For many British workers, the new year brings a fresh slate of annual leave and the best intentions to use it wisely. Yet for self-confessed 'holiday hoarder' Zoë Beaty, those precious days often fester unused until a year-end panic sets in. Sixteen years into her career and six months pregnant, she decided to confront her inability to switch off with a radical experiment: a week of pure, uninterrupted rest at the opulent, all-inclusive XO Cape Arnna on Turkey's Aegean coast.
The Cost of Hoarding Your Holidays
Zoë's story is far from unique. Research from 2025 reveals that only 35 per cent of Britons took their full annual leave entitlement in 2024, with more than a fifth of workers left with over five unused days. The problem is acute in consumer-facing sectors like retail, where staff shortages and high workloads prevail. Alarmingly, two in five UK employees now take less holiday than they did before the pandemic, a trend driven by widespread feelings of financial and job insecurity.
The personal and professional cost is severe. A staggering 81 per cent of workers report that going months without a proper break leads to burnout and poor mental health. Conversely, the data shows a powerful upside to regular time off: productivity can improve by up to 40 per cent, while the likelihood of taking sick leave drops by 28 per cent. Despite this, a pervasive culture suggests taking time off is akin to shirking responsibility, pressuring many to fill holidays with 'accomplishments' rather than genuine downtime.
Surrendering to Sloth in Dalaman
Facing another year-end leave scramble after a gruelling period, Zoë chose a different path. She swapped her usual packed itinerary of city breaks for the sun-drenched luxury of XO Cape Arnna in Dalaman, a sprawling five-star resort spanning more than 10 hectares with 530 rooms. The property, which opened for its first summer in 2025, is split into an adults-only 'club' section and a family 'resort'.
Her instinct to immediately explore the vast perimeter was swiftly vetoed by her partner. "You don't need to be anywhere else," he insisted. The resort's design echoed this sentiment. With 37 pools, multiple à la carte restaurants—including the Asian fine-dining Sun Tzu and the Argentinian steakhouse Mucho Gusto—and amenities like an on-site patisserie and shopping street, everything was curated to discourage the need to leave.
The quality of the all-inclusive offering was a standout surprise. Meals ranged from Michelin-starred chef creations to exceptional beachside cod tacos, with fresh pasta, seafood, and daily desserts. The resort also catered comprehensively to families with a water park, STEM lab, and salon, while adults could try aerial yoga, trapeze, or mountain biking.
The Unlikely Power of Doing Nothing
Yet, a shift occurred. Freed from the micro-anxieties of a packed schedule, Zoë found her brain beginning to surrender. The day's decisions dwindled to choosing a sun lounger or a breakfast egg style. She gave herself permission to be idle, napping, reading sporadically, and embracing boredom. A visit to the elegant spa for a pregnancy massage deepened the sense of calm.
This deliberate idleness proved to be profoundly restorative. By the end of the stay, her shoulders had relaxed for the first time in months. While not claiming a complete 'cure' for her love of a well-planned city escape, the experience taught her a vital lesson: hoarding leave like a trophy is counterproductive. The statistics she once reported now felt personally resonant.
XO Cape Arnna didn't transform her overnight, but it performed the essential role of good hospitality: it lowered the temperature on her guilt and reaffirmed that rest is a valid, vital purpose for a holiday. Sometimes, the most accomplished thing you can do is absolutely nothing at all.
Zoë stayed at XO Cape Arnna as a guest of British Airways Holidays. The operator offers seven-night all-inclusive packages from £1,799 per person, including flights from London Gatwick, for selected dates in October 2026.
