Destination paradise: Live it up The White Lotus-style with our itinerary to Koh Samui.
The White Lotus Season 3 has drawn so much attention to Thailand’s beautiful Koh Samui for good reason. How can you resist the golden beaches, lush mountains, life-changing wellness treatments and, not to mention, the epic parties that unfold on this amazing island?
From sunkissed poolside views to magnificent tropical environments, we won’t blame you if you’re looking to book an island holiday here, ASAP! Here, we share a Samui itinerary inspired by all the action and indulgences seen on screen.
Don’t Miss: The White Lotus Season 3: Why Fans Should Visit Thailand’s Natai Beach
DAY 1
Check In and Bliss Out
Suffering from jet lag like Victoria Ratliff (Parker Posey) on The White Lotus? Chill out or take a nap in the comfort of your villa. From the scenic outdoor decks and airy living rooms of our Samui pool villas to the utterly spacious ensuite bedrooms, there are plenty of ways to rest away.
Upon arrival, you’ll be served refreshing welcome drinks, and the cool scented hand towels to help you feel utterly refreshed from your journey. All villas offer their own unique welcome drinks, ranging from fresh coconut to lemongrass and blue butterfly pea-flavoured concoctions. At Ban Suriya for instance, the team will serve you freshly made smoothies.
You’ll continue to get the A-list treatment beyond check-in. Our fully-staffed villas come with villa attendants and housekeeping. The daily turnover service in the mid-afternoon will keep your room in tip-top shape, so you can focus on the art of relaxation while in Koh Samui.
Head for Sunset Drinks
If you’re looking for fun, head to Fisherman’s Village in Bophut. There’s a weekly market every Friday, where you can check out food stalls and stands hawking handmade souvenirs, too.
The large variety of restaurants mean you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to your dinner menu. Venues such as Thai Tapas were such a hit with the cast, that they returned for several meals here.
This lively area is also where some of the Songkran and nightlife scenes in The White Lotus Season 3 were shot, as seen in episode 5. Local institution Coco Tam’s is the go-to for good vibes, fun music and regular fire shows; check with the staff for performance times!
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Nathon is another popular sunset-viewing spot. It’s lined with lots of local eateries so you won’t go hungry (or thirsty) even after the sun’s gone down.
DAY 2
Breakfast in Style
You’ve seen Jaclyn, Kate and Laurie banter over breakfast (both the good and not-so good moments). And if you’re looking for a breakfast of champions, you’ll love waking up daily to a photogenic breakfast spread prepared by the in-villa team.
Our villas serve a hearty breakfast with a range of fruits, bread with jams (Continental style) or American-style with eggs done your way, as well as sausages or bacon to go along with the aforementioned dishes. You can also opt for a Thai-style meal with local favourites like congee (savoury rice porridge) or Pad Thai-style stir fried noodles.
A floating breakfast can be arranged upon request (at additional cost), so you can start the day right in your private pool.
Beach Please
If you can tear yourself away from your private villa, a visit to Samui isn’t complete without the beach. Lucky you if you’re staying at a beachfront location, the sandy stretch is just mere steps away. Stunning properties like Villa Maliya, Baan Asan, Baan Hinyai, and Villa Haineu are blessed with seaside locations that connect to quiet beaches.
Consider making excursions to Samui’s East Coast: hit Silver Beach for snorkelling and a toes-in-the-sand lunch. The beaches in Chaweng and Lamai are also popular for their lively array of restaurants and shops where you can sit down for lunch with a view.
Prefer something that feels more local? Check out Bang Por in the north of Samui, which is lined with local bars and eateries.
Make it a Namastay
Do it like Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Laurie (Carrie Coon) — enlist a yoga instructor to help you find your zen. Roll out your mats at the outdoor decks of hilltop villas like L2 Residence, for the most amazing views to inspire you to get into the flow.
It won’t be a White Lotus-style holiday without a spa session. Book a massage treatment like Belinda (Natasha Rotwell) and Lochlan (Sam Nivola) to ease tense muscles and reach a blissful state.
Some villas feature dedicated spa pavilions, but you can always have a massage bed set up in the spacious bedrooms. Properties with separate wellness areas include Sangsuri Villa 3, which also provides complimentary perks such as airport transfers, a welcome dinner, massage vouchers, and farewell movie night that can be organised the night before your departure.
