The news is good news for Four Seasons and Thailand-based Anantara Group.of the program The past two seasons, set in Hawaii and Sicily, have proven to further increase traveler interest in their respective regions, which were already popular. After the season aired, bookings at Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea and Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina skyrocketed.
It's safe to say that these Thai resorts can expect a similar increase in bookings after the Season 3 premiere in 2025. But realizing the White Lotus fantasy is not within the reach of every traveler. His one night stay at the Four Seasons on Koh Samui costs at least $1,400. Anantara in Phuket also has a starting night rate of $660, which is pretty cheap. Still, it's not at all expensive for all but the most wealthy visitors.
Nightly rates at Thailand's big brand luxury resorts are often on par with those in Europe and the US, but a burgeoning ecosystem of local hospitality groups and independent hotels offer many of the same five-star benefits. at a fraction of the price. . For around $180, the average nightly price for a 3-star hotel in Miami Beach, you can book a villa on the beach in Koh Samui with a private pool and 24-hour service.
Here are six beach retreats in Thailand that offer five-star luxury on a Best Western budget.
A few bays east of Four Seasons Koh Samui, on palm-fringed Choeng Mon Beach, is the first Thai outpost of Spanish hotel brand Melia. This family resort, which only opened in 2020, aims to be mid-market rather than high-end, but that doesn't make it worthy of the five-star label. Rooms start at $181 a night and tap into the island's maritime history with nautical rope décor and ocean blue accents, and top-floor suites are housed in reclaimed teak barges. Standard rooms also have access to a bubble bath on the balcony, and suites with direct access to a private pool or a 600+ foot pool that snakes through the resort's manicured tropical gardens also have the option of having breakfast delivered in a floating basket. (if that's your thing).
Rumor has it that Amanpuri, one of Phuket's most luxurious beach resorts, will be one of the film sets for the third season of The White Lotus. Although those were eventually disbanded, the resort remains a firm favorite with wealthy travelers. Rates often well exceed $1,500 per night, making it the province of a privileged few, but officials say nearby Surin offers similar perks and the same palm-fringed atmosphere. We know we offer it at a fraction of the cost. This beachfront spot is the only resort with access to Amanpuri's semi-private Pansea Beach, Phuket's most beautiful. Perched atop treetops, Surin's airy deluxe cottages start at $220 a night and overlook the Andaman Sea from cozy balconies shaded by umbrellas. This resort is also part of the White Lotus legend. Creator Mike White was here. first suggested The show's next stop is Thailand.
Just a short speedboat ride from Phuket, Koh Yao Noi will make you feel like you've stepped back in time. The palm-fringed beaches are fortunately devoid of tourists, and much of the jungle-covered interior is dominated by tranquil coconut plantations rather than shopping malls or amusement parks. Cape Kudu, on the east coast facing the sunrise, is one of the most fashionable places to stay on the island. The fresh rooms and villas feature plenty of linens, sun-bleached wood and wicker. The spa, restaurant, and beanbag-lined infinity pool are similarly decorated with a relaxing theme. Low season rates from May to October start from $122 per night, making this small resort excellent value for money. And how about stunning views of Phang Nga Bay's dramatic karst formations? They're free.
Located in the beachside holiday hub of Khao Lak, about an hour north of Phuket, this resort offers classic Thai hospitality, including fresh orchids, jasmine-scented towels, and a soothing sawasdee ka (hello) greeting. A typical example is provided. Sarojin's guest rooms are stunning, clad in teak wood, with spa-like bathrooms and spacious private spaces, but you'll probably want to spend more time in the pool cabanas, lined with gauzy curtains that blow in the breeze. It will be. The powder-sugar beach stretches out before you and is the starting point for kayak tours and sailings on the resort's charter yacht, which can end with a candlelit dinner on a nearby private islet. Garden View rates start at $180 per night and include a leisurely all-day breakfast with sparkling wine until 6pm.
From taxis to cocktails, prices on Thailand's most popular island are generally much higher than on the mainland. But the beaches are just as beautiful, so booking a coastal resort can be a smart way to save on vacation costs (and you'll also save on boat transfers and plane tickets. Island Destinations in Thailand flights tend to be expensive). One of southern Thailand's most popular hideaways is Krabi, with its honey-colored beaches and jungle-covered karst formations. Shell Sea Resort is a 10-minute drive from postcard-perfect Ao Nang Beach and offers a luxurious base with suites from $120 per night, a spa and three swimming pools. The resort's oceanfront section includes a private beach lined with hammocks, and island-hopping day trips take you to some of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Phang Nga Bay.
Koh Samui's 3-mile Chaweng Beach is just 10 minutes from your doorstep, but SAii Koh Samui Choeng Mon's perch in little-developed Hanuman Bay feels like a world away from the crowds. Masu. The most affordable rooms cost around $170, but the amenities don't come cheap. At this all-villa resort, even the entry-level Dig opens onto a spacious sundeck and private pool, with tropical-hued bathrooms with rain showers and bespoke bath amenities mixed with your favorite scents. Also included. Other perks include a complimentary yoga class each morning and complimentary snacks to take to your room.
Chris Schalkx is a travel writer based in Bangkok. You can follow him on Instagram. @chrsschlkx
