Travel Insights from a Family Who Explored 21 Resorts in 2021

Luxury family travel experts Carmen and Serge Sognonvi have spent years globetrotting with their children, Sean and Ella.

When COVID-19 disrupted travel plans, the Sognonvi family could have easily settled in New York City. Instead, they seized the chance to explore and document how upscale resorts were adapting to safety measures, hygiene standards, and family-friendly offerings during the pandemic.

Under their brand, Top Flight Family, the Sognonvi family set a goal to visit 21 resorts in 2021.

Their journey began at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas and concluded at The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Montana. Along the way, they visited destinations such as Kenya, Hawaii, and Jamaica, highlighting the wide variety of resort experiences and accommodations available around the world.

At TPG, we love sharing useful travel advice. We sat down with Carmen Sognonvi to hear what her family learned while traveling during a time when many others took a break from exploring. Here are some valuable tips to consider for your next family getaway.

Select the ideal resort for your family

When most people think of resort vacations, they imagine relaxing on a beach or drifting down a lazy river. But traditional beach resorts are just the beginning of what resorts have to offer.

"Ski resorts, safari lodges, lakeside retreats, and even theme parks and water park resorts all fit under the resort category," Sognonvi shared with TPG.

While beach and pool resorts made up much of the Sognonvi family's travel in 2021, they also made an effort to explore the full range of resort options that are ideal for families.

As the Sognonvi children get older, the family now places a premium on having enough space to relax and spread out when selecting a resort.

When their daughters were younger, a one-bedroom suite was enough, with Carmen and Serge sleeping in the bedroom while the girls made do with a pullout couch in the living room. But as the kids have grown, they've found it increasingly uncomfortable to stay in one-bedroom or smaller accommodations.

"The girls have just outgrown those pullout couches," Sognonvi joked. "Now, we prefer booking a two-bedroom suite, a villa, or adjoining rooms. And trust me, you'll never regret opting for a swim-up suite if it's available!"

It's also essential to consider whether a resort offers activities and amenities that are tailored for kids.

For families with babies or toddlers, Sognonvi advises choosing a resort that provides cribs, strollers, and other baby essentials that you can rent or borrow, to make your travel experience more convenient.

Depending on the resort, you may discover that it offers childcare services, either free or for a fee.

In Sognonvi's experience, larger resorts aren't always the best option.

"You might think that the bigger and more extravagant a kids' club is, the more fun your kids will have," she noted.

Sognonvi has discovered during her family travels that it's not the extravagant features, but the genuine care and attentiveness of the staff that truly makes a difference.

"The more engaged and hands-on the staff are with the children, the more enjoyable the experience becomes for them," she shared.

Assessing the quality of childcare can be challenging just by looking at pictures on a resort's website, so it's important to check online reviews and find articles or videos from recent visitors to get a clearer idea of what to expect.

Let the resort handle the uncertainty of COVID-19 protocols for you.

Currently, COVID-19 protocols can differ significantly from one country to the next, no matter where or how you travel.

Figuring out which test to take, when to take it, and whether a booster shot is required to be deemed "fully vaccinated" can be overwhelming enough to make you want to put off travel until things settle down.

However, don't automatically dismiss the idea of traveling internationally. From the Sognonvi family's experience, many resorts overseas offer on-site COVID-19 testing, often at no extra charge.

"When you're in a foreign country, finding a trustworthy place to get a COVID test can be stressful," Sognonvi explained. "But at a resort, they make it easy by offering testing on-site, and the concierge is typically well-informed on the latest travel guidelines."

While staying at a resort can alleviate some of the uncertainty about testing requirements and vaccination documentation, it's still up to you to stay informed. Sognonvi suggests checking the tourism board website of your destination, which typically displays the latest safety protocols on the homepage.

Flying with kids can actually be enjoyable — or at least tolerable if you're well-prepared.

Having flown countless times throughout the pandemic, the Sognonvi family has perfected the art of traveling with kids in tow.

Their advice? Opt for an early morning flight, ideally around 8 a.m., as this typically minimizes the chance of delays and cancellations. Plus, airports and lounges are usually quieter at that time.

"Booking that 8 a.m. flight often means the plane is already there from the night before, so you're more likely to depart on time," Sognonvi shared.

The Sognonvi family is a proud member of team carry-on, especially when heading to warm destinations where packing light with just shorts and swimsuits is all you need.

"It saves so much time since you skip the baggage claim and avoid the stress of lost luggage," Sognonvi explained.

To keep the journey smooth, Sognonvi and her husband relax the screen time rules for their daughters on travel days, allowing everyone — including the parents — to enjoy some screen time while on the move.

She also suggests downloading music, movies, books, and other entertainment to your devices ahead of time so there's something fun to do even without an internet connection.

"Many airlines offer inflight entertainment, but it's always a good idea to have your own backup in case theirs malfunctions," Sognonvi advised.

Sognonvi also recommends packing some analog alternatives in case screen time becomes tedious on a long-haul flight.

"My kids love drawing, so they always pack a sketchbook along with some pencils, crayons, or a notebook to write in," she shared.

Manage your expectations

You may envision a perfect vacation where your kids express gratitude for the unforgettable experience, but that likely won't unfold as expected.

"As a parent, you need to remember that kids don’t always share how they’re feeling in the moment," Sognonvi noted.

This is particularly true when kids are exposed to new environments and experiences far from home. Sognonvi has learned not to be disheartened by her children's initial reactions—or lack of them.

"Just because they seem uninterested doesn’t mean they’re not enjoying the experience," she explained. "They might look bored or detached at the time, but weeks or even months later, they might bring up something they loved."

This serves as a reminder that we must manage our expectations, as kids experience trips in layers and absorb more than we think.

"They take in more than we realize, and there’s not a single trip where they don’t learn and grow from it," Sognonvi reflected.

Don’t assume you already know what your kids will love doing.

The Sognonvi family discovered that a jam-packed itinerary isn’t essential for kids to have fun on vacation. Often, it’s the simple things they enjoy the most.

When the Sognonvi family visited Mexico’s Finest Playa Mujeres last spring, her children became captivated by the overwater hammock at their swim-up suite.

"The resort had a kids club they enjoyed, but they spent hours 'surfing' on the hammock above the pool," Sognonvi recalls. "Don’t over-schedule. Kids need time to wander and make their own discoveries."

Join Top Flight Family as they set out to conquer a new challenge in 2022.

If you think exploring 21 resorts in one year is tough, try visiting 22 cities in the same span. That’s the new goal for the Sognonvi family.

"Serge and I are both city people," Sognonvi shared. "I was born in Hong Kong and Serge grew up in New York City. Before 2021, we were drawn more to urban destinations. Why? Because cities have so much to offer families."

In particular, Sognonvi appreciates how many cities, both in the U.S. and abroad, provide an abundance of family-friendly amenities.

"Cities are naturally great for families because of easy transportation, diverse accommodation choices, and countless cultural and sports attractions to enjoy while you’re there," she explained.

In addition to enjoying the usual family-friendly activities, the Sognonvi family aims to show that traveling with kids doesn't mean you can't dive deep into a city's culture, beyond the usual tourist spots.

"We’ll guide you on how to explore each city in a more meaningful way, and your kids will gain so much from the experience," Sognonvi explained.

Interested in joining their journey? Follow Top Flight Family's travels on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to stay updated.