Behind-the-scenes photographs launched this week present solid members of “The White Lotus” are filming in Thailand, the place the hit collection will happen in its upcoming third season.
4 Seasons Accommodations & Resorts reportedly stays the go-to model that serves because the stand-in for the fictional White Lotus luxurious resort chain. This season, the 4 Seasons Resort Koh Samui is slated to be the Thai outpost for the White Lotus.
However there’s multiple technique to have a “White Lotus”-style getaway in Thailand.
For starters, the collection is additionally reportedly filming at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, a luxe resort by the Thai Anantara model on the island of Phuket. A couple of half-hour drive away, the established Banyan Tree Phuket wows company with its consideration to native experiences and Thai cooking. Farther south on the island, the Rosewood Phuket can have your jaw dropping to the sand with its basic luxurious perched in a quieter stretch of Patong Bay.
Associated: The 14 greatest lodges in Phuket, Thailand
I checked in to all three properties on a current journey to Thailand and have the rundown on why every resort generally is a excellent place to your subsequent dream trip — make sure to try our in-depth critiques of every property rolling out over the subsequent few weeks.
Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas
Anantara Accommodations, Resorts & Spas is the flagship luxurious model for Thai conglomerate Minor Accommodations. Whereas it won’t be the primary resort star just like the 4 Seasons in Koh Samui, it is simple to see why Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas is anticipated to nonetheless get a while on display screen on “The White Lotus.”
The third season of the present is slated to discover themes of loss of life, Jap faith and spirituality. Do not get spooked by that if you ebook a keep: The Anantara — only a 20-minute drive from Phuket Worldwide Airport (HKT) — is way more centered round spacious pool villas, delectable eating and attentive service.
Nonetheless, there are many genuine Thai parts at this high-end resort that might make it the right backdrop for an episode or two of “The White Lotus.” Use the resort’s bikes to pedal via the property’s lush tropical gardens and cross torch-lined picket bridges over lily pad-filled lagoons. Take pleasure in among the greatest sundown views in Phuket from the resort’s perch alongside Mai Khao Seashore on the Andaman Sea.
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You will discover a Buddhist shrine close to the Anantara Spa — the right alternative for a “White Lotus” one-percenter to discover faith and spirituality (or their very own ennui) earlier than dipping in for a 120-minute Anantara Signature Therapeutic massage. Mine was “solely” 90 minutes, and it was nonetheless extremely fabulous.
In fact, the villas are luxe retreats with walk-in closets and dressing rooms, non-public plunge swimming pools, teak decks and spacious bedrooms with arched, basketweave ceilings. You possibly can step out from the lavatory right into a jetted tub for somewhat added romance or get pleasure from an outside bathe following a day on the seashore or infinity pool.
Cabanas off your non-public deck make for an incredible place to lounge with a glass of wine and a ebook on the finish of the day — and those that improve to a Sala Villa will even have a non-public pavilion overlooking the lagoon.
Eating at Anantara ranges from the sprawling breakfast buffet to Thai and Indian fare at lunch and dinner at La Sala, the resort’s fundamental restaurant that overlooks the lagoon. Sea Fireplace Salt, a extra Mediterranean-influenced restaurant, is nearer to the seashore and excellent for soaking within the sundown whereas having fun with grilled seafood. Tree Home, the resort’s omakase restaurant, is situated simply behind La Sala, perched within the timber.
The pool deck and beachfront garden are perfect for sunbathing, beginning the day with dawn yoga or simply taking a leisurely dip within the infinity pool. Solar loungers flank the pool deck, and you will even discover a couple of stationed within the shallow finish. Pool attendants are available to ship cocktails and snacks from the poolside Infinity Bar.
Not offered but? Certain, 4 Seasons Resort Koh Samui is the primary resort backdrop for “The White Lotus,” however you’ll be able to nonetheless get a White Lotus expertise on the Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas for a big discount.
Charges on the Anantara begin round $600 per night time, whereas these on the 4 Seasons begin round $1,300 over the subsequent few weeks. That hole widens within the winter peak season when villas on the 4 Seasons subsequent January climb to $1,800 per night time whilst you can nonetheless discover villas on the Anantara for underneath $700 per night time.
Banyan Tree Phuket
Banyan Tree Phuket is among the best-known and most established luxurious resorts on the island of Phuket. The resort, a 30-minute drive south of the Phuket airport, is good for company seeking to get pleasure from curated native experiences and facilities whereas having fun with a couple of Western parts as a part of the broader Laguna Golf group the place the Banyan Tree resides.
Positioned on a former tin mine, Banyan Tree Phuket is now a green-filled resort that options seashore and golf course entry and a collection of lagoons for kayaking, sundown cocktails and even non-public dinner cruises.
Pool villas are the usual at Banyan Tree Phuket, however since when was any “White Lotus” fundamental character recognized for limiting themselves? The resort additionally gives Double Pool Villas in a extra secluded stretch of the property that additionally has easy accessibility to the high-end Tre, a European restaurant overlooking a lagoon that may be a quieter spot to seize breakfast over the busier Watercourt restaurant nearer to the primary foyer.
Worry not should you’re unwilling to splurge on the Double Pool Villa. Entry-level pool villas are nonetheless extremely spacious with seating areas, walk-in closets, a kitchenette and a non-public patio and plunge pool deck. Housekeeping is twice every day, and you’ll borrow bikes close to the foyer to your keep to trip across the sprawling property and get some cardio.
The Banyan Tree group will get excessive marks for weaving in curated experiences for many who need to get extra of a neighborhood publicity. Participate in a uncooked cooking class within the resort’s new kitchen studio — I am nonetheless craving the shredded pumpkin, carrot and tempeh salad with spiced lime French dressing I made whereas there. Take pleasure in a meditative stroll via a labyrinth to begin your day on a contemplative word, or go to native markets and rubber plantations. The Banyan Tree group is blissful to rearrange on a second’s discover.
