When considering Mike White’s acclaimed HBO series The White Lotus, two elements stand out prominently: Jennifer Coolidge, known for her brilliantly eccentric portrayal of Tanya McQuoid, and the luxurious Four Seasons. These two aspects, seemingly unrelated, intertwine seamlessly within the series’ darkly comedic and twisted narrative.
Although The White Lotus is centered around a fictional luxury hospitality brand, viewers quickly identified the real-world locations depicted in the show following its debut in 2021. The first season was set at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, where the closure due to the pandemic provided the production team with an exceptional opportunity to film throughout the entire property—an ideal backdrop for a narrative rich in themes of wealth and power dynamics.
The White Lotus Season 1, filmed at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
(Image credit: Courtesy of Courtesy of Warner Bros.)
The White Lotus Season 1, filmed at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
(Image credit: Courtesy of Courtesy of Warner Bros.)
Season two took us to the Four Seasons Taormina at San Domenico Palace, where the allure of a transformed 14th-century Sicilian convent created an atmosphere rich in themes of desire and deception. As we look forward to the third chapter, the series will move to the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui in Thailand, where the lush environment and profound cultural heritage will enhance White’s upcoming thematic shift: a satirical examination of death, Eastern spirituality, and religion.
What began as Four Seasons locations serving as stunning backdrops for the initial two seasons of The White Lotus has now developed into a strategic marketing collaboration with HBO and Max, seamlessly integrating the essence of the Canadian luxury hotel and resort brand into the homes of viewers.
The White Lotus Season 2, filmed at Four Seasons Taormina at San Domenico Palace
(Image credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros.)
The White Lotus Season 2, filmed at Four Seasons Taormina at San Domenico Palace
(Image credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros.)
Ahead of the new season’s release this Sunday (16 February 2025), we asked Marc Speichert, executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Four Seasons, to get the inside scoop on the brand’s perfect synergy with The White Lotus.
Four Seasons and ‘The White Lotus’: a perfect match
(Image credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros.)
Wallpaper*: Each Four Seasons property featured in the series almost feels like a character in its own right. What’s the process for selecting which hotel will play this starring role, and how do you think each location captures the theme of its respective season?
Marc Speichert: From Maui to Taormina and now Koh Samui, each Four Seasons property featured in The White Lotus immerses viewers in the essence of its destination, capturing its unique culture, natural beauty, and atmosphere. With 133 properties around the globe, we operate in the most dynamic and compelling destinations, each with its own story to tell and something to offer travellers of all kinds.
The destinations were also carefully selected to match each season’s distinctive theme. For example, Koh Samui was not only chosen for its visually stunning environment overlooking the Gulf of Thailand but also for its thematic alignment with the season’s exploration of Eastern spirituality and existential themes. The Resort was designed by Bill Bensley, inspired by traditional southern Thai architecture with thatched roofs, indoor and outdoor spaces, and constructed into the hillside to ensure exceptional views no matter where you are.
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
(Image credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts)
W*: Four Seasons tends to keep its promotional efforts quite understated – does this partnership with a high-profile, dramatic show signal a shift in the brand’s marketing strategy?
The collaboration with HBO and Max marks a significant achievement for our brand, highlighting a cultural phenomenon that honors exceptional storytelling and the shared enthusiasm for travel. This partnership emphasizes the increasing relationship between travel and pop culture—two realms that inherently enhance one another, as travel inspires creativity and ignites curiosity worldwide.
Our association with The White Lotus showcases the vibrancy and excellence of our hotels and resorts. As we look ahead, we remain committed to prioritizing destinations that resonate with luxury travelers, while offering unique opportunities to discover the world through Four Seasons.
Four Seasons Taormina at San Domenico Palace
(Image credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts)
Four Seasons Taormina at San Domenico Palace
(Image credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts)
W*: Since the partnership with The White Lotus, have the Four Seasons properties featured in the show (as well as others) attracted a different type of guest?
Four Seasons has noted a marked increase in interest from guests looking to visit Hawaii and Italy following the initial two seasons of The White Lotus. We are already witnessing a similar enthusiastic response for Thailand as anticipation grows for the third season.
The rise in visitor numbers linked to The White Lotus has been extraordinary, with a notable spike in interest and bookings during and after the airing of both the first and second seasons. For instance, Maui saw a 425% year-over-year increase in website traffic and a 386% rise in availability inquiries during the first season, highlighting the significant influence The White Lotus has had on property interest and brand visibility.
Targeting Gen Z and Millennials is essential for our brand, as they represent the future of luxury travel. These demographic segments are vital to our growth strategy, aligning with broader trends and shifts in generational wealth. With their strong interest in film, television, and culture, set-jetting has proven to be an excellent avenue for engaging these generations. Our internal research indicates that 88% of Millennials who watch the show and are familiar with Four Seasons have a positive association with the brand, while 71% express a strong likelihood of visiting the showcased properties.
As the excitement surrounding The White Lotus continues to drive real-world travel demand, we are eager to offer these experiences to an even wider audience globally.
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
(Image credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts)
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
(Image credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts)
W*: What’s been your favourite aspect of the partnership so far?
MS: Our connection to The White Lotus has had an incredible halo effect across our brand. With the rise of ‘set-jetting’, we know that travellers are making destination decisions based on their favourite films and TV series. It has opened the doors for even more people to experience our beautiful hotels and their surrounding destinations.
The White Lotus Season 3, filmed at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
(Image credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros.)
W*: Is there a particular experience, as seen in the show, that you’d recommend trying?
MS: Having travelled to each of our properties that play backdrops in The White Lotus, there is so much to explore in each of the destinations. The outrigger canoe experience in Maui, exploring the cobblestone streets and the Teatro Antico in Taormina, and taking a lesson at the Muay Thai boxing ring in Koh Samui would all be highlights.
For those travelling with Four Seasons in other parts of the world, we are introducing exclusive guest experiences and bookable offerings to celebrate season three of The White Lotus, including screening events, pop-up bars and poolside escapes.
The White Lotus Season 3, filmed at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
(Image credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros.)
W*: For devoted fans of the show, what sort of special experiences or events can they look forward to at Four Seasons properties in celebration of the new season?
MS: To celebrate this new season, we will be introducing exclusive on-property experiences across our portfolio. Soon to be unveiled, these include exclusive screening events in Prague, Koh Samui, and more; Poolside Escape Cabanas in Palm Beach, Napa Valley and Dubai; The White Lotus-inspired pop-up bars in Thailand and Singapore; and The White Lotus Afternoon Tea at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane and select Thai resorts.
The White Lotus Season 3, filmed at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
(Image credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros.)
W*: With the renewal of The White Lotus for a fourth season, what can we expect? Could the next destination be a shift away from the sun-soaked locations?
MS: We are thrilled that The White Lotus has been renewed for a fourth season and look forward to seeing how the story unfolds.
The White Lotus Season 3 premiers this Sunday, 16 February 2025 at 9 pm EST/PST on HBO and Max
📅 Published on: 2025-02-14 04:04:00
🖋️ Author: – An expert in architectural innovation and design trends.
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