best (coolest) hotel in Samoa? Tonga?

Here is the deal:

Samoa is the first stop on a round the world trip for my wife and i, and we'll be there (with a side trip to American Samoa) for 2 weeks.
For most of our trip, we'll be staying in middle to lower end lodging - even some hostels and camping in some spots where it suits our activities. however, while on our long trip, it'll be nice to have a few 'vacations from our vacations' and splurge a little bit on nice places to stay.

Since she has a big birthday later this month, i thought it would be fun to book a night or two at nice hotels in our first destinations: Samoa, Tonga, and Australia.

I'm not necessarily looking for the most expensive lodging in the country (although that would be fine, if it is truly special) -- but rather, i'm looking for the best, most unique, sexy, unbelievable, relaxing, friendly, and most memorable lodging in those three countries.

what hotel/resort/lodge do you think that is in Samoa? (or American Samoa) how about Tonga?

Edited by: rileymorton

You aren't going to find cool or sexy lodging in Independent Samoa. Think third-world subsistence agricultural economy. There are some nice resorts on the South part of the island--Sinalei Reef and Coconuts Beach club are both possibilities, but both are quite pricey. Keep in mind that there are few hostels in Samoa--most budget travelers stay in the traditional fales. You might want to research what you are getting yourself into--see the old threads about the wild dog problems.

Edited by: tilos

I'm not sure you are going to find the type of lodging you are looking for in Samoa or Tonga. Your description of what you want sounds more like the accomodations you can find in The Cook Islands or Tahiti. But you may be able to find a compromise with a beautiful location but more rustic traditional accomodations. The one exception is Aggie Grey's on Opolu in Samoa. That may be the closest to what you are looking for for higher end amenities.

A few places to explore: On Tonga there are resorts on the Ha'apai islands. Check out Matafonua Lodge- it could be nice. On Tongetapu, there is a beach resort at the far side of the island near the Hina Cave. Probably the best spot to stay on the island that I saw. The evening Hina Cave traditional dance show is very cool.

On Tutuila in American Samoa, there was a brand new eco-lodge built on the blowhole coast a few miles from the airport. Beautiful lodging, B&B style, but expensive, and given it's location, it may have been damaged by the Tsunami of last year. Sorry I can't remember the name of it, but it's a mile or two further down the main road from Mailiu Mai away from the airport.

Vaoto Lodge on Ofu Island (American Samoa) is rustic but recently modernized. Home cooked meals, fan cooled rooms with tile floors set around a courtyard, and one of the South Pacific's most spectacular beaches lies outside the door. It's a bit of a trick to get there, so you will likely have this south seas paradise all to yourself. The nighlife consists of drinking a beer with the owners and their dog next to a campfire on the moonlit beach. The mile long strand of beach, snorkeling and chilled out atmosphere there is among the very best in all the South Pacific.

Enjoy!

-Mike

thanks you two.
Yeah, i definitely don't have high expectations for four star lodgings in Samoa and Tonga - if that is what i wanted for our time in the South Pacific, yes, we'd be going to French Polynesia or maybe the Cooks.
the fact is that we'll be staying in fales for most of our time there - but it would be nice to splurge for one or two nights.

I'm planning on a trip to Ofu/Tau (as we discussed via email, Mike) and think Vaoto will be a great first stop in our trip.
Sinalei looks pretty sweet - and is a good contender. thanks Tilos.
i'm going to look at your Tonga suggestions now, Mike.

Sinalei also has a nice stretch of beach and they have a small drop off in the reef that you can snorkel around. I visited the beach before Sinalei was open for business, but I got to walk around the hotel and it was a very pretty--utilizing traditional building techniques while still providing lots of amenities. Coconuts is just down the beach and has a nice restaurant (I still remember the breadfruit french fries). I don't remember wild dogs being as much of an issue on that side of the island, though things may have changed since my visit.

One thing to keep in mind is that they seem to get a lot more rain on that side of the island. I stayed at Virgin Cove in early August and it rained every day for most of the day. Hopefully this was a fluke.

I'd recommend Sinalei Resort in Samoa - it's quite romantic with the little lanterns lighting the walkways and has a nice bar with good cocktails.

A lower budget option is Virgin Cove, which is a bit more authentic as it has open fales (the superior ones are really spacious) on your own private bit of beach. You do have to share bathroom facilities but when I was there these were very clean and open-air so it felt quite tropical! I don't think the food is as good at Virgin Cove as at Sinalei, but they certainly do try! The sand at Virgin Cove was the softest I'd ever seen!