Looking to Replicate the ‘White Lotus’ Experience? It Can Be Hit or Myth

Ever since the third season of The White Lotus began airing in February, Thailand’s hospitality industry has been eagerly awaiting the tourism boost that followed the wanderlusty dramedy’s first two outings, to Maui and Sicily, respectively. A record 39 million visitors are expected to descend upon the “Land of Smiles” by the fall, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Many will surely seek to emulate the lavish experiences of the show’s wealthy, angsty characters — minus the murder. But their expectations will not always match reality. The Hollywood Reporter visited the principal shooting locations to mythbust the TV magic. If you’re thirsting for your own White Lotus check-in, here’s what to expect.

MYTH Season three was filmed exclusively at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui.

REALITY The star of TWL3 is arguably the entire country of Thailand, as the traveling production covered major ground from February to October in 2024.

While the show’s titular luxury resort chain is in many ways a stand-in for the Four Seasons franchise, there are dozens of non-Four Seasons shooting locations to explore. In Koh Samui itself, dine in a treetop restaurant and order a cocktail at the Anantara Lawana’s Singing Bird Lounge (which serves as the bar in TWL3). Just a few miles away, arrive at the Anantara Bophut and scope the monkey statues that stand guard at the resort entrance and appear throughout the grounds. The lobby may look a little different since the furniture and artwork were changed for filming. The jewelry store where the heist takes place is a library, but Anantara Bophut kept the set pieces constructed for the dressing rooms. Get a rubdown like Belinda gave to Pornchai in one of the over-the-top spa huts, which are just as opulent as they appear onscreen. Anantara reps say that as long as guests continue to ask about TWL, the resort plans to capitalize on the demand.

While in Koh Samui, take inspiration (within reason) from brothers Saxon and Lachlan (Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sam Nivola) and attend the monthly Full Moon Party at Haad Rin Beach on the island of Koh Phangan, which is more akin to spring break in Cancún than a cultural festival.

In Phuket, sign up for a Thai Warrior massage at the spa pavilion of Anantara Mai Khao, where the opening and closing scenes of TWL3 were shot. Stay in Belinda’s Villa, which received a TWL3 makeover to bring it in line with the fictional resort’s color scheme. Eat like the Ratliffs at the Rosewood Phuket’s Ta Khai restaurant, where all the characters’ dinner scenes occurred.

In Bangkok, the action unfolds around the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Order a Lotus cocktail at The Bamboo Bar, the location for Frank’s (Sam Rockwell) epic monologue. Book the historic but completely rebuilt Siri Sala, a private rental villa located on the Bangkok Noi Canal, the home of characters Sritala and Jim Hollinger (Patravadi “Lek” Mejudhon and Scott Glenn). The scratch from Jim hitting the floor remains, a reminder of the scene where Rick (Walton Goggins) flips the shady business magnate over in his chair.

MYTH TWL3 filmed for free at Thailand’s resorts.

REALITY TWL spent $4.8 million on hotels and accommodations. The production bought out the entire Four Seasons Koh Samui for several weeks and used the villas for cast accommodations while they shot in the ultra-luxurious, privately owned residences (the Ratliffs stayed in No. 9), which come with butlers — but the blenders arrive upon request. Pong-pong “suicide” trees do line the entrances, and their fruit is toxic.

At Rosewood Phuket, TWL3 bought out half the resort over two visits, first for all the dining scenes and then for the Muay Thai and Cafe Del Mar setups. The cast would work all night and end their day with a group breakfast at a communal table at the Rosewood’s Red Sauce restaurant. Arguably the most locally famous castmember, Blackpink’s Lisa (who plays Mook), stayed in a regular accommodation despite being offered a huge suite.

MYTH Monkeys abound.

REALITY Monkeys? What monkeys? Despite the role the simians play in the series as observers of the human drama, the resorts on the TWL3 trail are monkey-free. Resort operators say the creatures are a nuisance. In recent years, they used monkey abatement strategies to protect guests, such as erecting fences, discouraging food from being left outside and scaring them off with loud noises. Built on a nature reserve, Anantara Mai Khao is home to 89 bird species, so the sublime sounds of nature that the show captures so beautifully are very real, as is the massive monitor lizard that Belinda encounters in episode one.

MYTH The images in the opening credits were created for the show.

REALITY Early in the scouting process, the Smiling Albino travel agency, which offers private tour guide services in Southeast Asia (and boasts celebrity clients such as Usher, Ron Howard and Bill Gates), escorted the TWL3 team to various locations. They visited Wat Supat, a temple with murals that inspired the show’s opening credits. “Most people thought the TV studio created these, but these are real murals, 250 years old,” says Smiling Albino’s Andrew Clark. “They photographed everything, then went back to L.A. and created a story based on these murals. [But] they modified them a little bit to fit the characters.”

MYTH A massive Buddha overlooks Sritala and Jim Hollinger’s private villa, Siri Sala.

REALITY That massive Buddha statue is real, only it doesn’t overlook the villa; it’s about 10 minutes away and was placed in the shot to create a dramatic effect. The video clips that Sritala shows Rockwell’s character are also real, taken from Mejudhon’s 1990s variety show.

This story appeared in the May 7 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.