The news is a boon for Four Seasons and Thailand-based Anantara Group; the show two previous seasons, set in Hawaii and Sicily, have proven to boost traveler interest in their already popular respective destinations. After the seasons aired, reservations soared at the Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea and the Four Seasons' San Domenico Palace in Taormina.
It's safe to say that these Thai resorts can expect a similar surge in bookings after Season 3 premieres in 2025. But living the White Lotus fantasy isn't within every traveler's reach. A night at the Four Seasons in Koh Samui will cost you at least $1,400. And while at $660 a night, starting rates at the Anantara in Phuket are a bit lower, they're still not a bargain for anyone but the wealthiest visitors.
Nightly rates at luxury resorts from major Thai brands can often be comparable to those in Europe or the United States, but a growing ecosystem of local hotel groups and independent hotels offers many advantages. same five-star benefits at a fraction of the price. For around $180, the average rate from a night in a three-star hotel room in Miami Beach, you can book a villa with private pool and 24-hour service on the beach of Koh Samui.
Here are six beach retreats in Thailand offering five-star luxury on a Best Western budget.
On palm-fringed Choeng Mon Beach, a few bays east of the Four Seasons Koh Samui, sits the Spanish hotel brand's first Thai outpost. Melia. Still freshly opened in 2020, this family-friendly resort aims for mid-range rather than high-end, but that doesn't make it any less worthy of its five-star label. Rooms, starting at $181 a night, nod to the island's maritime past with nautical rope decor and accents of ocean blue, while its top-floor suites occupy barges made from reclaimed teak wood. Even standard rooms open to a bubble bath on their balcony, and suites with private plunge pools or direct access to a 2,200-plus-foot pool that winds through the resort's manicured tropical gardens have the option of deliver breakfast in a floating basket. (if that's your thing).
Rumors were circulating that Amanpuri, one of Phuket's swankiest resorts, would be one of the film sets for the third season of “The White Lotus.” They eventually dissipated, but the station remains a favorite with wealthy travelers. With rates often well over $1,500 per night, it's territory reserved for the privileged few – but those in the know know that. the Surin next door offers similar benefits and the same palm-tufted frame at a fraction of the cost. This beachfront location is the only resort offering access to Amanpuri's semi-private Pansea Beach, one of the most beautiful in Phuket. Perched in the treetops, Surin's spacious luxury cottages start at $220 a night and overlook the Andaman Sea from their comfortable balconies shaded by umbrellas. The resort is also part of the White Lotus tradition: it is here that creator Mike White first hinted in Thailand being the next venue for the show.
Just a short speedboat ride from Phuket, the island of Koh Yao Noi feels like a trip back in time. Its palm-fringed beaches remain blissfully free of tourist crowds, and sleepy coconut farms – not shopping malls or amusement parks – still cover most of the inland jungle. Cape Kudu, on the east coast facing the sunrise, is one of the chicest places on the island. Its airy rooms and villas are furnished with plenty of linen, sun-bleached wood, and basketwork; an equally relaxed theme adorns the spa, the restaurant and the infinity pool lined with beanbags. With low season rates from May to October starting at $122 per night, this small resort offers excellent value. And those dazzling views of the spectacular karst formations of Phang Nga Bay? They are free.
This resort in the beachfront resort of Khao Lak, about an hour north of Phuket, offers a classic example of classic Thai hospitality: fresh orchids, jasmine-scented towels, and singing sawatdi ka, or hello , greetings included. The SarojinRooms are teak-clad marvels with spa-like bathrooms and plenty of private spaces, but you'll probably spend more time in one of the pool cabanas, lined with gauzy curtains fluttering in the breeze. A powdered sugar beach stretches out front and is a launching point for kayak tours and cruises on the resort's charter yacht, which can end with candlelit dinners on a nearby private islet. Rates for Garden Views start at $180 per night and include a leisurely all-day breakfast with sparkling wine served until 6 p.m.
From taxis to cocktails, prices on Thailand's most popular islands are generally much higher than on the mainland. The beaches, however, can be just as pretty, making booking a land-based resort a smart way to cut vacation costs (plus, you'll save on boat transfers and plane tickets – flights to Thailand's island destinations tend to be expensive). One of southern Thailand's most popular hideaways is Krabi, a string of honey-colored beaches and jungle-covered karst formations. The sea of shells The resort, a ten-minute drive from pretty Ao Nang Beach, makes a luxurious base with suites from $120 a night, a spa and three swimming pools. A private hammock-lined beach hugs part of the resort's waterfront, while island-hopping day trips can take you to the most beautiful stretches of sand in Phang Nga Bay.
While Koh Samui's three-mile Chaweng Beach is just ten minutes from its doorstep, SAii Koh Samui ChoengmonThe undeveloped perch of Hanuman Bay feels like a world away from the crowds. Its most affordable room will cost you around $170, but the amenities are anything but cheap. At this all-villa resort, even entry rooms open onto sun terraces and private pools, have tropical-hued bathrooms with rainfall showers, and include custom toiletries mixed with your favorite perfumes. Other perks include free yoga classes every morning and a selection of free snacks to take back to your room.
Chris Schalkx is a travel writer based in Bangkok. You can follow him on Instagram: @chrsschlkx.
