Prime Thai accommodations with ‘The White Lotus’ vibes that aren’t the 4 Seasons

By now, many individuals know that the hit HBO collection, “The White Lotus,” filmed its third season in Thailand, and the gorgeous 4 Seasons Resort Koh Samui served as the principle Thai outpost for the present. Whereas 4 Seasons Inns & Resorts stays the first model that acts because the stand-in for the fictional luxurious lodge chain, another high-end lodge manufacturers make an look on the present, too — and different close by properties have equally luxe vibes.

The forged and crew filmed elements of the collection at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas — a luxe resort by the Thai model Anantara Inns & Resorts on the island of Phuket. They filmed different scenes at Rosewood Phuket, which can certainly make jaws drop to the sand with its basic luxurious and serene Emerald Bay location.

Thailand has many different properties which can be “The White Lotus”-worthy, together with Banyan Tree Phuket — which wows company with its consideration to native experiences and Thai cooking. There’s additionally Amanpuri, which excels in Thai wellness choices, and Kamalaya Koh Samui, with its holistic method to well being and wellness therapies.

Associated: The 14 greatest accommodations in Phuket, Thailand

Beneath, discover a rundown on why every of those accommodations generally is a good place to your subsequent dream trip (sans the nail-biting homicide thriller, in fact).

Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas

Anantara is the flagship luxurious model for Thai conglomerate Minor Inns. Whereas it may not be the principle backdrop just like the 4 Seasons on Koh Samui, it is simple to see why Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas nonetheless will get a while on display on “The White Lotus.”

The third season of the present is slated to discover themes of demise, Jap faith and spirituality, and its hair-raising opening scene (amongst different appearances) was filmed on the property. Do not get spooked by that if you ebook a keep: The resort, which is only a 20-minute drive from Phuket Worldwide Airport (HKT), really presents spacious pool villas, delectable eating and attentive service.

Nonetheless, there are many Thai components right here which have made the property the right setting for some scenes of “The White Lotus.” Use the resort’s bikes to pedal by its lush tropical gardens and cross torch-lined wood bridges over lily pad-filled lagoons. Then, take pleasure in a few of Phuket’s greatest sundown views from the resort’s perch alongside Mai Khao Seaside. You may additionally discover a Buddhist shrine close to the Anantara Spa — the right alternative for “The White Lotus” company to discover faith and spirituality (or their very own ennui) earlier than dipping in for a 120-minute Anantara Signature Therapeutic massage.

In fact, the villas are luxe retreats with walk-in closets and dressing rooms, personal plunge swimming pools, teak decks and spacious bedrooms with arched, basket weave ceilings. You’ll be able to step out from the lavatory right into a jetted tub for a bit added romance or take pleasure in an out of doors bathe following a day on the seaside or infinity pool. Cabanas off your personal deck make for a fantastic place to lounge with a glass of wine and a ebook on the finish of the day — and people who improve to a Sala Villa may even have a non-public pavilion overlooking the lagoon.

Eating choices at Anantara vary from the sprawling breakfast buffet to Thai and Indian fare at La Sala, the lodge’s principal restaurant that overlooks the lagoon. Sea Hearth Salt, a extra Mediterranean-influenced restaurant, is nearer to the seaside and ideal for catching a sundown whereas having fun with grilled seafood. Tree Home, the resort’s omakase restaurant, is perched within the timber simply behind La Sala.

The pool deck and beachfront garden are perfect for sunbathing, beginning the day with dawn yoga or simply taking a leisurely dip within the infinity pool. Solar loungers flank the pool deck, and you may even discover a number of stationed within the shallow finish. And, identical to you’d count on at any White Lotus property, pool attendants are readily available to ship cocktails and snacks from the resort’s poolside bar.

Charges at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas begin round $600 per night time however typically price nearer to $700 per night time in the course of the peak winter season.

Banyan Tree Phuket

Banyan Tree Phuket is likely one of the best-known and most established luxurious resorts on the island of Phuket. The resort — which sits on a former tin mine, only a 30-minute drive south of the Phuket airport — is right for company seeking to take pleasure in curated native experiences and facilities. Vacationers also can take pleasure in a number of Western components as a part of the broader Laguna Golf group the place the Banyan Tree resides.

