The HBO series White Lotus has certainly shone a spotlight on the luxury hotel life of Sicily, though you may – or indeed may not – be relieved to know that the reality is very different. Guests are better dressed, décor cooler (those gruesome passion-killing testa di moro ceramic heads are rarer ) and murders unlikely. Indeed Sicily has an extraordinary and original portfolio of luxury hotels, ranging from recently refurbished grand hotels like Villa Igiea in Palermo, and the San Domenico Palace in Taormina, where series two of The White Lotus was filmed, to hip-luxe retreats on small islands, on vineyards, on the slopes of Mount Etna and in the bijou Baroque town of Noto. Here are the best five-star hotels in Sicily.
How we review
Every hotel in this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, who are usually hosted on a complimentary basis. They stay for a minimum of one night, test at least one meal and trial other experiences that the hotel might have to offer.
Frequently asked questions
Where was The White Lotus filmed?
The second series of The White Lotus was filmed in and around the north east-coast of Sicily. The Four Seasons hotel named San Domenico Palace was where most of the story took place – and is the location of the fictious 'White Lotus' hotel that the series is named after.
Can you stay at the White Lotus hotel?
The White Lotus is not a real hotel, but you can of course stay at San Domenico Palace, you will however need a substantial budget as, like the show suggests, it is the type of place high-end travellers book for luxury holidays (with a starting room rate from around £1,000 a night).
Contributions by Mary Luissiana, Lee Marshall