The community rituals of boules, billiards and bridge have never entirely disappeared, but they fell out of favour. Loosely considered activities of the elderly, these activities were never in the minds eye of the young. Now, a casual family meal can involve everyone sitting together, making idle conversation whilst also looking at screens. But somewhere between there, and here, there has been a resurgence in the interest and appeal of gathering around a physical game.
Enter mahjong. The traditional Chinese tile game, played by drawing and discarding tiles to complete a winning hand, is enjoying a revival among younger players, social clubs and a growing number of luxury hotels. It is appearing in stylish and dimly lounges, organised retreats and on the social calendar at high end resorts. Luxury cruise lines are also incorporating it into onboard entertainment, giving passengers something to do between excursions, spa appointments and sunset drinks.
The timing of this cultural and community revival feels intentional. In an era where travel is defined less by where you stay and more by the memories that linger, mahjong provides something wonderfully grounded: a reason to gather around a table, put down your phone, and lose yourself in hours of quiet focus and hopefully rich conversation.
A small rebellion against the scroll
Most of us know the feeling of picking up your phone to check the time. You flick onto WhatsApp, check your emails and then eventually emerge from the social media fog 20 minutes later... and in the end, you still don't know what time it is. Social media and digital entertainment is designed to keep our attention moving, and prolong the inevitable doomscroll. Mahjong asks for something different.
Players must watch the tiles being played, concentrating and remembering what has been discarded, strategise and consider their options and respond to what the other people at the table are doing. There is a shared rhythm to the game, and the people playing it are an essential part of the experience.
A planned activity can make it easier to disconnect than a vague promise to spend less time on a phone. Instead of simply removing a screen, mahjong replaces it with something engaging enough to hold our attention. There is also a social benefit. Four people sitting around a table have a shared purpose, even if they have never met before. The rules provide a starting point for conversation, the game creates natural pauses and the inevitable mistakes give everyone something to laugh about.
Meeting new people, having stimulating conversation, it is a simple idea, but an increasingly valuable one. As we relearn the art of face-to-face social interaction, offline activity-based gathering acts as a welcome buffer. Instead of forced introductions, the tiles provide a shared focus — allowing authentic camaraderie to build naturally around the table. And unlike a networking event, nobody needs to explain what they do for a living before the first round begins.
Mahjong originated in China in the late 19th century and spread internationally in the early 20th century. It has since developed into numerous regional variations, each with its own rules and traditions. In many Chinese households and communities, the game has long been a fixture of family gatherings, celebrations and everyday social life.
For some, the game carries a deep sense of heritage, a quiet homage to grandparents and relatives whose gatherings always seemed to centre around a table of tiles. For others, mahjong is a brand-new pursuit, offering a tactile way to sharpen the mind while unplugging from our ever-present devices. Mahjong's resurgence taps into that tradition while giving it a contemporary setting.
The local context matters. In cities where residents come from different countries and social circles, a shared hobby can offer an accessible way to establish friendships. A mahjong table does not require players to share a language, background or professional network to enjoy the company of others, although learning the rules and communicating across language differences can take practice.
Perhaps this is one reason the mahjong revival feels more substantial than just a fashionable new pastime. The game offers players route back to something familiar: the now-extinct pleasure of growing up offline. It reintroduces, or indeed introduces players to share in the belonging of a group that meets regularly, recognises its members and shares a ritual. The game also creates an opportunity for different generations to meet on equal terms.
Why luxury hotels are getting involved
Hotels have always been places where people gather. Their bars, restaurants, libraries and lounges have been expertly designed to encourage guests (and visitors) to linger.
Mahjong introduces a different dynamic. The game also offers a relatively intimate form of programming that can appeal to residents, local communities and visitors alike. A lesson can lead into open play; a regular game night can encourage repeat visits to a restaurant or bar; and a dedicated retreat can become a reason to book a longer stay.
Several luxury properties around the world have already embraced mahjong as part of their offering. Hotel Bel-Air, part of Dorchester Collection, launched a monthly American mahjong series in partnership with Oh My Mahjong in autumn 2026, led by . The sessions take place in the hotel's Living Room lounge area, with instruction from a mahjong expert, alongside a rotating selection of designer tiles and mats from the brand.
Staying in the US, and also stretching in Asia, the Kimpton brand has taken a broader approach through its Mahjong & Mingle programme, introducing specially designed sets by artist Lulie Wallace at selected properties. The initiative has been rolled out across a mix of urban hotels and resort destinations, giving guests opportunities to play in lounges or, at participating properties, borrow sets for their rooms. The concept fits the brand's social, boutique-hotel positioning. In Asia, the home of mahjong, several luxury hotels are making mahjong available as part of their guest experiences: at Capella Singapore, the Mahjong Mania experience introduces guests to the game through private or group lessons led by a local expert, covering the rules and strategy before guests try playing themselves.
In London, The Peninsula London offers one of the most distinctive hotel-based mahjong experiences in the city, through Mahjong Mondays at Canton Blue. Launched in September 2026, the club invites guests to play in the restaurant’s Tea Lounge using specially created mahjong sets designed in collaboration with Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong woodwork atelier
All aboard the mahjong table
Cruise ships are also an obvious home for the game. Sea days create stretches of unstructured time, and passengers often look for activities that are sociable without being physically demanding or overly scheduled. Like luxury hotels, mahjong fits neatly into this space; it can be played in a lounge, a games room or a designated activity area, and a table can bring together passengers who might otherwise never meet.
Recently whilst on a Mediterranean cruise, I witness the multi-generational mahjong table in full swing most days. Aboard EXPLORA I, mahjong games and lessons take place at the Journeys Lounge, alongside a selection of similar games like bridge, chess and backgammon. Holland America Line already lists mahjong among its onboard activities, whilst Oceania Cruises announced in August 2026 that it would introduce American mahjong and bridge classes across its fleet as part of an expanded onboard programme for 2027.
For luxury hotels, mahjong offers a way to create a more sociable atmosphere without requiring elaborate entertainment. For cruise lines, it provides a welcome ritual on days at sea. For players, both old and new, the game offers the chance to learn something new, meet people and enjoy a few hours away from the constant pull of digital life.
More than a game
When framing a tradition as a contemporary 'trend,' nuance is essential. Appreciating and learning a cultural practice must never collapse into fetishisation; rather, introducing, rediscovering, and breathing fresh energy into an ancient game honours its enduring relevance. Mahjong is far from a fashionable Western discovery, and its newfound ubiquity should never obscure the momentous importance of Chinese communities that have preserved it across generations. As luxury hospitality destinations and lifestyle brands embrace the popularity and resurgence of mahjong, there lies a vital opportunity to respect its regional lineages, honour its origins, and amplify the voices of the communities who know it best.
The appeal of mahjong is perhaps best understood through the small details: the sound of tiles being mixed, the pause before someone makes a move, the conversation that drifts between rounds and the laughter when a confident player realises they have misread the game. These real moments of connection are not found online; they are not particularly glamorous, but they do not need to be. It is the culmination of these small moments that is the substance of spending time together.
