The serene atmosphere of the Four Seasons Koh Samui was dramatically interrupted when two determined intruders, their feet bleeding from scaling treacherous rocks, clambered onto the set of The White Lotus season three. Resort manager Jasjit ‘JJ’ Assi recalls the moment he spotted them. "I saw them coming by chance, with bleeding toes," he said. "I called security and said 'who are you?' They said they'd do anything to be part of the show."
This was just one of the many surreal disruptions for the staff at the luxury Thai resort when the film crew descended. From paparazzi piloting drones from nearby boats to obsessed fans, life changed overnight for the team at the secluded hotel, mirroring the skyrocketing popularity of the series itself.
The Search for the Perfect White Lotus Setting
Finding the ideal location for the third season was a meticulous process for creator Mike White. He spent an entire year scouting opulent hotels across India and northern Thailand, searching for a setting with substantial character to host his satire of wealthy, troubled guests. With nearly 10 million viewers hooked on the second season, the pressure was immense.
His search ended at the Four Seasons Koh Samui. "I was ready with my marketing spiel," admits JJ. "He came in and stood there quietly for 10 seconds. Then he said: 'This is it. This is it.'" This resort was the final stop on a tour of approximately 30 Thai properties, and it instantly captured the vision for the show.
A Jungle Paradise Carved from Nature
Entering the resort at its highest point, guests are met with a breathtaking panorama of the Gulf of Thailand. The view is so stunning it raises the hairs on your arms. Sixty private villas cascade down the mountainside, each perched on stilts amidst the dense jungle, their private pools creating spots of brilliant blue against a backdrop of 150 varieties of exotic plants.
This is not a manicured garden but authentic, wild jungle. Operations manager Hannes Schneider confirms, "If you go five, six metres deeper it starts to become wild." The resort was masterfully designed by Bill Bensley on a former coconut plantation with a strict policy: not a single tree was to be disturbed. The result is a landscape where 856 coconut palms are the true stars, some even growing directly through the villas.
Life Imitating Art: Filming and Fan Mania
Despite the show's portrayal of outlandish guest behaviour and staff dilemmas, the Four Seasons team insists it hasn't created a PR problem. "Look, it's not a PR problem," JJ states firmly. "They are doing a great job in saying this is a satire, this is all exaggerated." Schneider adds with a laugh, "In the end it's a work of fiction, but in every piece of fiction there's a grain of truth."
The hype has been undeniable. The resort has seen a 386 per cent rise in enquiries since the location was announced. Current guests are intensely curious, often asking staff if dramatic events from the show, like a murder, have ever really happened there.
For two months during the winter of 2024, the cast lived on-site, blurring the lines between the fictional White Lotus and reality. "The actors were rehearsing with the butlers so they could learn the script, that's how personal relationships started to form," reveals JJ. The hotel adapted its entire schedule, with posh restaurants sometimes opening at 4am to accommodate filming.
JJ was even offered an acting role by Mike White and had learned his lines, but Thai labour laws ultimately prevented his cameo. Now, he spends his downtime scouring Reddit for fan theories to understand public sentiment about the show.
While the managers became close to the actors, some secrets remain firmly guarded. When asked if the cast partook in Thailand's legalised cannabis culture, JJ immediately blocked the question. Inquiries about their drinking habits were met with a laugh and a predictable silence.
The Ultimate Resort Experience
A stay at the Four Seasons Koh Samui is an exercise in blissful isolation. Beyond the private pools, the resort boasts Michelin-rated Thai cuisine, a dedicated Italian restaurant, a Middle Eastern pop-up, and a private beach. The allure is so powerful that most guests, including this journalist, never feel compelled to leave the grounds, despite the attractions of Koh Samui being just a short drive away.
The resort has fully embraced its association with the hit show. A White Lotus pop-up is running at the Four Seasons in Los Angeles, and themed cocktails are available in their hotels worldwide. It's a far cry from the initial hesitation, proving that leaning into the hype is a lucrative strategy.
So, is the Four Seasons Koh Samui really like The White Lotus? The beauty and service are impeccable, though the water is shallow and swimming is difficult due to coral. But after four days of doing sweet FA by a private pool, you start to wonder if you might have more in common with Jennifer Coolidge's character than you ever realised.
Villas at the Four Seasons Koh Samui start from £1,184 per night for two people.
