Described by IMDB as “comedy” and “drama,” The White Lotus series has captured the attention of audiences worldwide. In its essence, it stands far apart from traditional genres, much like how Game of Thrones defied simple categorization. Both are emblematic HBO productions, renowned for pushing boundaries and eliciting strong reactions from viewers.

The debut season of The White Lotus premiered in 2021 to critical acclaim. With the precision of a forensic scientist, show director Mike White delved into the bizarre moral pathologies and psychosocial dysfunctions of seemingly content, affluent characters. People from all over the world found White’s “autopsy of normality” both shocking and hypnotizing, though for different reasons.

For Western audiences, the series served as a sobering examination of contemporary psychological ills as well as the ills of the much sought-after lifestyle. Conversely, viewers from other cultures interpreted it as a sardonic commentary on Western social norms and values. This dichotomy of interpretation mirrored the reception of House M.D. years earlier, where different viewers found resonance with disparate elements of the narrative and protagonist’s personality.

The inaugural season unfolded within the opulent confines of The White Lotus hotel in Hawaii, while the second season shifted the setting to a different The White Lotus in Sicily. Employing a narrative archetype tested through generations, Mike White puts seemingly good-natured characters within confined spaces to expose their underlying abnormalities.

As filming commenced in Thailand for the third season, anticipation among fans was palpable. Even more so – among expats working in Thai hospitality industry. The resonance of the previous installments with their experiences led to exclamations of familiarity: “Hey, we’ve had similar guests in our resort too!” This echoed the sentiments medical professionals had toward House M.D.

The real-world filming locations for the series in Hawaii and Sicily were luxurious properties within the Four Seasons network. A matching location in Thailand was swiftly identified by avid fans.

In January 2024, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) confirmed that filming would extend to Samui, Phuket and Bangkok, sparking a rush among fans to secure bookings at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, only to find that it was not accepting bookings for months.

Despite efforts to glean insights from Four Seasons management, The Times’ contributor, Hannah Summers was unsuccessful. HBO’s partners respected their NDAs. Nevertheless, Hannah found the ambiance at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui to be impeccably aligned with the ethos of The White Lotus.

Nestled in a serene seaside locale, the resort, crafted by legendary architect Bill Bensley, features luxurious private villas. Let the numbers speak for themselves: the starting cost for a stay, even during the off-season, is ฿40,000 per night, exclusive of taxes and service charges.

The secluded expanse and lavish villas of Four Seasons perfectly accommodate the indulgences of The White Lotus guests – from gossip and intrigue to extramarital affairs, accidental murder, intentional, and suicide. Mike White hinted at the thematic trajectory of the third season, suggesting a satirical exploration of death.

“The first season kind of highlighted money, and then the second season is sex. I think the third season would be maybe a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality. It feels like it could be a rich tapestry to do another round at White Lotus,” Mike White revealed when Season 3 was confirmed in late 2022.

Just like its predecessors, the Four Seasons in Samui, a real hotel, may fall short of perfection for the discerning guest. During her investigation for The Times, Hannah Summers noted disappointment with the tides at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, prompting speculation that filming may also occur at Anantara Mai Khao Villas in Phuket, known for its pristine beaches.

“All very lovely, all very Lotus. But if I were nitpicking – and, let’s face it, Lotus guests do nitpick – the beach isn’t quite perfect enough – it was rocky at low tide and seaweed-strewn. It’s why, I suspect, White and his crew were also reportedly filming at Anantara Mai Khao Villas on Phuket,” shared Hannah.

Whether the HBO team will incorporate the less-than-ideal beach into the storyline or opt for the perfection of Mai Khao remains uncertain. Nevertheless, hoteliers acknowledge that guest complaints about tides are commonplace. Why can’t you control the Moon? Haven’t we paid you enough to put some effort into it?

Anantara Mai Khao Villas offers an ideal backdrop for The White Lotus’ beach scenes and more. Inside the private area, protected by an impenetrable stone wall, is an ensemble of ultra-private villas with private pools and everything else private, all centered around a real lotus pond.

On the banks of the pond, once can encounter local monitor lizards, rushing somewhere on their dubious lizard business (any resemblance with The White Lotus characters is purely coincidental).

The resort’s privacy is evident even on satellite imagery, while the lotus pond brings thoughts of Chekhov’s gun waiting to play its role in the narrative.

“It’s going to be a supersized White Lotus. It’s going to be longer, bigger, crazier. I don’t know what people will think, but I am super excited, so at least for my own barometer, that’s a good thing… I’m super excited about the content of the season,” Mike White said in January.

The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui did not accept any bookings in February and March 2024, while the Phuket-based Anantara Mai Khao Villas is not accepting any outside guests now. When our RL team attempted to book a villa for the end of April or beginning of May, the resort’s website politely suggested picking an alternative Anantara properties in Phuket. Bookings will be available from the second half of May, starting at ฿9,000 per night.

The premiere of the third season of The White Lotus is scheduled for 2025 and will inevitably generate interest in both hotels where it is currently being filmed. However, Phuket residents are in a favorable position as they can explore both the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui and Anantara Mai Khao Villas during this green season, before HBO show’s fans rush to them.

Photos by The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Anantara Mai Khao Villas and HBO

Stay tuned for RL Phuket to be the first to read our reports from both locations before the whole world finds out about them. We promise unbiased insights – at least regarding the tides.