If you’re anything like us, you’ve been hooked on The White Lotus ever since the premiere of its first season in 2021.
The show is a treasure trove of inspiration for any travel enthusiast, with its gorgeous locations gaining nearly as much attention from fans as its juicy plotlines.
Creator Mike White set the standards high with the first outing ofThe White Lotus, which saw the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea take centre stage as the fictional Hawaiian resort. HBO teamed up with the luxury brand once again for the second instalment, taking its cast across the Atlantic to the lavish San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel, for the steamy series.
The show has gone even further, flying east for its latest season. Season three was filmed in Thailand last February and March across five luxury hotels and one rental property, elevating the show to a new level of extravagance.
Viewers will be treated to scenes at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Rosewood Phuket, three Anantara resorts and Samujana’s Villa Jacinta.
We’ve got all the details on these breathtaking properties, each of which can be booked for clients to stay at.
1. Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui was announced as the main location in The White Lotus Season 3 in October, marking a global partnership between HBO and the luxury hotel brand.
Its casting on the hit TV show was followed by a 40% spike in online booking enquiries, proving once again the power of popular culture on travel trends.
With seven more episodes of the season still to air, interest in the Thai resort is only likely to increase – which is why it’s crucial advisors are familiar with what it has to offer.
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui has been one of the most popular choices for luxury travellers since its 2007 opening. Inspired by the traditional southern Thai architecture of thatched roofs and biophilic design, the property was built on a former orchard that still boasts more than 800 coconut trees.
There are 60 villas in total, including oceanfront and beach villas, as well as 11 private residences, which range in size from one to five bedrooms. All units have their own private pools and outdoor seating areas, as well as furnishings inspired by local materials and design.
The Secret Garden Spa is set inside a coconut grove and offers indoor and outdoor treatments for both adults and children. Signature treatments include Bespoke Bodywork and Thai Foot Reflexology, as well as the Happy Smile Facial and the Flawless Fingers manicure for younger guests.
There’s also a main swimming pool beside the beach, a 24/7 fitness centre, two tennis courts, a Muay Thai boxing ring and a beach house with games room.
On-site experiences include air hockey tournaments, sundown meditation, spiritual enlightenment and cocktail-making classes. The resort can also arrange local excursions for clients, with snorkelling, jet skiing and mountain biking some of the most popular activities.
For dining, the Koh Thai Kitchen serves up regional Thai cuisine in a mostly outdoor setting.
Signature dishes include Som Tum Yot Ma Prao, a spicy salad with peanuts and shrimp, and Gaeng Massaman Nua, a wagyu beef curry. There’s also Pla Pla, a seafood restaurant with options such as pan-seared salmon and lobster hummus.
For evening nibbles, the CoCoRum Bar offers tapas and cocktails under sultry lighting, while canapes and Thai wines are served in the Koh Bar, a comfy lounge with oversized sofas.
As is the case across its portfolio, families are more than welcome at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. Younger guests are invited to attend the “Kids For All Seasons” programme, which offers everything from garland making to Muay Thai classes.
What does it cost? Rates at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui start from £738 per night.
2. Anantara Bophut Koh Samui
Anantara Bophut was used for many of the more corporate scenes at The White Lotus Season 3 resort, including the hotel driveway, the jeweller’s, the lobby and the security barrier.
Viewers will also catch glimpses of its 30-metre infinity pool and fitness centre, as well as its sandy beach and water hammocks.
The scale of the resort isn’t shown in the series however; the property is home to 106 rooms and suites, all of which are housed in low-rise shingled buildings overlooking a lily pond.
There’s also dedicated kids’ club, where children under 12 can enjoy activities such as treasure hunts, tie-dye classes, and water balloon fights.
What does it cost? Rates start at Anantara Bophut start from £135 per night.
3. Anantara Mai Khao Villas, Phuket
Anantara Mai Khao Villas also starred in The White Lotus Season 3, offering up its luxury premises as backdrop for the fictional hotel’s wellness sanctuary.
