The White Lotus Filming Locations: Complete Guide to Hawaii, Sicily & Thailand Resorts

When Mike White created The White Lotus for HBO, he didn't just craft a darkly satirical drama about privilege, dysfunction, and the service industry - he created a global tourism phenomenon. Each season's setting becomes an instant bucket-list destination, with travelers flocking to experience the luxury resorts, pristine beaches, and cultural sites seen on screen.

What makes The White Lotus unique in the set-jetting world is that all three main resort locations are actually operating Four Seasons properties where you can book a stay (if you have the budget). The show has partnered with Four Seasons to create an exclusive $188,000 "World of Wellness" package that takes just 48 lucky travelers to all three filming locations via private jet over 20 days.

The economic impact is staggering. According to Expedia data, The White Lotus drives a 300% increase in travel demand to featured destinations within 90 days of each season airing, compared to the same period the previous year. Hotels report booking surges, flight searches spike, and local tourism boards scramble to capitalize on what's become known as "The White Lotus Effect."

The White Lotus phenomenon began in 2021 with Season 1, set at the fictional White Lotus resort in Hawaii. In reality, the stunning property is the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, one of only two resorts on Maui to hold both the Forbes Five-Star Award and AAA Five Diamond Award.

Situated on a 15-acre property along Wailea Beach on Maui's southwest coast, the resort features the iconic "adults-only" infinity pool where so many pivotal scenes unfold, Wolfgang Puck's Spago restaurant, an on-site art museum, luxury spa, fitness facilities, and access to three par-72 golf courses.

Address: 3900 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753

Season 1's impact on Hawaii tourism was immediate and dramatic:

• 425% spike in website traffic to Four Seasons Resort Maui
• 386% increase in availability checks for the property
• The resort was fully booked for months after the show premiered
• Expedia reported significant increases in Hawaii travel searches, particularly Maui

The show reignited interest in luxury Hawaii travel post-COVID, with travelers eager to experience the exact settings where Armond spiraled, Rachel and Shane honeymooned badly, and the Mossbacher family imploded in paradise.

Can't afford $890+/night? You can still experience The White Lotus Hawaii vibe:

• Stay in Kihei: Budget hotels and condos 10 minutes from Wailea ($100-200/night)
• Visit Wailea Beach: FREE public beach access - swim in the same waters as the show
• Photograph Four Seasons exterior: Walk past the resort entrance, take photos from public areas (don't enter property)
• Dine nearby: Wailea has casual restaurants and food trucks ($10-25 meals) vs resort dining ($40-100+)
• Visit Turtle Bay Resort (Oahu): Also used for exterior shots, more affordable ($300-700/night)

For Season 2, The White Lotus decamped to Sicily, Italy, transforming the Four Seasons Hotel San Domenico Palace in Taormina into the show's most visually stunning setting yet. Originally built in the 15th century as a Dominican monastery, this cliffside property overlooks the Ionian Sea with breathtaking views of Mount Etna and Taormina's ancient Greek theater.

The property maintains its historic monastery architecture - stone walls, arched walkways, terraced gardens - while offering modern Four Seasons luxury. The infinity pool perched on the cliff edge, the baroque interiors, and the sunset views over Mount Etna create an almost impossibly romantic backdrop for the show's darkly comedic exploration of American and British tourists abroad.

Address: Piazza San Domenico 5, 98039 Taormina, Sicily, Italy

Season 2's impact on Sicily tourism exceeded even Hawaii:

• San Domenico Palace fully booked for 6 months straight after season premiere, with reservations only reopening after the buzz died down
• 5,000% increase in searches for "where was The White Lotus season 2 filmed" and "Sicily holidays" (Citalia travel data)
• 300% increase in travel demand to Sicily within 90 days of airing compared to previous year (Expedia)
• Taormina, Palermo, Noto, and Cefalù all saw significant tourism increases
• Italian tourism boards credited The White Lotus with revitalizing Sicily's luxury travel market

Here's a secret many fans miss: the beach club scenes from Season 2 weren't filmed at San Domenico Palace in Taormina. They were shot at Cefalù Beach, a stunning public beach on Sicily's north coast about 2 hours by car from Taormina.

Cefalù Beach features soft golden sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and the iconic Norman Cathedral (Duomo di Cefalù) rising in the background - the cathedral you see in so many beach scenes. The restaurant scenes were filmed at Le Grand Bleu restaurant at UNA HOTELS Capotaormina near Taormina.

Best of all: Cefalù Beach is a FREE public beach! You can visit, swim, and take photos without staying at any resort. Take the train from Palermo or Taormina to Cefalù (€8-12, frequent service), walk 10 minutes from the station to the beach. It's one of the most accessible White Lotus filming locations.

Season 2 utilized locations across Sicily:

• Villa Tasca, Palermo: Tanya's rented "Palazzo Greco" where the expat party happens. Available on Airbnb for $5,900/night - one of the only White Lotus locations you can actually rent! (Via Pietro Bonanno 3, Palermo)
• Noto Cathedral & Baroque Town: The stunning baroque town scenes. Noto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with free access to the cathedral and town center. 90 minutes south of Taormina.
• Castello degli Schiavi: The Sicilian villa exterior (also featured in The Godfather). Located in Fiumefreddo, 30 minutes from Taormina. Tours available €10-15.
• Palazzo Belmonte-Riso, Palermo: The contemporary art museum where characters visit. €8-10 entry, Via Vittorio Emanuele.

