Switch to airplane mode: Destinations to escape election tension

If you're overwhelmed by the constant stream of political ads and endless spam texts as the U.S. nears the final stretch of the 2024 presidential election, you're not alone in needing a mental breather.

The American Psychiatric Association's annual mental health survey reveals that 43% of U.S. adults feel more anxious this year than last, an increase from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022. Nearly three-quarters are particularly stressed by the 2024 election cycle.

No surprise then that searches for "quiet retreats" and "peaceful escapes" on Pinterest have surged by 50% and 42%, respectively, according to the 2024 Travel Report. People are turning to nature: Interest in national parks has jumped by 250%, forest trails by 30%, and mountain cabins by 180%.

"We're seeing more travelers looking for destinations and properties that offer peace of mind, helping them escape the stress and uncertainty of the moment through tranquility and silence," said Carolyn Addison, head of product at luxury travel company Black Tomato.

Whether you're craving a complete digital detox at a secluded hotel with no Wi-Fi or TV, or simply seeking a peaceful spot to switch your phone to airplane mode, here are eight spots that feel far-off yet are still easy to reach for a last-minute escape before the election.

Big Sur, California

Just a three-hour drive along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco, Big Sur clings to the cliffs at the edge of the continent, where the redwood forest meets the ocean. Since the 1960s, when the Esalen Institute first opened, visitors have flocked to this coastal gem for meditation and wellness retreats.

Hyatt took over one of the region’s most luxurious resorts in 2018, meaning you can now use points for a relaxing getaway in Big Sur. In addition to going all-inclusive in 2020, the 54-room Alila Ventana Big Sur offers morning tai chi and yoga sessions, as well as access to Japanese hot baths and an infinity hot tub, perfect for unwinding after a full day of hiking. The hotel’s all-day restaurant, The Sur House, serves California classics like Dungeness crab cakes, local Fogline Farms chicken, and foraged Big Sur mushrooms. For the best ocean views, ask for a seat on the outdoor terrace. There’s also a separate glamping resort located just down the hill from the main hotel.

"It’s hard to put into words how stunning this place is. Everywhere you look, you’ll be in awe of the views and reaching for your camera to capture it," TPG reporter Zach Griff wrote in his 2021 review of the Alila Ventana Big Sur. "And while you’ll be snapping shots with your phone, don’t expect to share them right away—cell signal is very limited here."

Ventana does provide complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the property, but why not disconnect and put your phone in airplane mode for a few days?

TPG tip: This fall, rooms at Alila Ventana Big Sur are available for as low as 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night (a great deal, considering cash rates start around $2,000 per night). The World of Hyatt Credit Card is currently offering 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months, plus up to an additional 30,000 points through earning 2 bonus points per $1 spent in the first six months on purchases that normally earn 1 point, up to $15,000 in spending.

Fogo Island, Newfoundland

Located off the coast of Newfoundland, Fogo Island is a peaceful 90-square-mile island filled with charming fishing villages, and it's surprisingly accessible given its remote setting. From the East Coast, you can reach St. John's, Newfoundland in about five hours, including transfers through Toronto or Montreal. Once in St. John's, you have two options to get to Fogo Island: the quick route (a 1.5-hour helicopter ride that offers spectacular views of the rugged coastline) or the scenic route (a 4.5-hour drive to Farewell followed by a 45-minute ferry ride).

Fogo Island has seven distinct micro-seasons, and many locals consider "berry season" (Sept. 1-Oct. 31) to be the best time of year. During these weeks, visitors can pick a variety of wild berries including marshberries, partridgeberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Several local festivals also take place, such as the Fogo Island Partridgeberry Harvest Festival (Oct. 12-13).

Fogo Island is a haven for outdoor lovers, offering over 100 miles of hiking and biking trails. During certain seasons, the island's caribou herd can be spotted feasting on berries along the roads. While whale watching typically ends by September, birdwatchers can still catch glimpses of Atlantic puffins on the Little Fogo Islands through November. If it rains, take cover inside and enjoy a private pottery-making workshop at Fogo Clay Studios.

TPG tip: Experience the legendary Fogo Island Inn, famous for its striking modern architecture and commitment to using locally sourced ingredients and materials. This fall, all-inclusive rates at the Inn start at 1,975 CAD (about 1,467 USD) per night, covering meals, land-based activities, on-island transportation, and more. The Inn closes for the season on Nov. 1.

