There was a time when going on holiday alone needed explaining. Now it is one of the fastest-growing ways to travel, and a lot of those trips have something in common. People are not going alone to see more. They are going alone to recover.

Hilton’s 2026 trends report found that nearly half of travellers (48%) are adding extra days before or after family holidays just to have time on their own. More than half said they would take a business trip partly to get a break from their family or partner. It is said with a smile, but the point is serious. Even the people we love most take energy, and many of us rarely get a day that belongs only to us.

Travel advisers are seeing the same thing. In Virtuoso’s 2026 Luxe Report, based on a survey of more than 2,400 of its travel advisers worldwide, health and wellness was the second most requested experience among solo travellers, behind only adventure and trekking.

A solo wellness trip is different from other holidays because nobody else’s needs come first. You eat when you are hungry. You sleep when you are tired. You go to the yoga class or you stay in bed, and there is no one to negotiate with. For parents, carers and anyone who spends most of the year organising other people, that alone can be a relief.

It is also easier than it used to be. Wellness retreats are well suited to travelling alone, because the day already has a shape. There are classes, treatments and shared meals, so you can be sociable when you want to be and quiet when you don’t. Many guests at retreats arrive on their own, so you are rarely the only one.

If you have never done it before, a few things help. Start with three or four nights rather than a fortnight. Choose a place with a programme, so you do not have to plan every hour. Pack a book and a notebook, and put your phone away for longer than feels comfortable. The first day can feel strange. By the second, most people stop noticing they are alone.

And you do not have to explain it to anyone. Wanting time on your own is not a sign that something is wrong at home. It is often what helps you come back to it with more to give.

Five places that work well on your own

Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand. A hillside retreat built around a cave once used by Buddhist monks for meditation, with programmes for sleep, detox and rest. kamalaya.com

Ananda in the Himalayas, India. A hundred-acre estate in the Indian Himalayas, rooted in Ayurveda, yoga and Vedanta. anandaspa.com

Euphoria Retreat, Peloponnese, Greece. On the edge of medieval Mystras, with a four-floor spa and a domed pool inspired by the Hagia Sophia. euphoriaretreat.com

Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, England. A historic estate in the foothills of the Yorkshire Dales, with its own retreat centre, Avalon, and walled gardens. broughtonsanctuary.co.uk

SHA Wellness Clinic, Alicante, Spain. A clinic on a clifftop above the Mediterranean, combining medical care with natural therapies and a largely plant-based kitchen. shawellness.com