Katrina Olivier – Global Head of Consumer Research at YOOX Net-A-Porter

Katrina Olivier has been working at Net-A-Porter for almost 10 years, pretty much since she graduated with a first in Fashion Business from University of the Arts London. It makes sense, then, that she’s now the Global Head of Consumer Research at the company – she knows the NAP customer inside out.

Born in Northern Poland, Katrina still heads back there on vacation as often as she can. And this is a woman who likes to travel well. In the last couple of years she’s also been to Rome, Dubai, Barcelona, Sicily, Crete – in short, enough places to make us jealous and immediately start browsing hotels and booking flights. Wherever she is in the world, she hosts a great dinner party, curates an excellent travel closet, and never fails to inspire.

Part of our Insiders series, this is your window into the worlds of the coolest people in Safara’s network. These are the contacts we’d hit up for travel inspiration, whether it’s a hotel recommendation, a new track for our in-transit playlist, the best mini-products to pack, or just to daydream about where we’d open a boutique island hotel (this changes with each Insider guide we read – we’re easily and happily influenced).

Read on for travel inspiration from Katrina Olivier.

Name three of your favorite hotels?

Atzaro, Ibiza. Many hipper takes on luxury stays have arrived on the island in recent years, but here is where my life-long love affair with Ibiza started. Nothing beats the view of those orange groves and bougainvillea by the Zen pool.  

Claris, Barcelona. There’s an impressive art collection, the lobby always smells heavenly, and it has one of the best rooftop pools in the city. It might be 5* luxury, but is just a short stroll from the up-and-coming Gracia area, where you can still enjoy traditional Catalan food in bodegas like Bodega Quimet. 

Le Petite Ermitage, LA. Here, it’s as if David Lynch designed a cruise ship. They serve a mean Huevos Rancheros for breakfast on the rooftop. And it’s well located to hit up the We-Ho bars, as well as find some peace and quiet on a hike in the Laurel Canyon. 

If you could swap suitcases with anyone in the world at baggage claim, who would it be?

My mother. Ever the minimalist, she can live for a month out of a carry on, simply mixing and matching the great staples she brought along. 

What are you favorite travel hacks?

I’ve never tried it, but doesn’t every other rom-com suggest you should find a +1 and pretend to be newlyweds?

Tell us about a particular piece in your home that you brought back from a trip?

My entire house is decorated with items found on various trips. But, the most fun story to share here is when my boyfriend left behind half of his clothes to bring back a Zojirushi rice cooker from Tokyo. This was before you could easily buy them in Europe – and we still use it multiple times a week.

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

A bathtub is always a treat. However, for me it’s more about a hotel offering a great breakfast, as often my days are on the go and there’s little opportunity to enjoy a meal until dinner. Hotel Kempinsky in Moscow was a delight, offering a variety of smoked fish and even caviar and blinis.

Anxiety and burn out are big topics these days. How do you combat them, and how do you use travel to do so?

For me, it’s about completely disconnecting. Nothing helps me to do so more than being somewhere rural (no scene-y places in sight) and allowing for seaside hikes. A few places that have perfectly delivered on this in the last couple of years were Crete, Sicily and Northern Poland (where I’m from).

What is your favorite travel book? 

There are always so many new titles that I want to read on my travels. That said, I always have a copy of something by Eve Babitz saved, to pick up whenever I feel I should get into a mood for an adventure. 

What’s your go-to travel outfit for getting through security quickly, and still looking good?

I have worn the same airport outfit (not sure how good it looks!) for over 20 years: loose silk trousers with a cashmere knit, layered over a soft cotton T-shirt. Always paired with cowboy boots, to save space in my luggage – I never go anywhere without a trusty pair of cowboy boots.

If you could quit your job and follow the Mamma Mia dream (ie. open a small hotel in another country or on a remote island), where would it be?

This is, in fact, my (early) retirement dream. I always imagine myself running a little boutique hotel in the north of Ibiza. Los Enamorados or La Granja are a huge inspiration.  

If you’re going to a new place, and you don’t have a direct recommendation, what or who do you consult for advice?

I’m a compulsive recommendations collector. Every time someone mentions a location that is on my travel list, I ask for their favorite places, look them up, and if it’s a match, I added to guides saved in maps on my phone. It’s the best way to ensure you explore the high-low variety every destination has to offer.

Early check-in or late check-out?

Early check-in – there’s nothing worse than having to wait before jumping in the shower after a long flight. 

Favorite travel app?

Culturetrip – spot on recommendations for where to eat, grab a drink and what to do. 

Travel alone or with someone else?

It’s always more fun with a partner in crime. 

Read more from our Insiders series, here.