Everything to Know About the Real-life Hotels in 'The White Lotus' Season 3
Even before the finale of its wildly popular second season had aired, a third season of Binge’s hit series The White Lotus had been green-lit by showrunners at HBO. One of the biggest streaming shows of recent years has also been a source of travel inspiration for viewers hoping to follow in the footsteps of their favourite characters. With details now surfacing of the five-star properties set to appear in season three of The White Lotus, we take a look at the stunning stays fans of the show will be rushing to book when episodes drop in 2025.
What we know so far
In early January 2024, HBO and Thai authorities confirmed Thailand as the destination for the third season of the multi-award-winning dark comedy-drama set in the properties of a fictional luxury hotel brand. Much like Maui and Sicily before it (the locations of season 1 and season 2 of the show respectively), a Four Seasons Hotel – in Koh Samui – will be standing in as an opulent White Lotus resort. However, unlike its predecessors, season three will also feature several other plush hotels as key locations.
According to one HBO executive, speaking to Bloomberg, cast members – including Parker Posey, Jason Isaacs and Carrie Coon – will begin shooting at the Four Seasons Koh Samui in February 2024. The Anantara Mai Khao Villas in Phuket will also feature prominently in the show. While the exact hotels are yet to be confirmed, multiple properties in Bangkok have also been scouted for the production.
Why you should care
The show's first two seasons made the real-life resorts where they were filmed into overnight bucket-list destinations. And given the impressive credentials of the next White Lotus location, it seems inevitable that a similar boom in bookings is imminent.
Surrounded by mature palm trees and sweeping vistas of the Gulf of Thailand, the 60 beachfront villas of the Four Seasons Koh Samui Resort are gloriously tranquil, each with their own private infinity plunge pool and ocean-facing deck. Previous seasons of The White Lotus have placed a lot of action in the hotel’s eateries, so expect drama to unfold as characters sample authentic cuisine at the Koh Thai Kitchen or locally sourced seafood at the Pla Pla restaurant, followed by a nightcap at the Koh Bar or the in-house Rum Vault. Filming is bound to take advantage of the hotel’s communal ocean-facing infinity pool, which is served by its own bar, the CoCoRum.
The Anantara Mai Khao Villas offer similar levels of secluded luxury. These beautifully appointed residences come with their own private pools, alfresco sunken soaking tubs and shaded dining salas, styled with a mix of clean, modern finishes and traditional Thai furniture – think hand-carved benches and ornamental gongs. There are five dining venues on-site, including the romantic Infinity Bar, where characters from the show may enjoy a cocktail with beach views right by the pool.
When can you visit?
When filming allows, of course. The Four Seasons Koh Samui has been entirely booked out during February and March 2024 to accommodate filming, but is taking bookings from April. Meanwhile, the Anantara Mai Khao Villas are unavailable for several weeks between April and May 2024, during the usually more affordable off-season, although they are accepting guests both before and after these dates.
Fans who would prefer to book after they’ve seen them on screen will have quite a wait, however. Due to the Screen Actors Guild strikes in 2023, filming for season three of The White Lotus was delayed for several months and while it had originally been slated to premiere in mid-to-late 2024, this has now been pushed back to an as yet unconfirmed date in 2025.
