Escape the Hustle and Bustle at These Adults Only Hotels

Escape the Hustle and Bustle at These Adults Only Hotels
12 January 2026 8 Comments Isla Pendleton

Want a vacation where the only noise is the ocean, the only crowd is your partner, and the only thing you have to decide is whether to order another glass of wine? Adults only hotels aren’t just a trend-they’re a necessity for anyone who’s tired of screaming kids in the pool, breakfast tables full of cereal boxes, and staff who act like they’re managing a daycare center instead of a luxury resort.

Why Adults Only Hotels Are the Real Luxury

True luxury isn’t about gold-plated faucets or infinity pools that cost $2,000 a night. It’s about peace. About silence. About waking up without hearing a child scream because they dropped their waffle.

Adults only hotels are designed for grown-ups who want to unwind, reconnect, or just disappear for a few days. These properties ban guests under 18-sometimes even under 21-so you won’t see strollers in the lobby, high chairs in the restaurant, or toddlers running through the spa. The vibe is calm, intentional, and quiet. No one’s blasting cartoons at 7 a.m. No one’s splashing in the pool at midnight. You get to sleep in, read in peace, and enjoy a drink without someone asking if you want ketchup on their fries.

According to a 2025 report by the Global Wellness Institute, bookings for adults-only resorts rose 42% in the last two years, with travelers over 35 making up 68% of all luxury leisure bookings. This isn’t just about avoiding noise-it’s about reclaiming your space.

What to Look for in an Adults Only Hotel

Not all resorts that say "adults only" are created equal. Some just remove the kids’ club and call it a day. The best ones design every detail around adult needs.

  • Quiet zones-Look for properties with designated silent pools, meditation gardens, or book-filled lounges where conversation is kept hushed.
  • Evening experiences-The best ones offer wine tastings, live jazz, stargazing, or late-night cocktails with no rush to turn off the lights.
  • Spa-focused amenities-Think hot stone massages, thermal circuits, and aromatherapy treatments-not just a sauna shoved into a corner.
  • Flexible dining-No 7 p.m. dinner curfew. No buffet lines. Private tables, room service until midnight, and menus that don’t include chicken nuggets.
  • Location-Is it tucked away on a private beach? Perched on a hill with no neighboring hotels? The more isolated, the better.

One common mistake? Choosing a resort that says "adults only" but still has a noisy bar scene or loud music playing at 10 p.m. Always check recent guest reviews for mentions of noise levels. Words like "peaceful," "serene," and "no disturbances" are your clues.

Candlelit dinner in a sea cave in Jamaica with ocean waves and fresh lobster.

Top Adults Only Hotels Around the World

Here are five standout properties that actually deliver on the promise of quiet luxury-not just marketing.

1. The Nines, Santorini, Greece

Perched on the cliffs of Imerovigli, The Nines has only 18 suites. Each has a private plunge pool and panoramic views of the caldera. No poolside DJs. No kids running through the hallways. Just you, the Aegean Sea, and a bottle of Assyrtiko wine. The restaurant serves locally sourced seafood with wine pairings curated by a sommelier who knows your name by day two.

2. El Fenn, Marrakech, Morocco

This 29-room riad blends Moroccan elegance with minimalist design. Think hand-carved wood, velvet cushions, and a rooftop terrace that feels like a secret garden. The spa offers traditional hammam rituals and rose petal baths. Guests report falling asleep to the call to prayer-not a child’s laughter.

3. The Caves, Jamaica

Hidden in a limestone cliffside near Negril, The Caves is the only resort in the Caribbean where guests sleep in natural sea caves. No TVs. No phones allowed in the dining area. Just candlelight, fresh lobster, and the sound of waves echoing through stone. It’s not for everyone-but if you’ve ever dreamed of a romantic escape that feels like a hidden world, this is it.

4. Hotel El Mirador, Tuscany, Italy

A 17th-century villa turned boutique retreat, El Mirador offers olive oil tastings, cooking classes with nonna-style chefs, and a pool surrounded by cypress trees. The staff remembers your favorite wine and brings it to you without being asked. Breakfast is served on your terrace with homemade jam and freshly baked bread. No one rushes you. No one interrupts.

5. The Setai, Miami Beach, Florida

On the quieter end of South Beach, The Setai has a 100% adults-only policy and a rooftop pool that feels like a private club. The vibe is modern Asian-minimalist, with bamboo-lined walkways and a spa that offers CBD-infused massages. Even the poolside attendants move like they’re in a slow-motion film. No loud music. No volleyball games. Just sun, silence, and a perfectly mixed gin and tonic.

How to Pick the Right One for You

Not every adult wants the same thing. Some want romance. Others want solitude. Some want wine. Others want yoga.

Ask yourself:

  1. Do I want to be social-or completely alone?
  2. Is a spa my top priority, or is it the food?
  3. Do I prefer a beach, mountains, or a city?
  4. Am I okay with no Wi-Fi in the rooms?

If you’re looking for romance, choose a property with private dining and candlelit walks. If you want to reset mentally, go somewhere with no Wi-Fi and a meditation garden. If you’re a foodie, pick a hotel with a chef who sources ingredients daily.

Also, consider the season. A resort in Bali might be perfect in January-but in August, it’s humid and crowded with European retirees. Check weather patterns and peak travel times. The best adults-only hotels fill up fast, so book at least 6 months ahead.

Couple relaxing in a rose petal hammam bath at a Marrakech riad under a mosaic dome.

What You’ll Miss (And What You Won’t)

Some people worry they’ll miss out on family fun. But here’s the truth: you won’t miss it. You’ll feel lighter.

