The Rise of "Set-Jetting": Visiting White Lotus Filming Locations

Television has always influenced pop culture, but recently it has begun to dictate travel itineraries. This phenomenon is known as “set-jetting,” where travelers flock to destinations specifically because they served as the backdrop for their favorite shows. No series has driven this trend quite like HBO’s The White Lotus. From the cliffs of Sicily to the beaches of Thailand, here is how the show is reshaping tourism and how you can book these specific luxury experiences.

The "White Lotus Effect" on Global Tourism

In the past, travel inspiration came from brochures or travel agents. Today, it comes from streaming services. Expedia Group identified “set-jetting” as a top travel trend for 2023 and 2024, reporting that two-thirds of travelers considered booking a trip after seeing a destination in a TV show or movie.

The White Lotus is the current king of this trend. After Season 2 aired, travel searches for Sicily skyrocketed. Hotels in Taormina reported being fully booked months in advance, and American tourism to the island surged significantly. The show does not just use these locations as background scenery; the hotels and cities are central characters in the plot.

Season 2: Living La Dolce Vita in Sicily

For the second season, the production moved to Italy. The aesthetic was defined by baroque architecture, rocky beaches, and Aperol Spritzes. If you want to recreate the experience, you need to head to the hilltop town of Taormina.

The Hotel: San Domenico Palace

The primary setting for Season 2 is the San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel. This is not a fictional set; it is a real, historic 14th-century Dominican convent turned luxury hotel.

  • Location: Perched on a rocky promontory high above the Ionian Sea, offering views of Mount Etna.
  • The Vibe: The hotel features original frescoes, a cloistered courtyard, and an infinity pool that was featured heavily in the show.
  • Cost: The “White Lotus effect” has impacted pricing. Rooms typically start around €1,800 to €2,500 (approx. $1,950–$2,700) per night during peak season, with suites costing significantly more.
  • Booking Tip: If a stay is out of your budget, you can still visit the Bar & Chiostro for a cocktail to soak in the atmosphere without the overnight price tag. However, reservations are strictly required and often prioritized for hotel guests.

Other Sicilian Locations

While the hotel serves as the anchor, the characters explore several other real-world locations you can visit:

  • Noto: In the show, Daphne and Harper take a day trip to this town known for its limestone baroque architecture. They stay at the Villa Tasca, a neoclassical estate located in Palermo (not Noto, despite the show’s editing). You can actually rent Villa Tasca on Airbnb Luxe for approximately $6,000 per night.
  • CefalĂą: While the hotel is in Taormina, the sandy beach scenes were actually filmed in CefalĂą. The beach in Taormina is rocky, so production moved to the Sea Palace Hotel beach in CefalĂą for those ocean shots.
  • Planeta Sciaranuova Winery: The vineyard tour scenes took place at this estate located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna.

Season 3: The Thailand Anticipation

While Season 2 looked at romance and sexual politics, Season 3 is set to focus on death and Eastern spirituality. Production has confirmed Thailand as the location, and the tourism industry there is bracing for a massive influx of visitors in 2025.

The Likely Hotels

HBO partnered with the Tourism Authority of Thailand for filming. While the show often mixes locations, industry reports and production leaks point to two specific properties managed by the Four Seasons brand.

  1. Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui: Located on the Gulf of Thailand, this property fits the bill for the show’s beach-resort aesthetic. It features hillside villas with private infinity pools.
  2. Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas: Reports indicate that filming also took place here. This resort offers a different vibe with pool villas situated around a lagoon in northern Phuket.

Cultural Sites and Bangkok

Unlike the contained resort feel of Season 1, Season 3 is expected to showcase the urban chaos and beauty of Bangkok. Visitors can expect to see temples (wats), street food markets, and the Chao Phraya River playing a role in the visual storytelling.

How to Book Your "Set-Jetting" Trip

Planning a trip based on a hit show requires strategy. Prices inflate rapidly once a location goes viral. Here is how to handle the logistics.

1. Timing is Everything

If you want to visit Thailand before the crowds arrive, go now. Season 3 is expected to air in 2025. Once the episodes drop, interest in Koh Samui and Phuket will likely spike, driving up flight and hotel prices for the 2025-2026 high season (November to February).

2. Budget for Luxury (or Pivot)

The hotels featured in The White Lotus are ultra-luxury properties.

  • High Budget: Book directly through the hotel website or a travel advisor who specializes in “Four Seasons Preferred Partner” bookings. This often secures perks like free breakfast or resort credits that you do not get on Expedia.
  • Mid-Range Budget: You do not have to stay at the specific filming location to get the vibe. In Taormina, hotels like Hotel Villa Belvedere offer similar views at a fraction of the price. In Koh Samui, look for boutique resorts in Mae Nam or Bophut to be near the Four Seasons without paying $1,000+ per night.

3. Verify the Seasonality

Shows are often filmed during shoulder seasons to avoid disrupting high-paying guests.

  • Sicily: The show made it look like mid-summer, but filming often happens in spring or late autumn. Visiting Taormina in July or August can be oppressive due to heat and crowds. The best time to visit is May or September.
  • Thailand: Be aware of the monsoon season. The Andaman Coast (Phuket) is rainy from May to October. The Gulf Coast (Koh Samui) has a different rainy season, usually peaking in October and November.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was Season 1 filmed? Season 1 was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea in Hawaii. Like the other locations, it is open to the public, though rates often exceed $1,500 per night.

Can I visit the White Lotus locations without staying at the hotels? Generally, yes. Most luxury hotels allow non-guests to visit their restaurants and bars with a reservation. However, access to pools and private beach clubs is usually restricted to overnight guests to maintain privacy.

Is the “White Lotus” a real hotel chain? No, “The White Lotus” is a fictional brand created for the show. However, the series has exclusively used Four Seasons properties for its primary locations so far (Maui, Taormina, and likely Koh Samui).

When will Season 3 in Thailand be released? HBO has slated the release for 2025. Specific dates have not been announced, but filming began in early 2024.