AM/PM Q&A: Simon Kerr

August 15th, 2011

For those of us working in the travel industry, undoubtedly we’ve all been asked at one point or another by friends and family about our recent travels, travel advice, and generally where we like to go for our own personal vacations.  So we at AMPR decided to ask the same of our clients – some of the most well-traveled people we know! 

Kicking off a new AM/PM feature, we’re highlighting Mr. Simon Kerr, Group Commercial Director for COMO Hotels and Resorts.  When not jetsetting from company headquarters in London to properties in Bhutan, the Maldives, and Bali – to name a few! – Kerr leaps at the chance to travel.  Here he recounts a recent trip to Mykonos.

You’ve been where?

Mykonos – Greece

How Long?

One Week

And you decided to go there why?

It’s the only place that I choose to go back to.  This was my fourth time.  Mykonos ticks all the boxes for a fabulous Mediterranean vacation – great beaches, chic, understated, wonderful restaurants, nice crowd and as flashy, or low key as you want it to be.

Was it a family or other kind of vacation? Reunion? 

I went with a small group of friends for a 40th birthday celebration

Where’d you stay and why did you like it? Hate it?  Anything that made you smile, go “wow,” jaded hotelier that you are?

We stayed at a small hotel called The Alkyon, which sits above Mykonos Town.  It was a great location, being only a 10-minute walk down the hill to the heart of things and within easy reach of the many fabulous beaches.  The hotel is pretty simple, but as with everything in Mykonos is understated (all buildings must be built in a tradition style, no more than two floors and painted in white and blue).  We hired quad bikes , which was a fun and convenient way to get around the island.  At the end of each day, we returned to our terrace for cocktails, and one of the best sunsets on the planet.

Most memorable bite?

We fell in love with a small restaurant in the heart of Mykonos Town, called Opa Taverna.  Nothing fancy – but good, honest Greek cuisine.  It also was where all the local shop keepers converged at the end of each night (and as they say – if it attracts the locals, it must be good).  A great atmosphere (aided by plenty of wine) always emerged.  We also love a small beach restaurant on Ornos Beach, called Constantis – wonderful grilled cuisine and fresh salads.  You also have to mention the famous Caprice Bar in Little Venice.  It offers the best Strawberry Daiquiris and sunset party in the Mediterranean.  The size of a postage stamp – but always great fun.

Any great retail experience?  Did you buy anything that you really don’t think you can buy at home?

Mykonos is teaming with wonderful boutiques and you can spend hours browsing the cobbled alley ways of Mykonos Town.  Not being a massive shopper – my discovery of the vacation was a beach I had not been to before.  Panormos Beach is on the north side of the island.  It was two wonderful beach restaurants and as it is not especially easy to get to, or on the more touristy south side of the island, attracts a stylish, cool, in the know crowd.  The sheltered bay is perfect for swimming, they scatter large, white cushions on the beach to lounge on and you can spend the day soaking up the sun, eating wonderful food and sipping delicious cocktails – heaven.

To die for view?  Gobsmacking scenery?   Sounds count too! 

The sunset from the Alkyon Hotel is hard to beat.  Alternatively head on down to Caprice for some fun.

Any new friends?

The animated Mykonos shop keepers that converged each night at Opa Taverna and of course the “beautiful people” that make Mykonos beaches world famous.

Anything you are reading that was so great you just holed up in your room and read?

Oh if only …

What didn’t you do that you would do next time?

As it’s my fourth time there – nothing!  The formula that Mykonos offers, as well as it being a small, easy to navigate island, makes it the perfect one week vacation to recharge your batteries.

And so where are you off to next?

The current list includes: Burma, the beaches of the Philippines, Utah, Ecuador, Costa Rica, the Ethiopian Highlands, Reunion, Croatia, Japan, and Syria.

Don’t leave home without what?

A camera and a spirit of adventure

Best vacation souvenir? 

My mid nineteenth century Burmese Buddha, which I picked up in Thailand

Share your best memory, please!

Sitting in Bodh Gaya in India on Christmas Day, watching 3,000 Tibetan Monks chanting around the tree where Buddha attained his enlightenment.

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