I’m staying at the Four Seasons Koh Samui, which happens to be the next location for the upcoming third season of The White Lotus.

Back in my private villa, the lights are turned off and I follow a path of candles to the bathtub filled with coconut milk and lotus flowers floating on the surface. Turns out it was the grand finale.

I drink herbal tea by candlelight, soak in the tub, the floor-to-ceiling doors open, inviting the night sky in. I am taken aback by the gesture of the spa healers. If this is what connection and spirituality is, I’m sold.

The White Lotus – the Emmy Award-winning HBO series – returns to our screens in early 2025, and creator Mike White has hinted that the theme of the next season will be spirituality and Eastern religion.

Fittingly, in Buddhism, the white lotus symbolizes enlightenment, purity and spiritual awakening. It’s easy to see why this location was chosen for the new season of the popular show.

Four Seasons Koh Samui is located in the south of the island of Koh Samui, approximately 20 km from the airport, on 17 hectares of secluded tropical hillside with its own private beach.

Upon arrival, cheerful staff welcomed me to the open-air hilltop reception, offering 360-degree views of the Gulf of Siam.

I am driven down the hill in a buggy, past individual villas surrounded by greenery. Perched on the hillside amidst lush gardens is my own private villa of serenity. It’s breathtaking and spacious; featuring Thai-inspired designs, rosewood furniture and island accents. It features an open spa-style bathroom, a private infinity pool and ocean views through the palm trees.

The resort is spectacular: the views, the landscapes and the private white sand beach with crystal clear turquoise waters. It’s a secluded tropical paradise so beautiful it looks like it’s coming from a screen, the pinnacle of luxury and the ultimate escape from reality.

It’s not the kind of place you want to leave – which isn’t a bad thing because there’s plenty to do. Private Muay Thai classes with an international champion, morning yoga, rum tasting, drinking Tiki by the oceanside infinity pool – you can even book a luxury yacht.

Several dining options are available, including beachfront dining at Pla Pla – excellent for a lazy lunch, offering fresh seafood and authentic Thai and Mediterranean dishes. It even offers delicious Thai wine from the Hua Hin hills, located about 200 km south of Bangkok.

Koh Thai Kitchen offers panoramic views and an impressive breakfast buffet, plus a sunset dinner of authentic Southern Thai dishes including Pad Kapi Goong Moo Sub (stir-fried shrimp, minced pork, fresh chilli and shrimp paste) and Yum Poo Nim (softshell). crab with spicy green mango salad).

Fishermen’s Night Barbecue brings local culture to guests, who are unlikely to leave the five-star resort. The private beach has become a mini-festival; white-clad tables and lanterns line the sand, food and market stalls cater to all tastes and (of course) the beach barbecue allows guests to choose from a range of fresh meats and seafood , including lobster, snapper and octopus.

It is clear that the resort recognizes the connection between tourism and supporting local artists in the community. A charismatic local cover band entertains guests while they dine, and the main event of the evening is a performance by some very talented local fire artists.

Wandering through the stalls, I meet local artist Choawalit Champathip, who creates handcrafted sculptures from the island’s buffalo leather. The practice of folk art was passed down from his father and his father before him. He sells his work every week to give his customers a taste of southern Thai art.

Soon to be catapulted onto the world stage via our television screens, it is clear that the resort is set to attract worldwide attention, offering unforgettable luxury and views, incredible authentic cuisine, superb accommodation and friendly staff who truly takes care of its customers. It’s world class.

A word of warning: leaving Koh Samui Four Seasons was beyond any post-vacation blues I have ever experienced; I felt like something was missing after I left. It’s like binging on a good TV show and it ends – you’re not quite ready to come back to reality.

Check-list

GETTING THERE

Fly from Auckland to Samui Airport with a stopover with Singapore Airlines, in partnership with Scoot. The resort is a 35-minute drive west of the airport.

DETAILS

amazingthailand.com.au

fourseasons.com/kohsamui