Hiya,
Im planning a trip in July for Samoa for a week. Basically just a fly and flop escape amd dont know which island to stay and where to fly in to. We would like a beach front secluded resort on a swimming beach with good snorkelling, away from the masses. Beach fales are the first choice, a bar a definate must and obviously an eatery. Not too pricey and somewhere we can get in amongst the culture. Close to a waterfall would be a bonus.
Hi
You're going in July which is the height of peak tourist season so it will be difficult to find somewhere that is as secluded as you like.
You could try less popular places like Matareva Beach Fales on the south coast of Upolu or FaoFao Beach Fales at Lalomanu Beach.
On Savaii there's Joelan's or Lauiula Beach Fales at Lano Beach.
There's a hotel on Savaii which we love - Vaisala Hotel at Vaisala Beach. It is beachfront, very reasonably priced, has great food and is nearly always half empty except for a few Samoan families. It's recently been renovated so there may be a few more people there but I think it could fit the bill for what you're looking for, other than it not being a fale. They do have an ensuite honeymoon "fale palagi" (western style fale) sitting right on a lovely beach with a great little verandah to watch the world go by. Dinner is caught fresh every night and you can watch the locals catch it. Wander around the village and you can immerse yourself in the culture. It's location makes it off the beaten track but if you wanted to have a look around Savaii you could hire a car for the day and use any of the accommodation I've mentioned as a base.
Hope I've given you a couple of ideas
Deb
I think you really need to define ‘not too pricey ‘ and what your expectations are on facilities.
Basic beach fales are often in the best locations but facilities are pretty much like camping on the beach. Prices are around 30-50 AUD per person per night including breakfast and dinner which are a set meal or a buffet. I enjoy them for about 3 days then the foam mattress on a wood floor gets hot and uncomfortable and the cold water spigot communal shower isn’t quite enough... I then head to a nicer resort which will probably cost maybe 180 AUD includes breakfast but meals at the restaurant are about the equivalent to Oz/ NZ prices.
You might want to mix things up a little and try a couple of places - depending if you want to spend anytime travelling or all your time in one place. I would definitely not just book one beach fale for your whole holiday if this is your first trip - the management and standards change so often.eg Last year Joelans was not recommended as the friendly hostess had left and her alcoholic husband was running the place and annoying female guests. Whereas neighbouring Lauiula which I had stayed at 2 years previously and been appalled at the hygiene standards ( rats, grime, etc) is now being managed by an excellent couple and cleanliness, friendliness and meals are great. .... this is just an example to give you a realistic idea of what a ‘beach fale experience ‘ can be like. If that doesn’t appeal then you might want to look at something like Amoa Resort ... across from an ok small beach, ‘cabana ‘ type units around a pool and restaurant on site... walking tours of the local village... both the beach fales and resort are located about 20 minutes ( by car) from where the ferry docks on Savai’i . If you are happy to travel further Vaimoana is a place that almost never disappoints customers and it has a variety of accommodation at a mid range price- it’s about an hour from Salelologa.
Lupe's Beach Fales at Maninoa village would be your ideal location. Stayed there thanks to Tai's Native Experience (facebook) that recommended it.
It has good basic fales that you can lock, and proper beds unlike other fales we stayed at before.
It also has a decent bar and restaurant and there are three other resorts on the same beach where you can hop into for a change of meal.
You can contact chief Tai direct on tai.xperience@gmail.com if you want to discuss a tour with him.
Cheers,
Carol
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