Call it slow, unplugged, or quiet travel; more vacationers are seeking time away from the noise of daily life. The Global Wellness Institute predicts that trend will continue well into 2027, with travelers searching for “recovery retreats,” “healing,” and even specialized sleep-quality-focused getaways.
For those desiring a sense of calm or simply looking to disappear for a while, here are seven places that conjure up a contented sigh.
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa
Little Torch Key, Florida
Traveling to a private island (aboard a vintage Chris-Craft, no less) connotes “getaway” like few other experiences. You won’t find TVs on Little Palm Island, not that you’d want to crane your neck from your suspended beach bed anyway. Greet the sunrise with a yoga class, then paddle the day away in a kayak before slipping into the Balinese spa for a muscle reset.
Bryson City, North Carolina
Forest bathing carries a whole new meaning when you experience a “soaking cabana” at this charming getaway in the Great Smokies. Set your OOO message (no in-room WiFi here) and unplug during a ninety-minute soak in an oversized tub overlooking a lake and surrounding forest. This is true private bliss; settle into your fully appointed farmhouse-style suite, and count on seeing almost no one at this “unhosted” property, where even the bath and body boutique and food “market” operate on the honor system.
Meadows of Dan, Virginia
Imagine a sunset viewed from a treehouse deck followed by deep slumber after which, come morning, a continental breakfast awaits at your front door. Perched at 2,700 feet above sea level, two bespoke red cedar cabins unveil expansive views of Pilot Mountain and the Kibler Valley, the former best viewed from the soaking tub. The 450-square-foot Mountain Top Tree House adds an outdoor shower and four-person hot tub, ideal for leaf peeping and stargazing as your cares shoot out of sight.
Treetop Hideaways at Ruby Falls
Chattanooga, Tennessee
From the hideouts of Robinson Crusoe to Peter Pan, treehouses have always invoked a sense of fantasy. Treetop Hideaways take arboreal living to another level with petrified wood sinks, secret-door bookcases, and floor-to-ceiling windows that seem to invite the surrounding forest inside. Each treehouse sleeps at least four should you choose to bring the Lost Boys. Peter would.
Red River Gorgeous Wilderness Treehouse & Cabin Rentals
Red River Gorge, Kentucky
Ever wonder, as the alerts ping incessantly, what life would be like off the grid? Find out by booking a stay at a Red River Gorgeous cabin. Spend your unbusy days exploring Mill Creek Lake and Red River Gorge by paddle and hiking trail, floating into a granite-anchored “cliff house,” or inhabiting the (geodesic) Dome Town perched in the tree canopy.
Terlingua, Texas
With so much modern cacophony, it’s only fitting that some of us might choose to reenter the cave. Etched into the side of Tres Cuevas Mountain, the two cozy domiciles at the Summit are hardly our prehistoric ancestors’ accommodations, given the shower for two and the king-size bed overlooking the near-infinite Chihuahuan Desert. However, the power of fire remains, with a stone firepit on your private terrace to warm the cool evening air.
Lusby, Maryland
The solitary life of the lightkeeper is well documented throughout maritime history. Individuals sequestered on the edge of the world with few interruptions save their daily duty to the adjacent beacon—sounds lovely, no? Constructed in 1828, these lighthouse keeper’s quarters maintain their original character with eyebrow windows, pinewood floors, and a broad screened-in porch. The private beach invites still more musings while you gaze upon the Chesapeake Bay.
