Mary-Kate and Ashley, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Sundays and Scary Things: There are things that just belong together.
While many people watched HBO “White Lotus” and Four Seasons As a similar combination, some astute readers have suggested that TPG is a sign that the fictional White Lotus hotel chain might switch to a different franchise for a third season. will take place in Thailand.
While most stores (including this one) assumed that one of Four Seasons’ four properties in Thailand would be the destination for the next season, many readers pointed to the fact that the Reservations at Amanpuri – an Aman resort in Phuket – were blocked from June to August.
TPG confirmed the closing dates with Aman’s booking system and noted that these dates show availability at each Four Seasons hotel in Thailand.
The first season of “White Lotus” was filmed at Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea during the blockade in 2020 while the resort remains closed to guests. The second season, filmed at the San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel in Sicily, began shooting while the resort was closed for public holidays in early 2022.
Thus, Amanpuri’s three months without a presence may be the best clue as to the direction of the third season.
A spokesperson for Aman declined to comment on why the hotel stopped taking bookings for three months, and representatives for HBO and Four Seasons did not respond to comment in time for publication.
But hotel industry sources believe that the Four Seasons-HBO marriage wasn’t necessarily the key to the third season of “The White Lotus.”
Several properties from different hotel companies are vying to be the new host hotel – the hospitality industry is the equivalent of hosting the Summer Olympics. Who can blame them?
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According to a report last year by Expedia Group, streamed movies and TV shows are now the top source of travel inspiration — surpassing social media posts and on par with recommendations from family and friends.
“Hotels are very ‘glamorous’ places for movies, TV shows and books to present plot twists and excitement. The TV series ‘Hotel’ ran for 5 years in the 80’s and was based on a novel; the ‘St. Gregory Hotel’ is really the Fairmont San Francisco,” said Leora Lanz, assistant dean of academic affairs at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Management. “Although it’s not a hotel, let’s see what the ‘Love Boat’ series did for the Princess [Cruises]. There’s definitely a similarity there.”
Why Amen?
Don’t expect Aman to change course anytime soon and casually talk about whether “The White Lotus” is actually filming at the Phuket hotel. Prudence lies in its brand DNA.
The brand is known for its attentive service, ultra-luxury accommodations, and seclusion. There’s even a term for avid followers of the brand: Aman addicts.
So if you’ve ever stayed at an Aman (expect a few thousand dollars a night on the cheapest rooms at the brand’s New York City hotel) and you see a Kardashian passing by – don’t say hello.
You’re not staying at one of these hotels to flirt with strangers at the bar, which could make for an interesting spin in the new season of “The White Lotus.”
How The Four Seasons Deal Was Born
Specifics are limited on how Four Seasons agreed to be the original surrogate franchise for the fictional White Lotus series.
Show creator Mike White previously said in an interview with journalist Katie Couric that HBO approached him about writing a show that could be shot entirely in a bubble-style setting due to coronavirus safety precautions. Thus, the idea of filming at a luxury resort was born.
While HBO initially pushed back filming in Hawaii, the final deal with Four Seasons provided business for a hotel that was closed due to the blockade. The first season was a huge success and the franchise grew to include a second Four Seasons resort in Sicily.
It’s a risk that seems to have paid off: In the US, more than two-thirds of American travelers consider visiting a destination after seeing it on an online movie or TV show, according to Expedia. 61% actually booked a trip, which may explain why prices are so high at both Four Seasons hotels featured in “The White Lotus”.
But brands aren’t always ready to play ball.
Singapore Airlines was rejected participated in “Crazy Rich Asians,” while The Metropolitan Museum of Art doesn’t want to do anything with the 1999 reboot of “The Thomas Crown Affair,” depicting an art heist at a museum in New York City. The Met seems to have changed its tune by allowing “Oceans 8” to screen a museum jewelry heist during the Met Gala.
On the other hand, some travel brand appearances may leave you scratching your head: Delta Air Lines’ signage is featured prominently in some of the “Contagion” opening scenes.
More hotels on the silver screen
Analysts expect more targeted brand relationships to be featured in movies and TV shows in the future.
The current season of “Succession” includes an episode with the Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldal, Norway (disclosure alert!) as the backdrop for heated negotiations between the Roy family and a potential buyer of the property. their company. Interest in the hotel spiked this week after last week’s episode.
“These types of media crossovers have been very successful,” said Richard Clarke, executive director of hospitality at Bernstein. “One of the biggest success stories is ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’, the Formula 1 documentary on Netflix, which has drastically increased interest in Formula 1 in the US, where it was never particularly popular.”
The Park Hyatt Tokyo shot to fame after appearing on the silver screen in the 2003 film “Lost in Translation” starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. Scenes depict the duo regularly socializing in the hotel’s New York bar overlooking Tokyo. The hotel is expected to close for a full-scale renovation later this year. Even hotels that steal scenes sometimes need retouching.
Related: Park Hyatt Tokyo will close in 2024 for much-needed year-long remodeling
Clarke also shows how real estate agents use media relationships to sell expensive homes like $29 million apartment in New York City used as the fictional home for Kendall Roy in “Succession.”
He added: “Perhaps we will see more media to support specific attributes. “You will see more of this kind of guerrilla media where people will watch the Four Seasons [and] ‘White lotus’ and say, ‘Oh, actually, this is where we want to stay.’”
That’s great news for hotel companies trying to land a coveted spot on a hit TV show or movie.
But be prepared to save if you plan on staying at one of these hotels.
Lanz said: “I imagine the San Domenico Palace will do very well in terms of occupancy and reasonable prices this summer, the expected result from tourist demand with the remaining support from perception the palace received from the performance. “How many of us are trying to guess which hotel will be the location for Season Three? It’s a fun and cult favorite pop icon, and it’s great to have such fun things to entertain away from the real world.”
She then added (disclosure alert!): “We just wish Jennifer Coolidge could come back.”
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