In February of 2018, Wyndham Hotels announced that they were going to be launching a new program that offered a special 5% discount at a select few of their hotels. This discount is part of their ‘Reconnected’ program and will be available to families who were willing to ensure they spend less time on their phones during vacation by locking their phones in a box for a set amount of time. According to the program website, Reconnected was set up after an internal survey revealed that many of the children that stayed in the hotel thought their parents were spending more time on the phone than with them. Because of this, the entire program is designed to help families unplug from their everyday lives and spend time together while away. The hotel will even provide the family with several gift packages designed to help them enjoy their vacation without the assistance of a smartphone. Although the program started at the end of February and is set to run through September 3, 2018, there has not been much feedback, positive or negative, about this discount program. But, it brings to mind the question: how much time are we really spending on our phones during our vacations?

According to a 2016 article from Hotels.com, “Just over 6% of travelers will spend more than seven hours a day with their smartphone in their hands.” While much of this time can be spent on social media, the article also states that, “51% of people admit that their mobile device is their primary source of information while away.” This suggests that, while a phone can be a link back to the real world while you’re trying to get away, it can also be a tool to help you explore your vacation. Either way, it might be something for each of us to keep in mind when planning out our next trip.

At VIP Vacation Rentals, we dream of escaping the daily routine to relax and enjoy magical new experiences in a stress-free environment. No matter how you want to create that environment for yourself, the luxury rentals we list offer a level of comfort, immersion, flexibility, and privacy that can be difficult to find in other travel accommodations. Plus, luxury homes typically include a kitchen and more than one bedroom, which makes it easier to house and feed a group of people for less expense. We have worked with hundreds of vacation rental owners over the last few years so that only the most prominent, luxurious, and professionally managed vacation rental properties have been selected for listing in VIP Vacation Rentals featured destinations. Learn more about VIP Vacation Rentals and start searching for the perfect luxury rental for your next vacation today! You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter for more regular vacation rental related content.