The 2025 Departure Level Best in Travel Awards: A Subjective Take on Travel Trends

BY MARK CHESNUT

This was a big year for travel by any measure, but especially by mine. Two trips to Europe, two to South America, and a steady stream of assignments (and personal escapes) around Mexico, the Caribbean and the USA filled my calendar. When travel is both your job and your passion, the lines blur in the best possible way. But with so many miles and points racked up over the course of the year, what really stood out?

To spotlight the travel moments that resonated most in 2025, I’m using two lenses.

The first is data, Instagram-style: the nine travel posts on my Instagram feed that earned the most likes, comments and saves. These are the images and stories that struck a chord — sometimes because of a place, sometimes because of a moment (and in one case because of a very unexpected airplane lavatory).

The second lens is unapologetically personal: The Departure Level 2025 Best in Travel Awards. This is a curated, creative and decidedly subjective roundup of the destinations, hotels, flights, meals and experiences that made this year memorable — based entirely on my travels for top travel industry publications, a few consumer outlets and my own curiosity-driven wanderings. Is it comprehensive? Absolutely not. Is it opinionated? Very. But if it sparks an idea for your next trip, then I’m doing my job. That’s the point of my site, Departure Level: fresh inspiration, not committee-approved consensus.

The top nine posts on my Instagram feed tell their own story about what resonated in 2025 — and the list is surprisingly diverse. Together, they reveal a mix of nostalgia, aviation obsession, meaningful history and the occasional beautiful sunset.

Here are the themes that resonated in my top Instagram posts (click on the links to see the posts).

Enduring love: A vintage photo of my husband Angel and me from the early 1990s, shared to mark our 34th anniversary. Proof that sometimes the most powerful travel image isn’t from a destination at all, but from a life journey.

Sunset dinner: A glowing evening at the Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe, where excellent food and front-row sunset views are a big draw.

View with a statement: Another picturesque moment at the Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe —this time enhanced by a Gulf of Mexico T-shirt that has earned more compliments than anything else I wore all year.

The airplane lavatory moment: A photo of a Delta Air Lines Airbus A220 lavatory landed among the year’s most-liked images. Why? Because it has a window. Yes, a literal window seat … in the bathroom.

Vintage aviation obsession: A series of 1990s photos of me dressed as a fake flight attendant — complete with safety card and oxygen mask — offered visual proof that my fascination with air travel has been lifelong and incurable.

Solo luxury spotlight: My first-ever cover story for AGENTatHOME Magazine, focused on emerging trends in solo luxury travel. A professional milestone that resonated with fellow industry insiders.

World War II history: An Instagram reel documenting my father’s letters and artifacts from his time as a World War II pilot and prisoner of war. I donated nearly the entire collection to the National World War II Museum this year, then traveled to Barth, Germany — the town where he was imprisoned for nearly two years — for the 80th anniversary of V-E Day.

Zihuatanejo sunset: The Thompson Zihuatanejo delivered one of the year’s most soothing visuals: a gorgeous sky awash in color over La Ropa Beach.

Best All-Inclusive Debut
W Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
The world’s first all-inclusive W Hotel brought its signature edge and design-forward thinking to a category that is always ripe for a refreshed view. W doesn’t disappoint. Click here to watch my reel of this fantastic new hotel!

Most Impressive Spa
Conrad Spa, Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya (Mexico)
A masterclass in atmosphere and design, featuring a dramatic ceiling opening inspired by regional cenotes, tranquil pathways, and a hydrotherapy pool tucked beneath a massive palapa. Equal parts breathtaking architectural statement and deep relaxation.

Most Spectacular Suite
Oasis Suite, W Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
At 2,530 square feet, this two-bedroom showstopper redefines resort indulgence, with a sprawling terrace, private plunge pool, and an open-air bathtub that invites indulgent — and clean — moments.

