YOTEL Launches the Anti-Appy Hour to Combat Digital Overload When Travelling

 In an age of constant connectivity, switching off is getting increasingly harder, with nearly one-third of adults now actively seeking opportunities to disconnect while travelling (Hilton Trends Report 2025). As digital habits continue to blur the lines between work, rest, and travel, intentional downtime is more important than ever. 

In response and to mark World Wellness Day (13th June), YOTEL is introducing a simple new way for guests to step away from their screens and properly recharge: the Anti Appy Hour. 

Developed in partnership with Bloom, the app-blocking cards that were recently seen on Shark Tank, the Anti-Appy Hour encourages guests to take an intentional one-hour break from devices during their stay, creating space to be more present, mindful and engaged. 

We're all a bit overloaded right now - phones constantly buzzing, tabs multiplying, attention pulled in every direction before you've even had your morning coffee. Anti-Appy Hour is our way of giving guests - whether they're staying with us or just need a reset mid-city - a genuine reason to put it all down for a bit. Not a digital detox, not a wellness lecture, just a proper pocket of time that's actually yours to reset, recharge or reconnect. I've been using Bloom for a while now and it genuinely works, so getting to bring their technology into YOTEL for our guests and community was a no-brainer. I'm really proud of what we've created together

Olivia Donnan, Senior Vice President, Brand, Culture and Growth at YOTEL

During this hour, guests are invited to participate in the Anti-Appy Hour by tapping a Bloom card that will be displayed in participating hotel bars and restaurants. With a single tap, guests can temporarily block selected apps for one hour. Guests can also sip on a Bloom cocktail, strike up conversations with fellow travellers, or embrace a moment of quiet reflection with complimentary postcards available throughout the space. 

Most of us don’t realise how quickly a quick scroll turns into an hour, or more. It’s not really about telling people to use their phones less, it’s about helping them find easy moments to put them down. 91% of Bloom users said our cards helped them achieve sharper focus and confirmed their screen time was lower since using Bloom.

That’s what we love about Anti-Appy Hour with YOTEL. It’s just one simple tap, one hour away from apps, and suddenly you’ve got space to actually look up, talk, explore, and enjoy where you are. And the best part is, people don’t feel like they’re missing out, they feel more present.

Danny Chmaytelli, CoFounder of Bloom

The Anti-Appy Hour will launch across participating YOTEL properties globally from the 13th June 2026, including European destinations (Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London City, Manchester), Tokyo, Japan and the US (Washington DC, Boston). 

Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase Bloom cards at participating YOTEL hotels and will receive a discount code to receive 10% off, purchasing cards directly from the Bloom website.   

For more information, please visit https://www.yotel.com/en/anti-appy-hour