‘Room rotting’ is the latest travel trend: Why Gen Z is choosing hotel rooms over sightseeing

A growing trend among Gen Z travelers is choosing to rest in hotel rooms rather than sightseeing, often referred to as "room rotting." This trend is driven by the desire for rest, downtime, and spontaneity over packed itineraries. Dr Chandni Tugnait, a psychotherapist, explains that travelers arriving from long, draining weeks appreciate the break they get from staying in their room.

For some, the jam-packed schedule of traditional holidays feels more like a performance than a relaxing getaway. Choosing to stay in a hotel room allows for fewer decisions and less pressure to pick the right activities or restaurants. However, experts note that room rotting is not always a restful experience. Dr Malini Saba, a psychologist, mentions that it can be a sign of struggling to switch off, with anhedonia, over-criticism, and avoiding social interaction becoming prevalent.

To build downtime in a trip without feeling guilty, Dr Munia Bhattacharya recommends leaving blank spaces in the itinerary and treating unstructured hours as intentional rest. The value of a holiday should not solely be measured by the number of places visited or activities completed, but also by rest, connection, and mental decompression.