Where to stay in Samoa – best accommodation in Samoa

Western Samoa is a tropical paradise that we’re sure you’ll fall in love with. Choosing where to stay in Samoa can seem overwhelming at first so we’ve done the research for you and put together this guide that will help you pick the perfect accommodation for your Samoa holidays.

We’ve spent almost 3 weeks exploring every corner of every island and got to know the areas well. All the accommodation options below we’ve tried and tested first hand, as well as a bunch of others that didn’t make the cut so you can trust us to recommend only the very best.

If you’d like to make the most of your Samoa vacation and explore both islands we recommend you follow our 10-day itinerary in which we recommend the best places visit in Samoa as well as the best place to stay in Samoa for every night of the itinerary

Where to stay in Samoa – best area

Samoa is fairly small and the accommodation options are limited therefore we wholeheartedly recommend that you book your accommodation in advance, especially if you’re travelling in high season.

Samoa consists of two main islands – Upolu which is the more popular one and Savai’i which is quieter but oh-so-beautiful. Both islands are worth a visit and offer breathtaking scenery, gorgeous beaches, amazing waterfalls and great snorkelling opportunities.

We’ve broken up this article to make it easy for you to find the best accommodation for your needs and budget. Here’s a complete rundown on where to stay in Samoa to help you choose which island to stay on, in which area as well as help you pick the best hotel, fale or beach resort for you.

Upolu by area

Apia

The capital city of Samoa is a fantastic base for first time visitors and those who want to base themselves in one spot but still be able to easily explore the island. It offers some amazing food options, shops, a fantastic produce market and it’s home to the Cultural Village. The central location makes it a great starting point for day trips to all Samoa attractions and the best place to stay in Samoa for flexibility.

Lalomanu Beach

This beach on the South eastern side of Upolu has been voted the best beach in Samoa and this long stretch of sand is home to several accommodation options from traditional beach fales to luxury resorts. In high season this is the place to be if you like to mingle with fellow travellers and sip cocktails while you watch the sun go down.

South Upolu

The southern coast of Upolu is lined up with beach resorts and hotels that extend all the way to Lalomanu beach. In the central part of the Southern coast of Upolu you will find some of the most exclusive beach resorts as well as some awesome waves. This is the area for you if you like to surf or want to indulge in the most luxurious resorts of Samoa as it’s wher eyou’ll find some of the best accommodation in Upolu.

South West Upolu

While there are several accommodation options on the south western coast of Upolu, they feel more isolated and pristine. The beaches in this area are smaller with rocky formations breaking up the landscape.

Savai’i by area

North Savai’i

We chose to base ourselves in Manase during our stay in Savai’i and it was the best decision we’ve ever made. The massive reef just in front of Manase is a protected marine reserve that attracts many sea turtles and reef fish. The water is incredibly clear and calm and swimming with wild sea turtles in the marine reserve in front of Manase is one of the best things to do in Samoa.

West Savai’i

The western part of Savai’i is the calmest and most remote area of Samoa. Between Falealupo and Asau time has stopped and the tourists are few and far apart. This is the perfect destinations for those who want to disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature. Falealupo beach is one of the best beaches in Samoa and definitely worth a visit.

East Savai’i

The coast just north of Salaloga is the easiest to access and home to several beach resorts.This is where you’ll find the majority of Savai’i accommodation options. It is also a good starting point if you’d like to explore some of the island as it’s just a short drive to Afu Aau waterfall, the lava fields and Manase.

TAUMEASINA ISLAND RESORT – The best accommodation in Samoa

Comfort: 4* Luxury
Price: $$$
Location: Fantastic location on a private island in Apia
Facilities: Private lagoon with private beach, complimentary kayaks & snorkel equipment, two swimming pools, day spa and gym, onsite restaurant, complimentary delicious breakfast.

Check prices and availability of Taumeasina Island Resort

The island of Taumeasina is privately owned by the resort and it is conveniently connected to Apia with a bridge giving you the best of both worlds – the hustle and bustle of Apia & the comfort of an exclusive luxury resort. You can even kayak or SUP to Palolo deep reserve from the resort! If you only want to unpack once, get the best of the resort life but still be able to do day trips to explore the island, Taumeasina resort is the best place to stay in Samoa.

We really enjoyed our stay in Taumeasina. The rooms in this luxury accommodation are spacious, the balcony views breathtaking, the service is amazing, the drinks get served by the pool and the breakfast is absolutely fantastic. The resort is also known for their outstanding events and entertainment; from live music during breakfast to afternoon workshops and evening shows. They also host concerts by international artists and several conventions.

Overall, Taumeasina Island Resort thicks all the boxes and we think it is the single best place to stay in Samoa. Book Taumeasina Island Resort for a luxury holiday with the best breakfast, great entertainment and central location.

