Season 1 of The White Lotus was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea on Maui, Hawaii. The real-world resort doubled as the fictional White Lotus hotel, with cast and crew living on-site during the pandemic-era production in fall 2020. This guide separates the show’s invented geography from the actual property and explains how you can book a stay.
Last checked: 2026-10-01
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Season 1 Hotel: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea · Location: Maui, Hawaii, USA · Season 2 Hotel: San Domenico Palace, Taormina, Sicily · Season 3 Hotel: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-10-01.
Sources reviewed: official hotel website (FourSeasons.com), Wikipedia, IMDb filming & production pages, travel publications (Marie Claire, Sky, Saga, Country & Town House), and news outlets (Yahoo News Canada).
We did not carry out an on-site visit, conduct staff interviews, or independently verify published room rates beyond what is publicly listed.
Snapshot: White Lotus Filming Locations at a Glance
- Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Maui, Hawaii (Four Seasons Magazine)
- San Domenico Palace, Taormina, Sicily (IMDb)
- Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand (Four Seasons Koh Samui)
- Filmed October–December 2020; six episodes; cast lived in a pandemic bubble at the resort (Marie Claire)
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 Hotel | Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea | Four Seasons Magazine |
| Location | Maui, Hawaii, United States | Four Seasons Magazine |
| Season 2 Hotel | San Domenico Palace, Taormina, Sicily | IMDb |
| Season 3 Hotel | Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand | Four Seasons |
| Production Year (Season 1) | 2020 (principal photography Oct–Dec) | Country & Town House |
| Number of Episodes | 6 | Marie Claire |
| Resort Acreage | 15 acres | Country & Town House |
| Guest Rooms & Suites | 380 | Country & Town House |
What hotel is White Lotus season 1 filmed at?
The resort that plays the White Lotus in Season 1 is the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea on the southwestern coast of Maui. The property stands on Wailea Beach and covers 15 acres with 380 guest rooms and suites. Production used the lobby, the adults-only Serenity Pool, restaurants, bars, and the spa to create the show’s claustrophobic resort atmosphere.
The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
The hotel’s real-world name is Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, while the show calls it the White Lotus. According to Sky, the fictional Pineapple Suite was created by redecorating the resort’s Lokelani Presidential Suite. The Palm Suite was adapted from an Elite Oceanfront Suite. None of the White Lotus room names exist on the property; visitors booking a stay will see standard Four Seasons categories.
Why this hotel was chosen for the show
Creator Mike White selected the Four Seasons Maui in part because its self-contained layout allowed a COVID-19 safety bubble. Cast and crew lived at the resort from October through December 2020, minimising exposure to the outside island population. Go Ahead Tours notes that the production concentrated almost entirely on one property, unlike later seasons that spanned multiple locations. The result is a concentrated visual geography: resort interiors, the infinity pool, Wailea Beach, and a handful of nearby Maui access points.
Where was season 2 of White Lotus filmed?
Season 2 moved to San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Sicily. The hotel, a Four Seasons property, sits on a clifftop overlooking the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. Its 15th-century monastery architecture provided a distinct visual contrast to Season 1’s tropical modernism.
San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Sicily
Built as a Dominican convent in the 1400s, the hotel became part of the Four Seasons portfolio in 2021. According to IMDb, the entire season was filmed on location at the hotel and nearby beaches. The resort’s terrace, gardens, and private beach club appear in multiple episodes.
Differences between Season 1 and Season 2 settings
Season 1 used a single resort on a Hawaiian island; Season 2 incorporated the surrounding town of Taormina, including streets, restaurants, and a Greek theatre. The shift from a contained pandemic bubble to a more open location reflected the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Looper notes that Season 2’s production was able to venture beyond hotel grounds, giving the show a broader sense of place.
Where exactly is season 3 of The White Lotus filmed?
Season 3, which premieres in 2025, was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui on the island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. The resort is known for its hillside villas, private pools, and panoramic views of the Ang Thong Marine Park.
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand
The property occupies a secluded cove on the northwestern coast of Koh Samui. Its 60 villas and suites each feature outdoor living areas, and the resort’s spa, beachfront dining, and infinity pool are expected to feature prominently. Four Seasons Koh Samui lists the resort’s amenities on its website.
Other filming locations in Thailand
In addition to the main resort, production teams scouted Bangkok and other Thai islands for supplementary scenes. According to Saga, the show’s third season introduces a new cultural backdrop that blends luxury resort interiors with Thai urban and coastal environments.
How much does it cost to stay at White Lotus Thailand?
Nightly rates at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui vary by season, room category, and occupancy. The resort does not publish fixed prices on its main booking page, but third-party travel sites and the official website offer real-time quotes. A two-week trip to Thailand that includes a stay at this luxury resort will require a budget that covers accommodation, meals, internal flights, and activities.
Typical nightly rates at Four Seasons Koh Samui
Rates typically start in the low hundreds of U.S. dollars for a Garden View Villa and rise to over one thousand dollars for a Beachfront Pool Villa. Peak holiday periods (December–February) command higher prices. For exact figures, travellers should check the Four Seasons offers page or contact the hotel directly.
