Inspired by The White Lotus, exploring Thailand’s island paradise from afar

The Dream Begins

Like so many others, I found myself completely captivated by The White Lotus. The stunning tropical vistas, the luxurious resort life, the drama unfolding against pristine beaches and infinity pools—it was all so intoxicating. And when I discovered that the show featured the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, I knew I had to explore this paradise, even if only through my screen.

While my bank account might not allow for a first-class ticket to Thailand just yet, there’s something magical about virtual travel—diving deep into a destination, planning a dream itinerary, and discovering hidden gems that make you feel like you’re already there. So pour yourself a tropical drink, settle in, and join me on this armchair adventure to Koh Samui.

The Resort: Where White Lotus Luxury Meets Reality

The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui sits on Thailand’s northwestern tip at Laem Yai Bay, offering pristine beaches, tropical flora, and calm blue seas. This isn’t just any resort—each villa features a private infinity pool, private bar, and outdoor day beds where guests can enjoy views of either the lush tropical grounds or the Gulf of Siam.

Imagine waking up in your villa, where the bathroom’s glass doors open onto a private deck for an open-air bathing experience. The architecture seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living, with spacious Thai villas surrounded by lush tropical gardens in a preserved coconut grove.

The resort’s restaurants are equally impressive. Koh Thai Kitchen and Bar offers southern Thai cuisine like curries and local seafood from its hillside position, while Pla Pla features a Mediterranean menu, and the Beach House offers nightly pop-up dinners. For a more laid-back option, CoCoRum serves as the hotel’s very own rum vault.

Beyond lounging by your private pool, the resort’s SIAMSEAS cruising boat offers access to Marine National Park and various other locations. The Secret Garden Spa draws inspiration from nature’s bounty, creating treatments using plants and herbs grown right at the resort.

Island Adventures: What to Do Near the Resort

Temple Treasures

The two most popular temples are the Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai) and Wat Plai Laem, conveniently located near each other for easy visiting. The Big Buddha Temple features little shops leading up to it and stairs that climb to the Buddha, with lovely views of the bay below.

Wat Plai Laem offers something different—a series of statues set on a pond, with different designs, colors, and styles that showcase various representations of Buddhism. For something truly unique, visit Wat Khunaram, home to a mummified monk preserved since 1973 in meditative position.

Natural Wonders

Ang Thong National Marine Park is easily one of the best things to do in Koh Samui and the entire Gulf of Thailand—an archipelago of 42 islands featuring limestone cliffs, rocky caves, thick jungle, lakes, waterfalls, coral reefs, and sandy beaches. Highlights include the Emerald Lake (Thale Nai), a green saltwater lake in the jungle, Koh Sam Sao for amazing snorkeling, and Koh Mae with its steep hike to a scenic viewpoint.

For waterfall enthusiasts, Namuang 2 Waterfall offers adventure, located way up a mountain deep in the lush green jungle. And if you’re looking for quirky photo opportunities, Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks near Lamai Beach are known for their resemblance to human genitalia, with local legends adding to their charm.

Island Hopping

Koh Madsum, also known as ‘Pig Island,’ is home to wild pigs that greet visitors on the beach. The story goes that pigs were rescued by a local villager and brought to the island, where they’ve adapted to island life. Nearby Koh Tao offers excellent snorkeling spots, while Nangyuan island is home to one of Thailand’s most iconic viewpoints.

Beach Hopping

Chaweng is the busiest part of the island with the most shops, restaurants, and clubs, while Lamai offers a middle ground—more laid back but still with a main strip. Lipa Noi provides a much more relaxed setting around a calm bay.

For those seeking something special, SEEN Beach Club offers covered bar areas with food and beverage minimums, shade, and a luxurious afternoon experience. The Chaweng Night Market provides authentic street food for incredibly cheap prices—you can get a full meal for less than $2 USD.

