Jessica Ennis-Hill: My favourite Sheffield hangout – and my least favourite airline

How often do you travel? 

I travelled all the time, all over the world when I was competing. But since I retired from athletics, these days I’m mostly travelling for holidays. Recently, my family and I went to Portugal. We stayed at a villa just outside Albufeira and it felt so peaceful there. 

What do you need for a perfect holiday?

To be able to relax, switch off and enjoy good food and nice wine. I’m happy to do nothing, relax around a pool and not worry about having to exercise as much as I did when I was competing.

Are you an adventurous traveller?

Ironically, I’m a “low-risk” traveller, despite all the daring things I’ve done in my life as a professional athlete. So you wouldn’t find me bungee jumping off a cliff or anything like that. 

Most remote place you’ve been?

The Maldives. We were on one of the tiniest islands which you could walk around in five minutes. 

Favourite place you’ve competed?

Osaka in Japan. It was so different from anywhere I’d been. When I had time off between competitions, I got to explore other parts of Japan, such as Kyoto, where I loved visiting the temples. 

Favourite place for running?

The Peak District, quite close to where I live. It has the most beautiful scenery, with lots of lovely hills. Lake Garda is also a really scenic place for running. 

Favourite holiday destination?

I like to try different places, but one of my favourites is Italy, where the people are nice, the food and wine are amazing – it’s a beautiful country. I’ve enjoyed breaks in Rome, and I’ve competed around the Lake Garda area, which is so beautiful. 

Favourite hotel?

This incredible hotel, Qualia Resort, on Hamilton Island in Australia, where I had my honeymoon. It has a cool, contemporary design and we stayed in an amazing suite with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to sea.

What’s one thing a first-time visitor to Sheffield must do?

Visit Made by Jonty, this lovely little café that’s great for brunch. 

Favourite city?

New York. I’ve competed there a few times and had my hen-do there too. There are familiar bits everywhere, and you see an iconic building at every corner. 

Favourite restaurant?

One of my favourites has been the Quay Restaurant in Sydney, which offers incredible views overlooking the harbour and the bridge.

Favourite bar?

I really enjoyed Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood in London recently, which has such a nice cosy feel to it. I also love SushiSamba, which has amazing views. 

Favourite city for nightlife?

New York, especially the Meatpacking District. We went to the 40/40 Club near there, owned by Jay-Z, which was really good fun. The man himself [was] unfortunately not there. 

Favourite airline? 

Emirates. It offers such a luxurious feel. I didn’t enjoy flying with Delta Air Lines. It was one of those airlines that made you feel like passengers are an inconvenience. So you wouldn’t dare ask the cabin crew for anything for fear of being shouted at.

The most underwhelming place you’ve been? 

I enjoyed most places I’ve been to, but I was anxious the first time I went to Rio de Janeiro. This was before the Olympics. I was there to attend a sports event and I was told not to wear jewellery, to avoid the beach and to stay on a certain side of the road, among other safety precautions. Even though I enjoyed Rio, it did make me feel a bit on edge.

Best health tips for travelling? 

Keep hydrated, drink a lot of water, have electrolytes and wear compression gear, which helps limit swelling on your legs. Especially for long-haul flights, I always bring a good lip balm and moisturiser, such as Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream. An eyeliner is also essential for me. 

Where next?

I’d love to see Sardinia. It looks stunning and I’ve wanted to visit for ages. 

Evie’s Magic Bracelet: The Sprites’ Den (Hodder Children’s Books, £5.99) by Jessica Ennis-Hill is out now.

Interview by Soo Kim