Greenough, Montana

The all-inclusive resort The Green O takes its name from Greenough, Montana, a quaint town located about 40 minutes from Missoula Montana Airport (MSO). This adults-only getaway offers a romantic escape nestled in the woods of the Blackfoot River Valley. For families, its sister property — the family-friendly Resort at Paws Up — is located next door.

The Green O features 12 Scandinavian-inspired "hauses" in four unique designs: Tree Hauses, Round Hauses, Green Hauses, and Light Hauses. While each is distinct, all offer airy spaces, wood-paneled floors, and private outdoor hot tubs. Though each accommodation comes with complimentary Wi-Fi and Samsung Frame TVs, you'll likely be drawn outside each night for stargazing, leaving your phone behind.

"My favorite way to end the evening was slipping into my private hot tub just outside my tree haus, wine in hand, gazing up at the stars," TPG Hotels Editor Ellie Nan Storck shared in a review of The Green O. "Montana truly lived up to its 'Big Sky Country' reputation — every night felt like a celestial performance."

TPG tip: Since The Green O isn't part of any loyalty or points program, like American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, it's best to book directly through the hotel’s website. All-inclusive rates generally start around $4,000 per night, though you might find them closer to $3,000 during off-peak months such as early November.

Castle Hot Springs, Arizona

Castle Hot Springs is another all-inclusive destination in itself. Though a hotel has existed at this desert oasis in central Arizona's Bradshaw Mountains since 1896, the current version reopened in 2019 after a major renovation.

Nestled around three natural hot springs among thousands of Saguaro cacti, this spa resort feels incredibly remote, even though it's only an hour's drive from downtown Phoenix. "However, it’s the final seven miles on a rugged dirt road that really marks the transition into a peaceful escape from daily life," says Annie Fitzsimmons, a Scottsdale native who features the property in her upcoming book, "100 Hotels of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Retreats" (released Dec. 3). "Staring at the twinkling desert stars — with telescopes in the Sky View cabins — you feel cut off from the world but deeply connected to yourself and those around you."

The rooms are TV-free, but you'll want to spend most of your time outdoors. As an all-inclusive retreat, your daily rate covers meals, gratuities, access to natural hot springs, and activities like guided meditation, hiking, and yoga.

Spa treatments and more adventurous hikes, such as the Crater Canyon Exploration, come with an extra charge — but they’re definitely worth it.

"One of my highlights during my stay was the Crater Canyon Exploration hike, which takes you through a trail to a slot canyon, followed by a ropes course requiring a harness and carabiner setup," wrote TPG Senior Editor Becky Blaine in her review of Castle Hot Springs. "It was both challenging and thrilling, with breathtaking scenery. In the end, it was just the three of us — another resort guest and our guide, Lexi."

TPG tip: While Castle Hot Springs is part of SLH, it cannot be booked with Hilton points. However, the resort is affiliated with American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts. If you have an eligible card like The Platinum Card® from American Express, and you book through Amex Travel, you’ll enjoy perks like guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout, noon check-in, and a possible room upgrade on arrival. This fall, all-inclusive rates start at $1,450 for one guest or $1,650 for two guests per night.

Aspen, Colorado

If your idea of relaxation is lounging in a robe at a chic hotel or soaking in fresh mountain air on a hike, Aspen is the place for you. Although this Colorado ski town can be expensive, there are discounts to be found between the peak fall foliage in mid-October and the start of the ski season in late November.

"For those unfamiliar, 'mud season' is a rainy period — for Colorado standards — that falls between ski seasons, during both fall and spring," explained Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, author of the new mountain design guide, "Alpine Style".

"While some restaurants close during these off-peak weeks, it’s a great time to score a deal at Hotel Jerome, a luxury property where even the marble lobby desk is heated," O'Shea-Evans shared about the 1889 Auberge Resorts Collection hotel, which is also a member of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts. (Fall rates start at $713 per night, a bargain compared to peak ski season rates that can soar to $3,775 per night in January.)

There’s still plenty to enjoy outdoors in Aspen during the fall: hiking, biking, or fly-fishing at picturesque spots like Cathedral Lake and Hunter Creek. Wildlife enthusiasts can join an Evening Elk Walk in October to witness the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Rut with local guides.

TPG tip: Want to use your points? Several hotels in Aspen are offering discounted rates for both points and cash this fall. These include W Aspen (rates start at $391 or 59,600 Marriott Bonvoy points per night) and St. Regis Aspen (rates start at $734 or 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night).

