OK, so you haven’t got the sneaky personality or the murderous chops of a Traitor. You can still book a luxurious castle-stay in the Scottish Highlands and revel in the grand rural atmosphere.
That’s ‘set jetting’ in a nutshell: purposefully booking a holiday somewhere you’ve seen on screen. We think it’s a smart move, since you’ll get all the fascination and giddy excitement of being ‘on set’ – but without the death and drama that makes the show or film so watchable!
We know what you’re thinking now. It’s all well and good to visit the filming location of that binge-worthy TV show or iconic movie, but where exactly will you stay while you’re there?
Don’t worry. We’ve listed some of the most-watched screen fodder, then selected some of our most unique retreats in or near their filming locations. Think of it as a double-whammy holiday: a set jetting location AND an unusual place to stay
Author: Nina Jervis
Main image: The Onion House, Hawaii
Bridgerton and The Crown: London
If you want your break to be infused with heady opulence (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?) then emulating the regal allure of shows like Bridgerton and The Crown is the only way to go.
So pack your pearls and Regency fineries for a Bridgerton-inspired stay in London, and get ready to join the social whirl!
Meanwhile, you might be surprised to learn that the hit royal drama The Crown wasn’t filmed in Buckingham Palace but nearby Lancaster House… regardless, these majestic stays will make you feel suitably lordly.
Gra Houseboat
Follow The Dusk
The Boathouse London
The Harpy Houseboat
Boutique Barges
Poldark: Cornwall
There’s a reason why Cornwall is well-known as ‘Poldark country’. Not only were Winston Graham’s historical tales set there (each Poldark novel is subtitled ‘A Novel of Cornwall’) but the acclaimed TV series was filmed in some of Cornwall’s most iconic locations.
Starring roles are given to the scenic Chapel Porth, Levant Mine, and Church Cove, amongst many others.
Working with the National Trust, filming has directly benefitted local conservation work and illuminated the past lives of intriguing places like the Tin Coast, so you’ll also be staying somewhere that cares.
Kosel Treehouses
Daphne Cottage
Pentire Penthouse
Fallen Angel
Harbour Lights
Game of Thrones: Northern Ireland, Iceland, and Croatia
The smash-hit HBO sensation Game of Thrones, adapted from George R. R. Martin’s novel-series A Song of Ice and Fire, is ‘set’ in Westeros and Essos.
These fictional continents are suitably rich in mind-blowing landscapes: freezing wastelands, lush forests, and clear turquoise waters – all played by some of the world’s most visually striking locations.
The impressive global roll-call include Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway, the defensive stone Walls of Dubrovnik in Croatia, and the Vatnajökull glacier, Iceland’s largest ice cap… so wherever you choose, your Game of Thrones-inspired stay is guaranteed to be rich in magnificent natural beauty.
Reykjavik Domes
The Oat Box
Drum Gatelodge
James Bond: Thailand, Norway, and Scotland
Think of an iconic British spy – fictional or not – and James Bond springs immediately to mind!
With stories so full of guts and glamour, it’s no wonder that movie-filming took place in the most visually arresting global locations, including Bangkok and Ko Tapu (The Man with the Golden Gun), Norway’s Atlantic Ocean Road (No Time to Die) and Glen Coe (Skyfall).
These retreats are all perfect for sipping a Martini – shaken not stirred, of course! – and planning your next death-defying mission.
Bangkok Tree House
RiverBeds Luxury Wee Lodges
River Eye Treehouse
Keemala
Manshausen
The White Lotus: Sicily and Hawaii (and soon, Thailand!)
You’d expect a show about a fictional luxury resort chain to be aesthetically opulent, and The White Lotus is exactly that.
A sharp social satire set against picture-perfect backdrops, Season One (filmed during the restrictions of Covid), features Maui’s breath-taking white-sand beaches and lush tropical landscapes.
Season Two stars several locations in Sicily; in particular lavish Taormina – or “the pearl of the Mediterranean” – a favourite real-life holiday hotspot for the likes of vintage movie stars Cary Grant and Greta Garbo – and Season Three is set to be filmed in Thailand.
Aladdin Luxury Camp
Cornwell House
Castello Mortellito
The Onion House
TreeHouse Villas
