Between the endless notifications, screen time, and the pressure to always be on, the antidote to burnout is clear: slow down. An increasing number of travelers are seeking the opportunity to unplug and unwind during “calm-cations,” or getaways focused entirely on tranquility.
This trend embraces slowing down, reconnecting with oneself, and taking a deep breath in serene surroundings. From embarking on a holistic wellness retreat at a luxury guest ranch, enjoying a peaceful getaway on the beaches of Tulum, soaking in the serenity of awe-inspiring canyons in Grand Junction to savoring JOMO (the joy of missing out) in the Sonoma Coast and more, the list below offers an array of peaceful, stress-free getaways ideas. If you’re a traveler looking for inspiration, we hope this list guides you to the perfect destination, and if you’re a property looking for your next big pitch, now is the time to embrace this trend.
Riverside Respite at Red Cliffs Lodge Moab
It’s no question that Moab, Utah, is a mecca for action-packed adventure; but at Red Cliffs Lodge Moab, guests can opt for a more peaceful reset amongst the property’s towering red cliffs. Retire to a newly renovated suite and watch horses graze in the pasture off the back patio, or sink into the private hot tub on the deck of a spacious riverside cabin. The Colorado River winds lazily past the property, offering a soothing backdrop to a calm, restorative stay.
A Getaway That Feels Like Home at Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek
A take on modern luxury with a twist of staying at your best friend’s home, Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, welcomes travelers to a relaxing, truly Colorado getaway. Guests can curate their own personalized stay with activities to quiet the mind, including borrowing a bike, Piaggio scooter or other seasonal outdoor equipment from the onsite Gear Garage. They can also relax poolside at the hotel’s year-round rooftop pool deck, complete with private cabanas and Rare Bird, a seasonal rooftop bar featuring unrivaled views of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains paired with signature cocktails and dishes, as well as rooftop programming throughout the summer.
Seaside Relaxation in Dana Point, California
Located along Orange County’s coastal region, Dana Point is a charming beachside town offering travelers a relaxing retreat with access to pristine beaches, cliffside dining and world-class boating experiences, including sunset wine cruises and dolphin and whale watching excursions. The destination’s signature resort spas offer high-end wellness treatments, and travelers can enjoy outdoor yoga sessions, such as yacht yoga, stand-up paddleboard yoga and daily yoga in the park. Dana Point is home to several oceanfront properties where travelers can experience the destination’s laid-back luxury, including Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, and the adults-only El Caminante Bar & Bungalows.
A Holistic Wellness Retreat at C Lazy U Ranch
C Lazy U Ranch – Granby, Colorado’s all-inclusive luxury guest ranch – is a restorative getaway far from the stresses of everyday life and filled with rich American West traditions. C Lazy U offers upscale cabins with cozy wood-burning fireplaces (without televisions for a true digital detox); gourmet meals with wine pairings by the onsite sommelier; and year-round activities, from horseback riding and Orvis-endorsed fly fishing, to yoga and scenic Ranger all-terrain vehicle tours. Unwind at Lazy You Hideaway, a new adults-only wellness lounge with cold plunges, a sauna and more, or dive deeper into relaxation at the full-service Lazy You Spa, suspended over the Willow Creek River with glass floors to view the rushing water beneath.
Silence, Solitude and Serenity at Hotel Maverick
For travelers drawn to western Colorado’s rugged beauty, Hotel Maverick’s Canyon Bathing program – aptly named “Silence, Solitude and Serenity” – offers guests an immersive, guided exploration of Grand Junction’s awe-inspiring canyons, which draw fewer crowds while rivaling the stunning natural features of destinations like Canyonlands National Park and the Grand Canyon. For a quiet escape, the customizable experience takes guests into some of the less explored and remote areas of western Colorado to learn and listen to the eons of geology, centuries of history and countless natural wonders that are easily overlooked in our day-to-day busy lives.
Follow Outdoor Recreation with Poolside Cabanas in Snowmass, Colorado
At more than 8,000 feet in elevation with crisp alpine air, Snowmass, located just nine miles from Aspen, invites travelers to disconnect from reality and recenter around its surrounding natural beauty. With mountainside lodging and dining offering 95% hike-in/bike-in, hike-out/bike-out access, Snowmass is encompassed by 2.8 million adjacent acres of wilderness open for activities and exploration, from hiking and mountain biking to fly-fishing and horseback riding. Centrally located in Snowmass Base Village, visitors can decompress at Limelight Hotel Snowmass, which features two spa pools with cabanas and a fireplace.
Indulge in Mountain Town Simplicity in Frisco, Colorado
Only 90 minutes from Denver and coined the Main Street of the Rockies, the Town of Frisco welcomes travelers with small-town charm and outdoor adventure in a calming and rejuvenating environment. Bookended by the 10,000-foot Mount Royal and Frisco Bay Marina, Frisco is a place where visitors enjoy quiet morning paddleboarding on Lake Dillon after grabbing coffee at a local café and explore scenic hiking and biking trails followed by meals and refreshments in the sunshine on an outdoor patio. Daytime activities are followed by a stroll on Frisco’s charming main street, home to more than 50 locally owned boutiques, bookstores, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and B&Bs.
