Ian Somerhalder has spent much of his life in transit – in fact, he estimates his current business ventures have taken him on over 120 flights in the past year.
Growing up in humble beginnings in Louisiana, his mother saved up for his acting and modeling classes, and by 10, he was headed to New York, to sign with Ford Models. As one of the faces of Versace, alongside Stella Tennant, Somerhalder was constantly traveling through his teens and early twenties between New York, London, Milan, and Paris. Although he began his career working as a model, he is arguably best known for his role as Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries, the hit series that ran from 2009 to 2017, bringing with it global recognition.
But now, Somerhalder seems busier than ever. His bourbon brand, Brother’s Bond – co-founded with former co-star Paul Wesley – recently launched in London with tastings at venues including Notting Hill’s The Fat Badger, Julie's, and 1 Hotel Mayfair. Alongside his drinks company, he runs a wellness venture, The Absorption Company, with his wife and former co-star Nikki Reed.
Between business commitments, raising a family, managing livestock on his Californian farm, and even learning to fly, travel remains a constant. In our First & Lasts series – where tastemakers reflect on the journeys that shaped them – Somerhalder shares memories of his earliest hotel stay, life on the fashion circuit, and what to expect from him next.
When I was ten years old, we flew to New York from a sleepy town in Louisiana. I remember seeing the city for the first time from the bridge, and I was like, “Holy shit!” It was unbelievable — the day before, I was fishing and riding a horse.
The Waldorf Astoria [was the first hotel that wowed me]. I remember thinking, “Wait, we’re staying here? This costs as much for one night as three months of our mortgage.”I ordered water with lemon so I could add sugar — it was cheaper than lemonade. The waiter understood and brought me a sparkling lemonade anyway, and didn’t charge us. When you’re ten years old, little moments like that just blow your mind.
I got to spend time in the ’90s with Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace, Donatella, Paul Beck, Ferragamo, and Ralph Lauren. That was my first introduction to what real luxury travel was. From the age of 17, I was on Gulfstreams and boats. I had access to some of the greatest chefs, sommeliers, and winemakers in the world. I would sneak off to the kitchen, where they’d teach me about food and wine pairings.
I’m a very glass-half-full type of person. I find beauty in any place. The French Polynesia is magical with amazing people, amazing food, and unmatched natural beauty – I’d like to return there again.
My wife photographs Switzerland for the Swiss tourism department, and we’ve had some incredible experiences in Vals, Switzerland. Chef Marcel Koolen [at 7132 Silver] is incredibly young and talented – he blew our minds [so that’s another place I’d go back to.] I’m not sure there’s a specific destination I wouldn’t return to, but life is short – it’s best not to go back to places you don’t feel connected to or inspired by.
Years ago, when I was shooting The Vampire Diaries, I [stayed in a property that spanned] about 1,200 acres in Georgia, a few hours outside of Atlanta. The first night I went out there alone, the sun went down much faster than I expected, and I ended up on a part of the property I didn’t know. My headlamp battery had died, I didn’t have a full tank of gas in the ATV, and I wasn’t carrying a sidearm. I was surrounded by a large pack of coyotes and hybrid dogs, howling and on the hunt. There was heavy fog, so I was in complete darkness. It took me hours to get out.
[When I first check into a suite], I flip through a book and make a cup of tea. Because I watched the first season of White Lotus, I always look around to make sure there are no remnants of other guests — or lingering guests themselves. And I have a funny habit of thanking the room when I’m running out the door. I literally shout, “Thank you, room!”
See also: Marie-Louise Sciò on Hotels, Travel Memories, and Her Non-Negotiable Check-Out Ritual
I just got the keys to my first airplane – a new Cirrus SR22 Turbo. There are few moments in life as special as taking possession of your first airplane. I flew to Las Vegas with my instructor, and then flew her back to Los Angeles in the left seat. It was so special.
The one thing I buy all the time when I’m traveling is adapters. I can’t think of a single trip in the last ten years where I haven’t had to buy a new one. I could have bought a helicopter ride with the amount of money I’ve spent on them. I also bought a shitload of Brother’s Bond when I was in London – at bars, hotels, and restaurants. Our bourbon is so good, people make unbelievable cocktails with it, like our Trip cocktail, ‘the Brother’s Trip’. It’s made with our bourbon, cucumber mint Trip, lemon, and a sprig of mint.
And London was unbelievable. I don’t usually get to be a tourist there, and I forgot how special it is – going to Big Ben, walking along Westminster Bridge, going to Buckingham Palace.
When I’m done with all this, I’ll disappear to an island. I’ve been on the road since I was 16 – I’m 47 now – and I’ve been pushing my body for thirty-something years. I recently got to the point where I was in so much pain doing anything that I had to take two days off. I have a hyperbaric chamber, and we’re building an integrated medical clinic with an infrared sauna, a steam sauna, and a cold plunge. But I want warm weather and water – somewhere I can paddleboard, scuba dive, and kayak.
