A moment with... Andy Murray
He’s an Olympic double gold medallist, multi-grand slam champion – and an official Fan of Mandarin Oriental. We caught up with tennis legend Andy Murray, to talk dream destinations, signature drinks, and the perils of last-minute packing.
My favourite Mandarin Oriental hotel is...
Mandarin Oriental, Miami. It’s set on a little island in Brickell, and the views out across the Bay are amazing.
At the hotel bar, my usual is…
A Coca-Cola. I’m not much of a drinker, although every now and then – if it’s a special occasion or I’m celebrating – I’ll have a glass of Champagne.
My MO hotel breakfast is…
Two eggs (scrambled) with bacon on toasted brown bread, with a mixed berry smoothie and some sliced avocado on the side. I love breakfast at MO. I have an apartment nearby so, if my wife and I fancy a more laid-back start to the day, we’ll walk across and have breakfast together – though now we have four young children, I’m not sure it’s so relaxing.
My favourite place to take a walk nearby is…
A little way from the hotel, but if you drive across the William Powell Bridge there’s a stretch of beach to walk that takes you out towards Key Biscayne. It’s especially beautiful when the sun is setting.
When it comes to dinner…
It’s probably Nobu Miami, where I’ve been quite a few times. The food is always very good. Miso black cod, rock shrimp, lobster tempura salad, yellowtail sashimi… the list could go on and on.
The destination where I like to take a holiday is…
Definitely Scotland, because I left home when I was pretty young and it’s difficult to go back regularly. So, when I can, I always head back to Scotland. There is so much to see and do, the countryside is amazing, and I can spend some time catching up with family.
When I travel, I always pack…
My laptop. It helps me keep in touch with my young family on the road, as I’m often away for weeks at a time. But I always forget to pack the right shoes. I’m terrible when it comes to shoes. I spend so much time training that I often forget to pack casual shoes or trainers. It’s led to a few interesting tennis shoe/outfit pairings over the years!
My favourite journey is…
When I know I’m going home. I don’t get to spend as much time with my wife and kids as I would like to, so it’s always a great journey knowing that I’m heading home.
The song I never get tired of listening to is…
Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran, it’s my wife’s and my song, and always makes me think of her.
The hardest thing about travelling for my work is…
That my children are growing up fast while I’m away. Not being there for first steps or first words can be hard. That’s actually been one of the silver linings of my injuries over the last few years; I’ve been around a lot more at home. My children definitely won’t miss my attempts at home schooling, though. My arts and crafts skills need a lot of work!
A habit I’d like to develop is…
To be better prepared in my packing before I leave for a trip! I have a terrible habit of packing at the very last minute, and arriving at the airport with minutes to spare.
The best travel companions…
Know the importance of space. When travelling on a tennis tour, my team and I can sometimes be on the road together for six weeks at a time, eating every meal together. So making sure we all take time out and have our own space to relax is incredibly important.
The most underrated destination is…
Australia. I love playing at the Australian Open. The weather is great, it’s laidback and the people are so friendly. I’ve visited Melbourne a lot over the years and Sydney has great beaches, but there are so many other amazing parts: the Gold Coast, Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu National Park, Uluru… I should work for the tourist board.
The most overrated destination is…
Nowhere! I try to experience every place I visit with an open mind. I would never say somewhere is overrated – maybe not quite what I expected, but never overrated. I love travelling and appreciate the differences in culture.
People would be surprised if they knew…
That I really don’t like flying in small planes. I’m much better now, but had a few bad experiences when I was younger and it’s taken me a while to feel comfortable again.
Something I’ve learned to stop worrying about is…
Social media. It can be brutal, and while I love the fact you can share your thoughts and opinions with people, there is a lot of negativity out there. I try to be positive and treat everyone with respect.
The next Mandarin Oriental hotel I’d like to stay at is…
Mandarin Oriental, Canouan in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Everyone tells me it’s one of the best resorts in the MO portfolio, with white sands and crystal waters. I’ve also heard the one in Morocco is amazing – can I have two?