Part of the magic of live-action film and television is being able to see real-life locations transform into magical on-screen settings. Visiting these filming locations is often available after the production wraps, allowing viewers to feel like they are inside that piece of media. The HBO original series The White Lotus happens to be a very popular series that attracts fans from all over the world. The highly anticipated third season of The White Lotus brought in millions of viewers, and inspired tons of fans to flock to the filming location of the eponymous hotel.
Both seasons of the show take place in the different remote destinations of the fabulous White Lotus hotel, a fictional high-end chain that has roots in a number of scenic outlets. The actual hotels where the series was shot include The Four Seasons hotels in Maui, Hawaii for the first season and Sicily for the second. Both of these locations experienced a rise in booking after the respective seasons aired, leaving fans excited to see where the next White Lotus film location will be.
For those unfamiliar with the show satirical drama, The White Lotus was created by Mike White. The show explores the lives of the guests and staff at a luxury resort over the course of a week, often bookended by a mysterious tragedy of some kind. The series unfolds as a social commentary, tackling issues such as wealth disparity, cultural appropriation, and the consequences of unchecked privilege, all within the idyllic backdrop of a seemingly paradisiacal vacation destination.
Where Is ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 Location?
It was rumored that the White Lotus season 3 location was going to be set in Asia, particularly Thailand, as early as 2023. HBO confirmed this rumor in early 2024, when shooting began across several regions of the beautiful southeast Asian country. AFAR reported, “Filming will take place in the capital city of Bangkok and on the islands of Phuket and Ko Samui, as announced in statements released this week by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and HBO.”
The country is already one of the most popular tourist destinations but is expecting an even bigger boom in tourists following the release of the new season. This increase in travel occurred for both the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea from season one and San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel from season two.
Janet Graham Borba, executive vice president (EVP) of production for HBO and Max wrote in a statement, “We are pleased to partner with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to execute Mike’s creative vision and showcase all that the beautiful country of Thailand has to offer, as the next group of guests check in to the White Lotus.”
As previously mentioned, the first two seasons of The White Lotus both took place at the fictional hotel of the same name, but the hotel was actually a property of the Four Seasons. It has been confirmed that Season 3 of The White Lotus has continued this tradition, since production took place at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui.
The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
At the heart of The White Lotus Season 3 lies the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, which stars as the fictional White Lotus Koh Samui. Perched on the isolated northwestern headland of Koh Samui island, this deluxe resort offers a 180-degree view of the Gulf of Thailand that’s sure to take your breath away. The resort’s 70 villas, scattered across 42 acres, boast dark hardwood floors, steeply pitched palm-thatched roofs, and long overhanging eaves inspired by traditional Southern Thai architecture.
Guests (and the show’s characters) enjoy the sight of emerald islets in Ang Thong National Marine Park and even catch a glimpse of Koh Pha-ngan, famous for its Full Moon Party. According to Fodor’s Travel, during the 57-day filming period in February and March 2024, the resort was closed to regular guests, with the cast and crew occupying the one- and two-bedroom villas. Some lead actors even stayed in the larger privately owned residences, which viewers can actually book when the owners are away.
Anantara Bophut and Anantara Lawana
While the Four Seasons takes center stage, two other Koh Samui resorts play supporting roles in creating the White Lotus universe. The Anantara Bophut and Anantara Lawana, located on the island’s north coast, lend their unique charms to the series. The Anantara Bophut, with its majestic entry driveway flanked by lotus ponds, caught the eye of the White Lotus crew.
Its library and parts of the spa feature in the show, adding to the sense of luxury and indulgence that the series is known for. Meanwhile, Anantara Lawana’s Singing Bird Lounge and Tree Tops restaurant were irresistible to the filmmakers. The restaurant’s eight private treehouses, poking through the canopy of a 120-year-old tree, offer a unique dining experience that’s sure to play a part in the unfolding drama.
Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas
In a twist, the show’s production moved 200 miles away to Phuket for two months in early April 2024. The Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, located near Phuket’s longest beach, became another key filming location. This resort’s proximity to Mai Khao Beach, a protected nesting place for leatherback and green turtles, adds an element of natural wonder to the show’s setting. Rumors also swirled about scenes shot at the isolated Banana Beach, accessible only by speedboat, promising some off-the-beaten-path excitement for our characters.
What To Expect From ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3
Following the season 2 finale, Mike White explained in an interview with Variety “The first season kind of highlighted money, and then the second season is sex… I think the third season would be maybe a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality. It feels like it could be a rich tapestry to do another round at White Lotus.”
The third season, which premiered on February 16, explored all new themes and new characters, with only one key exception. Fans will recognize only one returning character, spa manager Belinda played by Natasha Rothwell. Other cast members include Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, Leslie Bibb, Dom Hetrakul, Tayme Thapthimthong, and most recently, Lisa from superstar K-pop group BLACKPINK for her TV debut. Fallout’s Walton Goggins also takes a front-and-center role, as the rugged and mysterious Rick Hatchett.
As with previous seasons set in Hawaii and Sicily, the spotlight on these Thai locations is expected to boost tourism significantly. Hotel managers anticipate a surge in interest, particularly for Koh Samui, which the more popular Phuket has often overshadowed. As we eagerly await the response to The White Lotus Season 3, one thing is sure: the stunning Thai locations will be as much a star of the show as the A-list cast and razor-sharp writing.
What Can We Expect From ‘The White Lotus’ Season 4?
Now that season three of the smash-hit series has concluded, viewers are already clamoring for more activity at the next White Lotus location. Luckily, HBO has already renewed the series for a fourth season, so we can expect to see a flurry of news regarding the pre-production process very soon. For now, there’s no official timeline or filming location for the upcoming installment, though we can predict that production will be swift without the interference of a global pandemic or a WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike.
While we don’t have an exact location for The White Lotus season four, there are a few signs pointing to the next stop on this wild journey. Specifically, series creator Mike White has expressed interest in hitting every continent on the globe throughout the show’s run. If he stands by this commitment, this means that the next round of episodes will take place in one of four locales – being South America, Australia, Africa, or Antarctica. Per a discussion with Vulture, White seems particularly interested in the “wealth of talent” in Australia, stating, “The beauty is inarguable, so it feels like it checks all the boxes.”
Despite what White has elucidated, HBO executives have also hinted toward a possible venture to Paris, France. The network’s head of drama programming Francesca Orsi specifically noted that she expected the production to go “somewhere in Europe” next year, while other producers close to the visionary behind The White Lotus argued in favor of a warmer climate. Either way, White has apparently already begun sketching out ideas for the future of the series, which have certainly left a positive impression on the HBO brand.
What Will Happen to the Music in Upcoming Episodes?
If you’ve been keeping up with the tabloids, you may already know that Mike White and The White Lotus‘ composer, Cristóbal Tapia de Veer, have recently parted ways. Apparently the two talented artists found themselves experiencing significant creative differences, which have caused De Veer to depart the show entirely. As the composer confirmed during an interview with the New York Times, “Maybe I was being unprofessional, and for sure Mike feels that I was always unprofessional to him because I didn’t give him what he wanted. But what I gave him did this, you know – did those Emmys, people going crazy.”
Indeed, the music has been a significant part of what makes The White Lotus stand out. Even still, De Veer has likened himself to a guitarist in a rock band, who “doesn’t understand the singer at all.” Now that the creative minds have gone in separate directions, fans will surely keep their ears to the streets to see how the music in the series progresses. Whether that means bringing in a crew of Parisian pianists, or an army of 1,000 didgeridoos remains to be seen, based on the direction that season four will go.
