My Travel Diaries: Melissa Odabash
UNSPLASH/Petar Lazarevic
I’m based in London, but I travel nearly every week with work. Last month I started off in Boston and stayed at the new W Hotel, before flying straight to Dubrovnik to stay at the Excelsior Hotel. I was pleasantly surprised by Dubrovnik which is the most beautiful city – not many people talk about it, but it's so picturesque and clean. I then drove over to Montenegro, as I was opening a store there, and checked into the new One & Only Portonovi which was stunning. Everything was on another level and the sunsets, with white-sand beaches in the backdrop, were so beautiful. We went around by boat checked out all the little islands which reminded me of parts of the Italian coast or the South of France.
One of my favourite places in the world is Capri. From there it’s a short ferry ride to Positano which is equally beautiful. I like to stay at Hotel Treville which is mega. The interiors are so beautiful and the views of the sea from the terrace are so special – it’s such a unique place and feels very glamorous. I don’t get to wear my swimwear collection much in London so somewhere like Positano or Saint-Tropez are the perfect places to wear it on the beach or around the pool. I love Saint-Tropez for its beach clubs filled with driftwood and decorated with natural colours and bamboo shades. It’s also home to these fabulous little stores on the beach where you can find all sorts of accessories made by local artisans.
I love road trips and have travelled the entire Amalfi Coast, stopping at various places including Naples, which is chaotic but fascinating with its rustic authenticity. Naples is vibrant and unique, with cluttered streets and thousands of images of Maradona. You’ll find great food for just ten Euros at some of the restaurants that are run by old Italian families.
If I have a few days to myself, I’ll always choose a city break. I love Hong Kong because it's so over the top and different. I love being surprised and finding something new on every street corner, from its cool markets to its restaurants, ranging from hole-in-the-wall street vendors to high-end places. Paris is another favourite, and I’ve had some of my most romantic trips there. Last time I visited, I stayed at Le Bristol, which has recently been renovated and features stunning high ceilings and the most impressive lighting. A sunset boat trip on the River Seine was a highlight, with views of landmarks like the Eiffel Tower. Paris really does have something for everyone, with a mix of dining options from traditional bistros to hotel restaurants, and I’m often asked for recommendations, so I'm considering creating a travel guide to share my favourite spots!
One of my favourite cities is Copenhagen. It’s so inspiring for my brand and I love that everyone cycles. I love biking around the city, exploring seafood restaurants and enjoying the unique style of each area. Tivoli Gardens is fantastic and biking to old monuments is a treat. Copenhagen also has excellent vintage shopping, with a focus on local fashion designers and artisans rather than big brands. Staying at the Hotel Sanders, designed by the same architects as the Opera House, puts you in the city centre, making it easy to access culture, shopping and food.
I recently went to Dubai for the first time and stayed at Anantara The Palm. If you can’t get to the Maldives, this is the next best thing. The hotel is incredible and you can stay in over-water villas and huts. The food was amazing, too. Dubai was slightly different to what I expected but I had a great time. If you want a holiday with great restaurants, amazing views and some of the best hotels in the world, it’s perfect. Next, I’d like to stay at Jumeirah Beach Hotel or go back to Atlantis The Royal which is grand on another scale. I've never seen anything like it.
For a family holiday, I love going to my house in Jupiter, Florida. It’s my favourite place, perfect for an active and relaxing getaway. My days are filled with biking along the inlet, golfing, swimming at sunrise and paddleboarding. Evenings involve rollerblading and enjoying big family dinners at amazing waterfront restaurants like UTG, where you can watch boats go by and enjoy beautiful sunsets. The area is popular with celebrities and has become even more desirable post-Covid.
I’ve been going to Miami since I was 18 and I still love it just as much today. It’s probably the most important place fashion-wise for swimwear designers. I recently did a collab with Sports Illustrated for its 60th anniversary which was a lot of fun. It was a full circle moment as Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks wore one of my first ever swimsuits in the magazine. In Miami I love 1 Hotel South Beach and The Edition. Restaurant-wise, Casa Tua and Chicobis are great spots. In Miami, you must try Cuban food, especially at the restaurant on Lincoln Road that is part owned by Gloria Estefan. Miami is a real foodie hub with diverse options.
Palm Beach is another fun destination. The Colony Hotel is iconic and it couldn’t be any more Palm Beach. The colours, the wallpaper – it’s all lime, hot pink and turquoise – and it feels very old Hollywood. It’s like a Slim Aarons print come to life. The pool is surrounded by white and green sun loungers and scallop-edges umbrellas. Palm Beach itself is very interesting; Old Town is beautiful and Worth Avenue is home to some of the most beautiful jewellery shops in the world. The Breakers is another luxury option and is home to a great golf course where lots of celebs play.
