For a long time, a hotel’s luxury was measured by the number of its restaurants and the length of its treatment menu. In 2026, another value is on the rise: silence. Quietcation, a portmanteau of “quiet” and “vacation”, refers to a stay organised around calm, disconnection and an empty schedule, far from packed itineraries. Hoteliers have a word for the response they provide: “hushpitality”. Italy, with its lakes, Apennine forests and alpine valleys, has become its most convincing testing ground. Here are six retreats that make this a promise kept.
- 🤫 The trend · Quietcation and “hushpitality”: stays designed around silence, disconnection and free time
- 📊 The figure · 56% of travellers set off primarily to rest and recharge, according to Hilton’s 2026 trends report
- 🇮🇹 The setting · Six Italian retreats, from Sardinia to the Dolomites: sea, lakes, forests and high mountains
- 🌲 The practices · Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), yoga, sound baths, silent walks, slow food
- 🏆 Key takeaway · OLM Nature Escape, the Alps’ first energy-self-sufficient aparthotel, voted South Tyrol hotel of the year 2026 by Gault&Millau
Quietcation: what are we actually talking about
The term refers to holidays whose primary purpose is rest, in a tranquil location with as few demands as possible: no schedule, minimal screens, slow meals, nature within walking distance. According to the 2026 trends report published by Hilton, 56% of surveyed travellers say they travel primarily to rest and recharge, ahead of sightseeing or partying. Hotels catering to this expectation speak of “hushpitality”: flexible hours, phone-free zones, secluded rooms, gentle activities such as Shinrin-yoku (Japanese forest bathing), yoga or sound baths. This is neither a medical cure nor a spiritual retreat, but rather a way of giving time back to the traveller.
1. Aquadulci, Chia · the silence of the sea in Southern Sardinia
In Chia, at the southern tip of Sardinia, Aquadulci opens onto Su Giudeu beach, one of the island’s finest, bordered by dunes and a pond frequented by pink flamingos. Here, the only background noise is the wind in the junipers and the waves on the sand. The rooms are spread across low-rise buildings nestled within a Mediterranean garden, the swimming pool is hidden beneath palm trees, and nearby coves like Cala del Morto can be reached on foot. This address suits those who want the sea without the crowds of the island’s northern coast.
2. Nabi Resort & Glamping, Laghi Nabi · sleeping on the water in Campania
In Castel Volturno, north of Naples, Laghi Nabi was created in 2020 through the regeneration of former sand quarries transformed into three lakes across a fifty-hectare estate. Nabi Resort & Glamping features luxury tents on the shore and floating lodges moored offshore, where guests drift off to sleep to the gentle lapping of the water. In the morning, yoga on the pontoon; at the end of the day, sound baths and an overwater spa, the first of its kind in Campania. Bicycles, kayaks and sailing are available for those who cannot stay still, though movement is entirely optional.
3. Antica Corte Pallavicina · a 13th-century castle by the Po river
In Polesine Parmense, Emilia-Romagna, Antica Corte Pallavicina occupies a fortified 13th-century castle situated on the embankments of the Po river. The estate belongs to the Spigaroli family, and chef Massimo Spigaroli’s Michelin-starred table serves terroir cuisine built around culatello cured in the castle’s cellars. Quietcation here takes the form of a silent walk through the Po forest or a boat ride on the river, followed by a long, unhurried dinner. The understated rooms overlook the vegetable garden and the plains.
4. Ca’ Cigolara · yurts and forest bathing in the Apennines
Higher up, in the Ghirardi Nature Reserve within the hills of Parma, the Ca’ Cigolara estate has made a radical choice: lodging its guests in traditional Mongolian yurts set on wooden terraces facing the meadows. The stay continues along the Monte Nero Shinrin-yoku trail, a certified forest bathing route renowned for its stress-relieving benefits. There is no television, connectivity is kept to a strict minimum, and the region’s darkest night skies provide ideal stargazing conditions.
5. OLM Nature Escape · architecture in the service of calm in Valle Aurina
In Campo Tures, South Tyrol, OLM Nature Escape takes the form of a wood and stone ring resting amidst the meadows of Valle Aurina. It is the Alps’ first energy-self-sufficient aparthotel, powered by 3,000 sqm of photovoltaic panels and geothermal heat pumps. Each suite features its own kitchen and private sauna, while a natural swimming pond and a spa with a panoramic pool complete the experience. There are no breakfast times or organized activities: guests live entirely at their own pace. Gault&Millau named it South Tyrol hotel of the year for 2026.
6. Skyview Chalets · the starry vault from your bed, at Lake Dobbiaco
On the shores of Lake Dobbiaco, at the gateway to the Tre Cime, Skyview Chalets are charming larch wood cabins topped with glass roofs. Lying in bed, guests can watch the Dolomites fade into dusk before the sky fills with stars, without ever leaving the warmth of the chalet. Sauna, terrace and breakfast delivered to the door: the itinerary fits in three lines, which is precisely the point. This address is in high demand during both summer and winter, and bookings must be made several months in advance.
Six retreats at a glance
| Retreat | Where | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|
| Aquadulci | Chia, Sardinia | The silence of the wind and waves, facing the dunes of Su Giudeu |
| Nabi Resort & Glamping | Laghi Nabi, Castel Volturno, Campania | Floating lodges across three lakes, sound baths and dawn yoga |
| Antica Corte Pallavicina | Polesine Parmense, Emilia-Romagna | A 13th-century castle by the Po, Michelin-starred dining and silent walks |
| Ca’ Cigolara | Ghirardi Reserve, Parma Apennines | Mongolian yurts and certified forest bathing trail |
| OLM Nature Escape | Campo Tures, Valle Aurina, South Tyrol | Circular energy-self-sufficient aparthotel, private saunas, no schedules |
| Skyview Chalets | Lake Dobbiaco, Dolomites | Glass and larch chalets for sleeping under the stars |
Our perspective
Silence used to be a by-product of luxury, the consequence of a grand estate and discreet staff. It has now become the core offering. What these six addresses share is selling empty time rather than amenities, which relies on isolated locations, few rooms and protective architecture. This is also good news for inland Italy, far from saturated cities: the Parma Apennines and Valle Aurina are unaccustomed to attracting an international clientele. For a first stay, we recommend OLM Nature Escape for the mountains and Nabi Resort for the water. Discover hotel news in Italy on La Revue des Hôtels.
