Everything You Need to Know about San Domenico Palace, the Resort from ‘The White Lotus’ Season 2

It shouldn’t surprise fans that booking a room at this luxurious Four Seasons property might be tough for a while.
San Domenico Palace
The incredible setting offers magnificent views of Mt. Etna and the Ionian Sea. San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel

Few TV shows and movies have lit a powder keg around pop culture travel quite like HBO’s smash hit series, The White Lotus. Out of everything that has been set and filmed in paradise—or set in one tropical destination but made in another—no production has invoked Liz Lemon’s catchphrase “I want to go to there” quite like this one, and thanks to the recently concluded second season, all eyes are reportedly on Sicily.

Specifically, people have been Googling and Asking Jeeves like crazy: Which resort did the characters stay at? The answer is the phenomenal San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel in Taormina.

Royal Suite
Every palace needs a Royal Suite, and this one will make any peasant feel like a king. San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Thanks, I’m going to book a room now!” Unfortunately, for starters, the hotel is closed until March 14 as the staff prepares for what will presumably be one of the biggest years in its history. And when it finally reopens, interest in this property is already sky high, which means it will be busy. Contrary to some reports, the Palace’s reps tell me it isn’t completely sold out for 2023, but it’s probably going to take a lot of praying and refreshing the booking page, unless your schedule is open the week of June 5. 

In the meantime, we can all do what we do best: daydream. And San Domenico Palace makes that especially easy.

Long Before Jennifer Coolidge

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor once had a grand time at the Palace, prior to a headache. San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel

Prior to becoming a hotel in 1896, San Domenico Palace was a convent, which makes the fact that a newspaper once called Taormina “Disneyland of sin” very amusing. Why did it earn that reputation? We’ll leave that to local legends; however, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize that the wealthy and famous guests who have checked in for more than a century—from Baron Rothschild in its earliest days to Audrey Hepburn in the 1960s and Madonna just last year—probably treated the property and its surroundings like a playground.

San Domenico Palace garden
Talented guests undoubtedly drew inspiration from the hotel’s beautiful gardens. San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel

The Palace has been as much a haven for some of the world’s greatest writers, including Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, Henry Miller, Oscar Wilde, and D.H. Lawrence, as it has a place to be seen for glamourous stars of their times, like Sophia Loren, Joan Crawford, and Ingrid Bergman. And while it was Greta Garbo’s annual getaway for nearly 30 years, it might be better known as the place where Elizabeth Taylor El Kabong’d Richard Burton with a mandolin on their room’s terrace.

What Makes It So Amazing?

plunge pool
Romance has always been a primary element here. San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel

Where else would a palace exist in Italian paradise than on a promontory that offers captivating views of Mt. Etna and the Ionian Sea? In fact, that’s the “Thing the Show Gets Wrong” about the setting, because there’s no way for guests to arrive by boat—the real dock is at La Cambusa at Giardini Naxos—and the beach scenes are actually filmed at Unahotels Capotaormina. Small screen embellishments aside, there’s still so much to love on-property.

All great vacations begin in the accommodations, and visitors may find it hard to leave their rooms, no matter the choice, from the 301-sq. ft. Superior Room to the 1,507-sq. ft. Royal Suite. Five is a special number here, because that’s how many types of guest rooms, suites, and specialty suites there are to choose from, and they’re all luxurious. Although, the Executive Suite with Plunge Pool might take the cake. Just leave the string instruments inside.

pool
If a regular picture is worth a thousand words, a selfie here might be valued at 6 billion. an Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel

Guests who want to relax in the water might even prefer a dip in the hotel’s infinity pool to the sea below, because the former is where creative cocktails and delicious bites from Anciovi are enjoyed. Mornings can be spent strolling through the lush gardens before heading out to lunch at any of the town’s various restaurants, but at least one evening should be spent at the Palace’s Michelin-starred Principe Cerami, where celebrated chef Massimo Mantarro’s signature dishes leave visitors speechless. 

With a location this convenient, the concierge can help schedule a car rental for exploring the landmarks and some of the other neighboring cities. Of course, a day trip to the island of Ortigia is the icing on the cake. Just don’t take too long to book or else we might learn where season three is taking place and fall in love all over again. 

Could an Asian resort be in the cards? That seems to have the best odds right now.

Email Newsletters and Special Offers

Sign up for Islands emails to receive features on travel destinations, event listings and product reviews as well as special offers on behalf of Islands’ partners.

By signing up you agree to receive communications from Islands and select partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You may opt out of email messages/withdraw consent at any time.