A glimpse into the filming locations of the third season of The White Lotus

Landscaped gardens, Thai-style architecture and gorgeous spas and villas of Anantara Thailand Resorts form the backdrop of the third instalment of Emmy-award-winning series The White Lotus

Amidst the soft chirping of birds and stridulation of insects, mist lifts to reveal a tranquil pond with pink and white lotus flowers at a swish villa in Phuket. Despite the picture of calm it exudes, a sense of foreboding hangs in the air, especially for those who have watched the previous two seasons of HBO’s popular series The White Lotus. They know that the new set of guests arriving at the fictional resort in the third season of the satirical comedy-drama will be witnessing plot twists, drama, chaos and even murder.

For a show that shares its moniker with the name of a resort, the filming location is crucial — more so because the hotel’s setting and the culture of the country seeps into the narrative, almost as if they are the central characters.

After exploring Hawaii and Sicily, the series is now exploring Thailand for its latest season. Director Mike White has chosen three Anantara Thailand resorts to shoot the show’s third season as the landscaped gardens, pools, villas and architecture of these resorts present an authentic picture of Thai hospitality. The peaceful sanctuary of the Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas and its spa, which is shown in the first episode of the latest season, lulls the audience into a false sense of security, right before the drama unfolds.

Like us, if you have been to the iconic Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort, located on the pristine shores of Bophut Beach, and were spellbound by its charm, you would realise why Mike must have set his sights on this property. The spectacular landscaping, which spotlights lotus ponds and a spa garden was designed by renowned landscape architect Bill Bensley.

The infinity pool overlooking the calm, blue waters and the resort’s proximity to the popular Fishermen’s Village are another draw. So is the lush, tree-lined driveway that leads to a fountain with monkey figures, the grand Thai-style lobby and a lotus pond that looks just as Instagrammable in the daytime as it does during the night.    

Take the monkey-fountain at the lobby entrance, for instance. Multiple scenes in the series have been shot at this location, which forms a stunning backdrop and is also a reminder of the presence of monkeys in Thailand as well as in the show.

Scenes featuring the high-ceiling lobby with its grand chandelier, the lush driveway and a jewellery store, which actually is a reading room next to the lobby, are sprinkled throughout the show.