HBO’s The White Lotus has captivated audiences with its biting humour, intricate storylines, and jaw-dropping resort settings that make you want to pack your bags and check in. From Maui’s sun-soaked beaches to Sicily’s historic grandeur and Thailand’s tropical paradise, each season spotlights hotels that feel like characters in their own right. The real-life properties behind The White Lotus—Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel, and Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui—offer spa and wellness experiences that are nothing short of transformative. Here’s what makes wellness at each hotel unique.
Season 1: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii—Coastal Serenity with Hawaiian Soul
The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea served as the lush backdrop for The White Lotus season one, where its oceanfront cabanas, infinity pools, and palm-lined grounds set the stage for tangled dramas. Located on Maui’s sunny Wailea coast, this resort is a tranquil escape, far from the fictional turmoil of Tanya McQuoid’s escapades. Its spa is a haven that blends authentic Hawaiian healing with modern wellness, creating an experience that soothes both body and mind.
Wellness Offerings: The Lomi Mohala massage is a highlight, using flowing, wave-like strokes rooted in Hawaiian tradition to release tension and promote balance. For a high-tech twist, the Next/Health NAD+ IV drip is popular for boosting energy and cellular health, a favourite among wellness seekers. Sunrise yoga on Wailea Beach, with waves lapping and the morning light glowing, offers a serene start to the day. Mindfulness meditation sessions, guided by local practitioners, draw on Hawaii’s spiritual heritage, connecting you to the island’s mana (life energy). The resort also offers a Lotus Release Ritual at its adults-only pool, featuring Ti leaf offerings, sound therapy, and targeted massage for deep relaxation.
Why It Stands Out: The spa’s blend of indigenous Hawaiian practices and innovative treatments creates a unique wellness experience. It’s perfect for unwinding after a long flight or life’s stresses, wrapping you in the island’s calming embrace.
See also: 8 Luxury Wellness Retreats Blending Opulence With Nature
Season 2: San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel—Historic Elegance Meets Mediterranean Bliss
For season two, The White Lotus moved to the San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel, a former 14th-century convent perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, with Mount Etna in the distance. This Sicilian gem, with its bougainvillea-draped terraces and medieval charm, framed the show’s tales of desire and deception. The spa here is an intimate retreat, using Sicily’s natural bounty to deliver unforgettable wellness experiences.
Wellness Offerings: The Sicily body scrub, made with botanical oils, leaves skin radiant, while the Etna deep tissue massage uses plants of the Mediterranean Maquis to ease tension—ideal after a day wandering Taormina’s ancient Greek theatre. Private yoga sessions in the hotel’s lush Belvedere Gardens, with sea breezes and coastal views, elevate your practice. Personalised wellness consultations combine nutrition guidance and mindfulness techniques for a holistic reset. The hotel’s collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana at the iconic infinity pool, inspired by The White Lotus, offers exclusive wellness pop-ups through summer 2025, featuring guided meditation and aromatherapy sessions infused with Sicilian citrus essences, blending fashion and relaxation in true Taormina style.
Why It Stands Out: The spa’s use of local ingredients and its historic setting create an authentic, luxurious experience. It’s a place to savour la dolce vita while soaking in Sicily’s rich culture.
See also: Amanpulo, Palawan: The Philippines’ Most Exclusive Wellness Island Retreat
Season 3: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand—Tropical Tranquillity with Thai Traditions
Season three of The White Lotus takes us to the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, a hillside jungle retreat on Thailand’s northwest coast, standing in for the show’s fictional wellness haven. With private pool villas, a secluded beach, and views of the Gulf of Thailand, this resort blends traditional Thai hospitality with modern luxury. While the show’s characters grapple with spiritual quests, the real-life Secret Garden Spa offers pure serenity. Note that some scenes were filmed at other Thai resorts like Anantara Mai Khao Phuket and Rosewood Phuket, but Four Seasons Koh Samui is the primary setting.
Wellness Offerings: The Kala coconut massage uses warm coconut oil and Thai techniques to melt stress, while the Lava Shell massage employs heated shells for deep relaxation. Multi-day wellness programmes combine Thai massage, herbal compresses, and guided meditation for a full-body reset. The Secret Night Ritual features four-hand healing, Tibetan singing bowls, and a coconut-lotus-scented bath. Complimentary morning yoga in the oceanfront pavilion and Muay Thai classes led by former fighters offer active ways to connect with Thai culture. The resort’s White Lotus Bar at CoCoRum serves a Coconut Paradise cocktail, blending vodka, pandan lemongrass cordial, and coconut flakes, capturing Koh Samui’s tropical essence.
Why It Stands Out: The spa’s nature-inspired treatments and Thailand’s warm hospitality create an immersive escape. Whether you’re after a digital detox or a spiritual recharge, this resort delivers tropical luxury with cultural depth.
Why These Hotels Shine
Each The White Lotus hotel offers a distinct wellness journey: Maui’s Hawaiian healing, Sicily’s Mediterranean elegance, and Koh Samui’s Thai-inspired tranquillity. These properties aren’t just cinematic backdrops—they’re real-world sanctuaries where you can find balance and indulgence. Whether inspired by Tanya’s soul-searching, Harper’s escape, or season three’s dive into Eastern spirituality, these resorts promise a transformative experience.
