White Lotus Season 3 has everyone looking up Thailand — but most of y’all are about to book the wrong island. Sure, the Four Seasons looks dreamy on screen, but what if we told you the real Thai elite aren’t staying there? In this episode of The Upgrade Edit, we take you beyond the White Lotus fantasy into the real luxury of southern Thailand — barefoot villas, private islands, untouched coves, and eco-conscious indulgence you won’t find on your FYP.

Let’s be honest: HBO gave you the visuals, but not the context. That $2,000-a-night hotel? Gorgeous, but just the beginning. Thailand isn’t just a vibe — it’s a blueprint. And in 2025, it’s where luxury, sustainability, and soul are converging in a way no other destination is touching.

Fed and Ciara are here to separate fact from fantasy. Because there’s the White Lotus version of Koh Samui — and then there’s the version real travelers, locals, and luxury insiders actually experience.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE BREAK DOWN:

• Why White Lotus got Thailand wrong — and how the tourism boom is reshaping it

• Which Thai islands the elite are actually visiting — and which to skip

• Why 2025 is a tipping point for Thailand’s luxury scene

• The rise of barefoot luxury: private pools, jungle calm, spa-over-sea moments

We also get into:

• Where to stay: from Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton to secret villas you’ve never heard of

• The difference between “expensive” and “worth it” in Thailand’s hotel market

• Why Koh Samui is just the beginning — and how to explore quieter sisters like Ko Yao Noi, Ko Yao Yai & Ko Nang Yuan

• Villa vs. resort: what works best for solo travelers, couples, and group escapes

• The most common Thailand travel mistakes — and how to avoid every one

This isn’t travel porn. It’s travel precision. Thailand is not a one-size-fits-all destination. If you want sunset yoga, chef-curated meals, and luxury without the noise — we got you. If you’re here for the Full Moon Party? That’s another episode.

Ciara shares how her clients are navigating the luxury boom, digital nomad visa shifts, and the spike in villa demand. Fed walks through the wave of new sustainable resorts — and how the Thai government is balancing tourism dollars with environmental stewardship.

PLUS:

• Why it’s time to stop chasing Bali and look east

• Which spas are actually worth it (and which are just Instagram bait)

• What “quiet luxury” looks like in Thai culture — and why simplicity ≠ cheapness

• Where to find exclusivity without exploitation

• How Thailand became the go-to for billionaires, nomads, and design lovers — all at once

And because you know we love geopolitics and cultural context, we’re also talking about:

• Why the Thai government is courting high-spend travelers — and what that means for you

• What Americans need to know about currency, tipping, and cultural cues

This is your permission to ditch the algorithm and plan with intention. To look past the White Lotus drama and find the stillness, soul, and sophistication that real Thailand offers — especially when you know where to look.

THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF:

• You want to do Thailand without doing what everyone else is doing

• You care about your travel footprint and your luxury standard

• You want intentional, elevated experiences — not trends

Whether you're planning a honeymoon, group trip, solo reset, or building your 2025 mood board — this episode gives you the map, the mindset, and the receipts.

LISTEN NEXT:
Ep 5: Don’t Book That Rio Trip Yet — Where Brazil’s Elite Actually Stay
Ep 3: Formentera — The Mediterranean’s Quiet-Luxury Alternative to Ibiza
Ep 1: Egypt’s Inflation-Driven Luxury Hack — Why Luxor Should Be on Your Radar

STAY CONNECTED:
Podcast: The Upgrade Edit
Email: theupgradeeditpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram & TikTok: @theupgradeedit
Substack & Patreon: Show notes, hotel picks, island guides & insider extras

We’re Fed and Ciara — your favorite unfiltered luxury travel duo — and this is The Upgrade Edit.

If your Rio trip starts and ends in Copacabana, you played yourself. That five-star hotel you’re eyeing? Probably overpriced, overrun, and in the wrong neighborhood entirely. In this episode of The Upgrade Edit, we’re breaking down the real luxury side of Rio de Janeiro — the one that doesn’t show up on postcards but absolutely should be on your itinerary.

We’re talking beach meets mountain, samba meets sustainability, and yes — luxury meets reality. Because Rio is that girl, but only if you move correctly.

Fed and Ciara are here to save you from the biggest mistake travelers make in Brazil: thinking it’s all beaches, carnival, and caipirinhas. Don’t get us wrong — the culture is alive and the beaches are beautiful. But if you’re not intentional, you’ll miss the real magic. The luxury being built — and rebuilt — in one of the most dynamic cities in the world.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:

• Where to actually stay in Rio — and why 80% of travelers get it wrong

• The truth about Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Santa Teresa, and Joá

• Rio’s luxury renaissance in 2025 — new hotels, design collabs, global events

• Brazil’s infrastructure upgrades: safety, airports, high-end access

• Why the biggest risk in Rio isn’t crime — it’s playing it safe

• The favela tourism debate: what’s respectful, what’s exploitative, what to avoid

This episode is your blueprint for doing Rio like someone who knows better. Ciara shares how she plans meaningful, high-touch experiences that don’t strip the soul out of a place. Fed walks you through Rio’s luxury wave — from fashion to surf championships to new investments.

We also get into the real cost of visiting Brazil:

• What to expect for food, transport, and five-star hotels in 2025

• The safest, most stylish neighborhoods

• What to skip, what to splurge on, and what locals know that tourists don’t

But this isn’t just about hotels and restaurants.
It’s about context.

Rio isn’t just trending — it’s transforming. Brazil’s economy is growing, the government is investing, but income inequality still defines daily life. That contrast between indulgence and reality is part of what makes Rio feel so alive — and so complex. We’re not shying away from it. We’re diving in.

