Visit all of your favorite filming locations from ‘The White Lotus’ with these tips.
ANTOINE BOUREAU
Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images
Ever since The White Lotus first aired, the travel world hasn’t been the same. Each season drops its cast into a stunning resort destination, inspiring viewers to “set jet” to its filming locations — and Sacramento-area travelers are well positioned to follow suit.
The numbers tell the story. “In the 90 days following the launches of the show’s first two seasons, set in Hawaii and Sicily, respectively, Expedia saw searches for those destinations explode by more than 300% due to the “White Lotus” effect,” per Forbes.
“After Thailand was announced as the setting of Season 3 […], searches for flights increased for Chiang Mai (up 65% year over year), Phuket (up 45%) and Koh Samui (up 30%), according to data from Expedia.” according to Forbes.
Season 1: Maui, Hawaii — a direct flight from Sacramento
For travelers flying out of Sacramento International Airport, the Season 1 destination may be the most accessible of the three. Nearly every scene from the show’s debut season was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. The resort sits on Wailea Beach, where the characters enjoy the sun and sand.
Best for: Honeymooners, luxury travelers and whale watching (humpbacks migrate November to May).
Budget tip: Stay in nearby Kihei and visit Wailea beaches — they’re public access per Hawaii beach access law. Sacramento travelers watching for deals can use a flight price tracker like Google Flights’ price calendar to spot the cheapest travel windows out of SMF.
Season 2: Sicily, Italy
Season 2 filmed primarily at the San Domenico Palace in Taormina, a clifftop five-star hotel with views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Taormina is a hilltop town on Sicily’s east coast, known for its ancient Greek theater and dramatic coastline.
Additional scenes were filmed in the nearby cities of Noto, Siracusa and Palermo, all worth adding to a Sicily itinerary. For a double set-jetting moment, visit Castello degli Schiavi, which the White Lotus characters themselves mention is widely known as the backdrop of the Italy-based scenes in The Godfather.
Best for: History lovers, food-focused travelers and couples wanting beach towns with serious culture. Visit May through June or September through October to avoid peak summer crowds and heat.
Season 3: Koh Samui, Thailand — connect through SFO
The third season is set at the Four Seasons Koh Samui, a remote, jungle-cliffside resort on Thailand’s Gulf coast. Various additional scenes are filmed in Phuket. Sacramento travelers can access Thailand through San Francisco International Airport, roughly 90 miles southwest.
Want to watch some Muay Thai? Get tickets for a fight at the Bangla Boxing Stadium, as seen in the show. Fans of spa manager Belinda can book a treatment at the real-life setting of her wellness spa at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket.
Best for: Adventure travelers, wellness seekers and couples wanting a mix of beach and culture. Visit November through April (dry season per Condé Nast Traveler).
Tips for Sacramento-area travelers
Each season is filmed at a Four Seasons resort, but you don’t have to stay at the filming hotel. Nearby alternatives are usually significantly cheaper with access to the same beaches and towns. Visit during shoulder season to get the scenery without surging post-“White Lotus” demand. Each destination rewards slower travel — plan at least five to seven nights to fully enjoy your stay..
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
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Lauren Schuster is a content specialist working with McClatchy Media’s Trend Hunter and national content specialists team.