I was lucky enough to spend a night recently at the Mayflower Inn & Spa in rural northwestern Connecticut. This Relais & Chateaux, five-star, five-diamond inn and its spa—especially its spa—have been lauded by just about every travel publication under the sun and accordingly, they charge sky-high prices. So needless to say, my expectations of the amenities were high. I noticed the first one—or the lack thereof—while we were still in the parking lot: no cell service.

Unlike, say, the Frette linens and four-poster canopy beds, the inn doesn’t advertise the lack of cell service, but ultimately, it’s meant to serve the same purpose as those material accouterments (i.e. help guests unplug and relax). I know some other spas and resorts do this and I like it, especially when you’re only gone for a day or two. (Plus there’s Wi-Fi throughout the Mayflower, so it’s not total Siberia).

What does everyone think? Is enforced cell phone withdrawal a welcomed amenity or is it irritating, a tad Big Brother perhaps?