Located atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Ionian Sea, the stunning hotel where White Lotus filmed its second season is like heaven on Earth.
San Domenico Palace is a magnificent hotel located in the beautiful hillside town of Taormina on the east coast of Sicily. Originally an ancient Dominican monastery dating back to the 15th century, this building (that has been a Four Seasons property since 2020) has been restored into a luxury hotel, preserving its historic architecture and character.
Now, it is also the prime stage where White Lotus filmed its iconic second season.
About “The White Lotus”
The White Lotus is an HBO hit series that works as a social satire, following the guests and staff members of the fictional White Lotus Hotel over the course of one week, exploring the varied dysfunctions of these characters who unleash their worst, most privileged impulses.
In its second season, this academy-winning series takes place in Sicily (particularly in Taormina, where White Lotus filmed most of its scenes) and counts on an all-star cast that includes names such as Jennifer Coolidge, Aubrey Plaza, F. Murray Abraham, Meghann Fahy, and Michael Imperioli.
Inside San Domenico Palace
The San Domenico Palace serves as the perfect backdrop for The White Lotus, with its unique blend of historic architecture and modern luxury. The hotel’s decor, which is a beautiful tribute to its past, adds to the show’s dramatic yet calming atmosphere, really leaning on luxury and opulence.
Throughout the series, viewers get a glimpse into various amenities and common areas of the White Lotus Hotel, including its elegant sitting rooms, beautiful gardens, and rooftop infinity pool.
When it comes to the latter, the pool area, which offers an amazing view of the Mediterranean Sea, is also where some of the most memorable scenes in “The White Lotus” take place. In the show, the pool serves as a gathering place for the guests, who lounge on the sun deck, sip cocktails, and engage in intrigue.
One can clearly see why this was one of the spots chosen for the show, minding its cliffside carved pool (which plays into the opulent and dramatic aesthetic) with tiles that complement the sea and sky’s blue and green tones.
The hotel’s restaurants are also highlighted, including the “Principe Cerami,” which is the setting for several important scenes that happen in the White Lotus Hotel. This restaurant serves as a perfect example of the predominantly white, neutral palette of the resort, which creates a calming atmosphere where details shine to express elegance and luxury.
Regarding these details, they can be found throughout the hotel where White Lotus filmed and serve as a representation of Sicilian glamour and luxury, from the smoke-colored mirrored glasses to the colorful ceramic pieces or the bronze details spread throughout the resort, which are also key examples of the hotel’s beautiful blend of historical elements and modern luxury.
The furnishing of the White Lotus hotel is another key example of this same blend of styles since the rooms are decorated with luxurious furniture, which includes antique-style furniture, plush bedding, and modern amenities.
Focusing on the guest rooms, it’s important to highlight that each one of these is unique, being that no two rooms are quite the same minding the fact that the convent dates back to the 14th century.
But an even bigger secret about the show is that the majority of the character’s rooms (including Ethan and Harper’s and Daphne and Cameron’s suites) were recorded on a separate soundstage to allow for better lighting and equipment.
Another very important part of the White Lotus Hotel design is the artwork, something that is directly tied into the screenplay, making subtle references to each character in the frames. But the pieces of art showcased in the show are not part of the real hotel and, actually, only part of the White Lotus Hotel redesign.
However, the real hotel where white lotus filmed its second season does feature some impressive artistic objects such as medieval paintings, frescos, and statues.
A Paradise of Sorts
In the show, the White Lotus Hotel is portrayed as a paradise of sorts where guests can escape their problems and indulge in luxury. So it’s pretty clear that in choosing the hotel where White Lotus filmed its second season, the team behind the series managed to perfectly and seamlessly get that exact look through San Domenico Palace’s grandeur and sense of history that can transport guests to a bygone era of glamour and excess.
For more things related to The White Lotus, check out our article on “the Art Deco Apartment of The White Lotus actor, Michael Imperioli“, and discover a New Yor City apartment filth with art and glamour.
