Move over pickleball: Mahjong getaways are having a moment

Mahjong retreats are quietly (and quickly) becoming one of the fastest-growing niche travel trends, with travelers booking vacations centered around the beloved game.

For generations, mahjong has brought friends together around kitchen tables, in community halls, and wherever four people could find a little time to play. Now, this beloved pastime is becoming something bigger and a reason to travel both near and far.

From luxury resorts and historic inns to scenic river cruises, travelers are creating entire getaways around the game of mahjong. What began as something weekly among friends on a just a card table is now evolving into immersive escapes that combine relaxation, culture, great food, exploration and, perhaps most importantly, connection.

Imagine mornings exploring a new destination, afternoons at the spa or enjoying an outdoor adventure, and evenings gathered around an elegant mahjong table with cocktails, tea, or champagne as the tiles click, conversation flows, and Bird Bam toasts are plentiful.

The best mahjong retreats aren’t necessarily about playing all day; they are about choosing a destination where the game becomes one part of a much bigger experience — one that leaves room for discovery, relaxation, and time with friends.

Why mahjong travel is only getting started

Travelers increasingly want experiences rather than simply checking destinations off a list. They are looking for connection, wellness, slower itineraries, and activities that create memories with others. Mahjong checks every box.

The game spans generations, encourages conversations, and creates an instant social connection. Whether traveling with longtime friends or sitting down with people one just met, the game gives everyone something to share together while creating bonds. It also offers an opportunity to put away your phone, be in the moment, and enjoy face-to-face time in real life. Or as the young are calling it these days — an analog activity.

As this social travel niche continues to grow, more resorts, cruise lines, hotels, spas, and destinations are embracing mahjong activities. The next great hotel amenity may not be another pool or fitness class — but rather a beautiful table, four chairs, and a box of mahjong tiles.

What makes a great mahjong retreat?

The ultimate mahjong getaway is not always what you might expect. It is a spot that truly gets what travelers crave: a friendly space to gather and a way to connect both with each other and the destination.

Retreat spaces should feel inviting and bright, with plenty of space to keep mahjong tables and their side tables spaced appropriately. Side tables are a must for snacks and a lovely beverage for a few Bird Bam toasts. Each toast is like a celebration of the connections the game brings to those who gather.

Beyond delicious meals, a great retreat offers a variety of activities, from soothing spa days to local adventures for people eager to discover beyond things beyond the tiles.

Here are 10 types of destinations where mahjong travel is finding the perfect home:

Historic luxury inns and grand resorts

Historic properties have a natural advantage when it comes to mahjong retreats. They encourage travelers to slow down, linger while dining, and enjoy the character of a place rather than rushing from one attraction to the next.

In Aiken, South Carolina, The Willcox has been a landmark of Southern hospitality since 1898. With its Salon & Spa, restaurant, elegant gathering spaces and easy access to Aiken’s historic charm, it offers many of the ingredients needed for a memorable Mahjong retreat.

For a grander version of the historic resort experience, The Greenbrier in West Virginia combines history, dining, golf, spa experiences and 11,000 acres of mountainous landscape to explore.

Why it works: History, beautiful gathering places, exceptional dining, luxury spas, and an atmosphere that encourages guests to slow down.

European river cruises

A river cruise may be one of the most natural forms of mahjong travel. Travelers wake up somewhere new while keeping the same room, dining room, and fellow players.

An Avalon Waterways Christmas Market river cruise on the Danube combines European holiday markets with the opportunity to enjoy mahjong while traveling through some of Europe’s most beautiful destinations.

The beauty of mahjong on a river cruise is the built-in downtime. After a morning excursion, travelers can return to the ship, grab a drink, and play a few hands while watching historic towns glide past the floor to ceiling windows on sailing days.

Why it works: Built-in leisure time, ever-changing scenery, cultural excursions, excellent dining, and no need to unpack every night.

Luxury mountain resorts

Mountain resorts offer an irresistible mahjong combination with outdoor adventure by day and cozy gatherings by night. At The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch in Colorado has a setting that is pure Rocky Mountain luxury. The resort offers ski-in/ski-out access, outdoor activities like hiking and fly fishing and an expansive luxury spa.

After skiing or other activities, players can settle into the fireside lounge with hot chocolate, tea, or a cocktail, and play a few rounds while snow falls outside the huge windows.

Why it works: Mountain scenery, a luxurious spa, fireplaces, beautiful gathering areas, and plenty to do before the tiles come out.

Wellness resorts

Mahjong and wellness might sound like an unusual pairing, but they make surprisingly good companions. A mahjong game requires players to put away their phones, concentrate on the moment, and interact face-to-face. That makes it a natural complement to a wellness retreat.

At Canyon Ranch Tucson, guests can build their stays around wellness experiences, spa treatments, fitness and mindfulness in the Sonoran Desert. After a day of fitness activities, the cooler evenings are a time for gathering together.

Picture a morning yoga class, a healthy lunch, an afternoon massage and then a few hours around the mahjong table after dinner. The game becomes another form of mindful social connection.

Other wellness-focused properties, including The Lodge at Woodloch, Omni Homestead or the Omni Bedford Springs Resort, also offer luxury spas, numerous activities, dining, and relaxation that can work well for mahjong groups.

Why it works: Mahjong complements spa treatments, movement, healthy food, quiet time and meaningful social connection.

