If a Silent Retreat Is Too Much, Ease Into the Trend With a Silent Dinner

During a five-course silent dinner at Rancho La Puerta, travel writer Lara Kramer discovered the nuances of embracing silence.

An initial sense of awkwardness enveloped the room almost immediately, heavy enough to quell the uneasy smile gracing my face as I surveyed the unfamiliar faces surrounding me. I had, after all, signed up to partake in a 90-minute, five-course meditative meal alongside 16 individuals I had yet to meet, and I had committed to doing so without a single spoken word. The anticipation of sharing a meal in complete silence versus the reality of being seated at a long, banquet-style table—complete with the sounds of utensils clinking against plates, the rustling of napkins, and the steady ticking of the wall clock—were indeed two distinct experiences.

While such an endeavor may seem daunting to many, all participants had voluntarily committed to Rancho La Puerta’s renowned Silent Dinner, a complimentary event offered by the wellness resort for over 15 years. We are not alone in our fascination with incorporating moments of tranquility into our travels. Hilton's 2026 Trends Report recognized "hushpitality" as one of the year's emerging travel trends, illustrating a growing interest among travelers in seeking destinations and experiences that facilitate a reprieve from the clamor of daily life and invite quiet reflection. At Rancho La Puerta, this ethos has long been interwoven into the guest experience through features such as onsite labyrinths, silent meditation sessions, and serene sunrise hikes—all free from artificial noise. Within our intimate indoor dining space, nestled in the tranquil countryside of Tecate, Baja California, the silence transcended mere ambiance; it became the focal point of our evening.

When our guide rang the bell, the evening's guidelines came into effect. To signal our needs to the staff—whether for more butter or a straw—we had to explore alternative methods of communication. In my quest for an additional slice of bread, I raised my arm and mimicked slicing a loaf across my palm; my theatrical efforts led to successful communication with the waiter. Some guests chose to close their eyes during the meal while others opted to eat with their hands. Mobile devices, already discouraged outside of private guest rooms at the Ranch, were entirely prohibited at the dinner. Instead, the various decorative items adorning our communal table provided subtle entertainment. At one moment, I turned a whimsical three-eyed ceramic figure toward me, enacting a silent companionship that kept my nervous laughter at bay and diverted my attention from the silence.

It was only after the third course, a delightful black bean soup, that I began to relax, becoming less preoccupied with whether my neighbor found my spoon slurping disruptive and increasingly aware of how my mind began to meander pleasantly. As a mother of a toddler residing in New York, my life is rarely characterized by quietude. Typically, I appreciate this dynamic energy. However, within this designated moment of peace, freed from demands and distractions, I began to experience a change. My shoulders relaxed from their usual tension, my breaths deepened, and the incessant chatter of my to-do list transformed into introspection. Without my racing thoughts, I recalled a poignant quote from a book I had read the previous summer—a thought I had recorded in my Notes app but had since overlooked. Memories of my daughter's formative years unfurled before me, and a long-elusive conclusion to an article I had been struggling to finish emerged effortlessly, rendering my writer's block suddenly inconsequential. I was in a state of simply being, and within that state, silence evolved into a platform for listening, forging connections, and delivering unexpected revelations. When the bell signaled the conclusion of our 90 minutes, I was not alone in abruptly resuming awareness from my serene introspection.

After the meal, attendees lingered to share their thoughts with one another. One woman remarked on how she had never smiled at so many people in a single room before. An older gentleman expressed that he had imagined sharing the meal with his late wife, prompting a warm hug from his neighbor. Our guide offered gratitude to the individual who assisted in conveying her request for salt, acknowledging their collaborative effort to communicate with the waiter. In the absence of spoken dialogue, we became more attuned to one another—and to ourselves. It became clear that silence did not foster isolation; rather, it provided a new avenue for connection.

As the evening drew to a close, no one hurried to exit. Guests stayed behind, exchanging insights and contact information. Although we had each mentally retreated into our separate worlds during dinner, we departed with a shared experience that transcended mere silence.

Other Hotels Where Travelers Can Embrace the Quiet

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Experience tranquility at Basin, the hotel’s thermal bathing facility, and seize the opportunity to book the transformative Aufguss experience with the on-site sauna master. This multisensory sauna experience highlights the interplay of heat, scent, breath, and ritual. Additionally, their guided silent hike around Lake Louise is a must-try.

Olympic Spa Hotel: Opt for the Dolomites Sleep Retreat, where minimal noise, reduced light pollution, and pristine mountain air are meticulously designed to improve your natural sleep cycle.

Eremito: This contemporary hermitage, situated amidst the Umbrian countryside, features rooms devoid of Wi-Fi, television, or mobile signals. Instead, the focus is on reading, nature, reflection, and, perhaps most radically, simply doing nothing at all.