TV
‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui.
The White Lotus is back for a third season on HBO, starting Feb. 16. The latest installment of the dark comedy-drama is set at a luxury resort in Thailand, where a group of dysfunctional guests will spend a memorable — and potentially deadly — week.
The show’s White Lotus chain of hotels is fictional. But the hotels you see on screen are real. Season 1 was filmed at the Four Seasons Resorts Maui at Wailea. Season 2 was filmed at the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Sicily. Filming for The White Lotus Season 3 took place at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui in Thailand. And yes, it’s available to book for a vacation of your own.
Expect to pay more than $1,000 per night to stay at ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 hotel
Guests at the Four Seasons Koh Samui enjoy “laid-back island life,” spending their days “exploring pristine sandy beaches bordered by tropical greenery and calm blue seas, lounging by our infinity pool with a cool drink, or relaxing on [a] private deck overlooking the idyllic Gulf of Siam,” according to the hotel’s website. Villas and private residences offer the utmost comfort and luxury, though that comes at a steep price.
Travelers will get the most for their money if they book their stay in May or early June, when rates start at $945 per night, according to Hotels.com. Rates can vary widely throughout the year. During the first week of March, they hit a high of $7,718 per night but then drop to $1,341 by the end of the month.
‘Set-jetting’ inspired by ‘The White Lotus’ could cause demand to spike
Those considering a Thai getaway inspired by the HBO show should book soon. Demand for the Four Seasons Koh Samui is likely to spike once the new season premieres. That’s thanks to the “set-jetting” trend, where travelers select destinations based on movies and TV shows.
Following the release of The White Lotus Season 3 teaser, searches for the resort on Hotels.com jumped by 40%. After the show’s season 2 premiere in 2022, there was a 300% spike in searches for the San Domenico hotel, which was soon fully booked for six months.
But even if you can’t swing a reservation at the latest White Lotus hotel, you may still be able to afford your dream vacation to Thailand. Hotels.com has identified several hotels in Koh Samui that offer a top-rated experience without the eye-watering price tag, including Centara Reserve Samui (from $330/night), Melia Koh Samui (from $220/night), and the Explorar Koh Samui – Adults Only Resort and Spa (from $140/night)
The White Lotus Season 3 premieres Sunday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Episodes also stream on Max.
For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, subscribe to Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s YouTube channel.