Beach destinations

There is something almost meditative when hearing waves while shuffling mahjong tiles. A beach retreat gives players the freedom to spend the morning walking along the shore searching for shells, playing golf, biking, or simply relaxing before gathering for an afternoon game.

Hilton Head Island is particularly well-suited for a mahjong getaway, with beaches, golf, biking, resort accommodations, and a relaxed vacation pace. The Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa provides this appealing setting for combining ocean time with games of play.

For a more traditional beach getaway, North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands offer 45 miles of beaches across multiple communities Holden Beach. Imagine four players sitting near the water with the sound of the ocean providing the soundtrack. No playlist needed.

Why it works: Ocean views, relaxed days, outdoor activities, fresh seafood and a naturally unhurried vacation vibe.

Charming southern towns

Some destinations practically invite travelers to wander, linger longer, and discover at their own pace. Savannah is one of them. Its historic squares, architecture, top level restaurants, boutiques, and famously welcoming personality of the locals create a perfect backdrop for a mahjong escape.

The Ann Savannah, located in the Historic District, offers studios and one- to four-bedroom suites with kitchens and living areas, making it particularly appealing for friends traveling together. For play, one never has to leave the large accommodations — or they can venture down to The Little James. This gathering place is perfect for morning games with coffee or lunch with a side of mahjong. Their sophisticated bar serves some of the city’s best cocktails or mocktails for toasting.

Per Andrea Locorini, Area Marketing Director for The Ann Savannah: “I don’t think the rise of mahjong is really about mahjong. I think it’s a reflection of where we are culturally. We live in a world where so much of our connection happens through a screen, and as technology becomes a bigger part of our everyday lives, people are craving experiences that feel undeniably human. Sitting around a table, laughing, talking, and being fully present has become a luxury in itself. That’s why mahjong feels so at home in hospitality. At their best, hotels have always been places that bring people together. Today, hotels aren’t solely defined by the thread count or the size of the suite, but rather the experiences they create and the way they make people feel.”

The beauty of a Savannah mahjong retreat is that the game doesn’t have to dominate the itinerary. Play in the afternoon, head out for dinner, explore the city and return for another round.

Why it works: Walkability, Southern hospitality, outstanding food, history, and accommodations that make group travel comfortable.

European historic thermal towns

If there is one part of the world that understands the art of taking your time, it is Europe. Historic Thermal Towns famously had game rooms before the casinos came about in later years; historic thermal towns have been drawing travelers for centuries, combining thermal soaking traditions, wellness, architecture, culture, and social rituals. Historically, games such as mahjong were played in these cultured societies.

Vienna is the perfect example. Stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna, then slip away from the mahjong table to explore the city, enjoy a traditional Viennese café, and dress up for an evening at the Vienna Opera.

Why it works: Thermal bathing, European café culture, beautiful architecture, exceptional food, and a leisurely mahjong pace.

Luxury wilderness retreats

For travelers who want a mahjong retreat that feels completely removed from everyday life, a luxury ranch offers something hotels simply can’t: space, privacy, and the freedom to slow down.

In Montana, River View Ranch is an especially memorable setting for an afternoon of mahjong after a morning excursion to see the elk, horses, and miniature Highland cows. This spectacular lodge overlooks a private lake and surrounding mountains, creating a peaceful backdrop for gathering. Inside the lodge, the mahjong table becomes the heart of the retreat, with both experienced players and newbies enjoying the scenery through the windows as the game unfolds around them.

Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve in northern New Mexico, is another ranch destination worth considering for a retreat, with more than 550,000 acres of wilderness and abundant wildlife providing an extraordinary backdrop for a mahjong escape. The magic of this ranch is its unhurried rhythm. There is no need to fill every hour with activities. Play a few hands in the lodge, step outside, or take the game onto the deck for the scenery.

Why it works: Nature, serenity, unforgettable meals, and plenty of space to relax between games.

Social beach clubs and mahjong events

Not every mahjong trip has to be a multi-day retreat. Some of the most exciting experiences are built around social mahjong events at destination hotels. At Beach House Fort Lauderdale, Mahj On The Beach brings players together for evenings of Open Play and guided lessons in the hotel’s lobby lounge, combining mahjong with cocktails, food and an oceanfront setting.

These events demonstrate another direction for mahjong travel: travelers don’t necessarily have to bring their own group. A hotel can become the meeting place where strangers become friends over four racks and a Charleston.

For beginners, guided lessons make these gatherings particularly accessible, while experienced players can simply sit down and play.

Why it works: It creates instant community and allows hotels to combine mahjong with food, beverage, and social programming for locals.

Destinations where mahjong’s story comes to life

For the ultimate cultural mahjong journey, why not travel closer to the game’s roots?

Upper House Chengdu offers an opportunity to experience mahjong in a destination where Chinese history, tea, cuisine, art and architecture become part of the retreat itself.

The hotel combines contemporary design with historic elements, including a restored Qing Dynasty heritage building and traditional courtyard spaces. Chengdu adds another dimension, with temples, tea houses, food markets and a vibrant Sichuan culinary scene.

Imagine gathering around a mahjong table surrounded by Chinese design and heritage, then heading out to explore Chengdu, enjoy tea, experience local cuisine or relax at a spa.

This is the kind of retreat where the destination adds meaning to the game. mahjong isn’t simply something being played while traveling. It becomes part of the cultural experience.

Why it works: History, culture, tea, cuisine, architecture, wellness and a connection to mahjong’s Chinese roots.