Get that Beach Body
Prefer to sweat it out like Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) in The White Lotus Season 3? Bring your protein shake with you and grab a day pass to fitness hubs like Maraleina Sports Resort, which feature football, squash and gym facilities. It also has a wellness area: get the hot and cold treatment with access to a sauna and a 9-Degree Celsius cold plunge.
Lucky you if you’re staying in a villa with its own fantastic fitness facilities. This includes Praana Residence at Panacea Retreat, which even has its own tennis court and Muay Thai boxing ring alongside its private gym.
End with a Barbecue Dinner
What’s an island holiday without a barbecue feast? Gather your family like the Ratliffs for a cosy al fresco meal. Enjoy seafood and juicy meat fresh off the grill — leave it to the villa team to whip up a delectable barbecue for you.
Looking for a spot as mind-blowing as Gary / Greg’s (Jon Gries) house, but without the sinister atmosphere? The hilltop villas at Panacea Retreat look like the stuff of Hollywood dreams. Think high-ceiling living and dining rooms, incredible panoramic views and ultra private surroundings within an exclusive estate. Take Atulya Residence for instance, which has incredible in-villa amenities that include a poolside bar next to a 20m infinity pool, fitted with an outdoor audio system for your party playlist.
Praana Residence, the crown jewel of the estate, will blow your mind with its full suite of facilities. It even has its own boxing ring, along with a night club, home cinema, gym and private tennis court!
DAY 3
A Beach Club Brunch
It’s another day in paradise! Embrace your inner Libra like Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), and sit down for a group brunch with your newfound pals.
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Hit up popular beach clubs like Chi, Seen, Nikki and Tembo for an indulgent boozy brunch with your new friends. Or recreate the poolside scenes in The White Lotus Season 3, by visiting CoCo Rum or Koh Bar at Four Seasons Koh Samui, where much of the resort scenes were shot at. Villa Neung and Baan View Talay are particularly well-placed in this case, enjoying proximity to the Four Seasons dining venues.
Don’t Miss: Koh Samui Nightlife: The White Lotus Party Guide
Sail Away
Whether on your own or with a big crew, going on a yacht ride is a must in Samui. Make your way to the marina for a trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park and do some island hopping. Take a dip and go swimming and snorkeling, or just stay on-board to bask in the sun with a drink on hand.
Book an Epic Sunset Dinner
The quiet and exclusive West Coast areas of Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam are known to have the best spots for sunset viewing in Koh Samui. For guests staying in these areas, enlist your private chef to whip up a fabulous meal in time for sunset.
This natural spectacle begins at 6.30pm, so set your watch to enjoy front-row views of the fiery skies. Arrange to have an unforgettable meal by the pool or beach at Villa Akatsuki, or any of the villas in the Dhevatara Cove Estate in Lipa Noi. Hilltop villas in Taling Ngam like Baan Sang, The View, and The Headland ensure that you have breathtaking panoramic views of Samui’s splendorous sunsets.
If you’re still psyched for more action, consider catching a Muay Thai boxing match while you’re in Koh Samui. Fights are held every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at the Samui International Muay Thai Stadium in Bophut. Doors open at 8pm, and the fight starts from 9pm; that gives you plenty of time to have a leisurely early dinner from 6pm before you head over to watch the adrenaline-pumping matches.
DAY 4
Homeward Bound
We know, we know; no one wants to leave. But if you’ve time to spare before your flight, consider making a cultural excursion like Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) to Wat Phukhao Thong, where the monastery and temple scenes in The White Lotus Season 3 were shot in.
You can also visit Samui’s most famous landmark — Wat Phra Yai, also known as the Big Buddha Temple. Situated on a rocky island, the elevated position of this local landmark also offers a great vantage point to see a different perspective of Samui. If you’ve time to linger, you can also visit Wat Plai Laem, which is located close to the Big Buddha. Surrounded by a lake, this temple incorporates architectural elements inspired by both Chinese and Thai traditions.
And can we say that the Koh Samui Airport has one of the most relaxing international departure areas, ever? Stroll along the outdoor areas between the restaurants and shops leading to your gate. Even as you’re about to leave, we bet you’ll be plotting your return trip soon!