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Move over, Sicily—Thailand is having its moment. In The White Lotus Season 3, the Land of Smiles becomes a land of schemes, as the Ratliffs, a trio of girl-gang BFFs, the odd couple, and the ever-gracious Belinda navigate paradise with all the grace of a well-shaken cocktail. Mike White’s signature blend of satire and sun-drenched excess unfolds against a backdrop so idyllic it could make even the most jaded traveller reach for a passport.
Alas, we can’t all book a stay at The White Lotus resort (see why our inspectors say it will NEVER be listed in the MICHELIN Guide here), but here’s the next best thing. These MICHELIN-listed destinations—scattered across Ko Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok—are not only where Mike White’s show filmed but also offer all the splendor, minus the murder.
Check in to the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui to soak up the sunshine—and some drama—just like the Ratliffs. (© Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Fabio Lovino/HBO)
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
Selected – a high-quality stayAs far as Thai island escapes go, the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is about as close to private-island perfection as one can get—without actually owning the island. It’s also the prime setting for The White Lotus Season 3, meaning that in addition to sea breezes, panoramic views, and a straight-to-the-beach relaxation protocol, it now comes with a 40% markup. Blame the Mike White effect.
Tucked into a lush hillside that spills onto a private white-sand beach, every villa is positioned to catch the sea breeze, the sea view, and the inevitable impulse to abandon all plans in favour of doing absolutely nothing. The order of the day? Snorkelling, rainforest spa sessions, and the kind of barefoot luxury that renders shoes entirely irrelevant. Or why not try a posture consultation or a healing therapy? (We hear it’s working superbly—right, Rick and Chelsea?) Indoors, the Four Seasons formula holds firm: fresh tropical fruit, fragrant flowers, rosewood finishes, and soaring ceilings. And because excess is best served in moderation—just kidding—each villa, of course, comes with its own private infinity pool.
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What’s better than a juicy morning drama sesh over a perfect breakfast? Not much—except maybe a second round of coffee to spill even more tea. (© Fabio Lovino/HBO, Rosewood Phuket)
Rosewood Phuket
Two MICHELIN Keys – an exceptional stayPhuket, at its worst, can feel like a masterclass in mass tourism—crowded, chaotic, and a little too eager to please. But once you’ve checked in at the Rosewood Phuket, a lush, cocoon-like retreat tucked away from the frenzy, the outside world might as well cease to exist. Its 71 freestanding pavilions and villas are designed for absolute seclusion, each offering ample space to sprawl, decompress, and, in most cases, slide effortlessly into a private swimming pool—or at the very least, a plunge pool. And where do The White Lotus’ most deliciously awkward and soul-baring conversations unfold? Over breakfast at Ta Khai, the hotel’s MICHELIN-listed Thai restaurant, where the drama is as rich as the morning broth.
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Meticulous design, lush gardens, and a splash of drama—Anantara Bophut sets the scene. (© Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa)
Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa
Selected – a high-quality stayAnantara is no stranger to a well-placed cameo. The brand has made screen appearances in The Flight Attendant (2020) and Mother of the Bride (2024), with Anantara Bophut slipping into the frame with its signature Thai-style lobby, a jewellery shop doubling as the scene of a heist, and its grand, tree-lined entrance. Even the hotel’s security station—where the affable Gaitok holds fort—and the staff parking lot manage to steal a scene or two. When a hotel taps Bill Bensley, expect meticulous design. Anantara Bophut, set on Ko Samui’s Bo Phut Beach, isn’t some hidden gem, but with lush gardens, a lavish spa, and indulgent suites—some with plunge pools—it doesn’t need to be. Guests can feast on Southern Thai or South American fare, sip cocktails at TAN Beach Lounge, or simply bask in the sun. Just ask Saxon and Chloe.
