A travel journalist's prediction for the setting of The White Lotus season 4 has proven remarkably accurate. Ted Thornhill, The Independent's US Travel Editor, foresaw that the hit HBO series would film at the Château de la Messardière in Saint-Tropez, a forecast he made in an article published in April last year. News confirming the location broke recently, validating his prophecy.
The Prediction: Reading the Luxury Tea Leaves
Thornhill made his prediction as part of a team speculation piece on where the next instalment of the anthology series would be shot. Drawing on his experience as a travel journalist, he considered the luxurious properties he had visited. The Château de la Messardière immediately stood out. "It had opulence, sea views, an exotic location and pools," he noted, identifying key elements that have attracted the show's location scouts in the past.
One potential hitch was the hotel's brand. Previous seasons have prominently featured Four Seasons properties in Hawaii, Sicily, and Thailand. However, Thornhill pondered if the producers might opt for a change. He was also captivated by the property's inherent drama. The main chateau was built in 1904 as a wedding gift from cognac merchant Gabriel Dupuy d'Angeac to his daughter Louise and her husband, Henry Brisson de La Messardière. Its hilltop position, surrounded by pines with views of superyacht-filled bays, seemed perfect for the series' signature aerial shots.
A Stay Fit for Television: Inside the Palace Hotel
Thornhill's prediction was informed by a personal, blissful family stay at the hotel, which is part of the Airelles Collection. The property holds the French government's prestigious "palace" rating, a distinction awarded to hotels that enhance the nation's global reputation. The stay lived up to this accolade in every way.
The hotel's four pools were a major highlight. These include a stunning shell-shaped mosaic pool by the main building, a 25-metre lap pool, an indoor pool in the vast spa complex, and a supervised pool at the dedicated Kids' Club Villa. This children's area is a veritable kingdom, complete with a cinema, mini-farm, trampolines, and a treehouse. Staff even set up a personalised wigwam in the family's room for Thornhill's young daughter, complete with a goody bag.
While guests can be chauffeured to a private beach in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Thornhill's family found it hard to leave the hotel's dreamy grounds. They spent days relaxing by the iconic mosaic pool and wandering the elegant gardens. Evenings were spent dining on poolside beef with mash or exquisite Japanese cuisine at the hotel's Matsuhisa Saint-Tropez restaurant, enjoying wagyu tacos and sake cocktails while overlooking Pampelonne Bay.
The Aftermath: A New Wave of Travel Inspiration
With the filming location now confirmed, Thornhill has a final prediction. He believes that a lot of viewers will be second-screening season 4 with the Château de la Messardière's online booking page open, inspired to plan their own luxurious escape. The hotel's rates start from approximately £996 per night. His successful forecast not only highlights a journalist's keen eye but also underscores the powerful influence television series like The White Lotus have on global travel trends and audience aspirations.
