Anyone who has watched The White Lotus will know the filming locations are as integral to its success as the star-studded cast and addictive storylines. With the first season premiering in summer 2021 – a time when the world had been starved of international travel thanks to pandemic restrictions – the Emmy-nominated series flew viewers to the balmy beaches of Hawaii, and resulted in a 386 per cent increase in holiday enquiries for the Pacific island. A fluke? Not when Sicily – the sunny setting of the second season – also experienced a tourist boom shortly after it aired. Welcome to The White Lotus effect.
So, when it was announced that Koh Samui – Thailand’s second-largest island, situated in the Gulf – would host the fleet of White Lotus producers, executives and castmates for its third season, the country braced itself for an influx of tourists looking to live like Jennifer Coolidge, Leo Woodall, Theo James and Sydney Sweeney. Filmed at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui – a fitting extension from the previous two seasons, shot at Four Seasons Resort outposts in Hawaii’s Maui and Taormina in Sicily – the third season cements the show’s exclusive relationship with the five-star hospitality brand.
As Marc Speichert, executive vice president of the Four Seasons, explains: “[Director] Mike White and his team have created something truly special. For many Four Seasons guests, especially our pop culture enthusiasts and travel trendsetters, The White Lotus serves as the perfect travel inspiration. After showcasing the beauty of Maui and then our breathtaking Taormina property, we’re excited to celebrate Koh Samui in the third season of this beloved show.”
Here, we take a tour of the White Lotus filming destinations that made the series famous, and go inside the three hotels that posed as the perfect backdrop.
The White Lotus Season Three: Koh Samui, Thailand
Images: Warner Bros
It was announced in 2022 that The White Lotus would return for a third season, and the Thai government was ready to welcome its producers with open arms – and $4.4 million in tax incentives – to ensure one of its islands was the leafy backdrop for the six new episodes. Unlike the hotel-confined filming locations of the first season, the cast and crew have traversed the depth and breadth of Thailand for season three, including pitstops in Bangkok, Phuket and, of course, Koh Samui. The latter hosted cameras at Wat Pu Khao Thong – a Buddhist temple on the north coast – and Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park, an archipelago lying west of Koh Samui, which also served as a filming location for Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach (2000).
The hotel: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
Overlooking the Gulf of Thailand from an exclusive hillside location, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui epitomises barefoot luxury, featuring pristine sandy beaches bordered by lush tropical greenery and tranquil blue seas. Villas and residences are designed to integrate seamlessly with the natural surroundings, featuring contemporary Thai architecture, private infinity pools, and spacious, sun-drenched decks that provide unobstructed sea views.
Three delectable restaurants tempt all manner of discerning diners. Koh Thai Kitchen does exactly what the name suggests and pays homage to authentic southern Thai cuisine in an al fresco jungle setting. Pla Pla, on the other hand, serves a Mediterranean-inspired menu specialising in fresh seafood, and CoCoRum is a poolside lounge featuring Asia’s only rum vault. For relaxation and rejuvenation, head to the Secret Garden Spa, hidden among the resort’s lush gardens, where a treatment menu inspired by ancient Thai healing traditions awaits.
From £961 per night.
The White Lotus Season Two: Sicily, Italy
For the sunny second season, Mike White and co ventured to Europe, specifically Sicily, the Mediterranean’s largest island just off the toe of Italy’s boot. A stone’s throw from Malta and home to Mount Etna – an active stratovolcano on the east coast – Sicily is famous for its medieval architecture and unique, hybrid cuisine influenced by Italy and Greece, harking back to its ancient roots.
Released in 2022, White told Entertainment Weekly that being able to explore the island during The White Lotus season two was a huge relief for both crew and cast: “I’m not going to complain about being at the Four Seasons Maui, but you do start to feel like it was a Hawaiian Shining. It was cool this season to be able to feature more of the city and some of the iconic places in Sicily. The canvas gets much bigger and that’s a huge improvement.” Expect appearances from Taormina, Noto – a UNESCO Heritage Site thanks to its beautiful baroque architecture – and Cefalù on the north coast, dubbed one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
