SHH. I'MVACATIONING

Luxury resorts are offering “calmcation" experiences for those seeking a tranquil escape from reality.

- By Kayla Webley Adler

The Ratliff family may have been horrified when they were asked to surrender their cell phones in the latest season of The White Lotus, but in real life, disconnecting from the fire hose of daily life is exactly what many travelers are seeking. In an overwhelming and chaotic world, time off has become a chance to escape the noise. High-end resorts have responded with a range of “calmcation” packages and experiences to help guests unwind and avoid that dreaded feeling of returning home from a vacation with the sense that you still need one.

While yogis have long sought out silent meditation retreats, the sometimes bare-bones experiences have gotten a luxury upgrade. At Greydon House, a boutique hotel in Nantucket, guests can opt for the Silent Travel package, which includes curated books, art supplies (an easel, canvas, paints), and a journal complete with prompts. L'Auberge de Sedona in Arizona offers forest bathing by the famed red rocks; Bürgenstock Resort, perched above Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne, hosts outdoor yoga classes in the Alpine air; and Domes Zeen Chania resort in Crete has quiet zones. At Majamaja retreat in Helsinki, you can rent a tiny off-the-grid cabin, while short-term rental startup Unplugged offers 50 digital detox cabins throughout the UK. Even notoriously crowded attractions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Walt Disney World offer quiet hours and quiet rooms, particularly for neurodivergent visitors.

Others have interpreted the quiet travel trend literally. Norwegian cruise line Havila Voyages puts out daily noise reports, while Quiet Parks International certifies locations based on decibel levels. At the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, guests can book Silent Immersion packages that include “hermit days,” with limited staff interactions, and “digital detox days,” without their devices.