Even if you’ve not yet watched The White Lotus, you’ve probably heard about it. Created by Mike White for HBO, the Emmy award-winning series has been lauded for its dark humour and is now in its third season. Hawaii and Sicily were the settings for the first two seasons, but Thailand takes centre stage in Season 3.
The White Lotus follows the exploits of the staff and guests during a week spent at a fictitious luxury resort hotel. The resort may be fictitious, but several luxury hotels in Thailand were used during filming.
Although the island of Ko Samui was the main location used, keen-eyed viewers may also recognise Bangkok, Ko Pha Ngan, Phang Nga and Phuket. If you fancy following in the footsteps of The White Lotus stars, check out the Thai locations featured during Season 3.
(Image: Thailand Film Office Facebook page)
Ko Samui
Several locations around Ko Samui were used for filming. This includes the Fisherman’s Village and Night Market at Bophut, where many of the store owners appeared as background extras.
(Photo: Shutterstock)
The spectacular Ang Thong National Marine Park was featured in the background of some of the arrival scenes, and several of Samui’s beaches also made appearances. This includes Choeng Mon Beach, which was used along with Haad Rin Beach on Ko Pha Ngan for the Full Moon Party scenes.
(Photo: Dusit Dheva Facebook page)
Wat Phu Khao Thong near Maenam Beach was the location of the Buddhist monastery and meditation centre, and the exterior of Dusit Dheva Cultural Centre doubled as the temple gardens.
Viewers can also catch glimpses of the private island of Cape Fahn and the nearby Pi Samui Beach Club and Restaurant, which was used for some dining scenes.
Featured Ko Samui hotels
Filming took place at various hotels on Ko Samui, with the Four Seasons Resort being the most prominent location.
(Photo: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Facebook page)
Am Samui Resort Taling Ngam
On Ko Samui’s west coast, Am Samui Resort Taling Ngam was the setting for the beachside barbecue and fire show.
Location | More details
(Photo: Am Samui Facebook page)
Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort
Anantara Bophut is the chic setting for several key scenes. The Bill Bensley-designed resort doubles as The White Lotus for the following:
- Resort lobby
- Hotel driveway and resort entrance
- Jewellery store
- Security station
- Employee car park
(Photo: Anantara Bophut Facebook page)
Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort
Another Anantara property — Anantara Lawana — is the location for the tropical White Lotus bar. The resort’s Singing Bird Lounge is perched high up in the canopy of an ancient tree. Visitors can enjoy pre-dinner aperitifs with a bird’s eye view before eating at the exclusive restaurant, Tree Tops Signature Dining.
Location | More details
(Photo: Anantara Lawana Facebook page)
Cape Fahn Hotel
Frequent visitors to Ko Samui watching The White Lotus may recognise the little island of Ko Fahn. Located across from Choeng Mon Beach, the luxurious Cape Fahn Hotel makes an appearance in Season 3 of the show. Some of the exterior scenes at the monastery and meditation centre were filmed at Cape Fahn.
Location | More details
(Photo: Cape Fahn Hotel Facebook page)
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
The first two seasons of The White Lotus were filmed at Four Season resorts, and that trend continued in Thailand, with many of the scenes set at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. The luxury Samui resort was the location for the following:
- Ratliff family villa
- Ladies’ villa
- Rick & Chelsea’s room
- Breakfast and lunch restaurant
- Pool
- Beach
- Water hammocks
- Common areas and paths
- Gym and boxing ring
- Spirit house
(Photo: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Facebook page)
Samujana Villas
Two of the characters, Greg and Chloe, live in a house in the hills near The White Lotus. The real-life location for the house was at Samujana Villas (specifically Villa Jacinta) in Choeng Mon. A second location was also used in Phuket (see more in the Phuket section below).
Location | More details
(Photo: Samujana Villas Facebook page)
Ko Pha Ngan
The island of Ko Pha Ngan near Ko Samui makes a brief appearance in the Full Moon Party episode. The beach at Haad Rin is the real-life setting for the monthly party and can be seen in the show. Other party scenes were filmed on Ko Samui (Fisherman’s Village and Choeng Mon Beach) and Phuket (Café del Mar).
Phang Nga
The island of Ko Lawa Yai is used to film some of the arrival scenes. Although the island is situated near the northeast coast of Phuket, it’s located in Phang Nga province. Visitors to Phuket may already be familiar with the gorgeous Phang Nga Bay, but if you haven’t yet visited this corner of Thailand there is much to see and do in Phang Nga province.
Phuket
While most of the action was filmed on Ko Samui, Phuket also features prominently. Thailand’s largest island was the location for the Muay Thai boxing match (filmed at Bangla Boxing Stadium), and the island was also where Gary’s yacht was moored (Phuket Yacht Haven Marina). Various characters are shown relaxing at attractive Ya Nui Beach, while some scenes were also shot at Café Del Mar and Ta Khai Restaurant at Rosewood Phuket.
(Photo: Rosewood Phuket Facebook page)
Featured Phuket hotels
(Photo: Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas Facebook page)
Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas
The White Lotus spa and wellness scenes were shot at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas. This fabulous resort was also where the visiting spa manager, Belinda, stayed.
Location | More details
Cape Panwa Hotel
In one episode, Victoria Ratliff has a dream which sees her standing in front of a white house on a beach. That house isn’t in North Carolina but in Phuket. More specifically, it’s a Sino-Portuguese mansion, Panwa House, that is used as a restaurant at the Cape Panwa Hotel.
Location | More details
(Photo: Cape Panwa Hotel Facebook page)
Villa Amaravida
Two locations were used as Greg and Chloe’s house. The first was Samujana Villas on Ko Samui, and the second was Villa Amaravida in Phuket.
Location
Bangkok
(Photo: Shutterstock)
Bangkok gets The White Lotus treatment with several scenes filmed in the Thai capital. When Rick visits Bangkok, his taxi drives along Yaowarat Road in Chinatown. Other scenes show Wat Pho Pier with the Chao Phraya River and Wat Arun in the background.
The giant Buddha at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen is featured along with the canals of Thonburi. The Royal Osha restaurant was used for some of the scenes where Rick met with Sritala, while the luxurious Siri Sala Private Villas was used as the home of Sritala and Jim Hollinger.
Inspiration for the images seen in the opening credits comes from the beautiful murals at Wat Suthat and Wat Suwannaram.
Featured Bangkok hotels
(Photo: Mandarin Oriental Facebook page)
Mandarin Oriental
One of Thailand’s longest-established and most famous hotels makes a guest appearance. Scenes were shot at the lobby and bar of the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.
You don’t have to be a movie star to visit this luxury hotel overlooking the Chao Phraya River, with non-guests able to enjoy afternoon tea at the exquisite Authors’ Lounge or evening aperitifs and jazz music at the hotel’s Bamboo Bar.
Location | More details
(Photo: Mandarin Oriental Facebook page)
The White Lotus Effect
The show’s success has resulted in the destinations featured seeing a surge in visitors in what is described as “The White Lotus Effect”. That has continued with Season 3 which has resulted in a spike in bookings at locations featured in the show, particularly Ko Samui.
(Photo: Anantara Bophut Facebook page)
The good news for visitors who want to follow in the footsteps of The White Lotus stars is that you don’t have to be mega rich (or mega dysfunctional) to fit in. Luxury resorts in Thailand offer exceptional value compared to many destinations in the world.
If you can’t justify the expense of a five-star hotel, you can still get the star treatment in Thailand. The spas, restaurants and bars featured in The White Lotus are all open to the public, so you can enjoy the VIP lifestyle and relax in peace without all the hangups the characters have.
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