With the end of summer halfway through, there’s no better time than now to take the temperature of the resorts and hotels in Mexico and the Caribbean that have been notable this season … and to start putting out some ideas for travel for the colder months to come.

For this roundup, ALG Vacations® did more than Ask a Pro – we asked several, including pros at our staff’s top picks exactly why they’ve become the mid-year heroes for vacationers in 2025. With plenty of supporting evidence from insiders both within ALGV and the hotels, we’re sharing with you what makes these five properties favorites this year and beyond.

Fiesta Americana Funeeq Punta Cana

Family travel is always a hot topic for hot destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean. Now a brand that’s made its significant mark in the former is putting its stamp in the latter with not only a new resort, but an all-new concept: Fiesta Americana Funeeq.

This is Fiesta Americana Travelty’s second hotel in the destination – the other is the adults-only Live Aqua – and the focus is entirely on family fun. Insiders tell us this is an instant hit for a few practical reasons: lots and lots of connecting rooms. There are a total of 494 rooms across the property, including family suites, swim-ups, and those with garden, pool, ocean views, which means plenty of options for preferences and budgets. Plentiful accessible rooms make it even better for multigenerational trips and all ages.

Guests are going to love the family activities, such as the water park, bowling, and arcade for kids and teens. For something more soothing, the two-story spa has become a hot topic, too. It’s for adults only  

Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences

Tried and true classics are also experiencing a resurgence in popularity among families, as guests and advisors hedge their bets with properties they can trust for a great experience. This Saint Lucia resort is exactly that, with luxurious and spacious multi-bedroom villas that offer privacy and while fostering connection for groups of various sizes. Adding even more value, kids stay and eat for free when traveling with parents on the Premium All-Inclusive meal plan. With dedicated kids' menus at all seven restaurants, dining is made effortless for families.

A full-service Infant Amenity Program makes no age too young to make visits to Windjammer Landing a tradition; certified nannies (at additional cost), UV protection tents for the beach, cribs, blackout curtains, high chairs, and sound machines lessen the packing burden.

Other amenities popular among families is the complimentary kids club with engaging programming that ranges from Beach Olympics to scavenger hunts, nature walks, and dance parties, as well as activities developed specifically for teens. Those include tennis clinics, water sports, and introductions to yoga and fitness, a great way to get them into independent wellness, which parents can partake in with the 24/7 on-site gym. And for memorable family moments, hands-on cooking classes offer a fun, shared experience.

And when it's time for a little indulgence, the Serene Spa invites parents (and teens) to unwind with rejuvenating treatments designed to soothe, restore and elevate the stay.

Royalton Antigua, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort

Destination weddings are one of the most popular travel concepts of the year and – even as other types of group trips rise in demand – remain the most common type of group booking. For weddings and romance, the Royalton Antigua has got several edges that have put it at the top of advisor radars.

First is that this resort in particular has a complimentary wedding option, which includes the ceremony, semi-private reception, cake, décor, and more. A variety of other personalized wedding packages keeps any event from feeling like any other, and the availability of these customizable packages across any of the Royalton properties means all of the bells and whistles of busier destinations while enjoying the exclusivity of this this one. Professional planners and a centralized sales office support that streamlined service to make coordination as low-stress as possible. Other blanket benefits include All-In Luxuries for unlimited reservation-free dining, premium drinks, 24/7 room service, and the ability to upgrade any stay with Diamond Club™ privileges.

Not least is the location. Perceived as more glam than many other Caribbean islands, this property does the destination justice with venues that take breaths away. Sky terraces with bay views, serene beach gazebos, elegant ballrooms, oceanfront vistas, and more offer an unforgettable sense of place.

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

Also trending: foodie vacations. Many travel just to eat these days, and the Caribbean is not an exception. The cultural melting pot that is Aruba means diversity of cuisine, from local favorites to international brands and global flavors. The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino’s wide range of restaurant options encompasses the entire breadth, making it a smart choice for those who want the beauty, serenity, and impeccable climate of Aruba and the convenience of accessible interesting dining.

Waves Bar & Grill let guests dive into local favorites, fresh catches from the sea, and tropical flavors, while beachfront Atardi offers a sense of place via views. Captain’s Galley runs the gamut with themed nights that can go from paella one night to barbecue the next without skipping a beat. Other coastal destinations are given their due, too: Campeones with bold Mexican flavors, Mercát with a Mediterranean menu, and The Lobby for sushi. Ruth’s Chris Steak House provides familiar comfort and ambiance at the excellence level synonymous with the brand. And for a treat, who doesn’t love handcrafted gelato by the scoop and as popsicles? Gelato & Co. is where you’ll find both.

Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Turks & Caicos

Are your clients looking to get away from it all and spend some time finding their peace again? They’re not the only ones, which is why this resort has low-key risen to become a top pick for those in the know.

Salterra Resort & Spa offers something that’s truly special: rare seclusion on South Caicos, an island with only one other resort. Here, guests enjoy exclusive access to a pristine, 3,000-foot stretch of uninterrupted white-sand beach along the resort’s protected shoreline. Sustainability is central to the hotel, where you won’t find single-use plastics, but you will find enthusiastic support of coral reef restoration, and low-impact excursions managed in-house such as diving with eagle rays.

And with new direct flights from Miami to South Caicos on American Airlines, getting to Salterra is an ocean breeze, with over 70 U.S. city connections amplifying that accessibility. There are also convenient connections through Providenciales, with a short domestic flight bringing guests to South Caicos in under 25 minutes.

Plus, as part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, Bonvoy members get exclusive benefits, elevated experiences, and hospitality that’s intuitive, anticipatory, and rooted in a sense of place, allowing guests to retreat fully in a natural environment that actively seeks to slow down time.