The wait’s over. They’ve checked into Hawaii and Sicily, and now they’ve checked into seriously sunny Thailand. From Bangkok to Phuket, these are all The White Lotus season 3 filming locations you’re gonna wanna add to your bucketlist.
Koh Samui
Four Seasons Koh Samui
For The White Lotus season 3 everyone’s packing their bags for Koh Samui, where the core action takes place and – most importantly – where you’ll find the hotel that stands in for this season’s White Lotus property. And the hotel in question? That’d be the the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui.
Tucked into the lush hillside overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, in the northwest corner of Koh Samui, this place isn’t just a resort; it’s an escape into a world where everything is so beautiful, it feels like cheating at life. Think turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and enough greenery to make you believe you’re starring in a nature documentary. You’ll arrive by winding roads, and as you step into the resort, it’s like the world outside disappears.
Each villa is its own private sanctuary. These aren’t just rooms; they’re residences that come with infinity pools, outdoor living spaces, and panoramic views. The décor is understated yet elegant – lots of teak wood, crisp white linens, and Thai-inspired touches. Oh, and every villa has a personal attendant. Obvs. These residences aren’t to be confused with the actual Private Residences, of course – extra fancy villas aimed at families or groups, offering kitchenettes, panoramic ocean views from the private infinity pool, and al fresco dining pavilions. We reckon it’ll be one of these that the characters set up shop in.
The food here? Next-level indulgence. Koh Thai Kitchen – which features in multiple scenes during the show, serves up authentic Thai flavours with a side of insane ocean views. Want something more beachy? Pla Pla focuses on fresh seafood grilled to perfection. The private beach is pristine, and the resort offers everything from paddle boarding and kayaking to snorkelling right off the shore. Feeling adventurous? Join the resort’s Muay Thai classes in an outdoor ring overlooking the jungle. Prefer to chill? The Secret Garden Spa is there to pamper you with treatments inspired by Thai healing traditions.
Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort
Due to a little thing called the TV making business, not everything you see on screen can actually be found at the Four Seasons – the hotel bar, dinner restaurant, and spa were all filmed at different hotel properties, and sometimes on a different island altogether. For example, the Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort and, more specifically, its Singing Bird Lounge, stands in for the hotel bar in season 3 of The White Lotus.
On the northern end of Chaweng Beach, this resort blends modern comforts with the island’s rich Sino-Thai heritage, drawing inspiration from traditional shophouses of Nathon Old Town. It also underwent an extensive restoration last year, so it’s super shiny and new. There’s 122 elegantly designed guest rooms, suites, and pool villas here, with the Anantara Pool Suites showcasing bird motifs that celebrate Koh Samui’s famous bird-singing competitions.
Speaking of singing birds, the resort’s Singing Bird Lounge is what you’ll recognise as the hotel bar in The White Lotus – perched in the canopy of a 120-year old tree, you’ll get an incredible view of Koh Samui as well a cocktail menu that pays tribute to the island’s singing bird history. Each drink is named after a local bird, and they’ve even whipped up a special concoction to celebrate the release of the show – the Anantara White Lotus Mirage. It also happens to serve as the exclusive entryway to Tree Tops Signature Dining, one of the island’s most sought-after gourmet restaurants.
Other Koh Samui filming locations
Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park
As lovely as the Four Seasons is, the characters do get out of the resort for a bit, and one place they head to is Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, a renowned marine park found within Surat Thani Province. Spreading across 42 islands over an area of both land and water, the name “Ang Thong” translates to “bowl of gold,” while “Mu Ko” means “group of islands.”
Those islands are characterized by dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, white sandy beaches, and dense tropical forests. Another highlight is Ko Mae Ko, known for its emerald-coloured lagoon, Thale Nai, while hiking trails, particularly on Ko Wua Talap, lead to viewpoints offering panoramic vistas of the archipelago.
Choeng Mon Beach
Scenes have also been filmed at Choeng Mon Beach, on the northeastern tip of Koh Samui. With powdery white sands and clear, calm waters, it’s less busy than the more bustling beaches on the island. It’s also just a 10-minute drive from Koh Samui International Airport and isn’t far from Fisherman’s Village in Bophut, known for its vibrant atmosphere and local crafts, or cultural sites like Big Buddha Temple and Wat Plai Laem, both offering unique architectural and spiritual experiences.
