Up in the air: Australia’s best-travelled man

HE’S been to every continent, visited 14 destinations in a month and spent 10 years living in hotels. This is how he does it.

MEET Lloyd Donaldson, Australia’s best-travelled man.

The 55-year-old Queenslander has spent more than 10,000 hours in the air on 1800 flights, visited 48 countries, explored every continent, and spent 10 years living in hotels.

He’s the real-life version of George Clooney’s compulsive frequent flyer in Up in the Air, beating fictional Ryan Bingham’s 5 million air miles with a gigantic 6 million (9.7 million kilometres).

Mr Donaldson, whose extraordinary lifestyle is made possible by his hotel management career, once spent three years living off room service in a hotel in northern China, and has visited 14 far-flung destinations in one month. On occasion, he’s arrived at airport check-in and had to check where he’s going.

The travel guru says the key to a successful trip is to relax. “The biggest learning curve for me was managing anxiety,” he told news.com.au. “Enjoy it, don’t get too bothered by things that are out of your control. I always try to anticipate what might occur. I don’t stress at delays and I double- and triple-check my passport, that my credit cards are renewed. I tend to over-prepare.

The father of one, who knows his way around all the world’s biggest airports, says his favourite is Hong Kong, for its complimentary cabanas with beds, spa and a la carte restaurants. He always arrives early for flights so he can have a coffee and begin his journey without stress.

Lloyd Donaldson is the real-life version of professional frequent flyer Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) in Up in the Air.

Mr Donaldson’s nomadic existence began when he was just 17 and started out on a career in hospitality at a New Zealand hotel. “It was the late 70s, and there were a lot of Europeans in New Zealand, putting their expertise into the industry. The managers, executives and chefs were all really well-travelled.”

He was inspired to embark on his own adventure, working his way up in the industry and seeing the world as he did it. “The most exciting trip I’ve done was to Antarctica last year,” he said. “We cruised from Buenos Aires through the Falklands to Antarctica for about a week, and then back over Cape Horn to Chile and the fjords.

“When I was 18 or 19, I went to Africa, which was life-changing in giving me an understanding of that level of poverty. That was the most memorable.”

After becoming the Sheraton’s youngest general manager at the Mirage on the Gold Coast, he spent the next six years in positions across Asia, Thailand, Indonesia and northeast China. From 1999, he managed the famous Hayman Island Resort in the Whitsundays, catering for a stream of celebrities including Mohammed Ali and Mariah Carey. He has helped celebrate Clint Eastwood’s 60th birthday, played football with Rod Stewart and looked after Dubai’s royal family.

He now travels all over the world as an ambassador for the prestigious Hotel School Sydney, an educational partnership between Southern Cross University and hospitality firm Mulpha Australia, offering degrees in hotel management and international tourism. A Melbourne branch opens in October.

The 55-year-old says he can’t imagine slowing down.

It’s given him strong opinions on what makes a great hotel. “It’s service and attention to detail. Guest recognition is the most important consideration, making any guest feel welcome and anticipating their needs. Being cutting edge is important too, having innovative IT, food and beverage offerings, but some hotels try to force their restaurant on you, while ultimately, it’s about a clean, well-appointed, functional room.”

His pet hates are “unhygienic” scatter cushions on beds, clutter on the desk and confusing lighting systems. As for chocolates on the pillow, that’s simply passe.

For his part, Mr Donaldson takes a travel bag with his essentials, including an eye mask, Bose headsets, Icebreaker compression socks and a merino wool sweater. “I carry my own amenities in small bottles. I always carry my own eye mask and Bose head sets. When I arrive home after a trip, those items are replenished, washed then placed back into my bag for the next trip.

“My wife always used to hide a pack of Allens party mix in my travel case, but now it’s almonds. She often comments that I have everything done for me while I travel and expect the same treatment at home. I often place my towel in the bath rather than hanging it up, which doesn’t go down well.”

He admits there’s a downside to living on planes and in hotels. “It is a restrictive environment. When we lived in a hotel, we didn’t have a kitchen so we had to eat at a restaurant or order room service every night. It might sound great, but you miss the basics in life. It’s a challenge.

Lloyd Donaldson, an ambassador for the Hotel School, once visited 14 destinations in a month.

“I met my wife at the Sheraton Mirage on the Gold Coast, and when I moved to Taiwan, she came with me for seven years. It was an exciting opportunity for her but she spent a lot of time confined to the hotel room, communicating by email.

“My daughter is 16 now and she was with us. It was my job, you accept it, and I look back with fond memories.”

Despite the challenges, Mr Donaldson continues to travel, and his family often join him when his daughter is not at school on the Gold Coast. Their favourite destination is New York.

“I’ll always have that travelling bug. I’m comfortable with different cultures and I enjoy working with the Chinese market.

“My wife likes to travel, we’re looking at what my daughter wants now, and that might free us up to move back overseas. I don’t see myself slowing down.”

LLOYD DONALDSON’S TRAVEL TIPS

1. The best way to get an upgrade is to stay loyal to a particular airline.

2. Avoid alcohol pre-flight and sip plenty of water before and during a flight.

3. Be polite and courteous to all airport staff and crew and stay calm in all situations, even if an issue is frustrating. Try to adapt and go with the flow.

4. On a long flight, don’t sit for 30 minutes before departure, especially not at the departure gate: stand or keep moving.

5. Take luggage a size larger than what is required so as not to pack too tightly.

6. Use a fitness centre (if available) for a quick 15-minute workout to start the day.

7. Must-see destinations are Dubai, Antarctica, Biarritz, Tuscany and Florence.