With his surf-to-slopes vibe, Rande Gerber is the type of totally cool dude hard to find in this over-hipster era.
A one-time model and now full-time restaurant/lounge/nightlife entrepreneur, Gerber also does double-duty as both “Mr. Cindy Crawford” and one of George Clooney’s best buds. Although based on the West Coast, Gerber has been busy both nationwide and south of the border. He, Clooney and Crawford recently finished a sprawling Mexican vacation compound in Los Cabos, while Gerber and the actor are also behind the popular Casamigos tequila.
Meanwhile, Gerber is overseeing the newish Caliche Rum in partnership with Puerto Rican rum master Roberto Serralles. And here in New York, the Gerber Group (run by brother Scott) just opened the luxe comfort-food eatery Kingside at Midtown’s Viceroy Hotel.
Although Gerber is, at heart, a husband and dad, he’s still a frequent flier. Here’s how he maximizes his time on the road.
I travel light, but always with three key things: Passport, cash and iPod. The latter is perhaps the most key — it keeps me going at the gym or on the plane; I listen to everything from rock to country to blues.
My favorite hotels are anything Aman, because their properties are always so beautiful. We’ve been to Amans in Bali, but I dream of visiting Utah’s Amangiri.
Wherever I travel, I always head for a drink at the hotel bar as soon as I arrive. Not only is it a great way to relax, but it’s a fantastic way to feel the pulse of a city.
My favorite website is The Daily Beast, and I also like 1stdibs.com, where I’ll browse for great rugs or classic furniture.
The place I still dream of traveling is Tanzania. To be honest, I’ve already been — along with my wife and kids — and my dream is to simply go back. We stayed in a tented camp in the Serengeti and the wildlife was truly memorable.
When it comes to restaurants, we like homey spots. In New York, that means Sette Mezzo on the Upper East Side, where I used to eat when I lived there (969 Lexington Ave.).
I am not big on collecting things when I travel, rather I love to collect memories by taking pictures. I always carry a small Leica camera and no matter where I am, I’ll snap furiously. I take along some powerful lenses and always keep my iPhone ready.
My most memorable childhood trips were skiing in Aspen.That was when Aspen had this tiny runway and you had to personally find your luggage upon arrival.