Live ‘The White Lotus’ dream at these beach resorts in Thailand

If The White Lotus has taught us anything, it is that luxury travel is an aesthetic, a lifestyle, and occasionally… a full-on existential crisis. Naturally, with Season 3 freshly launched, this time in the lush, cinematic backdrop of Thailand, our wanderlust is officially activated. Best of all, unlike the far-flung settings of the last two seasons in Hawaii and Sicily, this dreamy destination is just a short flight from Singapore, making it all the more tempting to hop on a jet plane to get to paradise.

Just like in the previous two seasons, HBO filmed the show at a Four Seasons property – this time at the beachfront idyll of Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. Additionally, several scenes were filmed at other high end resorts on the island, so eagle eyed viewers will want to look closely to accurately ID them.

But beyond these swoon-worthy locations, Thailand is home to some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful, design-forward resorts you can find anywhere in the world. So, whether you are channeling your favourite inner White Lotus character (sans the drama, ideally) or just looking for your next dream escape, these stunning Thai stays will have you entering your best soft-luxury era.

1. Samujana

For those who want to truly live like a VIP, all-villa property Samujana is as exclusive as it gets. This ultra-private collection of 23 sprawling cliffside villas, which vary from three- to five- bedrooms in Koh Samui, is one of only eight properties in Thailand to receive the prestigious Three Michelin Key rating. And for White Lotus superfans, it holds extra bragging rights as one of the actual filming locations for Season 3, alongside the Four Seasons Koh Samui.

Each sprawling villa is a modernist dream, featuring sleek infinity pools that seemingly blur into the Gulf of Thailand, open-air living spaces for endless summer days and private cinemas perfect for rewatching your favorite episodes. To top it all off, the level of personalisation here is next-level. Think in-villa chefs, personal trainers, private yacht charters and bespoke wellness treatments, all designed to keep reality at bay. It is all so indulgent you might never want to check out.

2. Banyan Tree Samui

Perched on a secluded cove along Koh Samui’s southeastern coast, Banyan Tree Samui is the kind of place where relaxing feels effortless. Eighty-eight private villas cascade down the lush hillside, each featuring its own infinity pool and sweeping views of the sea. Its elegant traditional Thai architecture incorporates features such as pitched ceilings, temple-shaped rooftops and traditional fabrics and artwork, creating an atmospheric setting fit for anyone looking to disappear — whether for peace or something a little more mysterious.

Days unfold in a haze of private beach lounging, spa treatments at the award-winning Banyan Tree spa (The Rainforest, a holistic hydrotherapy wellness experience is a must-try) and leisurely meals at Saffron, the resort’s signature Thai restaurant perched over the bay.

For something truly cinematic, the resort’s Destination Dining experience lets guests indulge in a private feast in some of the most breathtaking spots on the property. These include a barefoot meal on the beach, beneath swaying coconut trees by the main pool, or at Infinity Point, with uninterrupted views of the bay – basically the kind of settings where stolen glances and maybe even a plot twist feels entirely possible.

3. The View Samui

There are private villas galore in Koh Samui and there is The View Samui that offers superlatives in all the right ways. Available via The Luxe Nomad, there are more sumptuous villas listed on the platform for your perusal.

This sleek five-bedroom villa offering jaw-dropping panoramas of the Gulf of Thailand is perched on a clifftop in Taling Ngam, one of Koh Samui’s most exclusive spots. Known for its unspoiled beaches, lush jungle landscapes and legendary sunsets, Taling Ngam provides the perfect backdrop for a retreat that feels worlds away from the island’s busier hotspots.

The villa itself is a masterclass in contemporary design, featuring an indoor-outdoor open plan meant to showcase the natural beauty of this idyllic island. A 16.5-metre saltwater infinity pool stretches toward the horizon, while floating glass staircases and floor-to-ceiling windows invite in natural light and ocean breezes. 

Interestingly, rumour has it that The View played a behind-the-scenes role in The White Lotus. For now, consider this an option if you would like to script your own unforgettable island escape.

4. Kapuhala Koh Samui

For a next-level island escape with a sustainable twist, Kapuhala Koh Samui offers high-style glamping that blends luxury with nature. Nestled in the hills of Chaweng Noi, this boutique wellness resort features just five tented villas and four detached seaview farmhouses, all of which are designed to minimise construction waste without compromising on comfort.

The tented villas are a vibe, with private terraces and attached bathrooms complete with a rainforest shower. A highlight is the 25-meter infinity swimming pool offering sweeping views of the Gulf of Thailand – most certainly the kind of setting to see and be seen and perhaps to accidentally-on-purpose overhear some scintillating conversation. 