Best Hotel Arrival Experience
Impression Island Mujeres by Secrets (Mexico)
The private catamaran transfer from the mainland to this adults-only escape is cinematic from the first wave. One guest summed it up perfectly: “I feel like I’m on The White Lotus.” Correct. And Fabulous. Click here for scenes from the arrival ... and the hotel. 

Best Mass Transit
The Paris Métro (France)
From the Louvre’s art-forward station to the steampunk-adjacent Arts et Métiers stop, the Métro combines beauty, logic and surprisingly roomy modern cars with oversized windows. Functional can be comfortable.

Best Creative Dinner at an Independent Restaurant
Humo Negro, Bogotá (Colombia)
Located in the chic Chapinero Alto district, this inventive, Asian-inspired spot reimagines familiar dishes — like a pirarucú-driven take on fish and chips — into something entirely its own. Not quite Asian, not quite British. But very brilliant. Click here for scenes from my dinner there. 

Most Stress-Free Airport Experience
Eugenio María de Hostos Airport, Mayagüez (Puerto Rico)
No TSA. No lines. No chaos. Just a handful of passengers boarding small planes operated by Cape Air. An airport experience so calm it feels almost surreal.

Most Scenic Airline Flight
Cape Air, Mayagüez to San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Nine-seat Italian-built aircraft, sweeping views of Puerto Rico’s central mountains and a coastline reveal that rivals any big-budget aerial shot. Short flight, big payoff. Click here to watch my reel of the flight! 

Best LGBTQ+ Pride
Curaçao Pride
After attending Pride in Denver, Queens, and Curaçao, the Caribbean edition stood out for its warmth, nighttime parade and genuinely joyful atmosphere — proof that Pride doesn’t need to be massive to be meaningful. Click here to see my Instagram reel of the event. 

Best Carnaval / Mardi Gras
Chewbacchus, New Orleans
We’d already attended the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans the previous year, so 2025 was a time to experience something smaller yet still exciting: the wildly creative Chewbacchus parade with a Star Wars twist, handmade costumes and a post-parade ball that absolutely justified the ticket price. Quirky and joyful.

Most Emotional Event
80th Anniversary of V-E Day, Barth (Germany)
Returning to the town where my father was held prisoner for nearly two years — during a multi-day commemoration marking liberation — was deeply moving. The generosity and warmth of the local community made it even more unforgettable.

Most Beautiful Small Beach Hotel
Thompson Zihuatanejo (Mexico)
Elegant, relaxed, and perfectly positioned on La Ropa Beach. Sunset dining here wasn’t just memorable — it became one of my most-liked Instagram images of the year.

Most Stunning New Nature Hotel
Sota, Puerto Morelos (Mexico)
Contemporary jungle cabins with glass walls and ceilings, upscale amenities, wellness programming and a private cenote. Nature, but with a design-forward twist. Click here to watch my reel. 

Best City Hotel View
Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin
Waking up to the Brandenburg Gate just outside the window is simply an unbeatable way to experience Berlin. This hotel is iconic for many reasons. Click here to see the hotel in my Instagram reel. 

Best Modern Art Museum
Musée d’Art Moderne, Paris (France)
An exceptional modern collection—and free admission to the main galleries, which feels like a small miracle. Click here to see some of the works on display. 

Most Intriguing Art Exhibit
“History Is Painted by the Victors,” Kent Monkman – Denver Art Museum
A powerful, provocative exploration of Indigenous history, gender, and identity. The exhibit has since moved on to Montreal, where it runs through March 8, 2026.

Most Beautiful City That Lived Up to the Hype
Morelia, Mexico
Long praised, finally visited — and absolutely worth the trip. Architecture, culture and atmosphere are all present, in postcard-perfect settings.

Best Photo Opportunity
End of the Runway, Princess Juliana Airport (St. Maarten)
Standing beneath roaring jetliners as they skim just overhead is as thrilling — and photogenic — as promised. I waited years. It was worth it.