Situated on the longest beach in Phuket’s Mai Khao and hugged by the Sirinath National Park, this is an ideal choice for clients who want to be both close to the sea and tucked in tropical jungle.
The property has 91 pool villas, the largest of which has four bedrooms with a maximum occupancy of 10 guests. Each villa has either one or two private pools, as well as views of the indigenous gardens or the lagoon.
Indian and Thai cuisine is served in La Sala, while the oceanfront Sea.Fire.Salt specialises in local seafood dishes.
What does it cost? Rates at Anantara Mai Khao Villas start from £293 per night.
4. Anantara Lawana, Koh Samui
Anantara Lawana was chosen for The White Lotus Season 3 for its gorgeous treetop hideout, also known as The Singing Bird Lounge.
The leafy bar is just one of many highlights at this Chaweng Beach resort, which underwent a major refurbishment in 2017 ahead of its 10th anniversary.
Guests can expect 122 rooms (suites and villas) the largest of which offers five bedrooms and an occupancy capacity of 15. Nearby attractions include the historic Fisherman’s Village, Naga Pearl Farm and Angthong Marine National Park.
What does it cost? Rates at Anantara Lawana start from £252 per night.
5. Rosewood Phuket
You should also keep your eyes peeled for Rosewood Phuket in the show, which lent its Ta Khai restaurant to The White Lotus Season 3’s dining scenes. The rustic beachside eatery serves southern Thai dishes like Tom Kha Gai and Moo Hong, as well as an impressive vegan menu.
When it comes to staying here, Rosewood Phuket has 71 pavilions and villas, all of which include a private terrace pool and garden. There’s also an Italian and a seafood restaurant, as well as an “organic” freeform pool with a hot tub.
Kids are welcome at the Rosewood Explorers’ club, which runs activities like recycled arts and crafts, and a teen club, which offers Muay Thai classes and mocktail-making workshops.
Equally luxurious is its location – Rosewood Phuket is situated on Emerald Bay in the south-west, seen as one of the island’s last remaining areas offering a secluded beach enclave.
What does it cost? Room rates at Rosewood Phuket start from approximately £790 per night.
6. Villa Jacinta, Samujana
Onefinestay’s Villa Jacinta, Koh Samui has also made the cut for The White Lotus Season 3 – and it’s easy to see why.
Situated in the island’s exclusive Samujana estate, which has recently been awarded three Michelin Keys, this “Cubist-style” mansion has four king ensuite bedrooms and can host up to eight guests.
It’s designed for relaxation and entertaining, with two spacious living rooms (one of which has a sunken wraparound sofa), six bathrooms, and two kitchens, as well as a rooftop terrace and lush external and internal gardens.
Views are ample from nearly every angle; its hilltop address gives way to panoramic vistas across the Gulf of Thailand. For wellness, there’s a private gym, an L-shaped infinity pool and a floodlit tennis court.
Location-wise, Villa Jacinta is a 10 minute-drive from the international airport in Samui and an eight-minute drive from Chaweng, a seaside town that’s home to Koh Samui’s longest beach. Its central parts are home to the island’s buzziest nightlife, but if your client isn’t the nocturnal type, the nearby Chaweng Noi offers a more tranquil vibe.
When booked through Onefinestay, Villa Jacinta comes with a dedicated concierge and housekeeping services, as well as 24/7 security and a meet-and-greet upon arrival.
It’s likely that Villa Jacinta, Koh Samui will be booked up quickly due its appearance on The White Lotus, but Samujana also offers a number of equally lavish properties to wow clients.
Villa Alba, in particular, is perfect for large family gatherings or corporate trips, offering eight king bedrooms across a staggering 1,800 square metres. Along with two kitchens, a main living room and a dining area, there’s also a games room, a private cinema, a steam room and a hot tub.
What does it cost? Rates start at £1,599 per night for Villa Jacinta, and £3,406 per night for Villa Alba.