Haad Rin Beach
Another beach used for filming was Haad Rin, in neighbouring Ko Phangan. There’s actually two beaches here, Haad Rin Nok (Sunrise Beach) on the eastern side and Haad Rin Nai (Sunset Beach) on the western side. Haad Rin is also famous for those Full Moon parties – one of which was featured heavily in the trailer for The White Lotus.
Fisherman’s Village
Once a sleepy little place, Fisherman’s Village in Bophut has transformed into a stylish hub while keeping its rustic wooden shophouses intact. The narrow main street is lined with boutique stores selling everything from handcrafted jewellery and chic beachwear to the inevitable elephant-themed souvenirs.
Restaurants here range from fancy spots serving international cuisine to cozy cafés dishing out fresh seafood. Some even have tables right on the sand for those “toes-in-the-water” moments. Every Friday evening, from 5 PM to 11 PM, the market transforms the area into a buzzing hub of food stalls, craft vendors, and live music. This area was used for both partying scenes, as well as some Songkran scenes – the famous Thai New Year festival that sees every man and his dog getting soaked.
Grab some cheap flights to Koh Samui
Phuket
Anantara Mai Khao Villas
Alongside Koh Samui, the cast also headed to Phuket, and several resorts here were used as stand ins for parts of the fictional hotel in The White Lotus – and one of those was Anantara Mai Khao Villas.
Where barefoot luxury meets tropical indulgence, it’s tucked away on the serene Mai Khao Beach, just a short drive from Phuket International Airport. Think lush greenery and tranquil lagoons, where each villa is a private sanctuary, complete with a personal pool, outdoor bathtubs, and elegant Thai-inspired décor. There’s a lagoon-style infinity pool, as well as a gym, yoga classes, and even bicycles to explore the surrounding area.
La Sala serves a breakfast buffet so divine you’ll be tempted to linger all morning (yes, there’s champagne). Sea.Fire.Salt elevates beachfront dining with freshly grilled seafood and steaks, while Tree House offers tapas and cocktails with a side of panoramic views.
But the spa is the thing to look out for. The Anantara brand is renowned for its spas, and this one is no exception – so much so that location scouts decided to have this one stand in for the spa at the hotel in The White Lotus. Nestled amidst lush tropical surroundings overlooking a lotus-filled lagoon, it’s got six couples’ treatment suites, each equipped with indoor and outdoor baths, rain showers, and steam rooms.
Other filming locations in Phuket
Cafe Del Mar
Another filming location was Café del Mar Phuket, located at the northern end of Kamala Beach and a renowned beach club that brings the iconic Ibiza brand to Thailand’s shores. It’s got music, it’s got dining, and it’s got plenty of beachfront relaxation. Think lots of wood structures, straw roofing, and signature orange accents. You can dine on everything from tapas and salads to wood-fired pizzas and sushi. There’s regular events and parties on too, especially on weekends, featuring local and international DJs.
Bangla Boxing Stadium
Bangla Boxing Stadium, located in Patong Beach, is a famous venue for experiencing authentic Muay Thai fights – Thailand’s version of boxing. And despite its name, the stadium is not actually on the also famous Bangla Road; it relocated to a larger facility behind the Jungceylon shopping mall. You can matches every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, starting at 9 pm. This is where the trio of Kate, Laurie and Jaclyn watch some of the boxing with the hotel’s Russian yoga instructor Valentin.
Grab some cheap flights to Phuket
Bangkok
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
Producers for The White Lotus have been pretty hush-hush so far when it comes to Bangkok, so we’ll have to wait to find out what exactly was filmed here. But we do have one potential clue – a sneaky glimpse has shown us that the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok might just be featured.
Built in 1876, it was one of the first hotels to open in Bangkok, and today it remains a luxury staple, situated along the iconic Chao Phraya river. It’s famous for its exceptional service and rich heritage, with nearly 400 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, seamlessly blending classic Thai aesthetics with modern amenities.
There’s 12 bars and restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Le Normandie by Alain Roux. Then there’s the renowned Oriental Spa, which provides a range of traditional Thai and contemporary treatments in its serene riverside setting.
As soon as we know more Bangkok locations, we’ll update this post with all the details.
