Travel Trends
Caribbean Luxury Reimagined: How Marriott Resorts Are Shaping 2025’s Travel Trends | stupidDOPE
As the global travel industry continues to adjust to post-pandemic priorities and an evolving economy, a new generation of luxury travelers is reshaping the meaning of vacation. The days of rigid itineraries and checklist-driven sightseeing are giving way to intention-led escapes, flexible experiences, and immersive moments that matter.
This summer, Marriott International’s Caribbean properties are meeting this demand head-on—offering luxury that is intuitive, personal, and rooted in wellness, family connection, and cultural depth. With insights drawn from top industry players like Fora Travel, Classic Vacations, and Solos, it’s clear that travelers are craving meaningful experiences in places that feel both comforting and transformative.
Here’s a closer look at how Marriott’s Caribbean portfolio is leading this movement—and why their resorts are perfectly aligned with the biggest luxury travel trends of 2025.
Last-Minute Travel, Maximum Luxury
Trend Insight: According to Classic Vacations, travelers are booking closer to their departure dates than ever—just 20 days in advance for domestic and 30 for international trips. These quick-turn decisions demand high-end options that are accessible, flexible, and friction-free.
Where Marriott Shines:
At The St. Regis Bermuda Resort, guests can land and relax in style within minutes. Located near the airport yet worlds away in ambiance, this resort is designed for effortless indulgence. The property offers plush amenities and discreet service, but it’s the Residences at St. Regis Bermuda that take flexibility to the next level. Multi-bedroom layouts, private terraces, and full kitchens allow couples, friends, and families to settle in with ease—merging residential comfort with signature St. Regis sophistication.
Whether it’s a spur-of-the-moment anniversary trip or a quick family reconnection, St. Regis Bermuda offers a seamless luxury experience, proving that spontaneity doesn’t have to mean compromise.
Legacy Travel and Repeat Escapes
Trend Insight: Uncertainty has travelers returning to familiar destinations, building vacation traditions that offer both comfort and connection. Classic Vacations notes a marked rise in families revisiting beloved resorts year after year.
Where Marriott Shines:
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman has emerged as a symbol of these enduring traditions. Situated along the celebrated Seven Mile Beach, the property has become a gathering point for multi-generational families. From curated excursions to kid-friendly experiences and private beachfront dining, the resort caters to every age and preference.
At the heart of this legacy travel trend is Seven South, the Caribbean’s largest luxury suite configuration. Ideal for larger groups, the expansive suites feature elevated service, bespoke experiences, and enough space to ensure that each family member enjoys their own version of relaxation.
This tradition-forward model not only builds customer loyalty—it builds family memories that last for generations.
JOMO Replaces FOMO: The Joy of Missing Out
Trend Insight: Today’s traveler isn’t looking to check off landmarks. They’re seeking stillness, peace, and intentional disconnect. The Joy of Missing Out (JOMO) reflects a growing preference for digital detoxes and mindful moments.
Where Marriott Shines:
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is the Caribbean’s answer to the JOMO mindset. This private oasis in Puerto Rico invites guests to engage in purposeful wellness—sunrise yoga on the sand, forest bathing beneath lush canopies, and restorative therapies at Spa Botánico, a five-acre sanctuary nestled in nature.
Here, time slows. From botanical facials using local ingredients to sound healing under the stars, the resort encourages travelers to be fully present. It’s less about escape and more about reconnection—with oneself, with nature, and with the moment.
The Caribbean Is Hotter Than Ever
Trend Insight: High-end travel is gravitating toward Caribbean destinations, with Turks & Caicos topping the list. Travelers are seeking newer, quieter destinations that still offer five-star amenities and service.
Where Marriott Shines:
At The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos, luxury meets laid-back coastal charm. Set on the iconic Grace Bay Beach, this property draws guests with its panoramic ocean views, locally inspired cuisine, and design-forward suites. The resort’s spa and wellness offerings are infused with Caribbean sensibilities, from sea salt scrubs to island-grown aromatherapy.
New to the scene is Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Turks & Caicos, already turning heads with its barefoot luxury ethos. Merging high design with holistic sensibility, Salterra prioritizes sustainability and sensory experience. Its spa treatments are inspired by local traditions, and its culinary program reflects the island’s cultural mosaic.
Together, these properties redefine Caribbean luxury—not just as a location, but as a lifestyle.
Wellness, Solitude, and “Calmcations”
Trend Insight: Travel advisory firm Solos reports a sharp uptick in solo wellness travel and extended stays focused on rejuvenation. Whether it’s a career sabbatical or a personal reset, travelers are leaning into solitude and self-care.
