The Price of Peace: Inside the Rise of Phone-Free Holidays

Image Source: The Economic Times

More travellers are doing something that once seemed unthinkable—booking vacations where the first thing you do is hand over your phone. Digital detox holidays are catching on, and they’re not just about escaping screens. They're about escaping the feeling of being “on” all the time.

Here’s how it’s playing out:

Some highend resorts, like Grand Velas in Mexico, collect your devices at checkin and offer activities like journaling, snorkeling, and stargazing instead.
In the UK, places are now advertising “no internet” like it's a luxury feature, not a drawback.
Indian travellers are joining in, especially people in fastpaced jobs who are looking for something slower, quieter, and real.

A recent Hilton travel trends report found that around one in four travellers want less screen time on vacation, and nearly one in five are actively searching for phonefree stays.

These trips aren’t just about missing WiFi—they’re about making room for better sleep, real conversations, and time that doesn’t revolve around notifications. One guest summed it up perfectly: “I didn’t just unplug my phone. I unplugged my brain.”

Source: BBC Travel, Economic Times, Times of India