For years, premium “rest breaks” have been synonymous with going further, staying longer and spending more.
But in 2026, the ultimate indulgence might simply be 72 hours dedicated entirely to rest, wellbeing and reconnecting with what matters most.
New research from Great Britain’s largest group of independent hotels, BWH Hotels GB suggests British travellers are increasingly looking closer to home for exactly that.
In a survey of more than 2,400 holidaymakers, almost 80% are choosing a UK staycation this year, while more than a third say relaxation is one of their biggest priorities.
Search behaviour points in the same direction.
Over the past year, Google searches for ‘luxury weekend breaks’ have risen by 5,000%, alongside increases for ‘luxury UK break’ by 700%, ‘weekend getaway’ by more than 250% and ‘short breaks UK’ by 130%.
Together, the figures suggest a growing appetite for shorter, high-quality escapes that deliver the restorative benefits of a longer holiday without the time commitment.
The trend is also influencing the types of short breaks travellers are booking.
At The Kings Arms, WorldHotels Distinctive, in Christchurch, Dorset and part of BWH Hotels GB’s premium Stays Worth Discovering collection, bookings are up 28% compared with the same period last year.
This comes as guests seek short breaks that blend wellness, great food and coastal experiences into a manageable three-day escape.
Its wellness stay includes a choice between a 60-minute saltwater sauna session overlooking Avon Beach or a yoga or Pilates class at nearby Maya & Moon Wellness Studio. This sits alongside full breakfast at Eighteen Restaurant & Bar, a complimentary wellbeing gift from Bramley and a complimentary midday check-out.
For Lucy Woolnough from Colchester, the appeal was the chance to briefly opt out of everyday life without the added logistics of travelling abroad.
Instead, they drove to Christchurch.
She said: “Between work, home and a highly energetic toddler, we really needed some time to ourselves, but flying somewhere felt like more effort than it was worth.
“It’s amazing what the little things can do for the soul – a luxurious bath, a brilliant night’s sleep and a saltwater sauna on the beach. We weren’t away for long, but it felt extravagant because we actually switched off.”
BWH Hotels GB believes experiences like this point to a wider change in what travellers expect from a premium break, with rest, good food, nature and wellbeing becoming as important as where they go or how long they stay.
Other properties within its premium WorldHotels collection are seeing similar demand, particularly where guests can combine indulgence with nature and experiences.
Also within BWH Hotels GB’s Stays Worth Discovering premium collection, Gleddoch Golf & Spa Resort, WorldHotels Distinctive in Scotland, offers guests the chance to pair spa time with championship golf and views across the Clyde.
Tim Rumney, CEO of BWH Hotels GB, said: “For a long time, we’ve associated premium holidays with going further, staying longer and packing more into the experience.
“But what people value from a premium break is changing. Increasingly, it’s about something much harder to come by: uninterrupted time.
“That’s part of the thinking behind our Stays Worth Discovering collection, which brings together distinctive hotels where guests can make the most of what’s on their doorstep, whether that’s exceptional food, time in nature or simply space to switch off.
“If you can spend three days sleeping brilliantly, eating exceptional food, getting outside and properly switching off, that can feel every bit as indulgent as travelling halfway around the world.
“The real measure of a premium break isn’t necessarily how far you’ve travelled or how long you’ve been away. It’s how you feel when you come home.”
BWH Hotels GB is home to 18 distinctive hotel brands including WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and BW Premier Collection.
For more information or to explore the Stays Worth Discovering collection, visit: www.bestwestern.co.uk/staysworthdiscovering
