If you find yourself humming the theme song of “White Lotus” throughout the week, you’re in good company. As we all eagerly anticipate the unfolding destiny of the tragic heroine Tanya, I’m here to serve you a daily infusion of wanderlust, this time inspired by the allure of television.
Television shows often serve as a sanctuary from the rigors of daily life, and those set in breathtaking hotels elevate the escapism to a new level, offering a vicarious travel experience without ever leaving your living room. But what if those dreamy TV getaways could actually be part of your travel itinerary? The good news is they can be. Many of the hotels spotlighted in recent hit shows, including the second season of “White Lotus,” are fully operational and keen to lavish the same indulgence on real-world guests as they do their on-screen counterparts.
To that end, I’ve curated a selection of some of the most enticing options, all warranting a journey beyond your living room and into international locales. However, it’s important to be aware that television series often take creative liberties with names, locations, and other details. For instance, “The Resort,” a new dramedy on Peacock, is set in Mexico but was actually filmed across various sites in Puerto Rico.
White Lotus (HBO)
Hotel: San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel
Location: Taormina, Sicily
My excitement peaked when Mike White, the mastermind behind “White Lotus,” revealed that the show’s upcoming second season would transport us all, albeit imaginatively, to the enchanting landscape of Sicily. In this freshly-released installment on HBO Max, Jennifer Coolidge reprises her role as Tanya McQuoid, an affluent yet solitary woman on a quest for life-enriching experiences. She takes off to the San Domenico Palace in Sicily, a luxurious Four Seasons property with a rich history, originally established as a 14th-century convent. As viewers, we meet a colorful array of other guests who also inhabit the hotel, set against the stunning backdrop of the Sicilian coast, complete with views of Mount Etna and the remains of an age-old theater. While everything appears to be an epitome of Italian luxury and the proverbial ‘dolce vita,’ the show retains its signature style as the polished exterior starts to unravel, revealing hidden complexities.
If you’re in the mood for an invigorating journey to Hawai’i—sans the melodrama—the show’s first season was filmed at the sophisticated Four Seasons in Maui. (For additional inspiration on Hawaiian escapades, particularly for families, you might want to peruse this comprehensive guide on the most family-friendly Hawaiian islands.)
Emily in Paris (Netflix)
Hotel: Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat
Location: Côte d’Azur, France
The second season of Netflix’s “Emily in Paris,” featuring Lily Collins as Emily Cooper—an American transplant navigating her career at a French marketing agency—is a veritable celebration of design, replete with avant-garde attire and authentically Parisian backdrops. Given its aesthetic focus, it’s hardly surprising that the recent episodes showcase one of France’s most opulent accommodations: the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat. This Four Seasons establishment, perched gracefully above the Mediterranean Sea, exudes both glamour and royalty. With a guest history that includes luminaries like Elizabeth Taylor and Winston Churchill, the hotel boasts Michelin-starred dining, the globally-acclaimed Club Dauphin, and a world-class spa directed by the in-demand Swiss dermatologist Dr. Pauline Burgener. The property offers nothing less than the archetypal South of France experience. Fans will be pleased to know that “Emily in Paris” is set to unveil its third season in late December.
The Resort (Peacock)
Hotel: Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve / The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan
Location: Dorado, Puerto Rico / San Juan, Puerto Rico
The intriguing dark comedy “The Resort” on Peacock tracks a couple celebrating their anniversary with a trip to Riviera Maya, only to stumble upon the unsettling history of unresolved disappearances that have marred the area for years. While their vacation turns out to be, let’s say, far from idyllic, viewers can still indulge in a much more delightful holiday by visiting the actual filming locations. These include Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve situated on a 50-acre stretch of the iconic Rockefeller estate, or the Ritz-Carlton San Juan, an upscale sanctuary located on an exclusive two-mile expanse of private beach.
Modern Love (Amazon Prime)
Hotel: Arlo NoMad
Location: New York City, New York
Even though the second season of Amazon Prime’s romantic comedy anthology “Modern Love” debuted last year, my thoughts keep drifting back to the stylish Arlo Hotel featured in the first season. In that particular episode, Dev Patel portrays a journalist who interviews a dating app CEO, played by Catherine Keener, delving into her romantic history. This conversation, punctuated by reflective flashbacks, unfolds at the Arlo Hotel, nestled in New York’s urbane and gastronomically enticing NoMad district. Guests at the Arlo can opt for creatively designed bunk rooms, sip on rooftop beverages while soaking in vistas of the city’s radiant skyline, and relish the culinary offerings of the hotel’s exceptional Middle Eastern eatery, Lamalo—a definite highlight for any New York itinerary.
Love is Blind (Netflix)
Hotel: Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Location: Costa Mujeres, Cancún
The idea of meeting someone for the very first time only after agreeing to marry them may seem like a nerve-wracking proposition, yet that’s precisely the concept behind Netflix’s reality dating show, “Love is Blind.” Should a proposal ensue, the freshly betrothed pair is whisked away to a luxurious resort. In the case of the show’s inaugural season, the destination is the Grand Velas Riviera Maya, a sumptuous, all-encompassing beachfront haven situated near Mayan archaeological sites, verdant jungles, and subterranean caverns. This Yucatecan retreat is not only ideal for couples—whether newly engaged or otherwise—but also welcoming for families. It offers a gastronomic feast for the palate and a smorgasbord of activities, ranging from adrenaline-fueled adventures to serene pastimes, enabling guests to customize their Mexican escapade to their heart’s content.
Inventing Anna (Netflix)
Hotel: La Mamounia / 11 Howard
Location: Marrakech, Morocco / New York, New York
In the gripping Netflix series “Inventing Anna,” appearances are often deceiving. Anna Delvey, with her enigmatic charm and brazen confidence, hoodwinks New York’s high society into believing she’s a fabulously affluent German heiress. Though this narrative is entirely fabricated, it doesn’t deter this master of deception from experiencing life in the lap of luxury, often at some of the globe’s most opulent hotels. One standout is La Mamounia in Marrakech—a palatial establishment replete with sumptuous suites and riads, four fine-dining establishments (two under the stewardship of Jean-Georges Vongerichten), a high-end spa, a casino, golf facilities, and an array of chic bars and lounges.
Anna’s taste for luxury also extends to 11 Howard, located in New York City’s fashionable SoHo district. There, she dispenses extravagant tips as if they were trinkets, at least until the establishment notices the absence of a credit card associated with their once-adored patron. The source of her funds remains an enigma. Nonetheless, for those with more conventional tipping habits, 11 Howard offers an inviting, stylish retreat in the heart of downtown Manhattan, complete with a celebrated French eatery and an infrared wellness spa.