San Domenico Palace White Lotus Season 2

Watching White Lotus? Here’s What To Know About The Glam Clifftop Sicily Hotel

Highlights of the newly revamped property include views of the cerulean Ionian sea (views of Theo James not guaranteed)

What do 14th-century Dominican friars, D.H. Lawrence and Audrey Hepburn have in common? All have stayed at San Domenico Palace, a convent turned glamorous hotel for the literati and glitterati alike, in Sicily’s cliff-perched seaside town of Taormina. (In a possibly apocryphal tale, word has it Lawrence was inspired to write Lady Chatterley’s Lover by his time in Taormina, and his wife’s trysts with a local.) The storied property recently underwent a meticulous revamp—with redesigned interiors and rehabbed architectural features (like ancient cloister columns)—and reopened as a Four Seasons destination last July. It recently kicked off its summer season, the first full one since its renovation.

Although newly spruced up, the San Domenico might have the air of familiarity to fans of The White Lotus. The hit HBO show’s second season was filmed at the Sicilian hotel. As White Lotus creator Mike White told NPR, “It seemed like the perfect place to set the show. The original idea was about heavy hitters in business and power, and I was like ‘This is not the right place for that kind of topic.’” Instead, the hotel’s vibe inspired this season’s focus on fantasy and seduction. 

The exterior of San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel, which was originally a 14th-century convent. Photo: Peter Vitale/Four Seasons
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The lobby of the recently restored San Domenico Palace, which reopens for the season in April. Photo: Four Seasons

The space

The luxury hotel encompasses 111 guest rooms and suites, from 290 to about 1,500 square feet, located across two wings—one dating back to the ancient convent era, and one added in 1896. The new interiors were imagined by architect Valentina Pisani, who brought an eye for marrying the contemporary with the historic, pulling in marble, smoked mirrors, bronze details and a neutral palette, with occasional pops of colour. Guests may be too distracted to notice the decor, however: Many rooms come with magical views of Mount Etna or the Ionian Sea, some offering terraces and private plunge pools to soak up the scenery.

Interiors were redesigned in the 111 guest rooms and suites, including the Princess Cecilie Suite. Peter Vitale/Four Seasons

The dining

The signature restaurant, Principe Cerami, serves up Sicilian classics like homemade spaghetti with cuttlefish ink, while the poolside terrace at Anciovi is the spot for casual seafood like catch-of-the-day sashimi, or rigatoni with anchovies and cherry tomatoes. Head to Bar & Chiostro for al fresco aperitivo in the lush courtyard of the Grand Cloister.

Anciovi, one of the on-site restaurants, is the spot for casual seafood like catch-of-the-day sashimi. Photo: Peter Vitale/Four Seasons

The extra amenities

Loungers beside a 69-foot infinity pool, peering over the Ionian Sea, promise the best sun-drenched spot to do nothing at all. Also on the grounds are beautiful Italian gardens, shaded by palm trees, designed for meditative strolling and even fairy-tale weddings. This spectacular pool setting is likely what has inspired White Lotus fans to research the San Domenico—according to TMZ, the hotel has experienced a 70 per cent spike in site traffic since the second season launched.

San Domenico Palace White Lotus Season 2 hotel
Located in Sicily’s cliff-perched town of Taormina, the hotel offers views of the Ionian Sea. Photo: Four Seasons

The nearby sights

A five-minute walk will take you to Corso Umberto, the main thoroughfare in Taormina, where you can browse boutiques in the historic quarter. The hotel’s in-house team is also poised to orchestrate all manner of fanciful experiences, from gazing at the stars in a remote stretch of Mount Etna to yachting along the Sicilian coast.

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