The White Lotus Season Three: Filming Locations and Hotels in Thailand
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The White Lotus Season Three in Thailand
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Phuket
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Samui & Koh Phangan
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Bangkok
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FAQs
In The White Lotus, paradise is never quite what it seems. The hit HBO series, equal parts satire, mystery and slow-burn drama, returned for a third season against the lush backdrop of Thailand. The country plays a starring role in the series, with several Anantara Hotels & Resorts enjoying significant airtime in key episodes, making them some of the most iconic hotels showcased in The White Lotus season three.
From Phuket to Koh Samui, some of Thailand’s best resorts serve as the canvas as suspense slowly builds through each episode. Season three opens in classic White Lotus style: tranquil beauty, lotus-filled lagoons, glassy waters and hazy sunshine – all shattered by chaos. A gunshot. Screams. A body floating in the once peaceful lagoon. And at the heart of it all? The stunning surrounds of Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas.
Unlike previous seasons, which focused on a single property, creator Mike White pieced together a cinematic blend of Thailand’s most luxurious resorts. Alongside Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, both Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort and Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort on Koh Samui, and Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas in Phuket, come together to form the fictional Thai White Lotus resort. From spa rituals and jungle bars to floating pavilions and private pools, these real-life locations are more than just a backdrop – they’re part of the story.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply a curious traveller, here’s how to plan your perfect White Lotus escape at the very resorts where drama and beauty once unfolded on screen. And for even more of that White Lotus magic, explore Minor Hotels’ other inspired stays across Thailand with NH, NH Collection and Avani.
The White Lotus filming Locations in Thailand
Phuket
What hotel is The White Lotus season three filmed at? Set on the secluded northern tip of Phuket, Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas delivered one of The White Lotus season three’s most dramatic moments, playing host to the explosive final scenes that brought the show’s Thai chapter to a chaotic close. But before bullets shattered the tranquillity, this sprawling luxury resort, surrounded by a lotus-filled lagoon and shaded by whispering palms, was also the setting for the serene opening moments of the season. The property’s lagoon-edge spa pavilion doubled as the show’s wellness sanctuary, where meditative calm reigned, at least briefly. Viewers might remember Belinda, played by Natasha Rothwell, leading a group through breathwork by the water, a scene that can now be relived in real life, minus the on-screen tension.
The actual villa used during Belinda’s stay can be booked, and is perfectly named the Lotus Villa, with 2,000 square feet of space complete with a private pool, sunken tub and uninterrupted views of the lagoon. With 83 pool villas, 30 pavilions and 70 suites across Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, the resort is a sanctuary of barefoot luxury and immersive nature. Choose from sound bowl therapy or a Thai Warrior Massage at the same spa seen on screen, all while tropical birds sing overhead and monitor lizards occasionally splash through the undergrowth.
For those craving a White Lotus–style escape without the on-screen drama, NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort and Avani+ Khao Lak Resort offer the perfect dose of tropical tranquillity. At NH, soak up laidback days in Phuket’s original lifestyle marina, with poolside cocktails, boardwalk dining and warm, friendly service. At Avani, head north to Khao Lak where jungle meets sea, and adventure awaits with four pools, a skate park and easy access to the world-class dive sites of the Similans.
Samui
Another filming location for The White Lotus in Thailand is Koh Samui. On Koh Samui’s northern shore, Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort makes an entrance worthy of the screen. From the moment you cross the lotus-lined entryway and wind along the palm-shaded drive (used for a chase scene in The White Lotus season three), it’s clear why the show’s creators chose it. The open-air lobby looks onto a striking lagoon-style pool filled with floating blooms, surrounded by lush gardens and playful monkey statues, a recurring symbol in the series. One of the resort’s spirit houses even features in the show.
A short drive away, Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort offers a more secluded, jungle-meets-sea escape on bustling Chaweng Beach. Though not used for major scenes, its Singing Bird Lounge appears in episode one and now serves cocktails named after characters like Mook and Gaitok. The real highlight is Tree Tops Signature Dining, a romantic treetop restaurant built into a 120-year-old fig tree, with ocean views and golden sunsets. Back at Anantara Spa at Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort, the Bill Bensley-designed spa, featured in scenes with Natasha Rothwell’s Belinda, is worth a visit. Try the Lotus Indulgence treatment: a foot bath, a 90-minute massage with lotus oil, and a calming finish of lotus petal tea. You’ll be tempted to drift off in one of the open-air salas used in the show, also available for yoga or private treatments.
For another White Lotus-inspired escape on Bophut Bay, NH Collection Samui Peace Resort offers a calm and elegant retreat. Set in tropical gardens along a wide, sandy beach, this resort is all about thoughtful details and heartfelt hospitality. Wake to the sound of the sea, enjoy long, quiet afternoons by the pool and stay in a beachfront villa designed for an extraordinary stay.
Just north of Koh Samui lies Koh Phangan, a lush island that makes a memorable appearance in the middle of Season Three. The island offers more than its famed full-moon festivities. Golden dawns stretch over calm waters, while fiery sunsets illuminate jungle hills. For a luxurious base, Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas delivers barefoot elegance, a boutique escape where tropical beauty meets refined comfort.
Bangkok
Midway through the season, the story shifts to Bangkok – a bustling contrast to the island serenity that opens the series. Here, mystery deepens in the heart of the Thai capital, as characters wind their way through smoky bars and along the city’s storied riverways. This filming location in The White Lotus season three has a different kind of suspense. It’s less sun-drenched chaos and more depth and intrigue, with its neon-lit streets and cultural layers adding to the narrative’s slow burn.
Though not featured on screen, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel and Anantara Riverside Bangkok Hotel are two standout stays for those wishing to extend their White Lotus-inspired journey. The former places you in the heart of the city, just moments from boutiques and street food, while the latter offers a peaceful riverside escape with views of passing longtail boats and vibrant local life. Both are perfectly positioned for exploring the real Bangkok – mysterious, dynamic and unforgettable in its own right.
To explore even more of what Minor Hotels has to offer, head to Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel for a stylish stay above the Chao Phraya River, complete with sleek rooms, rooftop dining and one of the city’s coolest bars. Or stay at Avani Ratchada Bangkok Hotel in the city’s central business district for an easy urban escape and some of the best dim sum in town. In the heart of the action, NH Bangkok Asoke and NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard deliver seamless comfort and easy access to Bangkok’s best shopping, dining and nightlife.
For a luxurious way to travel on the Chao Phraya River from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, Loy Pela Voyages offers elegant river cruises through historic scenery. Drift by temples, quiet villages and peaceful landscapes. It’s a memorable way to end your Thai adventure.