JOMO Getaway to The Lodge at Bodega Bay
The Lodge at Bodega Bay is an oceanfront locale met with the winding countryside roads of Highway 1, where unplugged and unharried is the norm. A secluded, peaceful setting to escape into nature, the Lodge offers a perfect mix of wine country lifestyle and oceanside relaxation. The serene eight-acre escape welcomes guests to soak in the outdoor infinity hot tub, embark on guided nature and birding walks or de-stress at the spa, which offers treatments inspired by the healing powers of the Pacific. A curated menu of treatments includes the Ocean Shell Therapy Massage and the Cabernet Grape Seed Scrub, combining the allure of Northern California’s wine country with ultimate relaxation.
Stay In & Eat Sushi at The Ramble Hotel
In the heart of Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, The Ramble Hotel offers a perfect mix of city exploration and indulgent relaxation. The boutique property features stunning design and architecture and houses marquee lobby bar Death & Co, providing overnight guests with priority access to the best of Denver’s cocktail scene. Summer mornings at The Ramble start with yoga on the rooftop Garden, and evenings include sushi, slippers and cocktails. Steps from acclaimed sushi restaurant Uchi, a room service partnership allows guests to order Sushi Bento Boxes in-room, perfectly paired with a plush robe and meticulously curated in-room minibars by the team at Death & Co.
Rest and Replenish at New Mexico Landmark, La Fonda on the Plaza
The only hotel on the historic Santa Fe Plaza, La Fonda on the Plaza has been a landmark in Santa Fe for more than 100 years. On property, The Spa at La Fonda is a peaceful location away from the bustling Plaza, providing an ideal location for relaxation and pure tranquility. The spa’s curated menu of soothing body therapies allows guests to slip away from the rigors of daily life, offering restorative, hot stone, deep tissue and mother-to-be massages. Spa guests at La Fonda also have access to the property’s expansive fitness center and courtyard heated pool.
Recharge in Lake Havasu City’s Energy Vortex
Located less than three hours away from Phoenix and Las Vegas, Lake Havasu City in Arizona is a peaceful desert oasis perfect for spending some time off-grid. A confirmed vortex site –swirling or spiraling energy air flows – Lake Havasu City offers an abundance of desert trails in SARA Park, where travelers can soak up the mountain views and healing energy currents. When the day heats up, visitors enjoy a variety of calming, water-based activities including kayaking and paddleboarding around Lake Havasu’s hidden coves or embarking on a sunset boat tour on the aptly named vessel, Serenity Now.
Find Stillness in South Reno’s Mountain Sanctuary: Hyatt Place South Reno
Nestled beneath the Sierra Nevada mountains just a short drive away from the tranquil waters of Lake Tahoe, Hyatt Place South Reno is an intimate and unassuming retreat outside of bustling Reno, Nevada. The newly opened 132-room property offers easy access to the surrounding mountains alongside a cozy outdoor terrace – complete with firepits and Adirondack chairs – from which to view them. Guests will enjoy relaxing in the hotel’s jacuzzi and heated outdoor covered pool, taking in the night sky and fresh mountain air.
Experience Tulum’s Tranquility at The Beach Tulum Hotel and Cabañas Tulum Beach Hotel & Spa
Located on one of the widest stretches of Tulum Beach, The Beach Tulum Hotel and Cabañas Tulum Beach Hotel & Spa are boutique sister resorts in the heart of Tulum, Mexico, that provide an intimate and tranquil setting for a relaxing tropical vacation. Here, guests will enjoy private plunge pools and hot tubs with every room, stunning ocean and jungle views, a variety of daily yoga classes and an on-site spa featuring an extensive menu of traditional Mayan therapies and hydrotherapy treatments. Anti-in-room-TV policies help guests truly unplug and stay present throughout their vacation.
Go Agenda-Free at an All-Inclusive Resort: The Excellence Collection
What could be more relaxing than a vacation where you don’t have to lift a finger? At The Excellence Collection’s luxurious, adults-only resorts in Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, guests can revel in serene beachfront surroundings while not having to worry about dinner reservations or scrambling for a spot by the pool. With spacious suites, rejuvenating spa treatments, an array of internationally inspired dining options and more, The Excellence Collection resorts deliver the ultimate calm-cation experience.
Boulder Bliss at St Julien Hotel & Spa
St Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder, Colorado, offers its guests genuine hospitality within a casually elegant setting. The hotel features 201 guest rooms, a 10,000 square foot spa, Jill’s Restaurant, T-Zero Cocktail Bar and more–all with beautiful views of Boulder’s iconic Flatirons and the Rocky Mountains. Spa at St Julien offers body, facial and massage treatments, including therapeutic massages designed to complement activities guests enjoy while in Boulder, such as cycling, rock climbing or hiking. Guests can find peaceful outdoor activities like paddleboarding on Boulder Reservoir, meditative hiking on the extensive trail system or Saturday yoga right in St Julien’s backyard.
