What is it like to have fuck-you money? How does it feel to be so wealthy that your family of five flies across the world (first class, no debate) from the United States all the way to balmy, beautiful Thailand for a week-long vacation in a luxury resort just so you can interview one person for your college thesis? Well, that’s a day in the life of Piper Ratcliff (Sarah Catherine Hook), the awkward, spirituality-seeking middle child in season 3 of HBOs satirical black comedy, The White Lotus, streaming on JioHotstar.
In case you’re new here, Mike White’s highly acclaimed TV show takes viewers to a new, exotic locale and an equally opulent resort every season to give us a glimpse into the insufferable, black-card-wielding lives of the super-rich. Like the previous seasons, the third iteration is filmed in the Four Seasons, this time in sunny, sandy Koh Samui. And although the gritty murders of The White Lotus may be fictional, the cerulean seas with floating hammocks, jungle canopy and expansive, private villas in which the show is set are very real.
Considering the behemoth popularity of the show, the tropical country is expecting a 20 per cent rise in tourists in 2025, while American Express is hosting a White Lotus Thailand Experience exclusive to certain high-flying card members. But just how much does it cost to vacay like the uber-wealthy guests on the show? Does it actually amount to an average person’s annual income? Lucky for you, we did the math so you can calm your chattering monkey minds and step away from the calculator.
Travel
Thanks to The White Lotus effect, the typically accessible flight prices from India to Thailand have also skyrocketed. A round-trip fare for one person from Mumbai to Koh Samui in the first week of March begins at ₹72,000 and goes up to a lakh and a half, depending on how quick and comfortable you want your layover to be. Let’s be honest, if you’re holidaying like the elite, you can’t fly economy, so let’s slap on that business class filter… That brings you to a paltry ₹3,00,000 and some change, a drop in the ocean for the millionaires among us.
Once you land on the island, the Four Seasons can book you a Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d or a luxury van so your journey from the airport to the resort is plush. And in case you want to stop in Bangkok for shopping and bar hopping, fret not: the property has a private jet to pick up visitors from other cities within Thailand. Price undisclosed, of course.
Stay
Before we proceed to the spenniest bit of the holiday, a gentle reminder that it actually will be that many zeroes, you’re not imagining things. Deep breath—in, then out—and let’s move forward.
Among the most extravagant resorts in the world, the Four Seasons in Koh Samui has 60-odd villas for vacationers and 11 private residences that are open for long-term rent. Whether you skimp with starter accommodation or go big with the five-bedroom Residence Villa, every bungalow comes equipped with a private plunge pool and uninterrupted views of the azure seas, and some with exclusive access to the beach, yay!
Now onto the numbers: the tiny single-bedroom villa that sprawls across 7,000 sq ft and comes with an extra rollaway bed (lol, why) comes up to ₹4,74,115 per night. Can’t help but wonder if this is where fidgety, frowning Rick Hatcher, played by Walton Goggins, and toothy princess Chelsea, played by Aimee Lou Wood, are staying. On the other hand, the five-bed, five-bath residence with two outdoor showers and a personal assistant (paradise for the Ratliffs) can set you back by ₹25,37,415 for one sleep—but hey, it includes complimentary breakfast. Not that it matters in the larger scheme of things, but the resort also charges a negligible Coral Reef Conservation Fee for every night.
Food and Drinks
Pick between the hyperlocal delicacies at Koh Thai Kitchen, grilled beef and fresh seafood at Pla Pla by the beach, the indigenous wines and canapes at Koh Bar, or sip on artisanal spirits at the poolside CoCo Rum. In comparison to the other spends, the meals and bevs at the hotel are a light breeze; the cocktails—which Chelsea and Chloe guzzle to “get pissed”—are priced at ₹1,500, while the mains are typically under ₹7,000.
This is barring the 1.5 kg Australian Black Angus Grain-Fed Tomahawk steak that is a cool ₹19,420 per plate. What are the odds that nepo baby Saxon Ratliff (portrayed rightfully by Patrick Schwarzenegger) will be seen cutting into this bad boy? Four Seasons is also home to Asia's only rum vault with an extensive library of rare and vintage bottles, some of which are no longer available for sale. Feel free to take a stab at auctioning for one of the priceless bottles here. And if you prefer intimacy, try the private waterside dining experience for ₹58,000 or the private cooking class for ₹25,000.
Wellness
This season’s narcissistic rich are treated to a posh wellness retreat complete with personalised health packages and phone-free public spaces. Like the rooms at the Four Seasons, their buffet of spa and spirituality is just as impressive. The standout offering is the resort’s Secret Night Ritual that includes four-hands healing, Tibetan singing bowls, a warm lava shell massage and a lotus petal bath under a star-lit sky by the beach. The 150-minute service for two is priced at a staggering ₹92,913. While the experts toil away to fix you, maybe try not to trauma dump on them the way Rick did?
IRL the Four Seasons doesn’t have a standalone posture correction class or stress management retreat, but it does offer meditation exercises to help you sleep calmer and release anxiety—no Lorazepam needed either. The spa also offers Connection with Sunrise, a half-day programme including a facial, a body scrub, afternoon tea and a mani-pedi for ₹43,876 per person. If you're in the mood for something more spiritual, opt for Reiki Energy Healing or Sound Bath Healing with the resort’s resident healers—these treatments are under ₹20,000. (Although we can’t promise that the healer will be a smouldering Russian with abs and a soft side.)
Experiences
When your stay for a handful of nights costs as much as buying a house in most cities across India, the least you can expect is the luxury of choice, and the resort lives up to its promise. If you have enough money to blow, you can never be bored at the Four Seasons. There’s a private yacht for hire—again, price on request, so you can imagine an exorbitant number and then double it. (Though if you’ve watched season 2 and remember Tanya McQuoid’s (Jennifer Coolidge) fate, you'd avoid the yacht with every fibre of your being.)
You can also hop on a day-long boat tour to Ang Thong Marine Park to marvel at limestone cliffs and snorkel among rare coral reefs for ₹2,32,283 or spend the same to cruise through the five islands in Koh Samui. Luckily, the kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, body boards and zayaks are complimentary. But if you want to snorkel or scuba dive, that’s an additional charge. If for some reason you’re not into the endless blue, go to the elephant sanctuary for ₹7,743 or take a Muay Thai class for ₹6,452. Even if you don’t leave with a version of yourself, you may leave a healthier one.
Bits and bobs
….only this time, they cost more than a premium car. Imagine you’re strolling back to your villa after breakfast and peek into the resort’s boutique—a local knick-knack here, a million-dollar serpentine necklace there, and of course a handwoven tote bag to carry your loot in. (Everyone indulges in impulsive buys on holiday.) And don’t forget the tips! The one thing you need to remember about cosplaying as a ridiculously wealthy man is that they don’t say thank you, they slip a stack of notes. So, keep that cash handy.
As promised, after whirring the calculator and counting the number of commas and zeroes, the estimated grand total for a The White Lotus-style holiday for three nights is (drum roll please) ₹16,27,345 (if you skimp hard) or ₹90,23,145 (if feeling good is the priority).
Side note: If you don’t feel like selling an arm and a leg to make this dreamy Thailand vacation reality, the Four Seasons also offers a special The White Lotus-themed day pass that gives visitors access to the restaurants and beach for ₹12,998 only. Although, at the very least, you may need a Valentino Garavani tote and Ulla Johnson swimsuit to blend in. Bonus points if you carry a hardbound copy of The Portable Nietzsche with you.
*Prices are as of March 2025, and are subject to change