Good food is a big factor when it comes to planning trips. You might be surprised to hear that because I’m small, but I’m obsessed with food. And spas, because I travel a lot. I love it when a hotel has a great spa because I’ll always go and check out the steam room, sauna and gym. That said, healthy food is always a must – it’s all about balance when you’re travelling.
UNSPLASH/Toa Heftiba
One of my most memorable meals on holiday was spaghetti vongole in Positano. In Marrakech, I also loved all the couscous dishes with chicken which were cooked in a ceramic pot under the sand. When combined with a beautiful view, these kinds of meals are unforgettable. Although I don't drink much, I’ll sometimes have a nice glass of red.
I loved Colombia so much. It’s quite dangerous now, but it’s such a beautiful country. The landscape is so interesting and the food is totally unique. Travelling there was a great experience and I couldn’t recommend it enough if you’re after an adventurous holiday. Morocco has the same energy, but it’s slightly less chaotic – it’s one of my favourite places and, as a fashion designer, is full of inspiration. Morocco is home to talented artisans, so you’ll always find beautiful, unique pieces to bring home. I loved staying at The Royal Mansour in Marrakech – the interiors are fantastic and every wall features something made by an artist, from the mosaics to the artwork.
I do most of my meetings in London at Claridge’s. London hotels don’t get better than that. If I had to live in a hotel, it would he there. Growing up in New York, my mother and I would pretend to be English and have tea at the Plaza Hotel, a tradition that made my eventual move to England feel serendipitous. Claridge’s offers a traditional atmosphere, the best high tea and a prime location next to Bond Street. I also love Rosewood London and the new Peninsula hotel, which is amazing. It has the best wraparound terrace overlooking the city and lots of cool artwork dotted throughout the hotel. I’m an American so I love anything quintessentially English – like nice wallpaper, tapestries and English afternoon tea.
Outside of London I love going to the Cotswolds and usually stay at Thyme or Daylesford. We recently rented one of the Daylesford cottages and it was just like The Holiday. The fridge was fully stocked with all the brand’s yummy food (the bread is particularly good) and you can walk right over to the farm to have lunch there.
One of the most impressive buildings I’ve been to is Aynhoe Park at RH England in Banbury, on the edge of the Cotswolds. The former wedding venue, now RH England, has been transformed with a £300 million investment into a stunning furniture shop. Each room showcases its furniture, and there's an incredible architecture and design library. It's one of the most beautiful places, perfect for a lunch outing with a friend.
One of my fondest childhood memories is our annual trips to Saint Martin, a Caribbean island with French and Dutch sides. My parents would go there before us and, every year, they'd return with French bikinis for the girls and something for my brother. Growing up in New Jersey, this French influence was fascinating. The island, with its beautiful beaches and people, became our yearly paradise.
I used to model a lot and, though I wasn't exclusively a swimwear model, I was frequently booked for swimwear shoots because of my American background. I never liked most of the swimwear I modelled, so I decided to start my own collection. At the time, swimwear wasn't a major focus for many designers, with few brands besides Speedo and maybe Calvin Klein offering options. I began with ten pieces, selling them to model friends and going door to door. My big break came when I got featured in Sports Illustrated, which helped launch my career. Five years later, my swimsuits became the fastest-selling items in the Victoria's Secret catalogue. I love hearing from customers who still wear pieces from 18 years ago or pass them down to their daughters. My early collections featured unique, hand-beaded one-off pieces designed to stand out in magazines and editorials.
UNSPLASH/Reiseuhu
For a beach holiday, I always pack two or three white bikinis, a black bikini, a white one-piece, and then add some colourful options depending on my tan. I love bringing green bikinis, crochet dresses, and white or black kaftans to ensure everything matches. I also include matching shorts and trousers for casual outings, and I never forget a hat, sunglasses and a metallic fan. For footwear, I opt for versatile metallic flip-flops that go with any outfit.
In my carry-on, I always pack sunblock to prevent pigmentation, Nuxe shimmer for a glowing look and Skin Food which is so moisturising. For hair care, I bring oil to condition my hair on the beach. I also include NEOM body butter, which is organic and great for keeping skin hydrated. I prefer organic products for my body, as the skin absorbs a lot. Essential items also include lip balm and the Rodial concealer. I could go on and on, but these are my top travel essentials.
I’ve had some exciting travels earlier this summer. I’ve just been to the Ischia Film Festival, which was great as I’d never been to Ischia before. After that I went to Capri and then on to Tuscany. I spent quite a bit of time in Italy before heading back to the US for a pop-up shop in the Hamptons.
As for places on my bucket list, Japan is at the top. I’d love to visit there and explore its unique culture. I also want to take a boat cruise up the Nile, which sounds like a dream come true and very Agatha Christie-esque. While I’ve been to Belgium once, I’m keen on exploring more destinations on weekends, but Japan and the Nile are my top priorities.
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