7 relaxing vacations where you don’t need to do anything
If you believe that vacations are for relaxing and nothing but relaxing, discover our top seven relaxing vacation spots where doing nothing is all that’s on the schedule
In 2022, we asked 4,000 U.S. travelers about their vacation habits. 34% reported feeling burned out by the holiday season and 96% were planning to spend part of their next trip doing zilch.
We tend to over-schedule during the holiday season and the answer is often to plan nice relaxing holidays, preferably somewhere sunny, where we can kick back and recover. Beach destination hotspots like Cancun, Punta Cana, and Oahu are popular because the weather is fabulous—why would you plan stuff when there are beaches and cocktails?
We’ve compiled a list of relaxing vacation destinations for you to set the stage for your very own do-nothing vacation.
01
Kauai, Hawaii
Nicknamed “the Garden Isle,” Kauai is known for its lush natural beauty and dramatic cliffs. It’s less busy than neighboring Oahu and Maui, meaning it’s one of the quieter vacation spots in Hawaii. It is a place where you can get lost without even leaving your hotel. Hotel Hanalei Bay and Koloa Landing Resort are two fantastic hotels on Kauai Island for truly relaxing vacations that are all about pool time, cocktails by the beach, and letting yourself be pampered in world-class spas.
02
Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s luxe eco-lodges are the perfect place to turn off your phone, bask in the sounds of nature, and do nothing. Cielo Lodge in Golfito boasts an infinity pool and plenty of tranquil spots where you can enjoy one of the best relaxing vacations in Central America. If you ever feel like exploring your surroundings, try forest bathing and evening walks where you can learn all about local frog fauna. Located in the forests of La Fortuna, Volcano Lodge Hotel has outdoor pools, natural hot springs, and suites with gorgeous views over lush dormant volcanoes.
03
Fiji
There are very few relaxing places as idyllic as Fiji. The remote tropical island nation in the South Pacific is home to truly outstanding resorts. Navutu Stars Resort, on the Yasawa Island archipelago, offers private straw-roofed huts overlooking the lagoon and a 30-minute welcome massage to ease you right into your empty schedule. Namale Resort and Spa on Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island, is a dreamy adults-only resort where you can enjoy a well-deserved break among grownups who understand the meaning of relaxing.
04
Nevis, the Caribbean
Nevis, near St. Kitts, is one of the most unspoiled and relaxing islands in the Caribbean. In Nevis, doing nothing is a sanctioned activity and even has its own word—“liming”—which means lounging around and chilling out with friends. Montpelier Plantation and Beach and The Hamilton Beach Villas and Spa are great home bases if you’re after spots away from the crowds. Nevis is one of the quieter Caribbean islands, which makes it one of the most relaxing vacation destinations if all you want to do is check into your resort and check out from the outside world.
05
Koh Samui, Thailand
Koh Samui, an island in the Gulf of Thailand, is known for its luxurious wellness resorts that offer everything from ayurvedic massages to reiki healing and all things detox. If you prefer your nothing-cation with a side serving of relaxing spa treatments, there is plenty to explore. The Banyan Tree Samui is a wonderful home base, with open-air villas, sun-kissed terraces and free cabanas by the beach. The adults-only Mantra Samui Resort is another fantastic spot where all you need to do is casually waltz between your ocean-view suite, the full-service spa, and the gorgeous on-site restaurant.
06
Algarve, Portugal
If you’re after relaxing vacation ideas in Europe, Portugal’s southernmost Algarve region has spent decades perfecting its relaxing mix of beaches, golf courses, and market towns. The Belmar Spa and Beach Resort in Sagres knows how to do relaxation right, whether that’s offering yoga on the beach or deep-tissue massages in the spa. The five-star Cascade Wellness Resort in Lagos is an oceanfront resort with a family-friendly atmosphere for families who love to do nothing together. Let your kids run loose in the playground while you make the most of the poolside bar.
07
Sanibel Island, Florida
Sanibel Island is known for its easy-living pace, stunning wildlife, and beaches teeming with beautiful shells. A barrier island 15–20 miles west of downtown Fort Myers, Sanibel is one of the most relaxing vacations in the U.S., with laidback resorts to match. Sanibel Island Beach Resort on Sanibel proper is a neat three-star option just steps away from the beach. At the other end of the budget scale, Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa in nearby Fort Myers boasts a wonderful outdoor pool and yoga lessons so you can learn how to tune in to your do-nothing chakra while zoning out to the sound of the waves of the Gulf of Mexico.
