The White Lotus Filming Locations: A Luxury Travel Guide to Every Destination (All Seasons)
If you’ve ever finished an episode of The White Lotus and immediately opened a new tab to search “Where was this filmed?”… you’re not alone.
The White Lotus has become one of those rare shows that doesn’t just entertain, it inspires luxury travel. The scenery is stunning, the hotels are jaw-dropping, and the destinations feel like dreamscapes. But what makes the show so addictive is the contrast: paradise on the outside, chaos underneath.
The good news? You can actually visit these places. And in many cases, you can experience the “White Lotus vibe” without needing to book the most expensive suite on the property.
Even better: I’ve been fortunate to experience every White Lotus destination in real life (though not always in the same way). Some I’ve stayed at, others I’ve visited on cruise stops, and some I’ve explored through spa days, cultural experiences, and unforgettable meals.
Here’s a traveler’s guide to every White Lotus filming destination (so far), plus practical tips on how to enjoy them… whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a luxury splurge, or a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Why The White Lotus Filming Locations Are So Iconic
The White Lotus doesn’t just pick beautiful places. It picks destinations with:
- strong sense of place
- rich culture
- layered history
- dramatic scenery
- and a certain “escape fantasy” energy
The hotels themselves are often characters in the story: polished, glamorous, and quietly intense.
And while the show is fictional, the destinations are very real… and worth the obsession.
Season 1: Hawaii — The Tropical Escape Fantasy
Where it was filmed:
Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, Hawaii
Season 1 introduced us to the show’s signature formula: luxury resort life, dazzling scenery, and the tension that bubbles beneath the surface.
Maui is the perfect backdrop for this. It’s lush, warm, and undeniably beautiful. But, it also has a depth that rewards travelers who go beyond the pool.
My experience in Hawaii:
I’ve visited Maui, and it truly is a lovely island. It’s the kind of place where you can spend a week doing nothing but watching the light shift across the water, and still feel like you’ve experienced something profound.
While I didn’t stay at the exact filming hotel on Maui, I have stayed at the Four Seasons on Lāna‘i… and if you want to understand the “White Lotus” version of luxury, the Four Seasons brand absolutely captures it.
Lāna‘i is quieter than Maui. More secluded. More exclusive. It’s not a place you stumble into. It’s a place you choose when you want to disappear for a while.
What makes Hawaii feel “White Lotus” in real life:
- tropical beauty that feels almost unreal
- high-end resort culture
- quiet pockets of privacy
- spa rituals and wellness
- oceanfront dining that feels cinematic
Mama Tip:
If you’re traveling without kids, Hawaii is one of the easiest places to turn a resort stay into a true “reset.” You don’t need a packed itinerary, you need time.
Season 2: Taormina, Sicily – Old World Glamour + Mediterranean Drama
Where it was filmed:
San Domenico Palace Four Seasons, Taormina, Sicily
Season 2 shifted the show into full Mediterranean fantasy mode and Taormina was the perfect choice.
Taormina is one of the most stunning coastal towns in Europe. It’s perched above the sea, full of winding streets, terraces, boutiques, and that kind of cinematic beauty that makes you feel like you’re inside a film even when you’re just ordering gelato (or a cannoli since that is where it was invented).
My experience in Taormina:
I’ve visited Taormina twice (both times while on a Mediterranean cruise) and even without staying overnight, it left a lasting impression.
Taormina has a vibe that’s hard to replicate: elegant, romantic, slightly dramatic (hello, Mt Etna), and effortlessly Italian. It’s the kind of place where you want to linger over an aperitivo, wear your prettiest sundress, and pretend you don’t have a return flight.
What makes Taormina feel “White Lotus”:
- breathtaking views over the Ionian Sea
- cliffside terraces and luxury hotels
- an atmosphere that feels both glamorous and ancient
- upscale dining with slow pacing
- a sense of “watching and being watched”
Best way to experience it:
Even if you don’t stay at the hotel, you can:
- spend time wandering the town
- stop for a long lunch with a view
- visit the ancient Greek Theatre
- enjoy a spritz on a terrace
- and let the town’s beauty do the work
Season 3: Thailand – Wellness, Stillness, and Tropical Elegance
Where it was filmed:
Four Seasons Koh Samui, Thailand
Season 3 took the White Lotus energy into a new direction: more spiritual, more wellness-driven, and deeply atmospheric.
