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Plan a Mah-Jongg Escape at These U.S. Hotels
Players can sharpen skills and meet new people while having memorable travel experiences
Interested in combining mah-jongg with travel? Head to these hotels, retreats and camps where you can play alongside other enthusiasts.
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Key takeaways
- Mah-jongg fans can now find hotel events, camps and retreats across the country for players of all skill levels.
- AARP research found that many adults 50-plus believe games support brain health and help strengthen social connections.
- Options range from affordable weekly hotel play sessions to multiday luxury retreats that combine mah-jongg with travel and community.
With more than 350,000 members of the National Mah Jongg League in the U.S., the tile game that started in China is once again creating buzz and gaining fans. According to the league, there is a resurgence in its popularity, with millions of players globally and a variety of internet and computer versions. The rummy-like game is played with tiles. For the American version, the league releases an official card of standard hands, which changes annually. The object is to be the first player to complete a winning hand of 14 tiles.
Now, travelers can share their passion for mah-jongg with others while visiting destinations across the country. Players 50-plus are among the demographics who are not just playing at home but also taking their love of the game on the road, according to organizers of hotel mah-jongg events. They are meeting other like-minded players or traveling with friends and family during organized hotel mah-jongg lessons, games and multiday mah-jongg retreats. Depending on the property, the cost of the fun ranges from $25 to play — some activities outside of mah-jongg are included — to $1,200 for just the overnight stay at luxury and high-end hotels. Along the way, players are fostering friendships, challenging their brains and building a sense of community.
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For older adults, playing games with friends offer real health benefits, according to AARP research. Some 70 percent of respondents in a 2024 AARP survey of adults 50-plus believe playing games supports their cognitive abilities or brain health, while 58 percent say that it helps them feel socially connected with others.
Just ask Susan Lieber, 75, from Parkland, Florida, who has been to two mah-jongg retreats hosted by Tile Travelers Mahjong Retreats, a Nashville and Los Angeles-based company that organizes luxury mah-jongg retreats in cities across the country.
“I love the game, and I love meeting new people,” says Lieber. Mah-jongg “keeps your mind sharp,” she adds. Lieber also sees it as a “way of staying connected across generations” as she attends the retreats with her 50-year-old son. Her nieces, 60 and 57, have also attended a retreat. “With mah-jongg, it’s a new way of being together,” she says. “It’s quality time without any pressure.”
Whether you are a beginner, an advanced player or somewhere in between, plan your own mah-jongg getaway at one of these properties.
The Broadmoor hosts an all-inclusive mah-jongg camp that includes two nights of accommodations and access to other amenities at the property.
Courtesy the Broadmoor
Camp Mahj at the Broadmoor
Colorado Springs, Colorado
This two-day, all-inclusive mah-jongg retreat is so popular that the upcoming September event is already sold out. Join the waitlist or plan ahead for the 2027 events taking place May 2 to 4 or Sept. 12 to 14. The package includes two nights of accommodations at Cloud Camp, the Broadmoor’s all-inclusive wilderness property; daily mah-jongg sessions; all meals, beverages and camp activities; and a welcome gift. Rates for 2027 were not available, but the pricing for the 2026 event starts at $2,513 for single occupancy and $3,174 for double occupancy, including tax and service charge.
Guests may also participate in Cloud Camp activities such as guided hikes, pickleball and more, according to Krista Heinicke, director of public relations for the Broadmoor. “The result is an experience where mah-jongg serves as the catalyst, but the hospitality, setting and shared experiences create the lasting memories,” she says.
Heinicke says that according to the hotel’s event partners, about 50 percent or more of the participants are 50 and older. “Mah-jongg offers a combination of mental engagement, social connection and lifelong learning that resonates strongly with many adults over 50,” she adds. “Many participants leave with new friendships, future travel plans and playing groups that continue long after the event concludes.”
Mahjong & Serenity at the Harpeth Franklin Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton
Franklin, Tennessee
Tile Travelers will host its third Mahjong & Serenity retreat at the Harpeth from April 4 to 6, 2027. The package includes two nights’ accommodations; daily breakfast, one lunch and one dinner; mah-jongg play; a tournament option; raffle prizes and a vendor boutique. Per-person rates start at $1,225, with an optional $25 tournament fee.
On average, some 60 to 70 percent of participants at the six to eight retreats Tile Travelers holds annually are 50-plus, say cofounders and sisters Patty Dickman and Carole Tufeld. “Many people over 50 finally have more time and flexibility to travel and pursue their hobbies and interests, compared to when they were younger,” they say. “Attending mah-jongg retreats provides them with both the opportunity to meet other people who share their love of the game, as well as to travel and explore new places. Whether they attend on their own or with friends, they are welcomed and quickly feel part of a growing community.”
Head to the St. Regis New York for Mahjong Mondays — and bring your friends.
Sofia Kalman
Mahjong Mondays at the St. Regis New York
New York
Bring friends for an evening event in the Drawing Room at the St. Regis New York. The $500 rate for four includes two drinks per person and canapés. It offers both open play and guided lessons. The experience runs through Aug. 10 and will start again after Labor Day. You don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to join. Should you want to stay at the St. Regis, nightly rates start at more than $1,200.
Mah Jongg Camp at the Tides Inn
Irvington, Virginia
The three-day camp includes guided instruction with groups separated by skill level. There’s supervised gameplay, a welcome reception and one themed group dinner. Upcoming camps will take place in November 2026 and May 2027. The event rate is $450, with overnight accommodation rates starting at $515 per night, and varying by season. Local players can pay $225 per day to participate.
Open play and guided instruction for beginners are available at the weekly mah-jongg event at the Vanderbilt.
Courtesy The Vanderbilt
Play Mahjong at the Mansion at the Vanderbilt, Auberge Collection
Newport, Rhode Island
This weekly Wednesday-afternoon event is held in the dining room of the downtown Newport property. Mah-jongg sets are provided along with a glass of prosecco. Additional food and beverages can be ordered separately. Choose open play for $25 or guided instruction for beginners for $50. Private lessons are also available with 48-hour notice. You do not need to be a hotel guest to play. Nightly room rates start at $1,000.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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