STEVENSON’S AT MANASE – best accommodation on Savai’i

Comfort Level: 3* 
Price: $$
Location: Manase, North Savai’i
Facilities: Infinity Pool, Onsite restaurant and bar, Private beach, Complimentary Kayaks & Stand Up Paddleboards, Games Area, Complimentary tropical breakfast, marine reserve, massive reef and sea turtles right in front!

Check prices and availability of Stevenson’s at Manase

Stevenson’s at Manase is the place we still dream of going back to on a regular basis. We chose to stay here because of the marine reserve in front of the resort and after chatting to the GM Courtney we were impressed by their sustainability efforts and long term plans. His family has long been advocating for better preservation of the reef and in the recent times the marine life there has truly flourished. 

Imagine waking up in this calm and quiet slice of paradise and watching sea turtles swim by from your bed. This is reality at Stevenson’s at Manase and an absolute highlight of our time in Samoa! If you decide to make your way over to Savai’i we can’t recommend this place enough!

With three accommodation types just a stone throw from the sea, Stevenson’s caters well to different budgets. Their spin on the traditional fales is genius as they’ve integrated a private bathroom to the back of the otherwise open shack. The villas and family rooms are spacious and comfortable, and they all feature a waterfront terrace, a handy outside shower and kitchenette. 

Stevenson’s at Manase is absolutely fantastic and we think it is the best place to stay on Savai’i. Book Stevenson’s at Manase for a relaxed holiday away from the crowds and in touch with nature.

SHERATON SAMOA BEACH RESORT – best relaxing getaway

Rating: 4* resort
Price: $$$
Location: West Upolu by the airport
Facilities: Private Beach, beautiful gardens, swimming pool with pool bar, 4 on-site restaurants & bars, evening entertainment, kids club, gym, complimentary wifi, Spa, kayak and sup rental.

Check prices and availability of Sheraton Beach Resort

We decided to stay at the Sheraton Beach resort when we first arrived due to it’s convenient location right next to the airport. But don’t let that fool you! This resort is set on a property of over 200 acres of tropical gardens with access to a massive private beach and it’s a true oasis. We could have easily spent a week there, exploring the property and sipping cocktails at the pool bar. 

The buffet breakfast is among the best on the island and the restaurant and bar choice onsite is fantastic. The rooms are spacious, the beds are super comfy and the resort is designed in a way that every room gets to enjoy the view over the sea. 

Book your stay at the Sheraton Samoa for hassle free resort holiday in a tropical paradise and easy access to the airport and ferry.

RETURN TO PARADISE – best beach resort

Comfort: 4* resort
Price: $$
Location: Gorgeous bay in South-West Upolu
Facilities: Private lagoon with private beach, four swimming pools, day spa, onsite restaurant and bar, complimentary delicious breakfast, the best fia fia night on the island.

Check prices and availability of Return to Paradise

Return to Paradise (RTP) is a little gem with a rich history situated in a private bay in South-Western Upolu. The property is massive, the gardens are gorgeous and the beautiful beach left us speechless.

While fairly remote and isolated, the resort offers everything you could possibly need. RTP is also famous for their amazing Fia Fia nights where a group of talented performers combines traditional singing and dancing with comedy and fire shows. Tom got pulled on stage for a funny performance and we still have a laugh watching the videos.

The staff at RTP is the friendliest and most helpful on the island and they created a wonderful community feel which is extremely rare in a resort this size.

We loved the hilarious daily letter from Aunty Pisupo, had a great time chatting to the barman at The Rocks, became good friends with Joyce the event manager, felt very spoilt with cocktail deliveries to the beach and probably gained a few kilos from indulging in the amazing dinners at Paradise Kitchen and Cabana Café.

Book Return to Paradise for an amazing holiday in a secluded and friendly resort with delicious food and the best coffee on the island. Believe me, good coffee in Samoa is rare!

TAUFUA BEACH FALES – best traditional beach fale

Comfort Level: 1 – 2*
Price: $
Location: Lalomanu Beach
Facilities: Onsite restaurant and bar, complementary breakfast and dinner, gorgeous beach, wind in your hair & sand in your bed

Check prices and availability of Taufua Beach Fales

Fales are a traditional Samoan shack and a must if you’d like to truly experience the island. Elevated on poles with a straw roof and no walls nor windows, the fales are as basic as it gets. They come furnished with a mattress and mosquito net and are an experience you should not miss out on. They offer the simple pleasure of falling asleep to the sound of the ocean and waking up with the sunrise.

At first we were a bit concerned about the lack of doors and being exposed to the elements, but we never felt unsafe in Taufua beach fales. The complex is guarded and there are ‘“blinds” that you can roll down in case of rain. There is also the option to stay in the enclosed fales for some extra comfort and privacy.

We loved our stay at Taufua beach fales; the complementary breakfast and traditional dinner were delicious and plentiful and sharing a table with the other guests created friendly vibes and a community feel. The family that runs the fales takes great care of their guests and is always happy to help and chat.

Book your stay at Taufua beach fales for a taste of true Samoa.

Have you been to samoa? What was your favourite place to stay?

Let us Know in the comments below!

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