Dining at Kapuhala is a culinary journey in itself, with a vegan Italian restaurant that complements the resort’s other wellness and sustainability initiatives such as daily yoga and bootcamp sessions. And if some drama happens to unfold around you, just take a deep breath, sip your green juice, and om your way to inner peace.

5. Anantara Mai Khao Phuket

For opulence with a dose of intrigue, you can’t go wrong with Anantara Mai Khao Phuket. As one of the official filming locations for the series, this resort has been designated as the setting for The Wellness Sanctuary, Spa and Belinda’s (played by actress Natasha Rothwell) room. 

It is tucked away on a serene beach in Phuket, where turtles still return during egg laying season, this sanctuary of private pool villas feels worlds apart from the island’s usual bustle. The design leans towards contemporary Thai elegance, with bright, airy spaces, calm lagoons and lush greenery creating a sense of effortless luxury. Here, guests can indulge in spa treatments inspired by local healing traditions, take a Muay Thai class at the on-site boxing ring or simply float in the privacy of their infinity pools, far from prying eyes.

At sunset, the scene shifts. The Tree House bar, built around a centuries-old banyan tree, is where conversations deepen over craft cocktails, while Sea.Fire.Salt. serves up fresh seafood with a side of ocean views. 

Ps. It is not the only Anantara property to get the HBO treatment. Sister resorts Anantara Bophut and Anantara Lawana, both in Koh Samui were also used as filming locations.

6. The Standard Hua Hin

If The White Lotus were to land in another spot in Thailand, The Standard Hotel’s outpost in Hua Hin would be a prime contender. Once the holiday retreat of choice for Thai nobility, this beachfront gem has redefined coastal cool with its retro-chic aesthetic, earning a coveted One Key rating in the 2024 Michelin Guide Thailand.

Nestled in a lush garden dreamscape filled with native flora, the resort spills out onto the Gulf of Thailand, offering a laid-back yet undeniably glamorous escape. Its 196 rooms, suites, and villas—some with private dipping pools—channel The Standard’s signature retro-disco style, drawing Bangkok’s elite, jet-setters, and creatives. Naturally, where they go, secrets, scandals and intrigue tend to follow.

Lounge in a poolside cabana for prime people-watching before heading to Praça, a beautifully restored heritage house, for craft cocktails and Thai izakaya bites at sunset. By day, indulge in much-needed R&R at the spa, then recharge with fresh-pressed juices and elixirs at The Juice Café before slipping into the night’s next adventure.

7. Intercontinental Khao Yai Resort

Designed by the quirky and unpredictable Bill Bensley, the InterContinental Khao Yai Resort is a whimsical nod to Thailand’s golden age of railway travel, set amid the lush, misty landscapes of Khao Yai National Park. Scattered across the property are repurposed railcar suites and villas that have been transformed into lavish accommodations, complete with vintage trunks, brass accents and bucketloads of old-world glamour. It is a setting straight out of a fever dream for mystery junkies and yet offers sanctuary and serenity thanks to its picturesque surroundings.

The adventurous will enjoy cycling excursions through the surrounding Unesco-listed national park capped off with a private picnic on the resort’s manicured grounds. And if, like a certain fan favourite character Tanya McQuoid (played by the inimitable Jennifer Coolidge), you find yourself desperately in need of a massage, the Back on Track spa, also housed in an upcycled train car will bring you on a journey to total relaxation, minus the emotional unraveling. As the sun sets, settle in for a fine meal at Poirot French Brasserie followed by a nightcap at the speakeasy-style Papillon Jazz Bar, where the only real mystery is what the next table is really up to.

8. Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

To activate full-on main character mode in Thailand, Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, would be the place to do it. Set against the dramatic limestone cliffs and emerald waters of the Andaman Sea in Krabi, this ultra-luxurious hideaway feels almost surreal in its beauty. Here, time slows, and every detail, from the oversized, pillow-laden daybeds to the candlelit bathtubs, feels designed for pure indulgence.

Designed by renowned Thai architect Lek Bunnag, the 54 villas and pavilions spread across lush resort grounds are built with private plunge pools, rainforest showers, indoor and outdoor baths and showcase scenic tropical garden or ocean views. Its design showcases a blend of Thai as well as Middle Eastern and Moroccan cultures, such as pavilion roofs, pendant lamps and pagodas to create an indulgent yet unique atmosphere to luxuriate in.

It is undoubtedly a place of otherworldly beauty — where paradise and drama might collide.

This article was originally published in FEMALE.