Thailand is one of those destinations that can change you, especially when you slow down enough to feel it.
My experience in Thailand:
I stayed at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai, and while the show was filmed at a different Four Seasons in the area, it was one of the most memorable luxury stays of my life.
If you’ve seen the imagery from The White Lotus Thailand season, you already understand why. The landscape is lush. The design is calm and intentional. The pace is slower. And the entire experience feels curated around restoration.
It’s the kind of place where:
- mornings begin softly
- meals feel intentional
- spa time becomes a ritual
- and you stop reaching for your phone
What makes Thailand feel “White Lotus”:
- ultra-luxury with a serene tone
- spa culture woven into daily life
- design that feels rooted, not flashy
- the sense that you’re somewhere ancient and sacred
- a quiet that feels like a privilege
Mama Tip:
Thailand is one of the best places in the world for a romantic trip without kids, because the luxury feels like it’s designed for calm, not chaos. And can we talk about the exchange rate in Thailand? Amazing.
Season 4: Saint-Tropez, France – The Next Luxury Obsession
Where it’s being filmed:
Château de la Messardière, Saint-Tropez, France
When I found out Season 4 of The White Lotus is being filmed at Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière, I had the biggest smile.
Not because it was surprising, but because it makes perfect sense.
This hotel is the definition of:
- gated privacy
- old-world glamour
- Mediterranean elegance
- and quiet exclusivity
My experience at Château de la Messardière:
I stayed there in the spring, and it remains one of the most epic luxury experiences I’ve ever had.
From the moment you pass through the gates and ride up the hill to the château, the world changes. Everything feels bright. Elevated. Protected.
The views stretch over the Bay of Saint-Tropez and the Ramatuelle vineyards, and the entire property feels like it was built for cinematic storytelling.
I wrote a full personal story about my stay (including the suite, the sparkling rosé moment, the privacy culture, and the South of France magic) and you can read it here:
👉 Before The White Lotus: My Stay at Château de la Messardière in Saint-Tropez
The Common Thread: Why Four Seasons Keeps Appearing in White Lotus Travel Fantasies
One of the most fascinating patterns in White Lotus filming locations is that they tend to align with the Four Seasons style of luxury:
- high design standards
- strong sense of place
- impeccable service
- wellness-forward amenities
- understated elegance
Even when the hotel isn’t a Four Seasons property (as with Saint-Tropez), the vibe remains consistent: luxury that feels cinematic.
How to Plan Your Own White Lotus-Inspired Trip (Without Losing Your Mind)
Because let’s be honest… this is a Traveling Mamas site, and we’re not just here for fantasy. We’re here for real-life planning too.
1. Choose ONE destination and go deeper
Instead of trying to recreate every season, pick the one that fits your current life season:
- Hawaii for tropical rest
- Sicily for romance + culture
- Thailand for wellness + reset
- France for glamour + indulgence
2. Travel in shoulder season
This is where luxury becomes more attainable:
- spring in France
- early fall in Italy
- shoulder season in Hawaii
- non-holiday Thailand
3. Experience the vibe without booking the most expensive room
Even if you don’t stay overnight, you can still:
- book a spa treatment
- reserve a special lunch
- enjoy a cocktail on a terrace
- take a cooking class
- explore the surrounding town
4. Leave space for the “in-between”
White Lotus destinations feel cinematic because they’re slow.
The magic is in:
- sunsets
- long lunches
- spa rituals
- walks
- and lingering
Why These Places Stay With You
The White Lotus doesn’t just sell luxury. It sells atmosphere.
And the truth is, the real magic of these destinations isn’t the price tag. It’s the feeling they leave behind.
The kind of feeling that returns years later when you hear a song, taste a glass of wine, or see sunlight hit the water in a certain way.
If you’re dreaming of a White Lotus-inspired trip, I hope this guide helps you choose a destination that matches your life season, and encourages you to travel not just for photos, but for restoration.
Because mamas deserve luxury too. And not just luxury… space.