Budget tips for a Thailand trip
Thailand offers a wide range of travel budgets. A mid-range trip for two weeks—covering a mix of hotel categories, meals at local restaurants, and internal transport—can be estimated using online travel calculators. Saga suggests that even on a moderate budget, visitors can enjoy Thailand’s beaches and culture without staying at the Four Seasons resort. The White Lotus hotel is just one option among many.
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea: Key Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea |
| Location | Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii, United States |
| Land Area | 15 acres |
| Accommodation | 380 guest rooms and suites |
| Pools | 3 (including adults-only Serenity Pool) |
| Filming Role | Primary filming location for Season 1 of The White Lotus |
| Fictional Suite | Pineapple Suite (based on Lokelani Presidential Suite) |
| Real-World Booking | Open to the public; bookable via Four Seasons website |
White Lotus Seasons at a Glance: Filming Hotels Compared
| Season | Filming Location | Hotel Name | Region/Island | Year Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Maui, Hawaii, USA | Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea | Maui | 2021 |
| Season 2 | Taormina, Sicily, Italy | San Domenico Palace | Sicily | 2022 |
| Season 3 | Koh Samui, Thailand | Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui | Koh Samui | 2025 |
What to expect when budgeting for a White Lotus stay
All three Four Seasons properties used in the series are luxury hotels. Nightly rates depend on season, room category, and occupancy. The Four Seasons Maui generally starts above $700 per night in high season; the San Domenico Palace similarly commands premium rates. The Koh Samui property offers entry-level villas from the low hundreds. For the most accurate pricing, check each hotel’s official website.
Getting to the White Lotus filming locations
Season 1 (Maui): Fly into Kahului Airport (OGG), Maui’s main gateway. The Four Seasons Resort is a 30–40 minute drive south along the coast. Olowalu Landing, used for the guests’ boat arrival in the show, is roughly 40 minutes away by car.
Season 2 (Sicily): Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) is the closest major airport to Taormina. A transfer by car or bus takes about 50 minutes. San Domenico Palace is perched on a cliff in the historic centre.
Season 3 (Koh Samui): Koh Samui Airport (USM) has direct flights from Bangkok and several Asian hubs. The Four Seasons Resort is about a 30-minute drive from the airport. Alternatively, visitors can take a ferry from the mainland to the island.
Our pick: Which White Lotus location to visit
For superfans: Book a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. It’s the original, and many of the resort’s public areas are immediately recognisable from Season 1. The island also offers world-class beaches, whale watching (December–May), and the Road to Hana.
For luxury travellers seeking set-jetting: The San Domenico Palace in Sicily combines history, dramatic views, and proximity to Catania and Mount Etna. Season 3’s Koh Samui resort is the most secluded and offers private-pool villas—ideal for a serene getaway.
For vacation planners comparing islands: Maui is the most established tourism destination, while Koh Samui is newer to the luxury stage. Both are excellent choices, but the Four Seasons Maui provides the strongest connection to the show’s first season.
White Lotus season release timeline
- Season 1 (2021): Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii
- Season 2 (2022): San Domenico Palace, Taormina, Sicily
- Season 3 (2025): Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand
- Season 4: Announced by HBO, but filming location not yet confirmed (as of February 2025)
“Season 1 of “The White Lotus” was filmed at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.”
— Four Seasons Magazine, official brand publication
“Luckily, The White Lotus locations are all real – and the hotels exist too, albeit under different names.”
— Sky, broadcaster and editorial publisher
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fourseasons.com, fourseasons.com, fourseasons.com, resident.com
Frequently asked questions about White Lotus filming locations
Is The White Lotus a real hotel chain?
No. The White Lotus is a fictional hotel created for the HBO series. Each season uses a real luxury hotel as the stand-in. The Four Seasons brand has been the backdrop for all three seasons. (Four Seasons Magazine)
Can you actually stay at the Four Seasons Resort Maui?
Yes. The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is a functioning hotel open to the public. You can book a room using the Four Seasons website. (Country & Town House)
What is the cast of White Lotus season 1?
The main cast includes Murray Bartlett (Armand), Connie Britton (Nicole Mossbacher), Jennifer Coolidge (Tanya McQuoid), Natasha Rothwell (Belinda Lindsey), Steve Zahn (Mark Mossbacher), and Sydney Sweeney (Olivia Mossbacher). (IMDb)
How many episodes are in White Lotus season 1?
Season 1 consists of 6 episodes. (Marie Claire)
When did White Lotus season 1 premiere?
Season 1 premiered on HBO in July 2021. (IMDb)
Sources
- Four Seasons Magazine – Set-Jetting with Four Seasons: The White Lotus
- Sky – The White Lotus Season One Locations
- Marie Claire – Where Was The White Lotus Filmed?
- IMDb – The White Lotus Filming & Production
- Country & Town House – The White Lotus Filming Locations
- Saga – White Lotus Filming Locations
- Yahoo News Canada – Where Season 1 of The White Lotus Was Filmed
- Go Ahead Tours – White Lotus Locations to Visit
- Looper – Where Was The White Lotus Filmed?