Do not miss out on a spa therapy on the Banyan Tree Spa Phuket, as this property is the place all spa group members who work for Banyan Tree come to coach earlier than returning to the resort or resort the place they work. Remedy rooms are secluded, stand-alone villas in a quieter stretch of the resort — supreme for letting all of the stress subdue over the span of a therapeutic massage.
The close by health heart serves as a sound buffer to the pool deck that options a mixture of secluded swimming areas for doing laps and a lazy river that leads into the primary pool with a swim-up bar.
Saffron is Banyan Tree’s high-end Thai restaurant overlooking the lagoon, and it is the type of luxe restaurant the place you’ll be able to simply think about a “White Lotus”-style dinner going down whereas a singer croons from the adjoining bar space. Fortunately, it can save you the stress for HBO: Probably the most dramatic factor you may discover right here is the rice cart with 4 sorts of grains (the blue-hued butterfly pea was a standout) to go alongside curries or different scrumptious Thai entrees.
Save time for lunch at Veya, Banyan Tree’s wellness-oriented restaurant that overlooks a quiet pool stretch close to the spa. The alfresco eating expertise is understood for its “Mediterr-Asian” fare that’s plant-forward however extra “flexi-tarian” in follow. Vegan nachos, steamed prawn dumplings and kingfish ceviche all get high marks — particularly when washed down with a made-in-house kombucha.
Whereas Banyan Tree might not lean as a lot into Jap spirituality as Anantara, the resort remains to be an expensive getaway with loads of genuine Thai soul to attach you to the tastes and tradition of Phuket.
Entry-level charges begin at $340 per night time in off-peak months earlier than rising to round $500 per night time in winter peak journey months.
Rosewood Phuket
Final, however most actually not least, is the Rosewood Phuket. I will not mince phrases: To not get macabre, however I discovered myself after a couple of hours right here muttering to myself, “After I die, I believe I need my ashes scattered right here.”
Covertly, in fact, and nowhere that may spoil the visitor expertise.
Rosewood is among the ultraluxury manufacturers that might simply change 4 Seasons because the stand-in for “The White Lotus,” however maybe it would not need to. The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it entrance to the Rosewood Phuket is an early sign that seclusion and exclusivity reign supreme right here.
The resort has a breezy foyer with lily pad-filled fountains the place you stroll over a boardwalk right into a extra intimate check-in space overlooking Patong Bay. After getting particulars sorted out, a pleasant workers member will whisk you in a buggy down a tree-lined, hilly path to your lodging in the primary resort space.
Pavillions, Villas and Homes — all with their very own non-public swimming pools — are the choices for stays right here.
I stayed in a Partial Ocean View Pool Pavilion, a spacious bungalow with a residing space partitioned off from the sleeping space. The toilet options twin vanities in addition to ample built-in space for storing for baggage and unpacked garments. You are handled to each an indoor and an outside bathe and an outside tub.
Off the residing space, an outside patio surrounded by a plunge pool additionally features a solar lounger in addition to a seating space with a view of the bay. Again inside, you may discover tasteful, luxurious and muted decor (a number of earth tones accented by darkish wooden and backlit bookcases), and facilities like cocktail kits within the minibar and electronically managed blackout shades for if you’re prepared for some uninterrupted slumber.
Restaurant choices vary from upscale Thai fare on the waterfront Ta Khai restaurant to grilled seafood and uncooked bar staples like oysters at The Shack close to the pool deck. The Italian Purple Sauce restaurant really had me scratching my head as a result of Phuket is not precisely the place I anticipated to seek out such scrumptious pizza and veal Milanese.
Breakfast can also be served at Purple Sauce with an expansive buffet that includes extra Western fare whereas an a la carte menu gives a mixture of Thai dishes (double-boiled pork ribs and mushroom soup and Phuket dumplings had been favorites) and Western choices like eggs and smoothies. Mai is a poolside lounge and cocktail bar open all day, nevertheless it was significantly enjoyable to relax at night time for after-dinner martinis and soak in paradise.
The pool space options a mixture of wading areas for youngsters and deeper stretches to get in a couple of laps. Stroll throughout the pool on a boardwalk, and you will attain a sandy stretch of Emerald Bay. You possibly can lease paddleboards and kayaks to discover the bay, or you’ll be able to relax with a ebook on a solar lounger — there are loads to select from on the sand or again nearer to the pool.
Service right here is extremely attentive and never simply by means of the twice-daily full housekeeping. You will not stroll too far earlier than a buggy driver will inevitably cease to ask should you want a elevate. Employees members by the pool are fast to supply to deliver over an additional umbrella to cover from the sunshine or a recent fruit popsicle to get pleasure from. The Asaya spa group works in overdrive to verify appointments can be found to take pleasure in somewhat pampering. (I am nonetheless dreaming of my Detox Ritual facial … and want there had been time for extra remedies.)
It was all extraordinarily pleasant and useful and by no means felt overbearing — my favourite was the caring workers reminder every morning over breakfast at Purple Sauce to put on extra sunscreen. Sure, by this level in my travels, I could have seemed like a purple lobster at Purple Sauce. Oops.
All in all, Rosewood Phuket is probably going the largest direct competitor to 4 Seasons Koh Samui by way of expertise and pricing — with maybe a bit extra seclusion due to its steering away from the Hollywood eye. For now, anyway.
Off-peak charges on the Rosewood Phuket begin at $810 per night time earlier than rising to $1,123 per night time throughout peak journey months over the winter.