The White Lotus Season 3 arrived in early 2025, transporting viewers to Thailand with the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui as the primary filming location. Set among the lush green hills of Koh Samui island on Laem Yai Bay, this property continues the Four Seasons partnership while introducing a distinctly Thai aesthetic.

Unlike previous seasons filmed at a single main resort, Season 3 utilized multiple Thai properties to create the composite White Lotus Thailand: Four Seasons Koh Samui (main resort, pool, villas), Anantara Bophut (Thai-style lobby and entrance), Anantara Lawana (bar scenes), Anantara Mai Khao Phuket (spa), and Rosewood Phuket (dinner scenes).

Address (Main Location): 219 Moo 5, Angthong, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

Season 3 has triggered an unprecedented tourism surge to Thailand:

• 312% increase in Thailand bookings (January 2025 vs January 2024) according to Fora luxury travel agency
• 40% spike in searches for Four Seasons Koh Samui on Hotels.com
• 500% increase in short-term rental bookings in Thailand with 28% rise in nightly rates (Guesty data)
• Thailand Tourism Authority expects 20% overall tourism increase in 2025, targeting 36 million visitors (much of the growth from North America)
• Flight search increases year-over-year: Chiang Mai +65%, Phuket +45%, Koh Samui +30%

The Thai government is fully embracing The White Lotus Effect, with tourism officials calling it "the most significant cultural export moment for Thai tourism in a decade."

Season 3 incorporated Thai cultural and tourist sites:

• Wat Phu Khao Thong (Koh Samui): The Buddhist monastery and meditation center scenes. Near Maenam Beach. Active temple with FREE access (donations welcome, dress modestly).
• Wat Pho (Bangkok): Famous for the Reclining Buddha. One of Thailand's most visited temples. Entry ฿200 ($6). (2 Sanam Chai Rd, Bangkok)
• Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen (Bangkok): Temple visit scenes. FREE access. (300 Ratchamongkhon Prasat Alley, Bangkok)
• Mandarin Oriental Bangkok: Bangkok hotel scenes featuring the lobby, rooms, and famous Bamboo Bar. Operating hotel $300-1,500/night or visit the bar. (48 Oriental Ave, Bangkok)
• Dusit Dheva Cultural Centre (Koh Samui): Museum with intricate sculptures, monastery garden scenes. Entry ฿300-500 ($9-15).

Thailand offers the most affordable White Lotus experience of all three seasons:

• Stay in Chaweng Beach: Koh Samui's main beach area - guesthouses and hotels $30-80/night, 15 minutes from Four Seasons
• Visit the temples: Wat Phu Khao Thong (free), Wat Pho (฿200/$6), Wat Paknam (free) - experience the spiritual scenes
• Photograph Four Seasons from public beach: Walk/drive to nearby public beach areas for exterior photos
• Eat Thai street food: ฿40-80 ($1-2) per meal vs resort dining $30-100+
• Island hopping: Koh Samui boat tours to Ang Thong Marine Park ฿1,500-2,500 ($45-75) - experience Thai island beauty
• Alternative resorts: Anantara Lawana Koh Samui (bar filming location) from $150-500/night - more affordable than Four Seasons

Total budget: $800-1,500/week for comfortable Thailand White Lotus experience vs $10,000+ staying at Four Seasons.

How Far Ahead to Book:

• Peak Season (Dec-Apr Hawaii, Jun-Aug Sicily, Nov-Feb Thailand): 3-6 months ahead for best rooms
• Shoulder Season: 2-3 months ahead usually sufficient
• Post-season premiere surges: Book ASAP after a season airs - demand spikes within weeks

Booking Channels:

• Four Seasons website/app: Best for loyalty points, often best rates
• Luxury travel agents: Can secure room upgrades, added perks, package deals
• Luxury hotel platforms: Virtuoso, Mr & Mrs Smith sometimes offer exclusive amenities
• Avoid third-party booking sites: Limited flexibility, no direct resort relationship

• Book early: All three resorts see sustained high demand. Peak season requires 3-6 months advance booking.
• Consider shoulder seasons: April-May, September-November offer better weather than peak seasons with lower prices and smaller crowds
• Mix luxury and budget: Stay 1-2 nights at the Four Seasons, then move to budget hotels nearby - you'll still get the experience
• Visit free locations: Wailea Beach, Cefalù Beach, and Thai temples are accessible to everyone regardless of budget
• Use luxury travel agents: They can secure room upgrades, added amenities, and perks you won't get booking directly
• Respect local cultures: Especially in Thailand - dress modestly at temples, remove shoes, be respectful
• Don't be "that" White Lotus guest: The show satirizes entitled tourists - be gracious and respectful to staff
• Watch the show before you go: Re-watch the relevant season to maximize nostalgia and spot filming locations
• Consider the $188K package if money is no object: It's the ultimate set-jetting experience, limited to 48 people
• Remember: Season 4 coming soon: Location TBA - when announced, expect another 300% tourism surge!