White Lotus Filming Locations Guide: Hawaii, Italy, and Thailand

Introduction

If you’ve watched The White Lotus, you’ve probably spent as much time admiring the scenery as the drama. Those resorts aren’t set pieces. They’re real hotels, open to anyone with a reservation. This guide covers every filming location from the first three seasons: the Four Seasons Maui in Hawaii, San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Sicily, and the two Thai properties used for Season 3, Four Seasons Koh Samui and Anantara Mai Khao Phuket. This isn’t a fan recap. This is a white lotus filming locations guide built for planning an actual trip. These are luxury properties with specific booking windows, high season demand, and real logistical considerations. Treat this as your practical roadmap.

Season 1: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (Hawaii)

The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea served as the primary filming location for Season 1. It sits directly on Wailea Beach, on the southwestern coast of Maui. The resort’s layout is relatively compact compared to some other Four Seasons properties, which worked well for filming. Key areas you’ll recognize include the open-air lobby, the adult-only pool (where most of the poolside scenes take place), the spa, and the beach club. The architecture is classic Hawaiian luxury—low-rise buildings, lots of wood and stone, and open corridors that catch the trade winds.

Getting there is straightforward. Fly into Kahului Airport (OGG). The drive to Wailea takes about 30 minutes without traffic. The resort has valet parking only, costing around $45–$55 per day. Restaurant dress codes are resort casual; no swimwear at dinner. From the U.S. West Coast, figure a 5- to 6-hour flight. From the East Coast, expect 10 to 11 hours with a connection.

Pricing ranges from around $850 per night in the low season (September–early December, excluding holidays) to over $2,000 per night in peak season (December through April). The cheapest rooms are garden-view rooms starting at the lower end of that range. These don’t have ocean views, but the resort sits on a manicured property, and you’ll spend most of your time at the pool or beach anyway. The ocean-view premium is significant. Unless you plan to lounge on your lanai for hours, save the money and put it toward a sunset dinner or a boat excursion.

Season 2: San Domenico Palace, Taormina (Sicily, Italy)

The San Domenico Palace is a Four Seasons property, but it feels completely different from the Maui resort. The building was originally a 14th-century Dominican monastery. The conversion to a hotel preserved the cloisters, the chapel, and much of the original stonework. It’s built into a cliffside overlooking the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna in the distance. If you watched Season 2, you’ll immediately recognize the pool terrace, the rooftop bar (which has one of the best sunset views in Taormina), the private beach club accessed by a funicular down the cliff, and the grand lobby with its high ceilings and religious art.

Fly into Catania Airport (CTA). The drive to Taormina takes about 50 minutes. Private transfers are available and cost around €120–€150 each way. Arrange one in advance rather than relying on taxis at the airport. The best time to visit is May or September. The weather is warm but not oppressive, and the crowds are thinner than in July or August. Those months in Taormina are hot, humid, and packed with cruise ship passengers—avoid them if you can.

The hotel’s restaurant, Principe Cerami, is worth booking if you’re staying here. It’s one of the better fine dining experiences on the island. Reserve a table at least two to three weeks in advance, especially for dinner during peak season. The private beach is nice but not expansive—mostly concrete sun decks with loungers, not sand. The funicular runs every few minutes, so access isn’t a hassle. If you want a proper beach day, visit Isola Bella or Mazzarò, both a short drive away.

For packing, bring a European travel adapter (Type C or F outlets) and a lightweight packing cube set if you’re flying carry-on only. The hotel has a dress code for dinners—no shorts for men at the main restaurant—so pack accordingly. Travelers who need a reliable adapter for European outlets may want to consider a universal travel adapter that also includes USB ports.

Season 3: Four Seasons Koh Samui and Anantara Mai Khao (Thailand)

Season 3 uses two resorts in Thailand. The primary filming location is the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. It sits on the northwest coast of Samui, tucked into a quieter part of the island away from the main tourist strip in Chaweng. The resort is built into a hillside with individual villas, many with private pools. The architecture is low-rise, with a lot of teak and tropical landscaping. The main pool, spa, and beachfront restaurant are the scenes you’ll likely recognize from the trailers.

