These Hotels Are Making Guests VIPs If They Agree to Put Away Their Phones

Wyndham Grand wants you to stop using your phone on vacation — and they’re going to start holding you accountable.

At select locations throughout the country, the hotel brand will implement “phone-free zones” at pools and restaurants.

But before your fingers start shaking from phone withdrawal, consider the stats. According to the hotel, at the Mills House Wyndham Grand in Charleston, 87 percent of poolside guests were on their phones and not in the water over the weekend. "Today, adults and kids are so glued to their devices that we've had to add more pool chairs to accommodate all the poolside swiping,” Lisa Checchio, chief marketing officer for Wyndham, said in a statement.

Reps for the hotel pointed out that, on average, we check our phones once every 12 minutes while we’re on vacation, according to a recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults. And, according to the same survey, more than half of all travelers use their phone the exact same amount when they’re on vacation as when they’re in their working lives.

The phone ban is not mandatory (don’t worry) but there are several incentives for opting in. In addition to being more present and mindful while on vacation, those who opt in could have the opportunity to win prizes.

Yondr provides guests with a locking phone case so they won’t be tempted to check their technology. Those who use the lock boxes will be eligible to partake in VIP area treats (special off-menu items, exclusive pool floats or books) and have the chance to win 75,000 Wyndham Rewards Points (enough for a five-night vacation).

The phone-free zones will be at five Wyndham Grand Hotels — including the Wydham Grand Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach Resort, Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront, The Mills House, and the Hotel Galvez & Spa — through Nov.12.

The brand’s commitment to digital detoxing runs deep. Earlier this year, select Wyndham hotels offered a five-percent discount to guests who agreed to keep their phones locked away during their stay.