The extremely anticipated third season of The White Lotus has followers gripped to their screens – and this time, the forged unpacked in Thailand.
Regardless of vacation spot hypothesis fancying Japan, the Maldives and European ski-scapes, filming for season three commenced final yr in Thailand, and adopted swimsuit of the primary two seasons by organising in a 4 Seasons Resort.
The Emmy-winning sequence, delayed as a consequence of each writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023, was lastly launched within the UK on 17 February, streaming on Now.
The place season one explored cash and season two intercourse, season three aligns with its Southeast Asian location as a “wealthy tapestry” to delve into the themes of spirituality and demise.
With a bunch of new characters holed up on an annual journey to the HBO drama’s dysfunctional inns, listed below are the paradise islands behind the wild whodunnit anthology.
Learn extra: I travelled to Thailand’s White Lotus inns to find what to anticipate from season three
The place was The White Lotus season three filmed?
Manufacturing plans have been tight-lipped on official filming areas, however simply forward of the hit TV’s reveals third season, the ultra-luxury resorts used because the backdrop to the White Lotus lodge chain’s newest trials and tribulations have been revealed.
Whereas followers came upon in January final yr that the third chapter of The White Lotus could be prominently set in Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui – introduced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand – the official affirmation of some inns used was solely not too long ago made.
Anantara introduced that three of its Thailand resorts have been used as filming areas. Many pictures of The White Lotus Thailand resort have been filmed at Anantara Bophut, discovered on the island of Koh Samui, made up of serene seashores, wellness parlours and luxurious lodging.
Anantara Bophut may be noticed within the present with its signature Thai-style foyer on show, in addition to its jewelry retailer and grand tree-lined resort entrance. The lodge’s safety station and employees parking zone additionally make cameos.
As if made for The White Lotus, Bophut has spectacular options reminiscent of its lotus ponds and spa backyard, designed by famend architect Invoice Bensley.
One other Koh Samui resort, Anantara Lawana, and extra particularly its Singing Fowl Lounge, is the backdrop of one of the distinctive settings within the present’s third chapter for a bar scene.
This exceptional treehouse-style bar is nestled throughout the branches of an impressive 120-year-old tree, permitting friends to take pleasure in a pre-dinner aperitif named after native birds whereas the solar units on the island.
Learn extra: 24 hours with the real-life supervisor of The White Lotus
Over on one other Thai island, a 3rd Anantara property, the Mai Khao Phuket Villas, was used throughout filming for the fictional Wellness Sanctuary and Spa, in addition to Belinda’s (Natasha Rothwell) room.
The 183 villas and suites lie on the northern tip of the island of Phuket at a beachfront location, beloved by friends for its seclusion, privateness and class. A variety of the pool villas are dotted round a lagoon, mimicking a Southern Thai village fashion, providing non-public oases. Suites come in numerous sizes and styles, with some decked out particularly for youths and households.
To have a good time using its resorts, Anantara has created a ‘Lotus Awakening Escape Bundle’, a four-night retreat that enables friends to remain in all of the resorts featured on the present, together with spa experiences, native excursions and themed dinners.
The final two seasons used 4 Seasons inns because the backdrop to the drama, and this time isn’t any completely different. Except for Anantara, one of many prime settings for the brand new instalment was 4 Seasons Resort Koh Samui.
The luxurious property sits in opposition to a protracted stretch of white sands, tranquil waters and a wide array of luxurious villas dotted across the resort, from sea-facing villas with non-public eating decks to four-bedroom residencies with two infinity swimming pools and indoor-outdoor residing areas.
Within the present, the 4 Seasons resort is the setting for the Ratliff Household villa, the Girls’ villa, Rick (Walton Goggins) and Chelsea’s (Aimee Lou Wooden) room, the breakfast and lunch eating places, the pool, seashore and numerous widespread areas, gyms and paths, in addition to the spirit home.
Learn extra: Put your cash on Thailand for longhaul winter solar
The place have been seasons one and two filmed?
The relocation to Asia for season three follows a stint in each North America and Europe through the present’s first two seasons.
Because the respective episodes aired, the attract of star-studded casts and the idyllic settings noticed the resort’s development as the place to go for a luxurious getaway and a increase in bookings spiked on the service-centric 4 Seasons Resorts seen on display screen.
Learn extra: Thailand rides White Lotus wave as vacationers flock to filming areas
Season one – Maui, Hawaii
The 2021 sequence noticed a tropical debut in Hawaii on the fictitious White Lotus Resort.
Set on the 4 Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, characters’ – together with complicated lodge supervisor Armond, emotionally risky Tanya and tech exec Nicole’s – tumultuous travels have been based mostly in and across the Hawaiian “Valley Isle”.
Covid restrictions restricted filming areas largely to the confines of the lodge, however some backdrops noticed friends enterprise to the golden sands of the neighbouring Wailea Seaside when exterior of the notorious (and invented) “Pineapple Suite”.
Learn extra: The very best Hawaii seashores to go to for a slice of paradise
Season two – Sicily, Italy
The forged jetted to Italy for a sequence shrouded in Sicily’s amorous mythology and the San Domenico Palace, Taormina – a member of the 4 Seasons group on the northeast coast – shaped the facade of the second instalment of The White Lotus.
Free from the pandemic measures of sequence one, the cities of Taormina, Noto and Cefalù additionally took centre stage for the twists and turns of the seven Sicilian episodes orbiting the five-star lodge of horrors.
Learn extra: The very best inns in Sicily for luxurious retreats, seashore stays and household holidays
Seasons one, two and three of The White Lotus can be found to observe on Sky and NOW.