Where to Eat Like a Local (and a Lotus Guest)

Fine Dining Experiences

Tree Tops delivers a dining experience from a dazzling position high in a 120-year-old tree, with eight private salas offering breathtaking views and an exquisite eight-course menu matched with wine pairings from a cellar of more than 170 vintages. Signature dishes include scallops smoked over charcoal with kaffir lime, and braised chicken breast with citrus, pistachio crumble, thyme jus and honey-roasted beets.

The Jungle Club, perched high above Koh Samui, is a family-run hideaway with spectacular views across the Gulf of Siam where Chef Wally crafts Thai-Mediterranean fusion cuisine, including rich lobster bisque and crispy skin sea bass with hoisin glaze.

For a truly unique viewpoint experience, The Cocoon offers both Thai and European cuisines from what’s considered the top viewpoint on the island—perfect for Instagram-worthy moments and exceptional food.

Authentic Thai Flavors

Kapi Sator, a Michelin Bib Gourmand destination, celebrates the fierce, bold flavors of southern Thailand with dishes like tender squid in coconut-lemongrass broth and whole pomfret fish in aromatic curry.

Malee Kitchen Samui (with locations in both Chaweng and Fisherman’s Village) serves authentic Thai food using fresh, home-grown ingredients straight from their farm. They create all sauces and pastes fresh on-site without MSG, and happily customize meals for dietary needs.

Sawasdee Cup Samui offers an extensive menu with dishes like pork salad and larb gai, combining classic local Thai food with lovely service and views of western-side sunsets.

Beach Clubs and Casual Dining

Chi Samui channels Ibiza’s sultry spirit with beach club vibes at Bangrak’s white-sand shores, featuring a 25-meter saltwater infinity pool, swim-up bar serving legendary Salted Caramel Espresso Martinis, and nightly entertainment including cabaret shows and resident DJs.

Coco Tam’s in Fisherman’s Village springs to life at night with an enchanting blend of chilled-out luxury and theatrical flair. And for those seeking authentic local flavors, the night markets throughout the island—especially the Friday Walking Street at Fisherman’s Village and the Lamai Night Market on Sundays—offer incredible street food at unbeatable prices.

Practical Dream Planning

Getting There

Unlike many Thai islands, Koh Samui has its own airport with direct flights from Bangkok, featuring one of the most charming airports you’ll ever see—open-air terminals, bean bags, fish ponds, and tropical gardens. Ferry options from Donsak Pier near Surat Thani include Raja Ferry (slower and cheaper, taking 1.5 hours) or Lomprayah (faster and more expensive, taking 45 minutes).

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is December through April, with dry, sunny weather ideal for beach activities and temperatures around 28–32°C (82–90°F). While monsoon affects much of Thailand from May to October, Koh Samui’s rains peak in October and November, making them the least favorable months. For fewer crowds and better deals, May and June offer pleasant weather with off-peak discounts.

Getting Around

Songthaews are a popular and economical choice, costing between 20 and 60 baht depending on the journey. For more freedom, renting a scooter or car allows you to explore the island’s 51-kilometer ring road at your own pace—the entire loop takes about 1.5 hours.

The Virtual Vacation Continues

Even though I can’t physically be there yet, exploring Koh Samui through this research has been its own kind of adventure. I’ve mapped out my dream itinerary: mornings watching sunrise from my private villa’s infinity pool, afternoons exploring hidden temples and waterfalls, evenings dining under the stars at Tree Tops or watching fire dancers at a beach club.

The Four Seasons Koh Samui represents more than just luxury—it’s the perfect base for experiencing everything this magical island offers. From the moment you arrive at that whimsical airport to your last sunset sail to Ang Thong Marine Park, Koh Samui promises the kind of transformative travel experience that The White Lotus captured so perfectly.

One day, this virtual journey will become reality. Until then, I’ll keep exploring, planning, and dreaming of those turquoise waters, private infinity pools, and the incredible adventures waiting on Thailand’s enchanting island.

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Have you been to Koh Samui? What would be on your dream itinerary? Share your thoughts and help fellow dreamers plan their future escapes!