Late Checkout: I Had My Very Own White Lotus Experience in Thailand. Everyone Lived (and Thrived).

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When I received the email inviting me to experience a luxurious wellness experience in Thailand for six days, but two weeks before I was meant to leave, my first (Virgo) thought was, “Well that makes absolutely no sense. How could I possibly fly to Thailand?!” And then, as I always do, I took my absolutist woes to my therapist, who—as she always does—glared at me from across the room and said, “Of course you’re going to Thailand.” She was right: I was going to Thailand. 

Given that White Lotus Season 3 had just finale’d, there was no time like the present to head to Southeast Asia (for the first time in my life) and see if I could have my very own Hollywood-inspired wellness extravaganza that would lead to more life and transcendence—without any death or unhappy story arcs whatsoever. 

The logline: Over the course of six days, I would stay at two Banyan Tree resorts—Phuket and Krabi. There would be no backpacking, tropey elephant rides…or acts of betrayal and murder, but rather an elevated, restorative, and beautifully curated itinerary that wove in (and celebrated) each region’s unique culture and traditions (and ingredients!).

Overarching First Impressions

Iconic content creator @bomanizer once said, “What we know now is known because we know it. But we’re learning that what we understand about what we don’t know, we’ll never know until we learn it” (truly prophetic). This was me in Southeast Asia.

Everyone has been talking to me about Southeast Asia—Thailand specifically—for years. “Mystical, beautiful, unlike any other place, where I want to retire,” and so on and so forth. In its topical popularity, I just assumed I would “get to it” another time. After all, my friend bought me a pair of elephant-printed harem pants back in 2016. My work was done.

Then I landed in Phuket after approximately one million hours, and I was in a completely different universe. It was June, the humidity was humidifying, and the Phuket airport stood as a unifying nucleus for the United Arab Emirates, India, Russia, and Asia. I was, indeed, mystified. The energy was tangible, the 7-Elevens were that of a culinary Disneyland, fuzzy purse accoutrement could be found in abundance… and I hadn’t even left the airport yet.

I was ready to know what I didn’t know…until I learned it.

The Branches of the Banyan Tree Hotels

“Of course I know the Banyan Tree” was the first response many of my friends screamed at me after I told them where I was going with a shrug in the shape of a question mark.

Having been around since 1994, with over 100 properties in 20-25+ countries, Banyan Group is prioritizing nature, immersion, and adventure across all of its properties. Whether in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, or Europe, there is a consistent focus on providing guests with an imprinting escape that doesn’t negatively impact the environment.

Given the massive rise in wellness-led tourism (which shows no signs of slowing down), wellness programs have become a more centered focus for Banyan, including their eight unique core pillars of wellbeing: 

• Connection
• Groundedness
• Growth
• Mindfulness
• Movement
• Nourishment
• Practice
• Rest

More on that shortly.

Phase I: Phuket

Being able to stay at Banyan Tree Phuket was incredibly special, given that this property was the group’s literal first property. Just 30 minutes from the Phuket airport, Banyan Tree Phuket is the OG embodiment of the brand’s core philosophy: “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People.”

Built on a former abandoned tin mine site that was heavily polluted, Banyan Tree’s founders rehabilitated the land through extensive environmental restoration, which was very ahead of its time in the 90s.

Upon arrival, I was completely overtaken by the luxuriously vast property (which included an entire golf course). Even with its overwhelmingly expansive nature, it still managed to encompass an enormous level of privacy throughout, and the foliage and greenery were “in abondanza,” as I like to say. The magical layout of the resort left much to be discovered, which meant that the walk back to and from my villa never got tiring. And if I no longer had the energy to flop around in my “I’m in Thailand” loungewear, there were bicycles and hotel staff zipping through on golf carts (which was perfect for the thousands of times I got lost en route to my room).

As a part of my wellness-forward stay, I stayed in one of the Wellbeing Pool Sanctuary Villas, which can come in at around $650 per night, depending on dates. These 12 eco-sustainable “resting quarters” launched back in 2020 as a complement to the resort’s wellness offerings, including daily afternoon nutrition platters riddled with local fruits (raw coconuts included), unlimited access to group wellbeing activities, nightly rest rituals, and other wellbeing-centered amenities. 

Speaking of Wellness

As mentioned above, the resort focuses on eight pillars of wellness, and I was lucky enough to experience the full breadth of the resort’s offerings.

Almost immediately, I had a wellness consultation at the Wellbeing Center, where I worked with a highly trained practitioner (who just so happened to be from the birthplace of Ayurveda, which is my love language). We discussed my physical, metaphysical, and emotional needs, and decided that Rest was my focus (which was obviously hard to hear for someone who has been called a “whirling dervish” by their own mother).

With this in mind, a uniquely crafted program was provided, including supportive activities, spa services, and workshops. Some highlights:

• Conscious Grounding
• Gratitude Meditation
• 90-Minute Massage 
• Beachfront Sound Bath
• Vinyasa Yoga Flow
• Reflexology & Gua Sha Workshop

Other Notables

I acknowledge that staying at a luxury wellness resort isn’t necessarily the most immersed one could be in the culture of a place, however, Banyan facilitates experiences and excursions that allow guests to see the breadth of Thailand’s largest island.