Fly into Samui Airport (USM). The flight from Bangkok takes about 1 hour. The resort is a 15-minute drive from the airport. Samui Airport is small and served primarily by Bangkok Airways, so book that leg separately if you’re connecting from an international flight. The Four Seasons here is more secluded and upscale. It’s not a place where you can walk to shops or restaurants outside the resort. You’ll rely on taxis or a scooter rental. Scooters are common on Samui, but the roads can be chaotic, especially during rain. If you’re not confident on two wheels, stick with resort taxis.

Anantara Mai Khao Phuket is the additional location used for Season 3. It’s on Phuket’s northwest coast, about 20 minutes from Phuket Airport (HKT). It’s larger than the Four Seasons and more family-friendly. The property has multiple pools, a kids’ club, and direct beachfront. It’s more accessible in terms of nearby restaurants and shopping than the Four Seasons Samui. If you want a balance between a resort stay and the ability to explore Phuket easily, this is the better choice.

The best time to visit both is December to March. That’s the dry season in the Gulf of Thailand (Samui) and the Andaman Sea (Phuket). Expect clear skies, lower humidity, and calm seas. The rest of the year sees significant rain, particularly from October to November. Both resorts are large. Walking from your villa to the main pool can take ten minutes, so keep that in mind if you have mobility concerns.

For booking the Four Seasons Koh Samui, consider using a Virtuoso travel advisor. They have access to unpublished rates and often include perks like daily breakfast, a resort credit, and a room upgrade if available. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s worth the extra step for a property at this price point.

Comparing the Three Destinations: Which Should You Visit?

Let’s be practical about the tradeoffs. Hawaii is the most expensive of the three, with average nightly rates at the Four Seasons Maui running $900–$2,000+. It’s also the easiest to reach from the U.S. West Coast, with a direct flight of 5 to 6 hours. The vibe is classic beach resort luxury—think poolside cocktails, golf courses, and whale watching in winter. Best for first-time luxury travelers who want a straightforward, no-surprises experience.

Sicily sits in the middle price-wise. The San Domenico Palace runs about $600–$1,200 per night depending on season. The flight from the U.S. is longer (8 to 9 hours to Rome or Palermo, plus a connection), but you get more cultural depth. The resort itself is historic, and Taormina is an actual town with shops, restaurants, and a Greek theatre. Best for culture lovers who want a resort experience but also want to explore local sites.

Thailand is the cheapest option. The Four Seasons Koh Samui starts around $500–$800 per night, and Anantara Mai Khao is even lower at $300–$600. The flight from the U.S. is the longest—16 to 18 hours to Bangkok, then a connection to Samui or Phuket. But once you’re there, everything is cheaper. Dining off-property costs a fraction of what you’d pay in Hawaii or Sicily. Best for honeymooners or travelers looking for a tropical escape with a lower per-night cost. The tradeoff is the travel time. If you only have a week, don’t spend two of those days in transit.

Common Mistakes When Planning a White Lotus Trip

The biggest mistake is assuming you can book a few weeks out. These resorts run at high occupancy, particularly during their respective peak seasons. For the Four Seasons Maui, book three to six months ahead, especially for ocean-view rooms or suites. For San Domenico Palace, the same applies. For Thailand, give yourself at least two to three months.

Another mistake is ignoring the weather. Maui’s west side has winter rain from November to March. It’s not constant, but you’ll get afternoon showers. Sicily’s summer heat is real—July and August can push 95°F (35°C), and the air conditioning in historic buildings isn’t always up to the task. Thailand’s monsoon season runs from October to November and April to May. Rain can be heavy and persistent, making beach days less enjoyable.

Overspending on rooms is common. Most guests at these resorts spend more time at the pool, beach, or out exploring than in their room. A standard garden-view or partial ocean-view room is usually fine. The premium for a full ocean view or suite makes more sense if you plan to spend a lot of time on the balcony or entertaining. Otherwise, use that money for excursions or a better dining experience.

Skipping travel insurance is a risk. These are relatively remote locations with limited medical facilities. Hawaii has decent healthcare, but rural Thailand and Sicily’s eastern coast do not. A policy from World Nomads or SafetyWing covers trip cancellation, medical evacuation, and lost luggage. It’s not expensive relative to the cost of the trip itself.

What to Pack for a White Lotus Style Vacation

You don’t need to pack like you’re on a movie set. Just smart and light. For all three destinations, pack a high-SPF reef-safe sunscreen. The coral reefs in Hawaii and Thailand are sensitive, and the resorts enforce reef-safe regulations. A quality beach bag that doubles as a daypack is useful. You’ll carry sunscreen, a towel, a book, and a phone charger from pool to beach and back. A portable phone charger is non-negotiable. Poolside charging outlets are scarce, and your phone will drain fast with photos and video. A portable power bank with enough capacity for multiple charges can help avoid mid-day battery anxiety.

