By Ellie Cobb8th February 2024
New information on the latest season of the Emmy-winning series' filming locations will whet travellers' appetites for the dysfunctional drama that is sure to follow.
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One of the most successful shows in recent years, the razor-sharpdark comedy-drama The White Lotus, has been on everyone's minds since season one came out in 2021.
Fans have impatiently been waiting for the latest season of the caustic series that takes great pleasure in poking fun at wealthy and entitled Western travellers – and while season three is not going to run until 2025 (delayed from 2024 due to the actors' and screenwriters'strikes), new information on the filming locations will whet fans' appetites for the dysfunctional drama that is sure to follow.
Season one of the Emmy-winning series examined wealth and colonialism in Hawaii, while season two in Sicily positioned moneyand sex as its primary themes. Rumours have long been circulating that White Lotus three will be filmed in Asia, with director Mike Whitehinting at the end of season two that the next one will focus on "death and Eastern religion and spirituality".
The show was originally interested in filming in Japan, but in March 2023, it was reported that Thailand had been chosen. This was in part due to millions of dollars in filming incentives, Japanese producer Georgina Pope said at the 2023 Tokyo Film Festival – meaning a rebate of $4.4m on a $35m project.
The decision was recently confirmed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), who have revealed that new episodes of the dark comedy are slated to begin filming in Bangkok, phu*ket and Ko Samui starting this month. "We are honored to have amazing Thailand featured as the filming location for the highly anticipated upcoming season of 'The White Lotus'," the TAT's Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said in a press release.
Anantara Mai Khao phu*ket offer a wellness spa centre and multiple dining options, among other amenities (Credit: Anantara)
The impact of the show on each destination has been phenomenal. Season one, which was filmed at theFour Seasons Resort Maui at Waileain Hawaii, caused a 425% year-over-year increase in web traffic for the property. Season two turbocharged interest in Sicily, with the Italian island and its ancient resort town of Taormina seeing a surge in inquiries and bookings. The Four Seasons' cliffside San Domenico Palace – where much of the season's tangled storyline played out – was booked solid for months.
Dubbed "The White Lotus effect", this phenomenon of travellers flocking to the locations of their favourite TV shows and movies will surely apply to season three and define Thailand's travel and tourism trends in the coming months and years.
While Thailand has now been officially confirmed as the filming location, the exact location of The White Lotus – the series' fictitious chain of exclusive resorts that serve as a perfect backdrop to the whims of its privileged guests – has remained speculation.
The first two seasons were both shot exclusively in Four Seasons resorts, and it was most expected that season three would be based at one of the luxury hotel chain's Thailand properties. While this has not been officially confirmed for contractual reasons, Bloomberg has reported that season tree will be partially filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui (all sources in the article spoke on the condition of anonymity).
Interestingly, according to Bloomberg, episodes of the series will also be filmed in phu*ket at Anantara Mai Khao phu*ket Villas, as well as at a not-yet-named hotel in Bangkok. This is the first time the show will have been set in multiple properties. BBC Travel reached out to both Anantara and Four Seasons for confirmation; Anantara declined to comment on the claims, while a spokesperson for Four Seasons Resorts Thailand responded: "While we have been following seasons one and two of The White Lotus enthusiastically, we have no information to share on filming locations for season three."
Perched on a hill overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui offers guests plenty of privacy (Credit: Four Seasons)
The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is not an unexpected choice: the five-star hotel's private beach, large infinity pool and array of private pool villas nestled into the tropical landscape will certainly suit well-heeled vacationers basking in luxury. And Ko Samui's stunning sunsets and beautiful beaches will make for a perfect backdrop to whatever drama unfolds.
Anantara is a more interesting selection. This luxury hospitality brand opened its first resort in Hua Hin, Thailand, in 2001 and now has more than 43 hotels and resorts in 24 countries across Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. While Anantara is hugely popular in Asia, the brand is less well-known in the US and UK – though The White Lotus effect means that will likely soon change.
Antantara Mai Khao phu*ket villas is an inspired location for the show. The luxury beachfront resort offers a beachfront infinity pool, wellness spa centre and multiple dining options, including Japanese omakase cuisine at Tree House, which is built around an ancient banyan tree. In true White Lotus spirit, there's reflexology hand massage and rose quartz facial gua sha on offer, as well as Himalayan sound bath healing and sunset yoga. It's discreet luxury at its finest and we can't wait to see what Smith would do with the setting if it is indeed filmed there.
Anantara Mai Khao phu*ket is a luxury beachfront resort located in Thailand (Credit: Anantara)
The resort itself is secluded and private, withvillasset around a lily-padded lagoon beside phu*ket's longest beach. As you stroll along bamboo-shaded paths and through Bill Bensley-designed tropical gardens, paths open onto views of elegant doorways, behind which are lavish villas with private pools, outdoor showers, baths set into the pool itself and personal wine cellars. In the bathrooms are a terrazzo bathtub big enough for two.
Tip
If you can't afford the Anantara price tag, just across the road from Anantara Mai Khao phu*ket Villas is its sister brand, Avani Mai Khao phu*ket, which offers a range of more affordable rooms and suites.
Designed in the style of a southern Thai village, the jewel in the crown is the Jim Thomson villa, a 389sq m behemoth just steps from the beach that draws inspiration from the legend of Jim Thompson, forefather of the Thai silk industry.
As for the yet-to-be-named Bangkok hotel, Bloomberg reports that this will be "a more authentically Thai-looking property [than the Four Seasons], as yet unidentified".
Wherever and whichever hotel it is, one thing's for sure: Thailand is going to see The White Lotus effect for itself very soon. With filming starting this month, travellers looking to experience these islands and luxury resorts before the hordes descend will need to book as soon as they can.
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