Petra Ecclestone Feels Safer in Dubai Than in London or Los Angeles
Petra Ecclestone, the daughter of British billionaire and former Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, has expressed that she feels significantly safer in Dubai compared to London or Los Angeles. In her recent comments reported by a magazine, she indicated that London has lost its former appeal.
At 36 years old, Ecclestone is a model and founder of a beauty brand, currently based in Chelsea, London, where she lives with her husband, businessman Sam Palmer.
Discussing her preference for Dubai, she stated, “I feel much safer here than in London or Los Angeles; my father has been robbed four times in London, and my sister had her home invaded. Things are not the same anymore; here in Dubai, I can sleep soundly.”
Reflecting on her childhood, which was filled with travel thanks to her father’s career, she shared, “We used to follow my mother everywhere without nannies, often spending holidays in Monaco or Brussels, usually staying at Hotel de Paris or on my father’s yacht.”
The Monaco Grand Prix was always bustling and lively, filled with excitement and celebrities. She reminisced about meeting Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, as she was a big supporter of the Lakers.
When discussing her current travel habits, she mentioned, “I have never traveled alone; it’s always with my husband, and our trips revolve around the kids. I constantly feel anxious and cannot stand the thought of being away from them. Interestingly, my children prefer to fly on commercial airlines rather than private jets.”
She added, “For me, larger planes provide a greater sense of security, and I prefer to fly Emirates due to their outstanding service,” also praising Singapore Airlines. However, she expressed frustration over a recent experience with Air France, saying, “The flight to Bora Bora was beautiful, but the service was lacking, particularly with the kids, which made the journey stressful. In contrast, the crew on Air Tahiti was much friendlier, even though the aircraft was less luxurious; the human touch made all the difference.”
Regarding her trip to Bora Bora, she revealed, “We stayed at the Four Seasons for five days and then at the private Brando Island. The scenery was enchanting, with green mountains surrounding us, while the ambiance at Brando was more natural, enveloped by forests.” She noted, “The only issue was the food; I don’t eat fish, and everything was nearly imported due to the island’s remoteness.”
As for her frequent travel from Los Angeles, she mentioned, “We often go to Las Vegas where the kids find endless entertainment, and we enjoy visiting Los Cabos in Mexico.”
Ecclestone also highlighted her regular trips to Croatia, her mother’s homeland, where the family used to stay in rented homes or on her father’s yacht. She reflected, “Today, the country is much more luxurious than it was during my childhood.”
On her passion for skiing, she stated, “We used to spend holidays at a family chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland, where my father currently lives and owns the Olden Hotel. However, I believe skiing in the United States is superior; Aspen in Colorado has wider slopes, better snow, and a longer season.”
She concluded with a memory of her first holiday without her parents: “It was a trip to Mykonos with friends, a gift from my father. We had a wild time on his yacht, and one night I slept on deck under the stars, only to wake up completely sunburned.”