A Weekend at The White Lotus, Without The Drama
With the release of HBO’s The White Lotus Season 3, curiosity has surged about the stunning filming locations chosen and featured in the hit series. While the Four Seasons Koh Samui steals the spotlight, there are other resorts throughout Thailand that served as backdrops for the show’s luxurious hotel chain and deserve equal billing; one of them is Samujana, located just off the east coast of Thailand. A relaxing weekend getaway awaits—without the drama.
To get to Samujana, private flights to Koh Samui are a convenient option. You can also take a commercial flight from Manila to Bangkok, and then a one-hour flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui. Ten minutes more by car and you’re at Samujana’s driveway.
It’s no surprise that the hit streaming series chose Samujana as its location. The sanctuary makes for a perfect casting: Perched on a hill, Samujana boasts stunning views of the Gulf of Thailand. The sleek, Cubist-style interiors bring to mind mansions in the Hollywood Hills.
There are 23 villas, ranging from 3-bedroom retreats to 8-bedroom sanctuaries. Each villa has dedicated managers and in-house chefs who ensure that the Samujana experience is seamless and memorable–which must be working to their favor, as the estate has an impressive three Michelin Keys. It is one of only eight properties in Thailand and less than 100 worldwide with this recognition.
The open-air sitting rooms embody the estate’s commitment to tranquil indoor-outdoor living. The villas also feature sunken seating areas, state-of-the-art chef’s kitchens, private indoor theaters, and fully equipped home gyms. Guests can relax on the rooftop terrace and enjoy the ocean view, or enjoy the infinity edge pools that wrap around the sprawling villa deck.
A weekend getaway can begin with an exploration of Koh Samui and the surrounding Gulf of Thailand. Samujana’s dedicated concierge can curate the perfect day itinerary, which can include a private charter of the estate’s 13-meter catamaran, or a chauffeured tour along the island’s coastline. Koh Samui features plenty to keep you busy–consider golfing at the Santiburi Samui Country Club, exploring the Fisherman’s Village, or visiting the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui.
Equally inviting is simply staying in. The villas feature extensive entertainment facilities, such as game rooms, indoor theaters, infinity pools, sprawling decks, and social spaces. Personal training sessions, yoga classes, Muay Thai lessons, and spa treatments can be arranged by the Guest Experience Manager within the privacy of your villa.
Rates begin at Php 70,000 per night for a 3-bedroom villa. Inquiries can be made at samujana.com
Photos courtesy of Heavens Portfolio