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

While it might be too chilly for beach days, the shoulder season is a perfect time to explore the charming towns of Cape Cod and enjoy serene walks on the beach in cozy sweater weather. Extend your outdoor adventure by glamping at AutoCamp Cape Cod, which offers stylish Airstream trailers, cabins, and safari tents for year-round stays in Falmouth. Just a 1.5-hour drive south of Boston, the property features an 8,100-square-foot clubhouse and plenty of spaces to relax by indoor and outdoor fire pits.

"Located right off the 10.7-mile-long Shining Sea Bikeway — named after the famous song 'America the Beautiful,' written by Falmouth's Katharine Lee Bates — the property is ideal for both beginner cyclists and seasoned pros. You can easily explore Cape Cod's salt marshes, cranberry bogs, and lush forests," said Caroline English, TPG's Director of Social Media and Brand, in a 2023 review of AutoCamp Cape Cod. "During our visit, we spotted numerous birds, like American goldfinches and gray catbirds, and even saw a rabbit nibbling on chicory outside our door."

What could be more serene than that?

TPG tip: Hilton's new partnership with AutoCamp is now active, which means Hilton Honors members can earn and redeem points at all eight glamping locations across the U.S. This fall, rates at AutoCamp Cape Cod start at $189 or 51,000 Hilton Honors points per night when booking directly through Hilton's channels. Additionally, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is offering a welcome bonus of 165,000 Hilton Honors points after you spend $3,000 in the first six months of membership. This offer ends on Jan. 8, 2025.

Costalegre, Jalisco, Mexico

Costalegre, meaning "cheerful coast" in Spanish, lives up to its name. A top pick for TPG's 2023 destinations, this picturesque stretch of Pacific coastline between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo boasts secluded beaches, dramatic cliffs, and pristine jungle.

The Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo is a recent addition to the area, opening in 2022. Located on a 3,000-acre private nature reserve, this stunning property offers 157 rooms, including cliffside suites with private infinity pools and rooms nestled closer to the pools and dining areas. Guests can enjoy guided birdwatching tours, photography workshops with National Geographic photographers, or simply unwind on the beach while children have fun at Caramelo, the Kids for All Seasons program.

While the resort carries the prestigious Four Seasons name, its local Mexican owners have emphasized the use of local talent. The hotel's striking brutalist architecture was designed by Mexican firm LegoRocha, drawing inspiration from the tiers of a Mexican pyramid. The main restaurant is a collaboration with renowned Mexican chef Elena Reygadas, featuring ingredients sourced from the on-site farm.

A four-hour drive from Puerto Vallarta will take you to the resort, but consider flying into Manzanillo Playa de Oro International (ZLO), located just an hour away. This airport offers direct flights to Houston (on United Airlines) and Los Angeles (on Alaska Airlines) year-round, with seasonal flights to Atlanta (on Aeromexico) starting November 2.

TPG tip: Rates at the Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo start at $1,087 per night for international guests and $580 per night for Mexican nationals. The hotel offers amenities like complimentary daily breakfast for two and a $100 food and beverage credit for The Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders who book through the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming and Montana

Autumn is the perfect time to escape the summer crowds at Yellowstone National Park. An October visit offers stunning fall colors and the chance to see black and grizzly bears foraging for berries in preparation for winter. While the days shorten, this means more evenings spent relaxing by the campfire.

For those who love a bit of fictional drama, Black Tomato’s new Yellowstone: "It runs in the blood" itinerary will immerse you in the world of the hit Paramount Network series, airing its final season this November. This six-night journey (starting at $29,280 per person) through Montana and Wyoming includes a sunset cattle drive, horsemanship lessons from a real horse whisperer, and a private tour of Lamar Valley to observe its wolf pack as the weather cools.

TPG tip: Most major U.S. airlines offer direct flights to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) from cities like Salt Lake City, Denver, and Chicago. While Yellowstone itself doesn’t have points hotels, the Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman, located just an hour from the park’s north entrance, is a budget-friendly choice if you’re planning your own Yellowstone adventure. (Rates start at $170 or 34,000 IHG One Rewards points per night, and you can use the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card's annual free night certificate for up to 40,000 points.)

Bottom Line

If you're seeking refuge from the chaos, whether by sinking your toes in the sand by the coast or escaping to the mountains with minimal cell service, these remote retreats provide the perfect nature-filled escape from election stress.