Travellers have started paying thousands to escape their phones on vacations; here's the surprising reason behind

Time of India

13-05-2025

In the world of today, no chai break ever goes unentwined from the grip of digital notifications. It might be a WhatsApp check or Instagram Reels scrolling—that pressure to constantly be online follows us everywhere.
But one subtle travel trend on the rise right now goes entirely against that technological addiction. Men and women alike are now splurging huge amounts to become totally disconnected from their devices. As contradictory as it sounds,
digital detox getaways
are quickly becoming the in-thing, particularly for Indian tourists. Explore this emerging phenomenon and the reasons why increasingly more people are opting to bring their phones along.
Vacations without Wi-Fi are becoming the new luxury
Based on the 2025 Hilton Trends Report, almost 27% of international travellers want to leave behind doom-scrolling and stay more present on their vacations. Even stronger, 17% of travellers are intentionally looking for getaways that compel them to go completely dark. Picture checking into a high-end resort, then being requested to turn in your phone at check-in. No Instagram posts. No work emails. No food delivery notifications.
Just you, the moment, and a stunning natural environment.
This trend has not escaped the notice of the travel industry. According to the New York Post, UK travel website Cool Places has modified its marketing tactics to promote properties that lack Wi-Fi. Company founder Martin Dunford comments, "We used to promote Wi-Fi availability as a bonus. Now, we label the places with no Wi-Fi—and those are the ones being booked."
It appears that the promise of disconnecting is increasingly appealing to travellers looking for refuge from the digital realm.
Luxury vacations that help you disconnect to reconnect
Consider Grand Velas Resorts in Mexico. Their digital detox package treats visitors to a high-end stay—without technology. Rooms are supplied not with televisions, but with books and board games. Visitors' cellphones are locked away by the concierge in an impenetrable safe. Rather than binge-watching on television, visitors can participate in activities such as biking, yoga, or snorkelling.
These in-depth experiences are crafted to get visitors to connect with themselves and with nature.
These retreats are not inexpensive. They cost thousands of dollars a night, but even with the high price tag, there is a demand, especially among high-stress city professionals. For many, especially those in high-pressure fields like tech and finance, this type of escape might seem like a fantasy—a fantasy that is increasingly within reach for those who want to escape the stresses of contemporary life.
A digital detox that forces you to unplug completely
In America, one highlight is Urban Cowboy Lodge, set in the New York Catskills. This facility presents an extreme digital detox model. Upon entering, visitors have to lock up their phones in a safe box for the time they are on the premises. Many guests do initially go through withdrawal symptoms. As Dunford, who worked with British universities to research digital detox habits, said, "Guests go stir crazy in the first 24 hours.
But by the third day, they're either relaxed or even dreading turning the phone back on."
This kind of detox holiday is aimed at provoking those who are habitually "online," making them connect again with the world around them, their friends, and themselves without the omnipresent distractions of technology.
Psychological impact of 'digital detox'
The ones who have experienced digital detox vacations often describe the transition as both unsettling and profoundly healing.
The initial silence can feel jarring, but many come to embrace it. One writer recounted the feeling of dread when finally turning their phone back on, after deliberately delaying the moment. They described the sense of peace and solitude they had found without their phone as something they wished to prolong.
This feeling is strongly shared by many people in India, especially those who have been affected by the burnout that came from the pandemic-era work-from-home lifestyle. The lines between work and play became more and more blurred during this period, and many professionals felt bogged down by the constant digital din. For these people, a digital detox is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity for their mental health.
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