ResortPass Survey: Adventure Can Wait - Relaxation Comes Out on Top for Time Off Work Priorities

New Data from ResortPass and The Harris Poll reveals employed Americans are prioritizing relaxing and recharging over adventures during time off, with Gen Z leading a trend in unwinding with more one-day breaks

NEW YORK, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ResortPass, the leading platform for booking day access to luxury hotel amenities, today released findings from a new national survey conducted on its behalf by The Harris Poll, revealing a trend in how Americans are approaching summer travel and time off. While 62% of employed Americans say relaxing is among their top priorities for time off this year, just 33% say the same of going on adventures. This year, Americans may be prioritizing relaxation over adventure, opting for simplicity, self-care, and short resets—often poolside.

The survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults shows that many employed Americans report feeling happier (55%) and more productive (51%) after taking a day off from work. Last year's summer survey found that many employed Americans were leaving PTO on the table, while the 2025 survey finds that only 35% of employed Americans even track their remaining PTO each year. Only 28% of employed Americans feel it's becoming more acceptable to take regular individual days off, but Gen Z (ages 18-28) is leading a trend on taking more one day breaks, reporting 7 one-day breaks a year, on average, compared to 6 among Millennials (ages 29-44), and 5 among Gen X (ages 45-60) and Baby Boomers (ages 61-79).

When it comes to a summer day out, people are willing to invest: Americans would be willing to spend $158, on average, on a single day out. Half of Americans (50%) say spending time near water is part of their perfect day, yet only 32% have access to a pool this summer - a problem ResortPass is looking to solve by providing day-access to over 2,000 hotel pools across the U.S.

"Americans seem to be looking to supplement high-effort vacations for restorative breaks closer to home — a reflection of growing burnout, the need for more frequent breaks and the rising value people are placing on downtime," said Michael Wolf, CEO of ResortPass. "Whether it's a quick reset by the pool or a solo day to recharge, we see that people are finding new ways to fit meaningful relaxation into everyday life."

Key Summer 2025 Findings from ResortPass + The Harris Poll:

• PTO Often Overlooked: Only 35% of employed Americans track their remaining PTO each year, and 28% believe it's becoming more acceptable to take regular individual days off— likely leaving many workers seeking ways to recharge without committing to full vacation weeks.
• Adventure Can Wait: "Going on adventures" and "learning something new" rank lowest on the list of time-off priorities for employed Americans this year (33% and 23%, respectively). Instead, relaxing (62%), recharging (48%), and spending time with family and friends (44%) lead the list.
• The Power of a Day Off: More than half of employed Americans say they are happier (55%) and more productive (51%) after taking a day off work; 40% report feeling more patient.
• Americans Average Just Six One-Day Breaks Per Year: Gen Z leads all generations, with 28% reporting 10+ one-day breaks annually, compared to 22% of Millennials, 19% of Gen X, and 22% of Boomers.
• Americans Crave Water Escapes, But Few Have Pool Access: Only 32% of Americans have access to a pool this summer, but 50% say spending time near water is part of their perfect day.
• Poolside Priorities: Listening to music or podcasts (51%), hanging out with friends (50%), and laying in the sun (46%) top the list of poolside activities Americans enjoy.
• Family First: 46% of employed Americans say they prefer spending summer time-off with family, compared to 41% with friends.
• Summer Defined by Being Outside: Pool time is Gen Z's top summer-defining activity (62%). The top elements that define summer for Americans, overall,  include being outside (68%), barbecues (63%), the beach (53%), pool days (49%), and summer music (39%).
• Relaxation Increases in Summer: Relaxing (50%) tops the list of activities Americans say they do more of during summer, followed by spending time with friends (42%), spending money (34%), eating (32%), and exercising (30%).
• Mysteries and Thrillers Most Popular Summer Reads:  When Americans carve out time to read during the summer, mystery/thriller leads as the top summer genre (46%), followed by romance (32%), fantasy/sci-fi (29%), self-help (20%), and memoirs (13%).
• Summer Pastimes Create Nostalgia: BBQs (60%), eating ice cream (45%), and pool days (43%) top the list of nostalgic summer activities, with the same proportion of Gen Z citing pool time and BBQs as among the most nostalgic at 55% each.
• Solo Resets Gaining Traction: 61% of Americans say they would prefer to take a one-day break alone rather than with a friend.

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of ResortPass from May 16–20, 2025 among 2,066 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval.  For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact ResortPass PR, resortpass@extensionpr.com 

About ResortPass

ResortPass is the leading platform for booking day access to amenities at luxury hotels and resorts. With experiences starting at $25, the platform allows you to book day access to pools, spas, cabanas, and more — without an overnight stay. Whether you're looking to recharge close to home or add leisure to your next trip, ResortPass makes premium hospitality more accessible. Learn more at www.resortpass.com.

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SOURCE ResortPass