Once the preserve of a fictional TV resort, digital detox retreats are becoming a real-world travel trend. A growing number of hotels and retreats are encouraging guests to hand over their devices, with some even employing a dedicated 'detox concierge' to enforce the offline rule.
Ophelia Wu, a Londoner, booked a three-night stay at Eremito, a former monastery in Umbria with no wi-fi, phone signal, or TVs. She described the experience as a break from her hectic life, adding that the peace of being unbothered made her reluctant to switch her phone back on.
The trend is backed by data. The 2025 Hilton Trends Report found that 27% of adults planning to travel intend to reduce social media use during their holidays, while Plum Guide reported a 17% rise in searches for tech-lite properties. In Mexico, the Grand Velas Resorts has launched a Digital Detox Program, complete with a 'Detox Concierge' to remove electronic devices on arrival.
Martin Dunford, founder of Cool Places, which curates UK accommodation, has noticed a shift from promoting wi-fi to adding a 'no wi-fi' tag. Working with universities, he found that guests often struggle in the first 24 hours offline, but after 48 hours they adjust and engage in other activities. By the end of a three-day stay, many are 'take it or leave it' about their phones.
Rosanna Irwin, a former Facebook employee, set up Samsú, a series of off-grid cabins in rural Ireland, after her own experience of being chronically online. A trip to the Danish island of Samsø showed her the benefits of disconnecting, leading her to create a space where others can do the same.