I was shepherded to the famous Phuket Sunday Night Market, where I was surrounded by tourists on a food scavenger hunt—choosing between mochi stalls, specialized seafood, and unique combinations of the island’s native ingredients (I drank pure Gotu Kola and am still the better for it). I also found myself furiously looking for a Lafufu (fake Labubu), ending up with multiple purse accessories instead (I never said I wasn’t basic!). 

My group also had two incredible onsite dining experiences at the hotel, including a Mekhala Sunset Cruise, where we had canapes and drinks as we explored the beauty of Laguna Phuket. 

Phase II: Krabi

After a divine stint in Phuket, it was time to head east to the mainland. 

When we arrived at the Banyan Tree Krabi (pr. kraa-bee) three hours later, the first words that left my mouth were, “Now this is what we’ve been waiting for.”

Unlike the bustling city environment of Phuket, Krabi took us deep into the lush, tropical depths of Thailand, where gas stations sit at the base of rock formations that make religion feel viable, the soil is a rich terra cotta color, and the limitless landscape of the monsoon-daring skies makes one feel like they are at the end of the earth.

We had been warned about the possibility of monsoons (since the season had just started), but amazingly, we avoided rain throughout our stay, which meant that we were able to continuously soak in the flat, sandbar-ridden Andaman Sea attached to the hotel property. It was as temperate as it was perfect for paddle boarding (and screaming, “I’ll never be this happy again!”).

I stayed in a Premium Ocean Pool King Suite, which can run upwards of $700 per night, depending on when you go. Similar to the Banyan Tree Phuket, Krabi’s rooms provided a just-for-you ethos—giving guests the option to embrace their surroundings from the privacy (and romance) of their own rooms.

There was also the option to use the property’s incredibly thoughtful, full-service spa, The Rainforest. Krabi’s first hydrotherapy spa (that even includes a Rain Walk and an ice fountain!)—the whole kit and kaboodle.

A Day Away

As a part of the hotel’s 5-star service and regional immersion, Banyan Tree offers day-trip excursions to journal-worthy destinations adjacent to the property.

My group and I were taken in a private longtail boat to Hong Island, which may as well have been (and may as well have been) the backdrop for the movie The Beach. It was one of the most memorable days of my life and one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen to-date.

We swam in the clear water, ate coconut flesh, I asked for an unsweetened almond milk Thai Iced Tea (and got it), and left with a different skin color from when I arrived. If I had an Instagram, this would have been my Shangri-La.

A Taste of Thailand

I know I’m long-winded and that this piece is already taking us over time, but before we wrap things up, we have to talk about the food.

Across both Banyan Tree properties, I was consistently overwhelmed by the immaculate quality of the food. I can be very “Los Angeles” with how I eat (and therefore modify) my food. “Is that sweetened? Is there dairy in it? Gluten??” are often things that escape my mouth and can also make foreign travel interesting.

The food in Phuket and Krabi did not disappoint. 

Even with my voluntary modifications for the Wellness Woman (™) in me, every request was accommodated and not one dish lacked flavor (or satisfaction). Yes, even the mango sticky rice.

I was also incredibly impressed with how each property refined its menus to reflect local ingredients and regional dishes. Depending on your mood, there are multiple options on both properties, which provides experiential and culinary diversity (my favorite was The Bird’s Nest at Krabi!).

Packing for Paradise

I won’t pretend to be a light packer (I’m not!). Here were my Thailand holy grails for the six days I spent one step closer to God (whoever she is!). 

For the Beach

• Marie Oliver Ariel Pant
• Left on Friday Brushed Leopard Sunday Top + Dip Bottom
• Dolce Vita Starla Mesh Sandals Black Woven Mesh
• MZ Wallace Dawn Crosby Crossbody Sling Bag

‍For the Sun

• Tower 28 SOS FaceGuard™ SPF 30 Sunscreen PA+++
• OneSkin OS-01 LIP SPF
• Solara Suncare Good Karma Energizing Body Oil Sunscreen, SPF 30
• Sardine Aster Sunglasses

For After the Sun

• Orpheus RESURRECTION Bio-Luminous Dewy Essence
• Herbal Face Food The Extreme Cure XX
• Joanna Czech The Balm
• Soft Services Smoothing Set

For Travel

• Cymbiotika Liposomal Vitamin C‍
• CALPAK Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack‍
• Slip Virgo Sleep Mask‍
• Summer Fridays The Jet Lag™ Routine

Khop Khun Ka

Most people spend weeks—months!—in Thailand, and I totally get why. Beyond the whimsical beauty of the country, the people are genuinely known for their kindness and hospitality.

There wasn’t one corner I turned that didn’t include a “Sawasdee kha” (hello) or “Khop khun ka” (thank you). In an era of intense apathy, narcissism, and individualism (there, I said it!), I found that six days in a country that values human connection and compassion made me slough off my city-embedded agitation and opt for gratitude instead.

As the wise people in my life always say, “What is for you will find you.”