I stayed in a $2,248 a night room at 'The White Lotus' hotel in Sicily, and although it was the most beautiful place I've ever visited, it wasn't worth the price tag

Mikhaila FrielMay 13, 2023, 17:22 IST

Mikhaila Friel, left, at San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel, in Taormina, Sicily, and the same hotel featured in "The White Lotus," right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, HBO

I spent one night at the real "The White Lotus" hotel in Taormina, Sicily.
My room at San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel, cost $2,248 for one night.

Anyone who has watched season two of "The White Lotus" knows the hotel is a character of its own.

The main characters in the series fought, had affairs, and caused drama while vacationing at the glamorous five-star resort in Taormina, Sicily. From watching Portia lounge at the infinity pool to Mia and Lucia getting up to mischief at the piano bar, the show certainly transported its viewers to a land of luxury.

The hotel, which is known as San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel in real life, dates back to 1896 and has welcomed a multitude of famous guests, including Oscar Wilde, King Edward VIII, and Elizabeth Taylor, according to its website.

And just like in the show, those who visit San Domenico Palace tend to be wealthy. The starting rate for an overnight stay ranges from €1,900 to €2,500 (or around $2,087 to $2,746), and prices vary depending on the time of year, the demand, and the type of room, a spokesperson for the hotel informed me as I was writing this article.

As a keen traveler and a big fan of the show, I was eager to see how my favorite fictional characters and the other half live. So in April, I booked a room and spent one night there. Here's what it was like.

I stayed overnight at "The White Lotus" hotel in Sicily, and it was the most expensive establishment I've ever set foot in.

The exterior of San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel, in Taormina, Sicily.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was excited to see parts of the hotel I'd grown accustomed to seeing on screen, such as the infinity pool and the piano bar.

The exterior of the hotel shown in the second season of "The White Lotus."HBO

The hotel dates back to 1896 and has welcomed many famous faces over the years.

The interior of San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel, in Taormina, Sicily.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The hotel is located in Taormina, a picturesque town on the east coast of Sicily, Italy.

A view of Taormina, Sicily, from the Principe Cerami restaurant at San Domenico Palace.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

But unlike the characters in the show, I didn't arrive at the hotel by boat. In real life, there is no private beach and the beaches in Taormina are extremely rocky.

The rocky beaches in Taormina, Sicily.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The bus journey from Catania to Taormina was spectacular.

The view from the bus traveling from Catania to Taormina.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

After arriving at Taormina's bus terminal in the town center, I took a taxi to the hotel which was less than 10 minutes away.

The entrance to the hotel.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was immediately impressed with the good customer service.

Holding my complimentary glass of sparkling orange drink upon my arrival at the hotel lobby.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was then shown to my sea-view terrace room.

The sea-view terrace room at San Domenico Palace.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

My favorite part of the room was the terrace.

The balcony in my hotel room.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The decor completed the room.

Another view of the San Domenico Palace hotel room.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

On the table, there was a selection of complimentary treats that had been left by the hotel's PR team.

The table in my hotel room.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

And there were even more treats on the cabinet under the TV.

Complimentary treats in my hotel room.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Instead of a traditional mini fridge, there was a gigantic closet with water, a coffee machine, and a selection of tea.

Inside the hotel room closet.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The bathroom was spacious, clean, and modern.

The bathroom.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Afterward, it was time to explore the rest of the hotel.

Mikhaila is photographed on the terrace of her hotel room in Taormina, Sicily.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The ancient artwork made it feel more like a museum than a hotel.

One of the lounge areas in the hotel.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Aside from breakfast, access to the gym and outdoor pool were the only other major perks included in my $2,248 stay.

The gym at San Domenico Palace.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The hotel also has a spa.

The spa at San Domenico Palace in Sicily.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Then, it was time for some browsing at the hotel's jewelry store, where guests spend thousands — and sometimes millions — of euros on souvenirs.

The jewelry store in the hotel.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

There are less expensive items too, but you will still need a couple of hundred euros worth of spending money.

Jewelry on display at the hotel store.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Next, it was time to visit Bar and Chiostro, the iconic piano bar where I had booked a table for dinner.

Bar and Chiostro is used as the piano bar in "The White Lotus."Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was seated at a table with a window view.

My seat at the piano bar.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

As it was my first time in Italy, I knew that I had to try the pasta.

A photo of my meal at the piano bar.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The next morning, I started the day with the breakfast buffet at the hotel's main restaurant, which was also featured in the show.

The entrance to Principe Cerami.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I felt like a character from "The White Lotus" as I made my way to my table in the outdoor section of the restaurant.

Outdoor seating at Principe Cerami.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

My table had fantastic views of the sea and the hotel's garden.

Mikhaila's view during breakfast at Principe Cerami.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The restaurant offered an à la carte menu and a buffet, and I opted for the buffet.

The breakfast buffet.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Inspired by Aubrey Plaza, I ordered a cannoli.

The chef prepared a cannoli.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

In addition to my cannoli, I had a bowl of strawberries, a vanilla pastry, blood-orange juice, and a cup of tea.

My breakfast at Principe Cerami.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Midway through my meal, a server arrived with a complimentary plate of pancakes, crêpes, and waffles, with a tiny "welcome" sign on top.

The selection of complimentary treats.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

After breakfast, I explored the outdoor grounds of the hotel, including the garden and infinity pool.

The garden and outdoor lounge area.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

One thing I loved about the hotel — and Taormina — is that there seemed to be flowers everywhere.

Flowers on the exterior of the hotel.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The garden has around 40 different types of citrus, according to a hotel spokesperson.

The citrus garden at San Domenico Palace.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Then I made it to the infinity pool, one of the things I was most looking forward to.

The infinity pool.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

There was only one other person in the pool when I arrived.

The pool area at "The White Lotus" hotel in Taormina.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The pool was pretty cold, but I loved it.

Mikhaila is pictured at the pool.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

My favorite thing about San Domenico Palace was the surrounding natural scenery that you can see from the hotel.

The view of flowers and Mount Etna from the hotel.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

At lunchtime, I visited Anciovi, the poolside restaurant that was also featured in the show.

The Anciovi restaurant at San Domenico Palace.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The Anciovi restaurant was also used to film scenes in the show.

The view from the Anciovi restaurant.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was seated close to the bar for lunch.

Mikhaila's table at the Anciovi restaurant.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I ordered pasta alla norma, a classic Sicilian dish.

Mikhaila's meal at the Anciovi restaurant.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to San Domenico Palace, but I didn't think it was worth thousands of dollars.

Mikhaila pictured in her hotel room in Taormina, Sicily.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I explored an abandoned resort town in the Great Smoky Mountains where wealthy city dwellers vacationed 100 years ago. Take a look around.

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