Set-Jetting: Following the Path of The White Lotus in Thailand
Explore Thailand Through The White Lotus: Season 3
The newest season of The White Lotus stirred up excitement not only among TV fans, but also among travelers. After Hawaii and Italy, the HBO hit has now landed in Thailand, and it’s no surprise that people are already dreaming of following in its footsteps. This is set-jetting - when a TV show or movie becomes the reason you book your next trip.
What Is Set-Jetting?
Set-jetting (from “set” — a filming location, and “jet-setting” — glamorous travel) is the idea of visiting real places where your favorite shows or films were shot. The trend has been around for a while, but The White Lotus made it explode in popularity.
Expedia reports that by 2024, nearly 70% of travelers said they had chosen a destination because of a film or series. It’s easy to see why — the show pairs striking visuals and luxury hotels with sharp storytelling, making viewers want to step right into the frame.
Where Was Season 3 Filmed?
HBO confirmed that filming took place across three main locations in Thailand:
- Koh Samui
- Bangkok
- Phuket
The Primary Location Four Seasons Koh Samui
This hillside resort with jungle-wrapped villas, private infinity pools, and sweeping ocean views served as the heart of season 3. It feels like a character of its own, and fans will recognize it instantly.
Getting to Koh Samui
- ✈️ From Bangkok: Direct flight via Bangkok Airways (about 1 hour, $70–120)
- 🚤 From Surat Thani: Bus + ferry combo (about 4 hours, ~$25)
- 🚕 On the island: 20–40 minutes by taxi to Laem Yai Beach (home to the resort)
💡 Tip: Flights to Samui are limited and book up quickly, so it’s smart to plan early.
Can You Stay at the Hotel From the Series?
Yes — and that’s part of the thrill.
- 💰 Villas with pools start from $800-1400 per night
- 🍽 Gourmet breakfast and fine dining restaurants included
- 🧘 Access to private beach, spa, fitness center, and sunset yoga
💡 Budget alternative: boutique stays near Maenam or Nathon Beach go for $60–150 a night, and you’re still just a short ride from the Four Seasons.
Must-Visit Spots on Koh Samui (Even Without a Reservation)
- 🛕 Wat Plai Laem — a colorful temple with the 18-armed Guanyin goddess
- 🌳 Secret Buddha Garden — hidden sculptures in the jungle hills
- 🐟 Fisherman’s Village — night markets and seafront cafés
- 🌄 Jungle Club Viewpoint — panoramic views of coconut forests and sea
Perfect for golden-hour photos that echo the show’s dreamy, ironic tone.
Bangkok & Phuket: Expanding the Route
While Koh Samui steals the spotlight, Bangkok and Phuket also make appearances.
In Bangkok:
- Rooftop bars in Sathorn (think Sirocco or Vertigo)
- Scenes along the Chao Phraya River (possibly at Capella Bangkok)
- Chinatown alleys and canal boats for a raw, urban edge
In Phuket:
- Cape Panwa and Ao Yon Beach appear in key shots
- Private villas capture the show’s sense of exclusivity
- Sunset sequences highlight the island’s quieter side
For fans, a Bangkok → Samui → Phuket loop delivers the full White Lotus journey.
Why Does The White Lotus Inspire Travel?
Because it’s more than just pretty locations. The show contrasts luxury with unease, beauty with emptiness, spirituality with consumerism. That tension pulls viewers in — and makes them want to see the settings in real life, to reconnect with the atmosphere they felt on screen.
Sample 5-Day Itinerary: White Lotus Tour
Day 1: Bangkok — rooftop sunset, dinner by Wat Arun
Day 2: Flight to Koh Samui — check into a boutique hotel, sunset beach walk
Day 3: Explore Wat Plai Laem, Secret Buddha Garden, Fisherman’s Village, sunset at Jungle Club
Day 4: Ferry or flight to Phuket — Ao Yon Beach, dinner near Cape Panwa
Day 5: Spa morning, street food market, flight home
It’s Not Just the Place — It’s the Feeling
The brilliance of The White Lotus isn’t only in its settings, but in the mood it creates. Watching a sunset and feeling like you’re in the opening credits. Eating breakfast alone and imagining stories unfolding around you. Walking barefoot on a beach with the theme music playing in your head.
That’s what set-jetting really is — bringing fiction back into real life.
Final Thoughts
The White Lotus is more than a show — it’s a mood, a mirror, almost an aesthetic. Set-jetting through Thailand lets you step inside that mood. Whether you stay at the Four Seasons or just wander nearby beaches, you’re no longer just a viewer — you’re part of the story.
And who knows — maybe you’ll leave with your own plot twist.
