Elevator pitch
As one of the oldest and most renowned properties on the island, the Four Seasons Resort has long been a natural choice for a good proportion of discerning travellers making the trek to Koh Samui. Now, with a telegenic stint on the latest season of cult black comedy The White Lotus, the hotel is enjoying some well-deserved time in the spotlight as tourists flock to both the resort and island at large.
“You feel enrobed in the forest, with a rich animal soundscape surrounding you on all sides”
Koh Samui itself is a highly underrated jewel in Thailand with the most pristine beaches and crystalline water you can imagine. While it is sometimes overlooked in favour of nightlife hot spots like Phuket, the serenity and untouched natural beauty it holds is second to none. You’ll find the most luxurious expression of this at the Four Seasons, with stunning resort grounds, a comprehensive set of dining and wellness experiences, and a dedicated crew of staff who offer impeccable service around the clock.
The design
Designed by Bill Bensley (a fixture in luxury hospitality, who comes from Aman fame), the most remarkable thing about the resort lies in the preservation of its natural landscape. Perched on a stunning hillside, villas are not arranged in straight rows but instead scattered throughout the lush forest, appearing to blend seamlessly into its natural contours—with not one tree being cut down in the process.
The sensation this creates inside the villas is truly special: you feel enrobed in the forest, with a rich animal soundscape surrounding you on all sides. The sweet hymn of birdcall is constant; after a few days you’ll be able to pick out the distinct species active during different times of day based on sound alone.
Carved in stone and warm wood with touches of straw and rattan, the rooms meld contemporary design with traditional Thai touches, weaving together sanctuaries of calm that are genuinely hard to leave, especially when you consider the spacious deck and private plunge pool each villa is outfitted with. My personal favourite corner is the large work desk, strategically installed in front of a large window which faces lush forest and lets in a flood of natural light.
An almost comically large stone tub—bordering on a second pool—anchors the bathroom, framed by a floor to ceiling window that looks out into breath-taking views of tropical foliage and swaying palm fringe the creamy blue horizon, sky blending into the crystal-clear water of the sea.
The itinerary
Relaxation is first on the agenda here—and I don’t mean the cosmetic sort, where you spend an afternoon lounging on a beach chair with a cocktail before calling it a day. With its comprehensive wellness programme and highly attentive service, the Four Season Koh Samui offers you the rare opportunity to truly slow down, slacken your shoulders, and take a breath.
Start off by indulging in a few hours at the spa. A marvel of architecture in itself, the Four Seasons spa was not shown on The White Lotus—not because it wouldn’t have made for arresting TV, but due to its unique hilly terrain and treatment rooms studded into the forest, which would have made rigging camera equipment without disturbing the wildlife nearly impossible.
The extensive spa menu offers a wide range of treatments, with the most interesting of the lot being the ones inflected with traditional tools and technique—from coconut shells to a warm Thai herbal compress. Fill out your consultation form before you take a short walk through the forest (guided by a congenial therapist) to reach your personal enclave. If you have the fortune of having Ploy as your massage therapist, you are in good hands, and this massage might just change the course of your life.
If you’re a martial arts buff (or simply in the mood to sweat it out), book a session with coach Aan, a world class Muay Thai champion who teaches the traditional martial art in a ring perched on a cliffside, offering expansive views of Koh Samui island. It’s a uniquely serene setting for learning how to fight, but don’t except Aan to go easy on you.
Motivated to learn how to fight due to the racism he faced growing up as a young Asian man in Liverpool, UK, the coach is full of jokes and wisdom—but also a serious proponent of discipline and self-defence. Having trained three of the cast members of The White Lotus when they were filming on the resort, he’s a natural at tailoring the programme to different levels of expertise, so don’t hesitate to try if you’re a beginner.
If you’d like to leave the resort for some exploration, the best way is by boat—or more accurately, luxury yacht. Charter one of the resort’s private yacht’s and cruise around the jungle-clad islands of the Angthong Marine National Park, which hold some of the best snorkelling and diving spots in the Gulf of Thailand. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to stop on a private beach for a truly staggering sunset, fresh coconut in hand.
The dining
Thai cuisine is world-celebrated for a reason, and the mark of a good hotel anywhere in Thailand is its food. At Four Seasons Koh Samui, the range of options swerve from local to international—but the star is Koh Thai Kitchen, the resort’s signature hilltop restaurant serving up southern and central Thai dishes made with premium ingredients such as the local seafood, Australian lamb and Wagyu beef.
Alfresco dining is a must here—from nearly every vantage point, diners are met with a cool breeze and views of sprawling jungle and blue sea dotted with nearby islands. The food is delicious and fresh; the spice level is customisable, which caters to every palate without watering down the authenticity of the flavours.
You could also opt for beachside dining with rotating pop-ups hosted in the resort (on the weekends, they present Mediterranean cuisine at Zaa’tar, offering an exotic array of mezzes and salads, as well as juicy kebabs fresh from the grill).
The poolside bar, which featured heavily on the show and is now proudly crowned The White Lotus Bar, has a stellar beverage programme helmed by bar manager Thom Geerts. Till 16 May 2025, the venue is presenting a tongue-in-cheek trio of special cocktails inspired by the Four Seasons properties featured across the three seasons of The White Lotus so far. The delectably refreshing coconut and pandan-infused concoction definitely wins in my books—but there is really no way you could go wrong.
Book a stay at Four Seasons Koh Samui.