Pool villas are the usual at Banyan Tree Phuket, however since when has any principal character been identified for limiting themselves? The resort additionally presents Double Pool Villas in a extra secluded stretch of the property that has quick access to high-end Tre, a European restaurant overlooking a lagoon; this makes it a quieter spot to seize breakfast over the busier Watercourt restaurant nearer to the principle foyer.

In the event you’re unwilling to splurge on the Double Pool Villa, worry not. Entry-level pool villas are nonetheless extremely spacious, with seating areas, walk-in closets, kitchenettes, personal patios and plunge pool decks. Housekeeping is twice each day, and you’ll borrow bikes close to the foyer to experience across the sprawling property.

The Banyan Tree staff will get excessive marks for weaving in curated experiences for many who need to get extra native publicity. Participate in a uncooked cooking class within the resort’s kitchen studio. Or, take pleasure in a meditative stroll by a labyrinth to start out your day on a contemplative word earlier than visiting native markets and rubber plantations. The Banyan Tree staff is blissful to rearrange all kinds of actions at a second’s discover.

Do not miss out on a spa therapy on the Banyan Tree Spa Phuket as a result of this property is the place all spa staff members who work for Banyan Tree come to coach earlier than returning to the lodge or resort the place they work. Therapy rooms are secluded, stand-alone villas in a quieter stretch of the resort — splendid for letting all of the stress subdue over the span of a therapeutic massage.

Entry-level charges at Banyan Tree Phuket begin at $340 per night time in off-peak months earlier than rising to round $500 per night time in peak winter journey months.

Rosewood Phuket

Odds are that by the top of a keep at Rosewood Phuket, you will end up already searching for methods to return (if not prolong your present go to). That is as a result of the Rosewood’s idyllic setting (assume: verdant vegetation and breathtaking blue water galore) attracts you within the second you step foot on the property.

Rosewood Phuket’s atmospheric restaurant, Ta Khai, steals the present in lots of the restaurant scenes in “The White Lotus.” And that is no shock: The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it entrance to the Rosewood Phuket is an early sign that seclusion and exclusivity reign supreme right here.

The resort has a breezy foyer with lily pad-filled fountains; company stroll over a boardwalk right into a extra intimate check-in space overlooking Emerald Bay. After you have particulars sorted out, a pleasant workers member will whisk you in a buggy down a tree-lined, hilly path to your lodging in the principle resort space.

Pavillions, villas and homes — all with their very own personal swimming pools — are the lodging choices right here. Relying on which you select, chances are you’ll discover luxe particulars like outside bathtubs, absolutely outfitted kitchens, and terraces with backyard or bay views. All function tasteful, luxurious and muted decor (lots of earth tones accented by darkish wooden and backlit bookcases). Facilities embrace cocktail kits within the minibar and electronically managed blackout shades for if you’re prepared for some uninterrupted slumber.

As for the pool space, it presents a mixture of wading spots for kids and deeper stretches to get in a number of laps. Stroll throughout the pool on a boardwalk, and you may attain a sandy stretch of Emerald Bay. You’ll be able to hire paddleboards and kayaks to discover the bay, or you may sit back with a ebook on a solar lounger — there are lots to select from on the sand or again nearer to the pool.

However maybe the resort’s greatest attribute is its service. The workers is very attentive — and never simply by the use of the twice-daily full housekeeping. You will not stroll too far earlier than a buggy driver will inevitably cease to ask in the event you want a elevate; the staff by the pool is fast to supply an additional umbrella for solar safety or a recent fruit popsicle to take pleasure in.

Off-peak charges at Rosewood Phuket begin at $810 per night time earlier than rising to $1,123 per night time throughout peak journey months over the winter.

Kamalaya Koh Samui

The primary episode of the third season of “The White Lotus” has already made it clear: Whereas the lodge group’s outposts in Sicily and Hawaii had been all about indulgences and extra, its Thai resort places well being and well-being on the forefront. In fact, the real-life White Lotus in Thailand (the 4 Seasons Resort Koh Samui) does have a dreamy spa. Nonetheless, you will need to search out Kamalaya Koh Samui — one of many nation’s most beloved wellness retreats — in the event you’re critical about getting your well being again on monitor.

