Nicole Richie on the Perfect Pool Day, Traveling With Family, and Memories From ‘The Simple Life’

When it comes to a day of relaxation, anyone who knows Nicole Richie will know where to find her. 

“I love being by a pool,” Richie told Travel + Leisure in a recent interview. “I’m from California, so I like the sun, I like being outside, and I like just hanging out with my friends by a pool or by a cabana.”

In fact, she has the perfect pool day routine down, from prep to day-of beverage. (It’s a sauvignon blanc.)

“I have a very large bag so there’s a lot happening,” she said of her essentials for a daycation. “Some water, sunscreen, hair ties — because you never know if it’s an up day or a down day — hair brush, [and] lip balm.” 

And it’s that love of poolside R&R that has her partnering with ResortPass, a company that offers day passes to participating resorts around the country, including use of their amenities such as the spa, pool, and fitness center. When it comes to a pool day with ResortPass, users can also take their pick from offerings such as a lounge chair or cabana.

“I can be on a group chat with my friends … looking to do something on a Saturday, so having [the ResortPass] app is really great to see all the places you can go and spend the day and have a great experience.”

Richie, who told T+L she’s looking forward to using ResortPass at The West Hollywood Edition, explained that the platform is a perfect fit for her family and friends, thanks to the lack of planning required. 

“We are bad at planning vacations,” said Richie. “You never know what’s going to come up with work, so we’re always last minute with planning.” 

But when her family of four does get the chance to go on a trip, she tells us “everyone is pretty chill” given the fact her kids grew up traveling on a tour bus thanks to their dad, Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden. 

“We were in a different city every day with my husband,” she told T+L. “By the time they were 4, we had been to Australia 10 times. They are well-versed travelers.” 

Of course, Richie may be known for her domestic travels — and resulting antics — alongside bestie Paris Hilton on “The Simple Life,” where the two stepped out of their comfort zones and spent time in rural parts of the country.  

“We got to explore a lot of the country together. I got to go to cities and towns I would have never gone to,” she said, mentioning the time the two were hosted by a Texas family that had chickens in their yard. “I always hold that in a special place in my heart.”

The beloved duo will be back in action together after announcing a new show in May, though no details were released just yet.

Richie added, “We created something special and I’m excited when I do finally get to share it.”