The White Lotus Effect
TV and Movie Tie-ins for your Next Trip
The Four Seasons resort and hotel chain hit the jackpot with The White Lotus.
Apparently viewers can’t get enough of wealthy Americans behaving badly in the HBO TV series, now in its third season. For those like me, who haven’t seen the final episode, no spoilers here. Just some thoughts about how TV and movies can shape your next great trip. Also in this issue of my FREE monthly newsletter:
Cover up in European beach towns.
Crackdown on fake travel reviews.
Can you use the first-class restroom if you’re flying in economy?
White Lotus Vacation Envy
Although the White Lotus brand is fictional, the episodes were filmed at real Four Seasons resorts in Hawaii, Sicily and Thailand. With more than 12 million viewers tuning in for episodes of Season 3, it’s not surprising that bookings have soared: more than 400% year to year in Maui and over 386% in Taormina, Sicily, according to one hotel executive who praises the “growing connection between travel and pop culture,” especially with sought-after Gen-Z and Millenial travelers.
The tourism boost couldn’t come at a better time for Thailand, which was just beginning to bounce back from the Covid pandemic. Thai officials were quick to assure visitors that a magnitude 7.7 earthquake on March 28 didn’t disrupt operations at Bangkok’s international airport or cause much damage at coastal resorts. According to one report, tourism accounts for 13% of Thailand’s GDP and employs one in five people.
Never mind that the actual plot of The White Lotus suggests that at least one of your fellow guests will be murdered. Or that the attentive staff has their own serious problems. Can’t afford the estimated $9,000 for a night at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui? Not a problem. Even the Los Angeles Times has been suggesting ways for its readers to duplicate the experience closer to home on a budget. I have a few ideas of my own.
Skip the Luxury Resort
Sorry, but those ultra-posh places stress me out. I can do without the constant upselling and people with their hands out for tips. With a bit of detective work, you can find your very own secluded private villa like I did on the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia. It even included a driver and a housekeeper/cook. And at a much lower cost than the equivalent booking at one of St. Lucia’s many fancy resorts. Get the details in this post.
Stay in the USA
For the number of wealthy people per square mile, it’s hard to beat Palm Beach, Florida. It’s full of luxury resorts, including (yes!) the Four Seasons Palm Beach. Come to think of it, that’s not a bad idea for Season 4 of the White Lotus. However, the island famously does not allow movie or TV filming. Even the Apple TV series Palm Royale starring Kristen Wiig was mostly shot in Los Angeles. And then there’s Mar-A-Lago, which creates a traffic nightmare for locals when President Trump is in residence. Check out my YouTube video here.
For a more family-friendly Florida experience that’s easier on the bank account, head up the coast to the beach town of Jupiter, which counts Tiger Woods and other sports figures among its famous residents. It has more of a Jimmy Buffet vibe and one local bar was the backdrop for the music video of “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.”
Try Other TV and Movie Locations
Star Wars fans have seen Skellig Michael, the monastery off the coast of Ireland where Luke Skywalker appears at the end of The Force Awakens. Getting there in real life can be a challenge due to unpredictable weather. Fortunately, as I wrote in this post, there’s a lot to do in the surrounding area. You could sleep in the same bed & breakfast as director J.J.Abrams or visit the pub where actor Mark Hamill learned to pull a proper pint of Guinness.
Game of Thrones also filmed in Ireland, but fans in search of King’s Landing should head to Dubrovnik in Croatia. Try to avoid the peak season, when it seems like everyone in Europe is taking their August holiday on the Croatian coast. There isn’t much you can do about the crush of cruise ship visitors, but I have a few suggestions for how to beat the crowds in Dubrovnik.
If you like to mix your travels with real history, plan a trip to the Normandy coast of France. Even if you’ve seen D-Day depicted in movies like The Longest Day and Saving Private Ryan, walking on the beaches here will give you a new appreciation of the heroes who gave their lives in World War II.
Inventing TV News Book Sale
And while we’re on the subject of movies and TV, my book about the early history of TV news in Los Angeles is on sale for the entire month of April. Download the ebook at a 40% discount at this link, or order the paperback to be shipped to you.
In the News: Cover Up at the Beach in Europe
The Points Guy reports that a growing list of European beach destinations have imposed heavy fines on misbehaving tourists for sins like wearing a bathing suit when you are NOT on the beach. Popular coastal spots in Italy, France, Spain and Croatia are affected. Even if going topless on the beach is fine for both women and men, being shirtless in the town could cost you hundreds of euros.
Crackdown on Fake Travel Reviews
Someone in Italy must have read my newsletter last month about the growing number of fake travel reviews. They are already illegal in Italy, but the tourism ministry has asked Parliament to approve even stricter regulations. Reviews will have to be written within 15 days of visiting a hotel or restaurant and include a receipt or other proof of the visit. The proposal would also ban businesses from offering travelers incentives to write positive reviews. And they are not kidding around. The proposed law calls for fines ranging from five thousand to 10 million euros. It’s not clear how sites like Trip Advisor will deal with the crackdown, if passed. But in the meantime, you can read ALL of my Trip Advisor reviews here.
Can Economy Passengers Use the First Class Restroom?
Well, yes and no. The fine folks at One Mile at a Time have put out some helpful guidance.
For domestic US flights, it might depend on the airline. American and United allow economy passengers to use the lavatory in first class, no questions asked. Delta and Alaska want you to stick to your assigned cabin. The disclaimer here is that you must always follow the crew’s instructions, so they might allow someone to use the toilet up front if there’s a long line in the back. Or send a first-class flier to the back if one of the pilots is taking a break.
On international flights, you are required to use the restroom in the cabin where your seat is located. That’s a government regulation AND airline policy that will be enforced if the crew is paying attention. When I pay extra money or miles for a premium seat, I think it’s nice to have a restroom that might be a little cleaner because fewer people are using it. When I’m in the cheap seats I try to avoid the airplane restroom altogether on a short flight and wait until I’m in the terminal. What do you think? Let me know in the comments.
That’s all the travel news I could flush out for this month. See you in May! Don’t be a stranger.