A lightweight collapsible water bottle saves you from buying plastic bottles at resort prices. Some resorts in Thailand and Sicily have limited tap water safety, but your room will have a filtered water station or bottled water provided. Use the collapsible bottle to refill from that.

For Sicily specifically, bring a European travel plug adapter (Type C or F) and a light jacket or sweater. Evenings on the terrace can be cool, even in summer. The San Domenico Palace is built into a cliff, and the wind off the water drops the temperature noticeably after sunset.

For all three, a packing cube set makes a huge difference. You’ll transition between resort time, day trips, and evening dinners, and packing cubes keep everything organized in your luggage without turning it into a chaotic mess. A good packing cube set is a small investment that pays off every day of your trip.

How to Book Accommodations Like an Insider

Booking these resorts involves a tradeoff. Booking directly with the hotel through their loyalty program (Four Seasons Preferred Partner) often includes perks like daily breakfast, a resort credit (typically $100–$150), and a room upgrade if available. The downside is the nightly rate is usually higher—you’re paying for the flexibility and the extras. If you’re flexible with cancellation policies and want the peace of mind of direct communication with the hotel, this route works.

Booking through an online travel agent like Booking.com or Hotels.com often gets you a lower base rate. But you lose the perks: no breakfast, no resort credit, and stricter cancellation policies. For a trip where the experience matters (like a White Lotus trip), the direct booking route usually makes more sense, especially if you plan to dine at the hotel frequently.

A travel advisor is another option. For high-end properties like these, they often have access to unpublished rates and can navigate the upgrade and perks landscape better than you can alone. You don’t pay them a fee; they earn commission from the hotel. It’s a solid middle ground.

If you want to earn points, consider booking through a travel portal like Chase Sapphire or Amex Platinum. You’ll earn bonus points on the booking, which can offset the cost of future travel. But you lose some flexibility on changes and cancellations. It’s a tradeoff worth considering if you’re a points collector.

Tours and Activities Worth Booking (Beyond the Resort)

These resorts are destinations themselves, but you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t explore beyond the pool. For Maui, book a sunrise at Haleakala. The tour picks you up around 3 a.m., but the views are worth the lack of sleep. The Road to Hana is a full-day commitment. If you want a smaller group experience, find a tour that caps at 12 people. The typical 20-person bus isn’t as enjoyable.

For Sicily, a day trip to Mount Etna is essential. You can book a 4×4 tour or a guided hike, about an hour from Taormina. A cooking class in Taormina is also a good option—you’ll learn to make pasta and caponata, and then eat the results.

For Koh Samui, a private longtail boat tour to the Ang Thong Marine Park is the standout experience. The park is a protected archipelago with emerald lagoons and hidden beaches. Avoid the larger tours that pack in 30 people. A small-group or private tour costs more but is exponentially better. The Big Buddha on the island’s northeast coast is worth a quick visit, but it’s crowded and feels more like a tourist stop than a cultural experience.

For Phuket, the Phi Phi Island day trip is popular for a reason. The waters are clear, and the scenery is stunning. But it gets overcrowded. Book a morning departure that returns before 2 p.m. to avoid the worst crowds. A James Bond Island tour is also worthwhile, but again, go with a small-group operator.

Final Practical Checklist Before You Go

• Confirm your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates if you’re visiting Thailand. Same-day renewal isn’t an option at most Thai airports.
• Check visa requirements. U.S. citizens don’t need a visa for stays under 90 days in Italy or under 30 days in Thailand. But verify before departure.
• Arrange airport transfers in advance. The resorts can do this, but they tend to charge a premium. Private transfer services are often cheaper and just as reliable.
• Download offline maps for each area using Google Maps. Data can be spotty in remote parts of Koh Samui and Sicily.
• Notify your credit card company of your travel dates. Many cards now have automatic travel notifications, but double-check to avoid a blocked card when you try to pay at the pool bar.
• Pack a basic first aid kit: antacids, ibuprofen, and band-aids. Resort pharmacies are overpriced and may not carry familiar brands.
• Double-check your resort booking details. Verify the check-in date, any special requests (like a room near the elevators), and the cancellation policy.

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