inclusive independent living for seniors, offering residents a worry-free lifestyle with meals, housekeeping, activities, and transportation included in one monthly fee.

    People often ask...

    Holiday Retirement offers independent living and assisted living.

    There are 28 photos of Holiday Retirement on Mirador.

    The full address for this community is 39 Highland St, West Hartford, CT 06119.

    No, Holiday Retirement does not offer respite care. Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.

    Disclaimer

    Mirador Living is not affiliated with the owner or operator(s) of Holiday Retirement. The information above has not been verified or approved by the owner or operator. For exact information, please contact Holiday Retirement directly. There is no cost for this service. We are compensated by the community you select.

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