We get real about:

• The dos and don’ts of nightlife — how to find real parties safely

• Why Brazilian Portuguese ≠ Spanish — and how to show up respectfully

• Eco-tourism and what Brazil’s coastal regions are doing right

• When to flex, and when to turn the jewelry all the way down

We spotlight hidden corners luxury travelers are finally discovering. Think cliffside mansions in Joá. Santa Teresa’s boutique hotels. Sunrise on Ipanema, sunset samba in Lapa — if you’re doing it right.

Ciara shares solo travel tips (yes, you can do Rio solo — with a strategy). Fed unpacks how content creators have warped Brazil’s image — and how to build a trip that centers real connection, not just IG highlights.

Whether you want to party all night or reset in the hills with a caipirinha and a view, Rio has something for you. But you need to go in informed — not just inspired.

THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF:

• You’re tired of basic beach vacations and want rhythm and depth

• You’ve been side-eyeing Rio because of safety rumors

• You crave a destination that blends nature, luxury, culture, and chaos

• You want to travel with awareness and joy

We’re giving you nuance, green lights, and must-knows — with context.

LISTEN NEXT:
Ep 4: Marrakesh Unfiltered — Luxury Meets Culture in North Africa’s Most Iconic City
Ep 6: Ko Samui, Thailand — White Lotus Lied. Here’s Where the Thai Elite Actually Go
Ep 2: Turks & Caicos — What the Gram Doesn’t Show You About Real Costs and Quiet Luxury

STAY CONNECTED:
Podcast: The Upgrade Edit
Email: theupgradeeditpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram & TikTok: @theupgradeedit
Substack & Patreon: Travel breakdowns, hotel recs, and exclusive extras

We’re Fed and Ciara — your favorite unfiltered luxury travel duo — and this is The Upgrade Edit.

Mint tea on a rooftop. A call to prayer echoing over terracotta walls. A motorbike flying past your table. Someone’s selling you Moroccan oil while Google Maps stops working. Welcome to Marrakesh — where the line between luxury and chaos is paper thin, and the experience is all about how you move through it.

In this episode of The Upgrade Edit, we’re diving into one of the most talked-about destinations of the last five years: Marrakesh, Morocco. But this isn’t a filtered photo dump of lanterns and tiled pools. This is the real deal: the truth about how to travel Marrakesh in style and with sense. Because luxury here isn’t about perfection — it’s about immersion.

We’re breaking down:

• Why Marrakesh is having a luxury moment — and what most people still get wrong

• The difference between a high-rise hotel vs. a traditional riad — and why it matters

• How to blend in (or at least not stick out) in a conservative, Muslim-majority country

• How to shop the souks without getting hustled — and how to tip like a pro

• Cultural etiquette 101: dress codes, modesty, alcohol, and when to put your phone away

• Navigating the Medina, the nightlife, and what happens when Instagram meets reality

Fed and Ciara unpack the magic and the madness that make Marrakesh unforgettable. From sensory overload to unexpected price tags, we’ve got the details most luxury blogs won’t touch. We’re not sugarcoating — we’re preparing you.

Ciara shares how clients often underestimate the pace, noise, and cultural codes — and how she helps them book experiences that align with their values. Fed dives into the history — from colonial legacies to the Amazigh (Berber) influence — and how it shows up in the architecture, language, and rhythm of daily life.

We also dig into:

• Royal Mansour vs. a boutique riad — what you’re actually paying for

• Must-visit cultural sites — and the one museum every luxury traveler must see

• What to expect from Marrakesh nightlife (spoiler: it’s not giving Vegas)

• How Moroccan hospitality flexes with solar energy and natural cooling

We’re not here for the “come see how cheap Morocco is” energy. We’re here for intentional travel. Marrakesh isn’t a bargain — it’s a cultural gem. And treating it like a discount destination means missing the point. You don’t come here to replicate your life — you come to enter someone else’s rhythm. To witness the collision of ancient craftsmanship and modern elegance. To be in awe — not just entertained.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why you should split your stay between a riad and a resort

• The best times to go (and when the desert is doing too much)

• How Morocco’s Amazigh culture shows up in textiles, food, and architecture

• The surprising power of the dirham — and what you’ll pay for (or not)

• How to haggle, tip, and show respect in the souks

• Where to eat, what to skip, and how to navigate the Medina without losing your mind (or your AirPods)

We’re also asking bigger questions:
What does it mean to enjoy luxury in a place where most locals can’t access it?
How do you avoid a savior complex — or worse, a colonizer mindset?
And how do you stay rooted in cultural appreciation without romanticizing struggle?

This is Marrakesh with texture. Tension. Layers.
A place that demands presence — and rewards you for it. If Morocco’s on your list, or you just want to travel with more context and clarity — this one’s for you.

LISTEN NEXT:
Ep 3: Formentera — The Mediterranean’s Quiet-Luxury Island That’s Doing It Right
Ep 5: Rio de Janeiro — Real Luxury, Tourist Traps & Where Brazil’s Elite Actually Stay
Ep 6: Thailand — White Lotus Lied. Here’s the Real Luxury No One’s Talking About

STAY CONNECTED:
Podcast: The Upgrade Edit
Email: theupgradeeditpodcast@gmail.com
Socials: @theupgradeedit on Instagram & TikTok
Patreon + Substack: Exclusive recs, city guides, show notes & more

We’re Fed and Ciara — your favorite unfiltered luxury travel duo — and this is The Upgrade Edit.