Where Marriott Shines:
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas stands out with a rich menu of wellness and water-based activities. Guests can kayak through coral reefs, meditate by the ocean, or experience the Caribbean’s only seaside cabana massage. With sport-fishing, guided snorkeling, and a full sailing program, travelers can tailor their time based on mood and energy.
Designed for reflection and rejuvenation, the resort’s slower pace is ideal for solo travelers or couples looking to disconnect. Its panoramic views and thoughtful programming make it more than a resort—it’s a retreat for the senses.
The Marriott Caribbean Experience: More Than Just a Stay
Across its portfolio, Marriott International is weaving a consistent thread: luxury should be personal, experiential, and restorative. These Caribbean properties reflect the evolving desires of today’s travelers—from flexibility and spontaneity to stillness and self-renewal.
They also acknowledge that luxury is no longer defined by exclusivity alone. It’s defined by intention—the intention to reconnect with family, to reset one’s rhythm, or to find meaning in moments that matter.
Why This Matters in 2025
Economic shifts, wellness movements, and post-pandemic preferences have pushed the travel industry toward personalization and mindfulness. What Marriott’s Caribbean resorts demonstrate is that luxury brands can thrive not by chasing trends, but by understanding them—and responding with authenticity, innovation, and care.
Travelers in 2025 don’t just want to see the world. They want to feel it. And Marriott’s Caribbean collection—whether it’s a storied Reserve in Puerto Rico, a sprawling beachfront estate in Bermuda, or a brand-new spa haven in Turks & Caicos—delivers experiences that speak directly to that desire.
Planning the Perfect Caribbean Escape
As the second half of 2025 begins, travelers are encouraged to explore these resorts not just as destinations, but as springboards for personal discovery. Whether planning a last-minute birthday getaway, a quiet solo escape, or an annual family trip, Marriott’s Caribbean properties provide the infrastructure—and the heart—for transformative travel.
To browse the latest experiences and book your next mindful luxury retreat, visit www.Marriott.com.
If you have a great visit at a resort, ALWAYS TIP YOUR HOUSEKEEPER.
Travel Trends
FITUR Cruises 2026 reaffirms its commitment to the booming cruise holiday industry
MADRID – In 2024, the cruise industry reached a record 34.6 million passengers worldwide, 9.3% more than the previous year, and by 2025 this figure is expected to increase to 37.7 million. Furthermore, by 2030, the global cruise market is expected to generate revenues of 18.35 billion dollars with a compound annual growth rate of 12.9%, according to the ‘State of the Cruise Industry 2025’ report published by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Faced with this solid expansion of the cruise sector, the International Tourism Trade Fair is responding to this global tourism trend and is offering the strategic opportunity of connecting with a dynamic market with great potential at the fifth edition of FITUR Cruises from 21 to 25 January at IFEMA MADRID.
Organised in collaboration with online magazine Cruceroadicto.com, the event will debut a redesigned space in Hall 4 of the Trade Fair Centre that will combine the exhibition area, the central auditorium and the Cruise Market business area, which in 2026 is gathering together the largest number of cruise lines and auxiliary industry companies.
FITUR Cruises’ dual strategy: B2B and B2C approach for a personalised offer
Over the course of the trade visitor days -Wednesday 21, Thursday 22 and Friday 23 January – FITUR Cruises 2026 will connect the key players that drive the sector’s solid performance and will offer an interesting programme of conferences. This will contribute to boosting cruise sales, reinforcing their public image as a holiday option and promoting awareness among sales agents and travellers.
Cruise Market will be the heart of FITUR Cruises 2026, acting as a meeting, work and business point between cruise lines, destinations, ports and tour operators, as well as between these actors with the trade visitor and the end traveller. For its part, Cruise Campus will continue with its innovative system of 25-minute talks and mini-courses focused on areas such as marketing for travel agents, who account for approximately 50% of the industry’s turnover, communication and the travel experience from all angles and with a more practical approach.
At the weekend, when FITUR opens its doors to the general public, the Cruises area will reinforce the loyalty of cruise passengers and organise awareness-raising activities on this type of tourism, bringing travellers closer to the diversity of the offer, which includes family cruises with attractions and a wide range of on-board leisure activities to ultra-luxury cruises with helicopters and submarines; premium and upper premium cruises offering fine dining; expedition lines; river cruises, or cruises specialising in a specific geographical area.
In addition, visitors can also take part in the fifth edition of the Cruise Scavenger Hunt, a big treasure hunt among the FITUR stands, as well as the popular Café & Cruises meeting where passengers can share their on-board experiences.