Draped over a jungle-cloaked hill on the southeastern tip of Koh Samui, Kamalaya has drawn a loyal clientele of big-city burnouts, high-flying executives and different wellness seekers for 20 years now. The wellness applications — which vary from five-day to multiweek retreats and embrace every little thing from stress and burnout restoration periods to hormone balancing and sleep enhancement — are as rigorous as they’re rewarding. Days right here move in a blissful rhythm of massages, natural steam baths and dawn meditations overlooking the resort’s personal seaside.

The meals, in fact, is as wholesome because it will get, however menus go nicely past the same old ginger pictures and tofu scrambles. Anticipate Thai curries, salads with a rainbow of tropical fruits and greens, and fresh-pressed juices blended with every kind of micronutrient add-ons (assume: spirulina, monk fruit powder, the works). There is a separate detox menu, designed by resident nutritionists, that caters to each wellness aim, whether or not it is an Ayurvedic-inspired reset, a intestine well being program or intermittent fasting. And whereas there isn’t any alcohol on the menu (until you ask), the natural elixirs are simply as satisfying.

However regardless of its dedication to well being and wellness, Kamalaya by no means feels medical. There is a sometimes Thai heat in each element, from the soothing interiors of the easy, earth-toned hillside suites to the spacious indoor-outdoor villas with personal swimming pools designed to encourage relaxation and reflection within the resort’s serene pure setting.

Entry-level charges at Kamalaya Koh Samui begin at $265 per night time in the course of the off-peak months, with a minimal keep of three nights required. This charge doesn’t embrace a wellness program, which begins at round $1,400 for a three-night program and rises to round $5,500 for 2 weeks.

Amanpuri

Amanpuri is the very first outpost of the illustrious Aman model, and rumors had been swirling round business circles that it might be featured within the third season of “The White Lotus.” When showrunner Mike White was scouting areas round Thailand again in 2023, he shared Instagram Tales from The Surin Phuket resort simply subsequent door; Amanpuri’s three-month closure (for renovations, looking back) that adopted solely added gas to the fireplace. The gossip turned out to be false — and perhaps that is for the higher; silence and solitude have been a few of Amanpuri’s trump playing cards because it first opened its doorways in 1988.

Scattered round an undulating coconut grove on Phuket’s northeastern coast, lodging vary from single-room pavilions to multistory villa estates with personal swimming pools and as much as 9 bedrooms. All are basic Thai: Anticipate templelike pointy roofs poking out from tropical gardens, interiors bedecked in Buddhist artwork and gleaming teak, and recent jasmine and white orchids all over the place you look.

The resort’s hush-hush location signifies that noteworthy eating places and the road meals scene of Phuket City require fairly a drive, however with a globe-spanning lineup of eating places on its premises, there’s little purpose to depart. Arva, an Aman staple, dishes out easygoing Italian from farm-to-table substances. There’s real-deal Thai at Buabok, the place dinners come paired with conventional Thai dance performances and the mesmerizing tones of a ranat ek (Thai xylophone) filling the courtyard. Plus, the just lately renovated Nama hits the spot with omakase menus that includes seafood flown in straight from Japan. You may additionally need to snag a seat on the terrace towards the top of the day: From this vantage level, the gold-colored sunsets are merely chic.

As with all Aman resorts, wellness performs a number one position, and the village-size spa on the sloping perimeter of the resort is an oasis of its personal. Remedies lean closely on Thai traditions; they embrace every little thing from natural compress massages with native herbs and coconut oil to basic Thai Nuad Pan Boran massages utilizing stretching strategies practiced by Buddhist monks for greater than 2,500 years. Medical-grade specialists supply deep dives by hormone screenings and conventional Chinese language drugs consultations whereas visiting gurus often host immersive retreats.

The resort’s actual scene-stealer, although, is its (nearly) personal stretch of Pansea Seaside — a swath of powdery white sand lapped by a number of the clearest waters across the island. Snag a cabana below the palm timber, order an icy gin and tonic with wild honey soda, and enjoy the truth that you have made it to one in all Phuket’s loveliest corners.

Entry-level charges at Amanpuri begin at $1,662 per night time in off-peak months earlier than rising to round $2,582 per night time in winter in the course of the peak journey months.