Jace Lamonica
Not all luxury getaways come with the same amenities and hospitality. Some resorts immerse you in a curated world where reality feels suspended. If “The White Lotus” had you craving drama-free decadence, these handpicked destinations promise indulgence, scenery, and character, minus the plot twists.
Four Seasons Resort Maui At Wailea
This is where the first season of “The White Lotus” was filmed, and you can still feel the cinematic calm. Beyond the camera, it’s all polished hospitality: an adults-only infinity pool, beachfront yoga, and suites that open to the endless ocean. Their wellness concierge tailors everything to your body’s actual rhythms.
San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel
Perched high above Sicily’s Ionian Sea, this former monastery-turned-hotel delivers luxury with a sense of drama. Yes, Season 2 was filmed here. But the real scene stealers are the terraced gardens, vaulted cloisters, and a pool that feels carved into history. Mount Etna looms in the background like a silent, elegant threat.
Kalesma Mykonos
Privacy is the main event here. Each villa is designed like a private residence, complete with heated pools, breezy terraces, and interiors that nail the sweet spot between Cycladic tradition and polished minimalism. The staff will greet you by name, not room number. To complete the night, dinner is served around a communal fire, with no reservations needed.
Adare Manor
If High Fantasy had a butler, they’d work here. Set on an 842-acre estate in Ireland, the neo-Gothic manor balances falconry, archery, and Michelin-starred dining with unexpected indulgences like rose quartz facials and gold-leaf desserts. The rooms? Lavishly theatrical, without feeling stuck in time.
Rosewood Mayakoba
Woven into the Riviera Maya’s lagoons and mangroves, this 620-acre resort is accessed by boat. Suites have plunge pools with a dock. There are outdoor showers hidden behind jungle screens. As for room service, it includes mezcal flights and papaya-smeared octopus. The bikes you’ll see? They are custom leather-wrapped.
North Island Lodge, Seychelles
With just 11 villas on a private island, this place is built for barefoot billionaires. Villas open directly onto blindingly white sand, and personal chefs tailor every bite. Conservation is part of the experience, too. Guests often join sea turtle hatchling patrols before returning to champagne breakfasts.
Singita Faru Faru Lodge
You don’t just visit the Serengeti—you stay in the front row. Each suite overlooks the Grumeti River. They also come with binoculars, stocked wine fridges, and telescopes pointed at the stars. Dreamy, isn’t it? Plus, the design is tactile and earthy, with natural textures and muted tones. Just be ready to meet some elephants as neighbors.
Jade Mountain Resort
There are no fourth walls, no doors. Only open sanctuaries framing the Pitons of St. Lucia. Infinity pools at this resort seem to pour into the sea. Each suite is named for a precious stone, and most guests leave more sun-kissed than clothed. Room service comes by a whisper-quiet golf cart. You’ll feel like you’ve left gravity behind.
Badrutt’s Palace, Switzerland
Alpine opulence doesn’t get more storybook. Badrutt’s Palace brings historic grandeur but with serious glamor—fireplaces in every suite, ski valets in fur-trimmed uniforms, and a ballroom that still echoes 1920s jazz. The spa features a 25-meter infinity pool and views that look painted on.
Atlantis The Royal, Dubai
If you’ve ever wanted to experience excess, you get it here at the Atlantis The Royal. The private infinity pools are suspended in the sky! There’s a 90-meter rooftop pool club, celebrity chef restaurants, and daily fireworks that make the Bellagio look shy. Every detail gleams like it was polished by a thousand butlers in unison.
