How ‘Hushpitality’ Is Defining Travel in 2026—and Why Bali Gets It Right

Hilton’s trend report for 2026 highlighted “hushpitality” as the No. 1 motivation for traveling in 2026, meaning “to rest and recharge.” Travelers are looking to spend more time in nature and enjoy “me time,” craving solitude and the chance to disconnect and recharge mental health.

The experts say the trend is a “deliberate move away from overstimulation” in the form of a digital detox. As additional proof, global travelers are seeking more restful destinations; some of the top-searched places to visit over the past year have included some rather blissful vacation spots, including Bali. More than a quarter of travelers noted that they’re planning solo trips as the “ultimate solution for securing silence.”

Having visited Bali several times, including a long stint at the start of Covid when I was stuck on the island with flights canceled like falling dominoes, there’s no doubt that Bali is an ideal destination for some “hushpitality,” whether you plan on traveling solo or with others. 

But what’s the best way to experience it?

The vast majority of tourists to Bali head to the southwest region of the island, specifically the areas of Seminyak, Kuta, Canggu, and Legian, known for their beach bars, shopping, nightlife, and constant hustle. That’s not exactly conducive to the “hushpitality” experience. Instead, consider a more tranquil base like West Bali or Munduk for pure nature or South Ubud for cultural peace.

Bali’s hidden gem is sometimes referred to as the “last frontier,” and it’s where I spent nearly two weeks while waiting for a flight that would take me back home. It’s far from the tourist hubs, ideal for snorkeling, hiking, and wildlife watching with lush forests, mangroves, and coral reefs. While the town of Pemuteran is a popular base, you can stay right inside the park at The Menjangan by LifestyleRetreats or the Menjangan Ecolodge.

Central Ubud is busy, but the rural area surrounding it offers luxury retreats ideal for spiritual rejuvenation or practicing the arts and lush jungle that can be explored on scenic treks. Ubud is also one of the world’s biggest hubs for yoga, with everything from gentle flow and vinyasa to yin yoga. Plus, you’ll have easy access to meditation sessions, pampering at spas, traditional dance performances, and art galleries, ideal for cultural immersion, nature, and tranquility. Capella Ubud, tucked between the rainforest, rice terraces, and Wos River, offers spa treatments, free yoga classes, nature walks, and even personal assistants who can arrange a sunrise volcano climb or visits to ancient temples.

Located in north Bali, Munduk shows off a different side of the island with many lakes, emerald rice terraces, and waterfalls. Some of the most beautiful cascades can be viewed here, including on a hike that showcases four of them like Labuhan Kebo, with a pool at the bottom for enjoying a dip that’s sure to melt every last inch of stress. Stay at the Munduk Moding Plantation along the mountainous slopes, and you can enjoy everything from massages at the spa to classes in Balinese dance and walks to the nearby lakes and waterfalls.

If you choose the right place to stay, you’ll be perfectly situated for real connections and rejuvenation, but these are some of the top things to do to enhance your Bali hushpitality experience.

The Kecak Fire Dance is a mesmerizing traditional dance and one of the most iconic art performances in Bali. Taking place in a clifftop amphitheater at Ubud’s Uluwatu Temple, it adapts the famous Ramayana Hindu epic, a story told in the form of dance and performed against the orange glow of the sky as the sun goes down. It concludes with a massive fire display with a backdrop of the haunting chants of traditionally costumed men.

You can also visit spiritual sites like the Tirta Empul Temple, just north of Ubud. The sacred water temple provides a deep cultural experience with holy spring purification rituals. 

Visiting the Tegalalang Rice Terraces is one of the most popular experiences in Bali, but you can find your serenity by arriving early in the morning (around 8 a.m.). Instead of the crowds, you’ll be immersed in the magnificent views of the lush hillsides under soft, golden light, right from a jungle swing. 

One of the best ways to explore Bali’s nature is a hike in the north Bali Highlands. The Munduk Waterfalls trek (on your own or with a tour) can bring you to three different falls: Laangan Melanting, Red Coral, and Munduk/Golden Valley. 

You’ll find some of the best snorkeling near West Bali National Park just off Menjengan Island. This is an underwater paradise, a short boat ride from the mainland, with vibrant reef walls, coral gardens, and a wide range of marine life from abundant tropical fish and pygmy seahorses to reef sharks.