On Location: The White Lotus

A still from the HBO Max TV show "The White Lotus" featuring the opening credits and an ancient Italian art piece. This is the featured Image in the Sky Bird Travel & Tours blog article called "On Location: The White Lotus," which shows the various filming locations of the famous tv show created by Mike White.
Photo credit and rights: IMDB

One of the most popular TV shows of 2022 was The White Lotus, which can be streamed on HBO Max. It showcases the story of wealthy vacationers and their travel shenanigans that end in the death of a mysterious guest. More notably, it features beautiful hotels and resorts at various locations across the globe! Your clients can stay at these resorts too (without the murder and drama), simply follow the Sky Bird Travel On Location guide for The White Lotus.  

Table of Contents

The White Lotus Synopsis

Director: Mike White | TV Series: 2 Seasons | Rating: TV-MA | Genre: Comedy, Drama 

An all-star cast head to a resort and unleash their worst, most privileged impulses. The series is a sharp social satire following the exploits of various guests and employees of the fictional White Lotus resort chain, whose stay becomes affected by their various dysfunctions.  

A week in the life of vacationers is unraveled as they relax and rejuvenate in paradise. With each passing day, a darker complexity emerges in these picture-perfect travelers, the hotel’s cheerful employees, and the idyllic locale itself. 

The White Lotus Filming Locations: Season 1

The Four Seasons Maui (Kihei, Hawaii)

The main filming location for the first season of White Lotus is the stunning Four Seasons Maui Resort in Hawaii. There was hardly any reason for Emmy award-winning director Mike White to film elsewhere because the hotel has a bar, restaurant, spa, pool, and access to the beautiful beachfront. If your clients are super-fans that want to book the real hotel rooms that were used in The White Lotus, then follow along.  

An image of the Maui Four Seasons Resort, which was used as the filming location for the hit TV show "The White Lotus." In The Sky Bird Travel & Tours "On Location" blog article, this is the resort that was an actual film location for the tv show in the first season!
Photo credit and rights: The Four Seasons Maui

Happy honeymooners Shane (Jake Lacy) and Rachel (Alexandra Daddario) are originally placed in the wrong suite, which was the real-life Elite Oceanfront room. Once the error is corrected, the honeymooners head into the Pineapple Room, which is actually the Lokelani Presential room 

Nearby, another couple, Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) and Greg (Jon Gries), is staying at the Hibiscus suite, which in reality is the Oceanfront Prime suite. Last but certainly not least is the dysfunctional Mossbacher family who books the spacious Maile Presidential Suite, which is called the Tradewinds Suite in the White Lotus. 

Olowalu Landing (Olowalu, Hawaii)

A still from the HBO Max TV show "The White Lotus" featuring the manager Armond (Murray Bartlett) and the staff members of the White Lotus Resort. This image is used in Sky Bird Travel & Tours blog article called "On Location: The White Lotus" which shows the various movie locations that you can actually visit.
Photo credit and rights: IMDB

In the first episode, the group of vacationers disembark from the boat and are welcomed by the resort crew. This is one of the most accessible filming locations for The White Lotus in Hawaii, where your clients can embrace the island views. Olowalu Landing, on Olowlau Point, is an easy activity that’s less than an hour away from The Four Seasons Maui a perfect start to this White Lotus themed-vacation. 

Other White Lotus Film Destinations

A still from the HBO Max TV show "The White Lotus" featuring Rachel (Alexandra Daddario) and Shane (Jake Lacy) waiting to board their flight home after their week-long vacation. This image is featured in Sky Bird Travel & Tours blog article "On Location: The White Lotus," which shows the movie destinations that you can see in real-life.
Photo credit and rights: IMDB

An exciting location briefly featured on the show is Wailea Beach in Kihei. Your clients will love the various opportunities for photography, swimming, relaxing, snorkeling, and other beach activities. Another detail for fans of The White Lotus is booking your clients’ flight at the Kahului Airport. This is where multiple scenes of the families traveling at the beginning and end of season 1 were filmed.

The White Lotus Filming Locations: Season 2

The San Domenico Palace (Taormina, Italy)

A beautiful landscape shot of the active volcano Mount Edna and the San Domenico Palace, which looks like an ancient Italian castle. This is the film location of The White Lotus season 2, which is a location that fans of the show can visit in real-life.

The White Lotus is renowned for its picturesque destinations, and the most stunning film location is easily the San Domenico Palace, a reimagined 14th-century convent. Most of the filming for season 2 was done on location at this dreamy resort above the Ionian Sea, which your clients are sure to fall in love with.

A still from the HBO Max TV show "The White Lotus" featuring Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge), Greg (Jon Greis), and Valentina (Sabrina Impacciatore) standing in the fictional resort courtyard. This image is featured in Sky Bird Travel & Tours blog article "On Location: The White Lotus," which discusses the real-life film locations of the white lotus season 1 and season 2.
Photo credit and rights: IMDB

While the hotel rooms are gorgeous, most room scenes were actually filmed on a separate soundstage at Lumina Studios in Italy to allow for proper lighting and equipment. 

Planeta Sciaranuova Winery

A still from the HBO Max TV show "The White Lotus" featuring Harper (Aubrey Plaza), Daphne (Meghann Fahy), Cameron (Theo James), and Ethan (Will Sharpe) walking through a vineyard in Italy. This image is featured in Sky Bird Travel & Tours blog article" On Location: The White Lotus," which explores the real-life filming locations of the white lotus season 1 and season 2.
Photo credit and rights: IMDB

If your clients can’t stay in a hotel room featured on the White Lotus, a trip to the Planeta Sciaranuova Winery will be an amazing replacement. It’s a picturesque sitebuilt with ancient stones, overlooking olive trees and stunning Mount Etna. We recommend booking a guided tour of the vineyard and pairing it with a wine and cheese tasting! 

Other White Lotus Filming Destinations

Another easy addition to the itinerary is the Ionian Sea, mere feet from the San Domenico Palace. Your clients can spend the day laying in the sun, swimming, or sipping a refreshing drink White Lotus style. 

For adventurous clients, consider a hiking trip to the Greek Theater of Teatro Antico di Taormina which was featured on the show.  

A day trip that mimics Harper (Aubrey Plaza) and Daphne (Meghann Fahy) would start with a city tour of Noto featuring dozens of ancient monuments. The ultimate stop on this adventure would be Villa Tasca, a luxurious but beautiful house owned by an aristocratic family.  

Book Your Vacation Now!

If your clients aren’t seeking out a White Lotus-themed vacation, then be sure to suggest it for next time. Not only is it a stunning vacation for film fans, but it’s also a great chance for travel agents to earn extra commission! Call Sky Bird to find out how you can fit these details from the White Lotus into your clients vacation itinerary. Also consider registering for our WINGS Booking Engine, where travel agents can book hotels, flights, travel insurance, and more all from the same platform. 

Scroll to Top