Prime 3 Thai motels with ‘White Lotus’ vibes that aren’t the 4 Seasons

Behind-the-scenes photographs launched this week present forged members of “The White Lotus” are filming in Thailand, the place the hit collection will happen in its upcoming third season.

4 Seasons Resorts & Resorts reportedly stays the go-to model that serves because the stand-in for the fictional White Lotus luxurious lodge chain. This season, the 4 Seasons Resort Koh Samui is slated to be the Thai outpost for the White Lotus.

However there’s multiple strategy to have a “White Lotus”-style getaway in Thailand.

For starters, the collection can also be reportedly filming at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, a luxe resort by the Thai Anantara model on the island of Phuket. A few 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 may have your jaw dropping to the sand with its traditional luxurious perched in a quieter stretch of Patong Bay.

Associated: The 14 greatest motels in Phuket, Thailand

I checked in to all three properties on a current journey to Thailand and have the rundown on why every lodge generally is a excellent place in your subsequent dream trip — remember to try our in-depth evaluations of every property rolling out over the subsequent few weeks.

Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas

Anantara Resorts, Resorts & Spas is the flagship luxurious model for Thai conglomerate Minor Resorts. Whereas it won’t be the principle lodge star just like the 4 Seasons in Koh Samui, it is easy 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 demise, Japanese 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 components at this high-end resort that would make it the proper backdrop for an episode or two of “The White Lotus.” Use the resort’s bikes to pedal by way of the property’s lush tropical gardens and cross torch-lined wood bridges over lily pad-filled lagoons. Get pleasure from a number of the greatest sundown views in Phuket from the resort’s perch alongside Mai Khao Seaside on the Andaman Sea.

You may discover a Buddhist shrine close to the Anantara Spa — the proper 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.

After all, 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 just a little 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 ideal 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 may also have a personal 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 lodge’s most important restaurant that overlooks the lagoon. Sea Hearth 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 bushes.

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 number of stationed within the shallow finish. Pool attendants are readily available to ship cocktails and snacks from the poolside Infinity Bar.

Not offered but? Certain, 4 Seasons Resort Koh Samui is the principle lodge 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 major cut price.

Charges on the Anantara begin round $600 per evening, 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 evening when you can nonetheless discover villas on the Anantara for underneath $700 per evening.

Banyan Tree Phuket

Banyan Tree Phuket is without doubt one of 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 right for company seeking to get pleasure from curated native experiences and facilities whereas having fun with a number of Western components as a part of the broader Laguna Golf neighborhood the place the Banyan Tree resides.

Situated 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” most important character identified for limiting themselves? The resort additionally affords Double Pool Villas in a extra secluded stretch of the property that additionally has quick access to the high-end Tre, a European restaurant overlooking a lagoon that could be a quieter spot to seize breakfast over the busier Watercourt restaurant nearer to the principle 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 personal patio and plunge pool deck. Housekeeping is twice day by day, and you’ll borrow bikes close to the foyer in your keep to experience across the sprawling property and get some cardio.

The Banyan Tree crew will get excessive marks for weaving in curated experiences for individuals who need to get extra of an area 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. Get pleasure from a meditative stroll by way of a labyrinth to start out your day on a contemplative notice, or go to native markets and rubber plantations. The Banyan Tree crew is blissful to rearrange on a second’s discover.

Do not miss out on a spa remedy on the Banyan Tree Spa Phuket, as this property is the place all spa crew members who work for Banyan Tree come to coach earlier than returning to the lodge or resort the place they work. Remedy rooms are secluded, stand-alone villas in a quieter stretch of the resort — superb 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 principle 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 happening 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 varieties 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 thought 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 prime marks — particularly when washed down with a made-in-house kombucha.

Whereas Banyan Tree might not lean as a lot into Japanese spirituality as Anantara, the resort continues 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 evening in off-peak months earlier than rising to round $500 per evening in winter peak journey months.

Rosewood Phuket

Final, however most definitely not least, is the Rosewood Phuket. I will not mince phrases: To not get macabre, however I discovered myself after a number of hours right here muttering to myself, “Once I die, I feel I need my ashes scattered right here.”

Covertly, after all, and nowhere that might break the visitor expertise.

Rosewood is without doubt one of the ultraluxury manufacturers that would simply change 4 Seasons because the stand-in for “The White Lotus,” however maybe it does 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 you have particulars sorted out, a pleasant workers member will whisk you in a buggy down a tree-lined, hilly path to your lodging in the principle 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 lavatory options twin vanities in addition to ample built-in cupboard space 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 whole lot 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 Crimson Sauce restaurant truly 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 Crimson Sauce with an expansive buffet that includes extra Western fare whereas an a la carte menu affords a mixture of Thai dishes (double-boiled pork ribs and mushroom soup and Phuket dumplings have been favorites) and Western choices like eggs and smoothies. Mai is a poolside lounge and cocktail bar open all day, however it was significantly enjoyable to chill at evening for after-dinner martinis and soak in paradise.

The pool space options a mixture of wading areas for kids and deeper stretches to get in a number of laps. Stroll throughout the pool on a boardwalk, and you will attain a sandy stretch of Emerald Bay. You possibly can hire paddleboards and kayaks to discover the bay, or you’ll be able to chill 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 very 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. Workers 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 crew works in overdrive to ensure appointments can be found to take pleasure in just a little 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 Crimson Sauce to put on extra sunscreen. Sure, by this level in my travels, I could have seemed like a crimson lobster at Crimson Sauce. Oops.

All in all, Rosewood Phuket is probably going the largest direct competitor to 4 Seasons Koh Samui when it comes to expertise and pricing — with maybe a bit extra seclusion because of its steering away from the Hollywood eye. For now, anyway.

Off-peak charges on the Rosewood Phuket begin at $810 per evening earlier than rising to $1,123 per evening throughout peak journey months over the winter.