Call it slow, disconnected or silent travel; more and more vacationers are seeking time away from the noise of everyday life. The Global Wellness Institute predicts This trend will continue through 2027, with travelers seeking “recovery retreats,” “cures,” and even specialty getaways focused on sleep quality.
For those seeking a sense of calm or simply looking to disappear for a while, here are seven places that evoke a sigh of contentment.
Little Palm Island Resort and Spa
Little Torch Key, Florida
Traveling to a private island (aboard a vintage Chris-Craft, no less) evokes a “getaway” like few other experiences. There’s no TV on Little Palm Island, though you wouldn’t want to stretch your neck from your hanging beach bed. Greet the sunrise with a yoga class, then paddle the day away in a kayak before slipping into the Balinese spa for a muscle-up.
Bryson City, North Carolina
Forest bathing takes on a whole new meaning when you experience a “soaking cabin” at this charming Great Smokies getaway. Set your OOO message (no in-room Wi-Fi here) and disconnect for a 90-minute soak in an oversized tub overlooking a lake and surrounding forest. It’s truly private bliss; settle into your fully-equipped farmhouse-style suite and count on seeing almost no one at this “unhosted” property, where even the bath and body shop and food “market” operate on the honor system.
Dan Prairie, Virginia
Imagine a sunset from a treehouse deck, followed by a deep sleep, and then a continental breakfast waiting at your doorstep in the morning. Perched 2,700 feet above sea level, two custom-built red cedar treehouses offer breathtaking views of Pilot Mountain and Kibler Valley, the former best seen from the bathtub. The 450-square-foot Mountain Top treehouse includes an outdoor shower and a four-person hot tub, perfect for leaf-gazing and stargazing while your worries melt away.
Treetop Shelters at Ruby Falls
Chattanooga, Tennessee
From Robinson Crusoe's hideaways to Peter Pan's, treehouses have always evoked a sense of whimsy. Treehouses take tree-dwelling to another level with petrified wood sinks, bookcases with secret doors, and floor-to-ceiling windows that seem to invite the surrounding forest inside. Each treehouse sleeps at least four people if you choose to bring the Lost Boys along. Peter would.
Treehouse and cabin rentals in the beautiful Red River wilderness
Red River Gorge, Kentucky
Ever wondered, as the alarms keep ringing, what it would be like to live off the grid? Find out by booking a stay at a Red River Gorgeous cabin. Spend your leisurely days exploring Mill Creek Lake and the Red River Gorge by paddling and hiking, floating in a “cliff house” anchored in granite, or inhabiting the (geodesic) Dome City perched in the tree canopy.
Terlingua, Texas
With so much modern cacophony, it’s only fitting that some of us choose to head back into the cave. Nestled into the side of Tres Cuevas Mountain, the Summit’s two cozy abodes bear little resemblance to the dwellings of our prehistoric ancestors, given the shower for two and the king-size bed overlooking the near-endless Chihuahuan Desert. The power of fire remains, however, with a stone fire pit on your private patio to warm the cool evening air.
Lusby, Maryland
The solitary life of the lighthouse keeper is well documented throughout maritime history. Isolated individuals at the edge of the world with few interruptions except for their daily duty to the adjacent beacon. Sounds charming, right? Built in 1828, these lighthouse keeper’s quarters retain their original character with eyebrow windows, pine floors, and a wide screened porch. The private beach further invites meditation while gazing out over the Chesapeake Bay.
