As The White Lotus returns for its highly anticipated third season, fans are once again captivated by the show’s signature mix of biting social satire, dark humor, and lavish scenery. Since its debut as a six-part limited series in 2021, the HBO hit has taken viewers on a globe-trotting journey through some of the world’s most breathtaking luxury resorts. From Hawaii to Sicily and now Thailand, each season of The White Lotus immerses audiences in a new opulent setting—backdrops as integral to the story as the characters themselves.
Season 1: Maui, Hawaii
The inaugural season of The White Lotus transported viewers to a fictional, all-inclusive Hawaiian paradise. While the resort itself may be fictional, the series was filmed at the prestigious Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Almost all of Season 1 takes place in and around the resort, with scenes shot in its lavish lobby, pools, spa, and restaurants.
One of the season’s most memorable opening moments—the arrival of guests—was actually filmed at Olowalu Landing, a scenic beach and surfing spot. Though the characters were told their hotel was just a short golf cart ride away, the real Four Seasons is about a 40-minute drive along the coast. Other filming locations include Kahului Airport, where the guests first land in Hawaii.
Season 2: Sicily, Italy
After the overwhelming success of Season 1, The White Lotus upped the ante with a second season set in Sicily, Italy, bringing more drama and intrigue to a dazzling Mediterranean backdrop.
The hotel featured in Season 2 is the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina, perched dramatically on a clifftop with breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea, Mount Etna, and the town’s historic amphitheater. The resort’s stunning 69-foot infinity pool serves as a central location in the series.
The opening beach scene, however, was filmed in Cefalù, located two hours from Taormina on the opposite coast of Sicily. Throughout the season, viewers catch glimpses of Isola Bella, a picturesque island near Taormina, as well as other stunning Sicilian landmarks, including:
- Palermo’s Opera House
- Palazzo Ducezio and the Cathedral in Noto
- Villa Tasca, a magnificent neoclassical estate in Palermo
A particularly memorable sequence follows the characters on a trip to sites where The Godfather was filmed, with the ever-smoldering Mount Etna making several dramatic cameo appearances.
Season 3: Thailand
For its third season, The White Lotus ventures east to Thailand, using multiple locations across the country, including Bangkok, Koh Samui, and Phuket. Unlike the previous seasons, which primarily featured a single hotel, Season 3 was filmed across several luxury properties, including:
- Four Seasons Koh Samui
- Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas
- Villa Jacinta, Koh Samui
These five-star resorts provide the signature grandeur expected from The White Lotus, offering stunning beaches, exotic landscapes, and a lush, tropical setting for the show’s latest intrigue.
