The information is a boon for 4 Seasons and the Thailand-based Anantara group; the present’s earlier two seasons, set in Hawaii and Sicily, have proved to turbocharge vacationers’ curiosity of their already well-liked respective locales. After the seasons aired, bookings soared at 4 Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and the 4 Seasons’ San Domenico Palace in Taormina.
It’s protected to say that these Thai resorts can count on an identical uptick in reservations after season 3 premieres in 2025. However dwelling out the White Lotus fantasy isn’t inside each traveler’s attain. One night time on the 4 Seasons in Koh Samui will price you a minimum of $1,400. And whereas at $660 per night time, beginning charges on the Anantara in Phuket are a good bit decrease — they’re nonetheless not precisely a steal for anybody however essentially the most deep-pocketed guests.
Nightly charges at Thailand’s big-brand luxurious resorts can typically be on par with these in Europe or america, however a burgeoning ecosystem of native hospitality teams and independently owned inns affords lots of the identical five-star perks at a fraction of the worth. For about $180, the typical charge of an evening in a three-star lodge room in Miami Seashore, you possibly can e book a villa with a personal pool and round the clock service on the seaside in Koh Samui.
Listed below are six Thailand seaside retreats providing five-star luxurious on a Finest Western price range.
On palm-pinned Choeng Mon Seashore, a couple of bays east of the 4 Seasons Koh Samui, sits the primary Thai outpost of Spanish lodge model Meliá. Nonetheless contemporary from its opening in 2020, this family-friendly resort goals for midmarket relatively than high-end, however that doesn’t make it any much less worthy of its five-star label. Rooms, beginning at $181 per night time, riff on the island’s maritime previous with nautical rope decor and licks of ocean-blue, whereas its top-level suites occupy reclaimed teakwood barges. Even the usual rooms open to a bubble tub on their balcony, and suites with both a personal pool or direct entry to a greater than 2,200-foot pool that meanders by way of the resort’s manicured tropical gardens have the choice to have breakfast delivered in a floating basket (if that’s your factor).
Rumors circulated that Amanpuri, one in all Phuket’s ritziest seaside retreats, can be one of many movie units for the third season of “The White Lotus.” They have been in the end dispelled, however the resort stays a agency favourite with rich vacationers. With charges typically taking pictures to effectively over $1500 per night time, that is territory for the privileged few — however insiders know that the Surin subsequent door affords comparable perks and the identical palm-tufted setting at a fraction of the associated fee. This beachfront spot is the one resort providing entry to Amanpuri’s semiprivate Pansea Seashore, one in all Phuket’s prettiest. Pitched up among the many treetops, the Surin’s ethereal deluxe cottages begin at $220 per night time and overlook the Andaman Sea from their cosy, parasol-shaded balconies. The resort is a part of White Lotus lore, too: it was right here that creator Mike White first hinted at Thailand being the present’s subsequent location.
A brief speedboat-hop from Phuket, the island of Koh Yao Noi appears like a visit again in time. Its palm-fringed seashores stay blissfully freed from vacationer crowds, and sleepy coconut farms — not purchasing malls or amusement parks — nonetheless cowl most of its jungled inland. Cape Kudu, on the sunrise-facing east coast, is without doubt one of the island’s chicest locations to remain. Its breezy rooms and villas come furnished with plenty of linen, sun-bleached woods and wickerwork; a equally laid-back theme clothes the spa, restaurant and beanbag-lined infinity pool. With low-season charges from Might to October beginning at $122 per night time, this small resort affords glorious bang to your baht. And people dazzling views over Phang Nga Bay’s dramatic karst formations? They’re free.
This resort within the beachside vacation hub of Khao Lak, about an hour north of Phuket, delivers a textbook instance of basic Thai hospitality — contemporary orchids, jasmine-scented towels and lilting sawatdi ka, or hiya, greetings included. The Sarojin’s rooms are teakwood-clad wonders with spalike loos and heaps of personal house, however you’ll most likely spend extra time in one of many pool cabanas, that are lined with gauzy curtains billowing within the breeze. A powder-sugar seaside stretches out in entrance and is a jumping-off level for kayak journeys and sailings on the resort’s constitution yacht, which might finish with candlelit dinners on a close-by non-public islet. Charges for backyard views begin at $180 per night time and embrace leisurely all-day breakfast with glowing wine served till 6 p.m.
From taxis to cocktails, costs on Thailand’s hottest islands are usually a lot greater than on the mainland. The seashores, nevertheless, could be equally fairly — which makes reserving a seafront resort ashore a sensible solution to reduce vacation prices (moreover, you’ll save on boat transfers and aircraft tickets — flights to Thailand’s island locations are typically expensive). Considered one of southern Thailand’s hottest hideouts is Krabi, a string of honey-hued seashores and jungle-cloaked karst formations. The ShellSea resort, a ten-minute drive from postcard-pretty Ao Nang seaside, makes for a luxurious base with suites from $120 per night time, a spa and three swimming swimming pools. A hammock-lined non-public seaside hugs a part of the resort’s oceanfront, whereas island-hopping day journeys can take you to Phang Nga Bay’s prettiest stretches of sand.
Whereas Koh Samui’s three-mile Chaweng Seashore, sits simply ten minutes from its doorstep, SAii Koh Samui Choengmon’s perch on little-developed Hanuman Bay feels a world away from the crowds. Its most inexpensive room will set you again about $170, however the facilities are something however low-cost. At this all-villa resort, even the entry-level digs open to a generously sized solar deck and personal pool, have a tropic-tinged lavatory with rain bathe and embrace bespoke lavatory facilities combined along with your most well-liked scents. Different perks embrace complimentary yoga lessons each morning, and a pick-and-mix of free snacks to carry again to your room.
Chris Schalkx is a Bangkok-based journey author. You’ll be able to observe him on Instagram: @chrsschlkx.