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Drop by the Singing Bird Lounge for The White Lotus-inspired cocktails and a sunset. (© Anantara Lawana Koh Samui, Fabio Lovino/HBO)
Anantara Lawana Koh Samui
One MICHELIN Key – a very special stayKo Samui’s Chaweng Beach buzzes with tourist energy, but Anantara Lawana offers a rare retreat—close to the action yet secluded enough to feel like a private hideaway. Its genuinely private beach channels a Robinson Crusoe fantasy, while rooms and villas elevate the escape with shared or private plunge pools and breezy, semi-outdoor bathrooms. Then there’s the Singing Bird Lounge, where The White Lotus stages one of its most distinctive encounters. Perched within the branches of a sprawling 120-year-old tree, this treehouse-style bar sets the scene for Chelsea’s meet-cute with Chloe—a moment as intoxicating as the bar’s aperitifs, each named after local birds. Currently, it serves curated cocktails inspired by the show, including the White Lotus Mirage, Mook, and Gaitok.
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The Author’s Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, now holds a new literary figure—Mike White, whose photo hangs alongside the legendary writers who once found inspiration within the hotel’s storied walls. (© Mandarin Oriental Bangkok)
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
Three MICHELIN Keys – an extraordinary stayThe only Bangkok hotel chosen for filming, this legendary riverside icon isn’t just a setting—it’s a scene-stealer. Its storied lobby, opulent suites, and the fabled Authors’ Lounge, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, bring the famous show to life with a heady mix of history, glamour, and cinematic grandeur. Mike White soaked it all in, crafting his next chapter where Hollywood royalty once sipped cocktails and literary giants—Somerset Maugham, Joseph Conrad and John le Carré—put pen to paper. “When Mike White arrived a few days ago, the first thing he said was, ‘I’m home,’” the hotel says. Now, The White Lotus leaves its mark, inviting guests to step into a world where fiction and reality blur—plus, White himself is officially part of the lore, with his photo now gracing the walls of the Authors’ Lounge.
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Private infinity pools, panoramic views, and luxe seclusion—this Ko Samui’s only Three MICHELIN Key hotel is a haven for seekers or fugitives. Right, Gary? Or shall we say, Greg? (© Samujava Villas, Fabio Lovino/HBO)
Samujana Villas
Three MICHELIN Keys – an extraordinary staySamujana is the only Three MICHELIN Key hotel on Ko Samui featured in The White Lotus. Amid the chaos of Hollywood stars and the super-rich behaving badly, Thailand’s jaw-dropping scenery takes centre stage, with Samujana’s sleek villas showcasing Ko Samui's panoramic views. Think private infinity pools, striking architecture, and breath-taking vistas that radiate “main character energy.” Luxury here is deeply personal—guided meditation, spa treatments, balcony yoga, private gyms, and even a home theatre. Whether you’re plotting a family escape or a full-blown retreat, Samujana is a fitting haven. And we’re convinced it’s where the mysterious Mister This-and-That—aka Tanya McQuoid’s murder mastermind—has been hiding in “the villa on top of the hill.” As Timothy Ratliff says, “People who move to Thailand are either seeking something or running away from something,” right?
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Just steps from Café Del Mar, The White Lotus’ party hotspot, this Phuket resort offers a Thai-inspired retreat with a temple-like pavilion and two MICHELIN restaurants. (© Café Del Mar, InterContinental Phuket Resort)
Café Del Mar and InterContinental Phuket Resort
Two MICHELIN Keys – an exceptional stay
Though the resort itself doesn’t appear in The White Lotus, it sits just steps from Café Del Mar, the buzzy Phuket beach club where Valentin—the Russian health guru with questionable motives—ushered Aleksei, Vlad, and their American party companions, Jaclyn, Laurie, and Kate, into the island’s party scene. Set on Kamala Beach, the resort isn’t chasing generic luxury; instead, it embodies a distinctly Thai vision of paradise. At its heart, a towering, temple-like pavilion houses not one but two MICHELIN restaurants: Hom, in a white pagoda, and Jaras—a fitting backdrop for a show steeped in themes of death, spirituality, and the allure (or illusion) of enlightenment. If the show were searching for the ultimate setting to blend high drama with existential dread, it might not have to look much further.
READ FURTHER: Plan Your The White Lotus Season 3-Themed Escape at MICHELIN Hotels in Thailand
Illustration image: © Fabio Lovino/HBO
Illustration image: © Fabio Lovino/HBO
