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How a Travel Editor Predicted The White Lotus Season 4 Location
Foreseeing the future has never been my strong suit, but after accurately prophesying that season 4 of HBO's acclaimed series The White Lotus would be filmed at Château de la Messardière in Saint-Tropez, I might consider adding clairvoyance to my professional credentials.
Recent reports confirmed the anthology will shoot at this exquisite French property, yet my prediction was published last April in an article where The Independent's travel team shared their destination speculations for the next instalment of the hit show.
The Perfect White Lotus Candidate
To select a potential location, I drew upon my extensive experience as a travel journalist, recalling the many luxurious properties I've visited over the years. Château de la Messardière immediately stood out with its undeniable opulence, breathtaking sea views, exotic Riviera setting, and multiple swimming pools. These are precisely the elements that have captivated The White Lotus location scouts in previous seasons.
However, one potential complication gave me pause. The hotel is not part of the Four Seasons brand, which has featured prominently in all three seasons so far, with properties in Maui, Taormina, and Koh Samui becoming instant bucket-list destinations for viewers.
I pondered whether the production team might opt for a change of scenery. Moreover, Château de la Messardière possesses inherent dramatic qualities that make it ideal for television. The main building is a magnificent chateau constructed in 1904 as a wedding gift from cognac merchant Gabriel Dupuy d'Angeac to his daughter Louise and her husband, cavalry officer Henry Brisson de La Messardière.
The property stands alone on a hill, surrounded by umbrella pine trees with superyachts anchored in glistening bays beyond. This picturesque setting would create a mesmerising opening aerial shot, perfectly capturing the show's aesthetic.
A Family Stay to Remember
Writing for The Independent last year, I mused that actors would have their work cut out for them because this hotel is a scene-stealer like no other, glamorous from top to bottom. This was no exaggeration, as my family's stay at the property remains filed in my memory banks' unforgettable section.
We discovered how Château de la Messardière, part of the prestigious Airelles Collection, earned the coveted palace rating from the French government, an honour reserved for hotels that enhance the nation's global reputation. The property's exceptional pools certainly contributed to this distinction.
The hotel features four swimming pools, including a gorgeous shell-shaped mosaiced pool in front of the turreted main building, a 25-metre lap pool, an indoor pool within the 10,700-square-foot spa complex, and a fully supervised outdoor pool at the Kids' Club Villa. This children's kingdom includes a cinema, mini-farm, trampolines, tree house, and arcade games, creating a paradise for younger guests.
Luxurious Amenities and Dining
Children receive special attention throughout the property. In our sumptuous room, staff had thoughtfully set up a little wigwam for our young daughter, complete with a goody bag and cuddly bee toy. One of the hotel's flagship perks for all ages is being transported to the private Jardin Tropezina beach in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV, though we found ourselves unwilling to leave the hotel's dreamy environs.
We spent considerable time relaxing by that statement mosaiced pool, which features an enticing shallow section perfect for little ones. Occasionally, we would wander through the elegant gardens or retreat from the sun to ensconce ourselves on terrace sofas amid some of France's plumpest cushions, sipping refreshing watermelon-infused beverages while supercar-owning guests (the car park was filled with Ferraris and Lamborghinis) captured the scenery with their camera phones.
When hunger struck, we enjoyed poolside beef with creamy mash accompanied by Crozes-Hermitage red wine, along with delectable Japanese dishes and drinks at the hotel's excellent Matsuhisa Saint-Tropez restaurant. Here we savoured wagyu tacos, king crab tempura, and sake cocktails while gazing transfixed at boats bobbing in Pampelonne Bay below.
From Prediction to Reality
The entire stay represented pure bliss from beginning to end, which leads me to one final prediction. I anticipate that many viewers will be second-screening season 4 of Mike White's cult series while simultaneously browsing Château de la Messardière's online booking page, inspired to experience this luxurious destination for themselves.
Rooms at Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière start from £996, 1,150 euros, or $1,340 per night.
