The Adventurous Traveler: Curiosity Meets Comfort in the World of JOMO

RSP Hospitality Lead Erin Yi explores one of the latest trends in hotel design. 

Let’s face it, the pandemic gave rise to a few societal and cultural shifts that were not altogether bad. Working from home, for one, certainly has its appeal. As does the spike in online food delivery services, the proliferation of sourdough starters and the sharp rise in animal rescues. In some ways, we’ve all become a bit more intrepid even as we embrace a greater need for “me time.”

This just may be the year of JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out— a trend that celebrates the quiet moments and serene spaces that allow travelers to tune it all out and experience something local, authentic and, ultimately, transformative. Expedia reports that a growing cohort of travelers is shifting away from the traditional tourist hot spots and instead looking for experiences that offer personal fulfillment and connection with nature. A striking 62% of travelers say staying in a peaceful setting helps reduce their stress, while 85% are interested in taking a vacation to unplug.

And nowhere is this trend more obvious than in the rise of adventure travel. Not the White Lotus brand of adventure, where cost is no object, but the kind of travel that’s more accessible. For those of us who like to get out there without breaking the bank, but also want to avoid sleeping on an air mattress and eating freeze-dried meals.

The Rise of the Design-Savvy Explorer

From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, travelers are redefining what it means to be adventurous. Rather than seeking out extreme terrain or remote escapes, they’re prioritizing experiences that feel local, immersive, and just a little enough off the beaten path. They want access to hiking trails, farmers markets, or desert vistas, without giving up great coffee, fast Wi-Fi, or a well-designed room. And they want the ideal place to stash their outdoor and sports gear.

Research backs this up. Of the 21 travel trends identified by Conde Nast for 2025, almost all of them are tied to adventure in some form. In our own practice, we see lifestyle-oriented hotels experiencing increasing demand from guests who value design, experience, and place-based programming. These travelers aren’t just vacationing, they’re collecting stories, and they’re looking for hotels that help them do that in comfort. Design has a major role to play in giving a hotel a sense of place and authenticity that resonates not just with the most particular travelers, but with the rest of the community as well.

Where Motels Meet Minimalism

One signal of this trend is the resurgence of smaller, independently branded properties in urban-fringe or recreational markets. Many of these projects start from humble origins—existing motels, underperforming brands, or developer-led concepts—and grow into something far more intentional. And successful.

Developed by the Jackson Hole-based Crystal Creek Capital Real Estate Advisors, Mountain Modern Sedona elevates the idea without abandoning its utility-focused roots. The team developed the room experience with the practical (and intrepid) traveler in mind. Some of the suites accommodate up to six people and offer balconies and patios and, of course, stunning views.

“We’ve always felt watching what guests do outside the hotels as much as inside [is important],” says Jamie Yarrow, president of hospitality. “We have these amenities that might not be perceived as the sexiest things in the world; But we’re thoughtful and think about the people coming into the hotel, What would make it easier for them?”

Every room builds in features for guests’ gear, including a handy peg-board storage wall that accommodates virtually every piece of equipment imaginable, as well as an over-sized farm sink that doubles as a utility tub—great for freshening up those well-worn hiking boots. There are also wellness suites with Peloton bikes and yoga mats, and custom headboard walls featuring large-scale local desert photography.

The architecture, interiors, and environmental graphics all reflect a refined but unpretentious sensibility that draws inspiration from the Sedona locale. Rather than relying on retro motifs, the design leans into subtle textures, and organic color palettes. It even references Sedona’s famous art community, mysticism and desert landscapes that seem otherworldly but unabashedly and uniquely of the place.

Design, Don’t Prescribe

Smart travelers are looking for more than just a place to sleep. They want adventure with amenities. Style with function. Authenticity without sacrificing comfort. But they also prioritize destinations that align with their values, choosing socially responsible tourism that positively impacts local communities and the environment.

As hospitality designers, our role isn’t to over-program or over-style. Or even to push for luxury when luxury isn’t needed or desired. It’s about providing guests with the freedom to explore, the comfort to recharge, and the design to inspire them along the way. We shape environments that are open to interpretation, designed with care, and grounded in a strong sense of place, with all the details that make adventure travel not only comfortable but transformative and accessible.

*Pictured: Mountain Modern Sedona | RSP Architects | Photography Credit: Sheets Studios