You won’t miss:

  • Having to explain why you can’t go to the pool because "the kids are screaming."
  • Being asked to "be quiet" while you’re trying to sleep.
  • Watching your partner’s eyes roll when someone drops a sippy cup in the restaurant.

You’ll gain:

  • Two hours of uninterrupted sleep.
  • A conversation that lasts longer than five minutes.
  • A real vacation-not a parenting assignment with a view.

Final Thought: You Deserve This

You’ve worked hard. You’ve paid bills. You’ve raised kids, held jobs, and kept things together. Now it’s time to take a break that’s just for you. Not a weekend away with the family. Not a quick city trip between meetings. A real escape.

Adults only hotels aren’t about being selfish. They’re about being human. About remembering that you still need quiet. That you still deserve peace. That you still want to feel like an adult-not a caregiver, a manager, or a stress sponge.

Book that room. Turn off your phone. Let the waves or the mountains or the candlelight do the work. You’ve earned it.

Are adults only hotels really worth the price?

Yes-if you value peace, privacy, and quality over noise and crowds. These hotels cost more because they offer fewer guests, higher staff-to-guest ratios, and curated experiences. You’re not paying for a pool-you’re paying for silence, attention, and space. A night at a top adults-only resort might cost $800, but if you’re getting 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep and a real conversation with your partner, it’s cheaper than a therapist.

Can couples stay at adults only hotels?

Absolutely. In fact, couples make up the majority of guests. Many resorts offer romantic packages: private dinners, couple’s massages, and sunrise breakfasts on the balcony. Some even have suites designed for two, with deep soaking tubs and blackout curtains so you can sleep until noon.

Are there adults only hotels in the UK?

Not many traditional resorts, but there are boutique retreats. The Scarlet Hotel in Cornwall offers an adults-only wing with a thermal suite and silent yoga. The White Horse in Oxfordshire has a no-kids policy in its spa and dining areas. For a true escape, consider the Isle of Skye’s Eilean Iarmain or the Lake District’s The Pheasant Inn-both keep children out and quiet in.

What’s the difference between adults only and no kids?

"No kids" often means kids aren’t allowed in certain areas-like the spa or pool-but they’re still in the hotel. "Adults only" means the entire property bans guests under 18 (or 21). The vibe is completely different. At an adults-only hotel, the staff doesn’t just tolerate quiet-they design everything around it.

Is it weird to go alone to an adults only hotel?

Not at all. Solo travelers, especially women over 35, are one of the fastest-growing segments. Many resorts offer single occupancy rates and host small group activities like wine tastings or guided walks. You’ll likely meet others who are there for the same reason: to disconnect and recharge.

8 Comments

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    Daniel Kim

    January 13, 2026 AT 17:31

    Adults only my ass. They’re just expensive hotels that charge extra for silence. You’re paying for not hearing kids but you still get loud assholes drinking wine at 2 a.m. and snoring in the next room.

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    Dan Packer

    January 15, 2026 AT 12:27

    I get what you're saying. I took my wife to The Nines last year and honestly? It was the first time in five years we didn’t argue about noise or schedules. We just sat. Watched the sunset. Didn’t say a word for two hours. That’s the real luxury.

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    Dale Zebick

    January 17, 2026 AT 11:26

    People act like kids are the enemy but honestly most adults only places are just for rich people who want to feel special. I’ve been to places that say adults only and still had drunk guys yelling at the bar till 3am. It’s not about kids it’s about class

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    Chuck V

    January 17, 2026 AT 12:33

    Let me tell you something real - this isn’t just about escaping noise, this is about reclaiming your soul. I used to think I was being selfish for wanting quiet but then I realized I wasn’t being selfish I was being sane. After years of being a dad and a manager and a fixer and a doer - I finally got to be just me. No roles. No responsibilities. Just me and the ocean and a glass of wine that didn’t get spilled by a toddler. That’s not a vacation that’s a spiritual reset. And yeah it costs money but how much do you pay for therapy? For anxiety meds? For the weight you carry every single day? This is cheaper than a breakdown. And honestly if you can’t afford it then maybe you need to start saying no to things that drain you so you can say yes to this.

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    Ken Chess

    January 19, 2026 AT 05:45

    Same. I went solo to The Caves last year. No phone. No Wi-Fi. Just me and the waves and a lobster that tasted like heaven. I cried on the way home. Not because I was sad. Because I remembered what it felt like to be still. People think you need company to heal but sometimes you just need silence and a view that doesn’t judge you

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    Melissa Pemberton

    January 19, 2026 AT 21:15

    omg yes!! I went to El Fenn and it was like a dream!! no kids no stress just vibes and rose baths and the staff was like angels sent from above!! i swear i slept 10 hrs straight for 4 days straight!! best thing ever!!

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    Vicky Durel

    January 20, 2026 AT 09:22

    Wait… you’re telling me you’re okay with paying $800 a night to avoid kids but you’re not asking why the entire industry is pushing this narrative? Big resorts and luxury brands are targeting divorced men and lonely women to sell them false peace. They know you’re tired so they make you feel guilty for wanting quiet. Meanwhile the real problem is that society doesn’t support families - but instead of fixing that they just make you pay to escape it. This isn’t luxury. It’s exploitation dressed in linen sheets.

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    Mrigank Srivastava

    January 20, 2026 AT 19:45

    I used to think this was for people like me. Then I went to one. Sat by the pool. Watched couples laugh. Listened to the silence. And realized I didn’t belong there. I didn’t want peace. I wanted to be needed. Maybe that’s why I’m still here.

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