As much as you might dislike many of the – admittedly very dislikeable – characters of HBO’s breakout TV hit ‘The White Lotus’, there’s no denying the appeal of the show’s filming locations. The first season, which was set in Hawaii and revolved around the interactions between the guests and employees of a fictional resort chain, was full of spectacular backdrops and seriously enviable bits of luxury.
Season two of ‘The White Lotus’ is about to drop(on HBO in the US this Sunday October 30, and Sky Atlantic in the UK on Monday October 31)and the filming locations are just as jaw-droppingly deluxe. Here’s what you need to know.
What were the filming locations for ‘The White Lotus’ season one?
The first season of‘The White Lotus’ was shot atFour Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea in Hawaii, which is a five-star luxury resort. Other bits of the series were filmed elsewhere on Maui, as well as on nearbyWailea Beach.
Where was ‘The White Lotus’ season two filmed?
The second season of ‘The White Lotus’ is set to be no less deluxe than the first. The upcoming series sees the show move location to Sicily. Some of theseries was filmed in the Sicilian cities of Palermo and Noto, as well as on the surrounding Ionian Sea. Other bits were shot at theCastello degli Schiavi in the coastal town of Fiumefreddo(alsoknown for featuring inThe Godfather), as well as the beachside La Cambusa restaurant in Giardini Naxos.
Non-on-location filming was shot inLumina Studios, which is near Rome. But the star location, as in season one, is the hotel itself…
Why was ‘The White Lotus’ moved to Sicily for season two?
The series is about the ‘White Lotus’ chain of luxury hotels and the latest season involves a different hotel to the first. The cast is almost different, too – the only main characters coming back from season one are Tanya McQuoid-Hunt (played by Jennifer Coolidge) and Greg Hunt (Jon Gries).
How many episodes are in season two?
The second season will feature seven episodes in total, with the final episode coming out on December 11.
What hotel was ‘The White Lotus’ season two filmed at?
The hotel in question is San Domenico Palace in Taormina. Part of the famously lavish Four Seasons hotel chain, the San Domenico is in a fourteenth century convent perched atop a rocky height. On Sicily’s eastern coast, it boasts great views out over both the surrounding Ionian Sea and Mount Etna.
Even for a Four Seasons hotel, San Domenico Palace is pretty swanky. Book one of its 111 rooms and suitesand you’ll also get access to three restaurants, two bars, an infinity pool and a gym. There are alsoloads of specially curated experiences, from tasting the local wines to trekking up Etna. Here are some pics of the place, plus a couple of stills from the upcoming series.
So how much can you expect to pay for all this? Well, the San Domenico Palace is, unsurprisingly, not cheap. Rates start at about £480 ($555) per night, though some suites push a whopping £6,000 ($6,900) per night. But that’s to be expected for this kind of swish establishment.
Excitingly, however, there’s currently a sale on at the San Domenico Palace. At the mo, the hotel is offering up to a whopping 20 percent off its usual bed and breakfast rates. The offer stands for trips of between four and 14 days in length, and you find out more about ithere.
According toTown and Country,‘The White Lotus’ series twostarted production in February 2022 and filming at the hotel wrapped in the summer. So you won’t bump into any of the characters, thankfully…
You can find out more and book a stay at San Domenico Palacehere – but, in all likelihood, if you fancy a ‘White Lotus’-themed Sicilian getaway, you had better get saving!
Here’severything we know about season two of ‘The White Lotus’.
Is ‘The White Lotus’ season three heading for Asia? Here’s what we know so far.
Recommended: the best hotels in Sicily
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The San Domenico Palace, A Four Seasons Hotel in the Sicilian resort town of Taormina, was the primary setting for all seven episodes and was also the location where the cast and crew stayed during production.
Season 2 is far richer in narrative and exploration of character and theme, making for a much more compelling season of television. Seasons 1 and 2 of The White Lotus are now available to watch on HBO Max.
Here's how it compares in real life. I stayed at San Domenico Palace, the hotel in Sicily where "The White Lotus" was filmed. The infinity pool, piano bar, and restaurants were some of the iconic locations I saw while there. In my opinion, the hotel is even more beautiful and glamorous in real life.
A review of the hotel rates show that a regular room can start at $2400 a night, and the Princess Cecilie Suite starts at $6800 for select dates. Season 2 of The White Lotus debuted on HBO in October, however in December, the hotel took to Instagram to share why the show's creator picked it for a filming location.
Yes, There Will Be a White Lotus Season 3—and It Will Be 'Supersized' HBO officially renewed The White Lotus for a third season back in November 2022. You can expect a change of scenery and a group of new characters.
It has been reported that season three is being filmed at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, a gorgeous property set among the green hills of the island of Koh Samui.
However, the hit HBO show still explored corruption, wealth, and privilege — though with more focus on sexual scandals. The core message of The White Lotus season 2 is that money and sexual misconduct can have fatal consequences.
Most viewers preferred season two to season one because of the faster moving and more vindictive plot. While both seasons expose the materialistic and barbaric desires that plague our society, I believe season one does a better job of capturing the horrible yet undeniably innate aspects of human nature.
In the second season the racial theme continues but on a much less frustrating level, a more thoughtful manifestation of racism in the police force. Without a doubt this season is of better quality, terrifying and very well done.
Taormina is considered as an expensive place by Sicilians. This because, thanks to the great influx of tourists, most of the restaurants/hotels adopt higher prices compared to other places in the island.
Sicily offers beaches, mountains, active volcanoes, and even snow skiing. Well-preserved archeological sites, cathedrals, and buildings show evidence of its history as a home for Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish, and other peoples.
Sicily is one of the few European destinations that is open year-round. April, May, June and October are ideal, with few crowds, lots of festivals, and mild weather.
The first season of The White Lotus filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, in Maui, Hawai'i. A single filming location was the requirement when HBO asked White to dream up a show that could be made under strict production guidelines during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The starting rate for an overnight stay at San Domenico Palace ranges from €1,900 to €2,500 or around $2,087 to $2,746, and prices vary depending on the time of year, the demand, and the type of room, a spokesperson for the hotel told me. At $2,248 per night, my hotel room was the most expensive I'd ever stayed in.
The second season of The White Lotus was filmed at the San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel, in Taormina, Sicily. Situated high on the rocks a little inland, it overlooks the Ionian Sea, Mount Etna, and an ancient amphitheater, built in the Greek style by the Romans.
The many beach scenes of the White Lotus were filmed in Cefalù. This small town near Palermo is famous for its beach and its Arab-Norman Cathedral, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The old harbor has appeared in a number of movies and commercials, with its picturesque benches overlooking the sea and the village.
Goggins clarified that while castmembers didn't have to pay for their room in the hotel used both for accommodations and as a shooting location, they did have to pay for their incidentals.
The San Domenico Palace in Taormina is one of the most famous hotels in the world. Instantly recognisable from season two of The White Lotus, it's even more stylish in real life.
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