Cruceroadicto Awards, the only awards voted by the Spanish-speaking travel community
On Thursday 22 January, FITUR Cruises will be hosting the IV Cruceroadicto Awards ceremony, the only ones voted 100% by the Spanish-speaking travel community and certified by the AENOR mark for their commitment to transparency and impartiality. During the event, the best ship, cruise line and port of 2025 as well as the different sub-categories will be revealed.
The article FITUR Cruises 2026 reaffirms its commitment to the booming cruise holiday industry first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
Travel Trends
Actions for Hoteliers to Leverage Emerging Travel Trends : 4Hoteliers
Travelers are blending business with leisure, seeking cooler climates, and working from inspiring new locations, but the hotel industry has largely remained unresponsive.
The data may not yet fully reflect the volume of these burgeoning trends, but this signals a crucial opportunity for proactive hoteliers to move beyond generic offerings and capture a growing market of guests seeking higher value and tailored experiences.
The disconnect between trending topics and hotel actions is apparent. Standard hotel offerings leave many travelers in these emerging categories underserved. Hotels have a clear opportunity to differentiate themselves and build guest loyalty.
Instead of waiting for overwhelming statistical evidence, savvy hoteliers should be at the forefront, shaping their services to meet and exceed the expectations of these new traveler personas. Here are three key actions hoteliers should take to interpret and act on the latest trends, ensuring they capture their full impact.
1. Deep Dive into Data and Decipher the “Why”
Understanding a trend’s relevance to your specific property is crucial before taking meaningful action. Acknowledging a new buzzword isn’t enough; investigate how it appears in your market and guest data to gain a deeper understanding of its relevance. Moving beyond guesswork and manual spreadsheet analysis is essential.
To truly unlock these insights, you need a hotel business intelligence (BI) system. A modern BI platform automates the collection and analysis of data from all your key systems—your Property Management System (PMS), point-of-sale (POS), and even online guest reviews. Instead of relying on gut feelings, a BI system provides a comprehensive view of guest behavior.
It can flag patterns, such as increasing lengths of stay that bridge a Thursday to a Monday (a classic bleisure indicator), correlate guest origin with on-site spending, or track booking lead times from specific markets. This technology enables you to identify emerging trends with statistical confidence, allowing you to act decisively while your competitors are still discussing it.
With this powerful analytical foundation, you can begin to dig deeper. Are you seeing longer stays that bridge weekdays and weekends? Are guests inquiring about workspaces or the reliability of high-speed internet? Is there an uptick in visitors from regions experiencing extreme heat during certain times of the year? A BI system will not only help you ask these questions but also give you the clear, data-backed answers you need to build your strategy.
2. Reimagine and Repurpose Your Physical Spaces
Once you have a handle on the trends impacting your business, the next step is to adapt your physical environment. A one-size-fits-all approach to hotel rooms and common areas will no longer suffice.
For the “work-from-anywhere” guest, this means more than just a desk and a chair. Consider creating dedicated, well-equipped workstations that feature ergonomic seating, ample power outlets, and excellent lighting for video calls. Could a lesser-used common area be transformed into a stylish and functional co-working space? Offering day passes to these spaces can also attract local remote workers, creating a new revenue stream.
Attract “bleisure” travelers by ensuring a seamless transition between work and relaxation. Offer packages that bundle a spa treatment or a happy hour credit with a room booking. Create a “Business and Leisure” section on your website to highlight your meeting facilities and proximity to local attractions.
For “coolcationers,” the focus shifts to the experience of the destination. While you can’t change the weather, you can enhance the enjoyment of it. Partner with local tour operators to offer unique excursions that capitalize on the pleasant climate, such as guided hikes, boat trips, or outdoor yoga sessions. In-room, you could provide amenities that encourage exploration, like pre-loaded transit cards or a curated guide to local parks and outdoor cafes.
Travel Trends
Film-Inspired Travel Campaigns : Tourism Fiji
Produced by Special PR and directed by James Anderson, with on-location filming by Radlab, the campaign centers on Wilson’s symbolic return to Fiji. The story begins as he is discovered on the white-sand shores of Serenity Island Resort by a young Fijian girl named Lani. She embraces Wilson with a sense of wonder, inviting him into a series of memorable, culturally rich experiences. These include “cycling along historic sugar cane rail tracks with Eco Trax, kayaking in crystal-clear waters, partaking in a traditional Kava ceremony, and engaging in a spirited game of volleyball.”
This film-inspired campaign blends cinematic nostalgia with authentic Fijian hospitality, highlighting the destination’s enduring appeal and reinforcing Fiji’s position as a welcoming, adventure-filled travel destination for global audiences.
Image Credit: Tourism Fiji
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