Unplugged, unbothered: Why millennials and Gen Z are opting for spaces that allow them to reconnect with themselves

IN A WORLD where dopamine is only a swipe away and emails outpace heartbeats, doing nothing has quietly emerged as an act of radical self-preservation. JOMO, or the Joy of Missing Out, has usurped FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) as the acronym du jour for those burnt out by hyper-connectivity and content fatigue. Discerning travellers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, are opting out of overstimulation and bucket-list checkmarks for spaces that allow them to reconnect with themselves. “In an age of constant connectivity, choosing to unplug is a form of resistance,” notes Delhi-based wellness coach Ridhi Sangma. “JOMO isn’t about rejection — it’s about recalibration,” she says. This shift is nowhere more evident than in India’s evolving luxury travel market, currently worth $72.9 billion and projected to surge to $102.8 billion by 2033, according to International Market Analysis Research and Consulting Group. Meanwhile, the Global Wellness Institute pegs the wellness tourism sector at around $1.4 trillion, with “transformational travel” emerging as the fastest-growing segment. India stands out, not only for its biodiversity and ancient healing traditions, but for its ability to repackage both into experiences that feel relevant, restorative, and real. From Bhopal’s forested enclaves to the Himalayan foothills and Konkan cliffs, a new vocabulary of stillness is being crafted, one where quietude equates with luxury. The elegance of enough Set across 49 acres of lush gardens by Mobor Beach and hemmed by the Sal River, The St. Regis Goa Resort crafts mindful pauses interspersed with tropical luxury. Guests feed koi fish in Zen-like quiet, while tea sessions unfold under frangipani trees. Dinners are rituals, especially when served on Serenity Island, where Goan Mary cocktails are laced with the local Recheado masala and the night sky becomes the guests’ ceiling. Guided by expert naturalists, visitors can embark on nature walks through mangroves. Meandering through shaded trails, one may encounter native bird species, learn about the delicate balance of estuarine ecosystems, and discover the intricate web of coastal life. “We believe true luxury lies in slowing down,” says general manager Gurnoor Bindra. “Everything here, from the design of the spaces to curated experiences, is meant to deepen presence.” The architecture blends Portuguese colonial charm with coastal calm. But the real design is in the pacing: private plunge pools, celestial dining, unobtrusive butlers, and unhurried spa therapies all conspire to decelerate guests. At a time when silence is scarce, the hotel makes it plentiful — and transformational. Himalayan solitude In Dehradun’s verdant fringes, Taj Mussoorie Foothills offers a different perspective on stillness — one set to the soundtrack of rustling pines and distant temple bells. Tucked away in the Garhwal Himalayas, the property isn’t high-altitude grandiosity — it’s introspective, almost whisper-like in its presence. “Guests today aren’t looking for spectacle,” says general manager Naveen Tomar. “They’re seeking stillness. Whether it’s paddleboarding at sunrise or a curated Ayurvedic dinner under the stars, each experience is designed to slow you down. Fast is out. Flow is in.” The resort delivers just that. Silent yoga at dawn, forest bathing trails, and at Vista — the resort’s dining outpost — meals are slow and local, featuring Garhwali staples and produce from nearby farms. The experience is curated but unforced. You can hike to George Everest’s house, attend Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh, or do nothing at all but watch mist curl over the valley. Private balconies and the absence of screens create an environment where you can hear yourself think. For guests used to productivity, such spaces feel like a salve. Monastic minimalism If Taj and St. Regis offer comfort cocooned in tranquillity, SwaSwara in Gokarna elevates asceticism to an art form. Poised above the crescent curve of Om Beach, this retreat strips away the excess of modern life through monastic minimalism by the sea. There are no televisions. Wi-Fi is limited. Even meals — sattvic and served in silence — are reminders that nourishment isn’t about calories, but intention. “You don’t come here to escape,” reflects Devadatta Naik, the retreat’s general manager. “You come to return — to your body, your breath, your senses. SwaSwara means ‘sound of the self’; so you learn to heed your inner voice.” Days revolve around yoga, Ayurveda therapies, pottery, art, and journaling. The terracotta-tiled villas with open courtyards mirror the ethos of the place: grounded, minimal, mindful. Inspired by the local architecture, the use of local laterite stone and coconut wood fosters harmony with the surroundings. Sustainability practices like rainwater harvesting and solar energy are woven into the retreat’s fabric. Every detail and design choice is aligned with its goal: to help guests hear their inner voice, the ultimate compass. Bhopal’s green lung Just 15 minutes from Bhopal’s urban core, Jehan Numa Retreat Club and Spa makes a compelling case for not having to travel far to find stillness. Spread across 12 sylvan acres adjacent to Van Vihar National Park, the resort is an oasis of unhurried elegance and earthy luxury. “We’re reinforcing that JOMO doesn’t require seclusion. It just requires intention,” shares Vincent Marques, general manager, Jehan Numa Retreat Club and Spa. With opportunities to engage with the local culture and cuisine, guests report feeling “refreshed and recharged”. “Without digital distractions, they find more time for introspection, journaling, walking in nature, or simply enjoying the sounds of the birds and the natural world. That shift, from stimulation to stillness, is where the magic lies,” as Marques says. Mornings begin with bird calls and organic coffee. Guests forage with chefs or cycle into the national park. With no rigid schedules, there’s time — for slow walks, pottery, or simply doing nothing. The design — low-slung structures, use of natural materials, and expansive courtyards — reinforces the ethos of stillness. Guests experience improved sleep, less screen time, and a general lightness of being after only a few days. Marques sees this not as a trend but a need. “We offer space to unravel.” Barefoot bliss Tucked away in a sleepy hamlet of Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg, Coco Shambhala is more whisper than shout. It has only four villas, each perched on a forested hillside, with expansive verandahs, infinity pools, and interiors that let the outside in. There are no crowded buffets. No race for the best spot by the pool. “By the second day, guests forget where they’ve kept their phones,” laughs Giles Knapton, founder of Coco Shambhala. “That’s when quality me-time starts.” Days unfold around fresh-cooked meals served in-villa, forest walks, and deep tissue massages that seem to knead away even years of digital overstimulation. Time stretches and softens here. You hear the rustle of palm leaves, taste the salt in the breeze, feel the hush of your thoughts. Coco Shambhala’s modest scale allows for intimacy with the self and the setting. “Guests don’t just leave with souvenirs,” Knapton shares. “They leave with a sense of equilibrium.” Fortune India is now on WhatsApp! Get the latest updates from the world of business and economy delivered straight to your phone. Subscribe now.

Unplugged, unbothered: Why millennials and Gen Z are opting for spaces that allow them to reconnect with themselves

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