The most iconic ‘set-jetting’ hotels where the fantasy comes to life
Some hotels do more than appear on screen - they define the fantasy. The best ‘set-jetting’ addresses offer genuine substance behind the spotlight: history, location, and a standard of service unmatched by many. Whether you're drawn by the story or simply by somewhere exceptional, your personal Travel Counsellor can shape the whole trip around you - discreetly, and down to the last detail. From Sicily's White Lotus glamour to Bond's floating palace in Udaipur, these are the places where film, television, and real-world luxury meet, and where the experience lives up to the reputation.
San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel
You'll recognise this hotel instantly from The White Lotus Season 2 - the grand terraces, the sun-bleached stone, and the cliffside setting that framed so much of the drama between the show's guests. Yet San Domenico Palace earned its reputation long before HBO arrived. Reimagined by Four Seasons from a 14th-century convent, the hotel is perched on a rocky promontory above the Ionian Sea and has been recognised with Three Michelin Keys, the highest accolade for exceptional hospitality. The result is a rare blend of monastic calm and grand-hotel glamour, where former cloisters and vaulted corridors give way to refined contemporary interiors and some of the most cinematic views in Sicily.
The clifftop infinity pool is the centrepiece, perched above the Mediterranean with panoramic views along the coastline as you swim. Beyond it, you'll find fragrant Italian gardens and Michelin-starred dining crafted from local Sicilian ingredients. The hotel's central position puts you steps from Taormina’s piazzas, shops, and historic landmarks, so a typical day might include a visit to the ancient Greek Theatre at golden hour, a private boat along the coast around Isola Bella, or a guided trip towards Mount Etna.
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
A majestic palace-turned-hotel, Taj Lake Palace appears to float on Udaipur's Lake Pichola. Its white marble shimmers against the water exactly as it did in the 1983 Bond film Octopussy, where it doubled as the floating home of the title character and her entourage. Framed by the Aravalli mountains, the property carries genuine royal heritage, with princely décor, intricate wooden lattice, and Mewari grandeur at every turn. Bond himself reaches it across the lake, and that same approach is still part of the magic today.
A former royal residence on Lake Pichola, the palace now holds just 65 rooms and 18 grand suites, each one steeped in regal Mewari character. Inside, you'll find hand-painted detailing and artwork that nods to centuries of royal history, while many rooms frame serene views across the lake towards the City Palace on the shore. Dining is just as considered, with romantic, resident-only experiences arranged on the water, in candlelit courtyards, or beneath the stars. This hotel pairs beautifully with a wider Rajasthan itinerary. A few days here work well alongside private touring of Udaipur, a guided visit to the City Palace on the lakeshore, and a boat trip to the Jag Mandir island palace.
Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, A Four Seasons Hotel
Few hotels are as closely tied to a single film as the Beverly Wilshire is to Pretty Woman. Four Seasons describes it as the central filming location for the 1990 film, and the hotel even offers a ‘Pretty Woman for a Day’ experience, with suite accommodation, Rodeo Drive fashion access, and private dining. Open since 1928, this Four Seasons property has welcomed celebrities, royalty, and the international elite, and, being only steps from the iconic Rodeo Drive, you’re right in the heart of the glamour of Beverly Hills.
The interiors blend old-Hollywood glamour with soft pastels and a contemporary touch, and the Beverly Suites reveal views across the Hollywood Hills from double-width balconies, while the Mediterranean-style outdoor pool is an elegant spot to retreat between excursions. Dining is a draw in itself, with CUT by Wolfgang Puck (yes, the man behind the Oscars’ official after party for over three decades), a Michelin-recommended steakhouse, on-site for guests to experience. If you wish to pair a stay here with a wider California holiday or even incorporate it into a Pacific Coast Highway itinerary, just let your Travel Counsellor know and they’ll handle all the details.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris
The French capital is synonymous with style, and this hotel is Paris as cinema imagines it: red awnings, Avenue Montaigne, and that easy haute-couture energy that is so tricky to replicate. Hôtel Plaza Athénée, part of the Dorchester Collection, has appeared in Emily in Paris, Sex and the City, The Devil Wears Prada, and Something's Gotta Give because of this very reason - few hotels carry that much screen pedigree so lightly.
The hotel sits on the city's most fashionable avenue, with the Eiffel Tower at one end and the Champs-Élysées at the other. The Eiffel Tower-view suites deliver the classic Paris fantasy, while interiors channel the spirit of haute couture throughout. Dining is led by visionary chef Jean Imbert, whose Michelin-starred restaurant anchors the hotel. There’s also Le Bar, which pairs handcrafted cocktails with the finest Dom Pérignon champagnes, and the Dior Spa, reopened in 2023, which builds on the hotel's long association with Christian Dior. To enhance your stay, we can secure suites, tables, and treatments quietly around your schedule.
Your handcrafted stay starts here
Each of these hotels offers something rare: a genuine sense of place, exceptional service, and the privacy that matters most. Your personal Travel Counsellor can take care of every detail, from private transfers and reserved experiences to an itinerary shaped entirely around you, so you can feel like the main character of your next getaway.
Contact your Travel Counsellor today to get things started.
