Which White Lotus Destination Fits Your Travel Style?

Have you been tuning into The White Lotus? Season 3 is coming to an end this weekend, but the wanderlust it sparks is bound to last well after the final scene.

In addition to spiking everyone’s heartrate with its drama-filled episodes, the hit HBO/Warner Bros. television series created by Mike White has single handedly boosted tourism in each and every one of its filming locations. Which one should you explore… if you haven’t already? Keep on reading to find out!

• Thailand
• Italy
• Hawai‘i

From an armed robbery to that Sam Rockwell scene, the third season of The White Lotus has had its fair share of stressful and jaw-dropping moments. But before the chaos ensued one thing was made abundantly clear: the White Lotus Resort & Spa in Thailand is a place for relaxation, self-improvement and enlightenment.

Immediately upon checking in, the show’s hotel guests are encouraged to disconnect from their devices and to immerse themselves in various wellness programs. We watch Jaclyn, Kate and Laurie practice yoga, Rick struggle through a stress-management session and Lochlan reluctantly attend a posture-correction workshop that his mother signed him up for. Even Belinda, the beloved spa manager from Season 1, is there with the goal of enhancing her own hotel’s wellness offerings.

Though the characters aren’t entirely convinced of the programs’ effectiveness, we can’t help but admit that the experience looks pretty ahhh-mazing. As in previous seasons, a selection of real-life resorts — including a Four Seasons hotel in Koh Samui and an Anantara property in Phuket — create a truly idyllic setting for the show. With every new episode, it becomes easier and easier to imagine yourself lounging by an infinity pool in a tropical island paradise… even as darker parts of the story get revealed.

If you consider yourself a wellness traveller, or want to embark on a spiritual journey, this is definitely The White Lotus destination for you. In addition to its stunning resorts, Thailand boasts spectacular beaches, awe-inspiring temples, outdoor adventures and enriching cultural experiences that will give you a whole new perspective of the world.

Of course, it’s also totally acceptable to let loose at a Full Moon Party (just maybe not as much as the Ratliff brothers).

Filming locations to visit: Koh Samui, Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Phangan and Koh Lawa Yai

The 2022 installment of The White Lotus was all about lust and temptation — or as showrunner Mike White put it when comparing the show’s themes, “the second season is sex.” Throughout its seven episodes, we watch each character relentlessly pursue their desires, even if there are negative consequences for themselves and others. As Lucia exploits Albie for financial gain and Quentin plots to murder Tanya, Harper attempts to reignite the passion in her relationship with Ethan… by kissing his college roommate, Cameron. To put it plainly, this batch of guests is messy.

While we certainly don’t condone all of their behaviour, there is something to be said for chasing after the finer things in life — and Italy, the White Lotus hotel location for the second season, is made for doing just that. Known for its spectacular art, high-end fashion, iconic car brands, and world-class food and wine, it’s easy to indulge here.

Want to follow in the characters’ footsteps exactly? Make your way to the region of Sicily, where the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and awe-inspiring Mount Etna will be your backdrop.

Budget depending, you can even try to stay in some of the luxury accommodations from the show. The San Domenico Palace, Taormina — the Four Seasons hotel where the majority of the season was filmed — is the obvious choice, but Villa Tasca (the gorgeous setting of Daphne and Harper’s girls’ getaway) and Villa Elena (the Palermo mansion that posed as Quentin’s home) are also available to rent.

Filming locations to visit: Taormina, Palermo, Noto, Cefalù

Unlike Season 2 and Season 3, the first season of The White Lotus was filmed entirely at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. This was largely due to the fact that it was shot during the height of the pandemic (Jake Lacey, Jennifer Coolidge, Sydney Sweeney and the other cast members couldn’t have left the property even if they wanted to), but we think it also heightened the experience for viewers.

To say that everyone was completely fascinated by the goings-on at the hotel — and interested in experiencing its luxury for themselves — would be an understatement. The Four Seasons reported a 425% increase in website visits after the hit drama series premiered! And that’s after everyone watched the literal sh*t that goes down in the Pineapple Suite.

Maui is a destination where you can escape from the everyday and soak up the island lifestyle, and it’s way easier than the White Lotus Hawai‘i hotel guests make it seem. Or do you also have an overbearing mother-in-law?

Do yourself a favour and venture outside the walls of whatever resort you end up staying in to experience the rich culture that Hawai‘i has to offer. Money, entitlement, classicism and imperialism are major themes in the first season — and you can perhaps right some of the characters’ wrongs by making sure you take the time to visit historic sites and learn about the Native Hawaiians’ way of life. We recommend Piʻilanihale Heiau, Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, and the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum. Attending a traditional lūʻau is a good idea, too!

Filming locations to visit: Wailea

So, which White Lotus destination fits your travel style? Do you feel like visiting Thailand, Italy or Hawai‘i… or waiting to see where the limited series goes next? The White Lotus has already been renewed for a fourth season and though few details about it are known, we wouldn’t be surprised to see it also inspire travellers.

If you’re ready to set-jet right now, check out our latest travel deals or chat with one of our Travel Experts today! We can help you find the best flights, hotels and more.