How to recreate the laid back luxury vibes of The White Lotus season three hotel

While many of you will know the popular TV show The White Lotus for its suspenseful plotlines and satirical commentary, it’s struck a chord with us here at Homes & Gardens for its impeccable interiors too.

Embracing some of the most sophisticated interior design trends, the show’s interiors have made a mark and left us wanting more. HBO’s season three of The White Lotus is filmed at ‘The White Lotus’ resort, a fictional name given to the hotel that’s actually the iconic Four Seasons, located in Koh Samui, Thailand.

Filled with earthy textures, dark wood, and botanical prints, the hotel’s interiors balance laid-back bohemian vibes with tasteful sophistication. We spoke with the Four Seasons’ architect and interior designer Bill Bensley who discussed the inspiration behind the design and how to recreate the effortless bohemian style at home.

Nestled amid the palm trees on the island of Koh Samui you’ll find the irresistibly beautiful Four Seasons Hotel. The show was filmed all over Thailand, but unsurprisingly much of the series takes place at ‘The White Lotus’ resort. You can spot the hotel’s enviable interiors in scenes that feature the Ratliff Family Villa, the Ladies’ Villa (pictured below), Rick & Chelsea’s Room, the Breakfast Restaurant, the common areas, and the pool.

Speaking with Bill, it became clear that the surrounding natural beauty was the main inspiration behind the hotel’s interior design. ‘The inspiration was what Mother Nature handed to me on a silver platter! When I first saw the site some 25 years ago the gorgeous bay was packed with some 856 coconut palms. I went to the site some 17 times to adjust the site planning so that none of the trees or palms were cut down.’

Bill sums up the hotel’s style as, ”Thai vernacular set in a tamed jungle’. ‘I let nature take the lead’, he says. ‘I believe the best “rooms” in a resort are in the sweet spot between the indoors and the gardens. I put a great deal of energy into the design and maintenance of the gardens and let them influence the design of the interiors. It’s a safe technique as good gardens never go out of style.’

The jaw-droppingly gorgeous scenery is ingrained in the hotel’s identity. Although much of the design has been inspired by its habitat, there’s a lesson in using nature (of all kinds) to inspire your interior design, no matter where you are in the world.

Bringing The White Lotus look into your own home is all about channeling natural beauty Bill says. ‘Perhaps the most important advice is to (if you can), open your home up to the gardens. Pull back the drapes, or eliminate them altogether, and reorient your furniture to make the gardens the focus instead of a 65” TV! In many of my resorts, we have eliminated TVs to create a garden or view-centric room.’

Although many of us aren’t blessed with the stunning backdrop of palm trees and turquoise waters, that’s not to say you can’t mirror the hotel’s tranquil bohemian interiors.