Favourite place in the British Isles?
When I was younger my friends and I would hitch-hike to the Lake District. Windermere is absolutely stunning. It takes your breath away.
Best holiday?
My favourite holidays tend to be in the Caribbean. I’ve become addicted to Jamaica – it has such a heady atmosphere. It’s got a different kind of heat, a wet heat, and you hear all these great basses booming from villages, from these homemade sound systems. It’s got soul and the people are so amazing.
What have you learnt from your travels?
If there’s one thing it’s basically that everybody is the same, no matter what culture. Being a musician is easier, it’s like a universal language, you can break the ice in a second.
Ideal travelling companion?
My wife, we get on like best mates and we like the same things.
Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?
I’m a beach bum and an adrenalin junkie, although I don’t like water sports. I like swimming and floating in water. If I go to the beach I always take a notebook or a guitar, or a book to read. Or I’m watching.
Greatest travel luxury?
Being met at the airport by somebody who helps me get somewhere. I’m hopeless at following signs, getting through customs, that kind of stuff. I just get lost and miss connections. I’m too easily distracted. It’s better if somebody meets me there and pushes me in the right direction.
Holiday reading?
I like to read autobiographies and books about innovation and the future. Mainly non-fiction.
Worst travel experience?
Being with hundreds of people in a carriage on a train in India. It was absolute bedlam and I’d forgotten to bring water. Some of the best times were on that train though, too.
Worst hotel?
It tends to be the ones that are chains throughout the US. No matter what you say, the person at reception answers like a robot. They’re so bland. I’d much rather have a funky hotel.
Best hotel?
It depends on the reason. The Hospital Club in London, which I co-founded, is perfect for me because you can walk out of your room or suite and there are Martini bars and an art gallery.
Another one of my favourite hotels is Fasano in Rio de Janeiro. I was in a beautiful suite and the terrace overlooked the beach. There was a brilliant Martini bar there, too.
Favourite walk, swim, ride or drive?
Driving from Los Angeles to a place called the Salton Sea, through the desert.
It’s a strange place. There used to be a lake and then the lake largely dried up and left this salty white desert.
Best meal abroad?
I do love a Jamaican breakfast. Ackee is a poisonous fruit, but if you pick it at a certain time it turns into a sort of mushy scrambled egg and you have salt fish with it and Blue Mountain Jamaican coffee. So it’s like protein and then this rocket-fuel coffee. You end up running around for about 16 hours!
Favourite city?
When I lived in Paris that was my favourite city. London and New York are my two favourites, but maybe it’s because I know them so well I know where to go. I like to go to The Wolseley in London, they make great Martinis. I can tell a great city by a Martini!
The Independent