Family accomodation in Upolu

Hi,

We are going to Samoa in the end of September for 2 weeks (me, my girlfriend and a 10 months old baby)
the accomodation in Savai'i and Apia is already sorted but Upolu not yet:
We preferably would like to stay in the south or south east in accomodation with a little kitchen inside so we can cook for ourselves and especially for the baby;
- First of all are there any of these places along the south (east) coast (is vava'u beach fales still open for example)?
- And otherwise would some of the beach fales like; virgin cove, Litia Sini's or Taufua otherwise be willing to cook something different for a little baby (I just don't want to give him canned baby food for 2 weeks in a row:))?

THX

Joost

I have never seen a beach fale anywhere in Samoa that has a kitchen in them or any type of cooking facilities/self catering.

That being said, I would hope most of the budget fale operations would be most accommodating (don't know about Virgin Cove as they are going more upmarket) but you should really GIVE THEM SOME ADVANCE NOTICE. Phone them on arrival in Samoa, as email is not often too punctual.

I hope you and your friend are up to the many challenges and limitations of travelling in the hot, rustic tropics with an infant.

The baby will be well treated... Samoans love kids and babies. Don't expect other travellers to be as keen. You and your friend will be seen as an interesting novelty especially for those who would not dream of bringing young children/babies on holidays like almost all North Americans/Australians/UKanians. The attitude is totally different to this than with European people, I see.

Are you prepared for such a tiny soul being in such a hot place? I have met several people who had tiny babies (and young children) with them in Samoa over my last 4 trips there.... Most of these parents looked very tired after a few days and 1 couple I met only lasted 5 days in Samoa... There are going to be many challenges with the heat/humidity, digestive upsets, unhappy fale neighbours if baby is cranky and sleepless in the night. There is also very limited medical care if the child should become seriously ill and the beach fales of Southern and Eastern Upolu are painfully far away from Apia when you need to get there quickly. You may also find yourself limited in your activities and scambling for a child-minder if you are going out snorkelling for the afternoon or entertainment in the evening hours. (In Apia, this would not be so much of a problem as there are many options for child minding, but out in the country at the beach fales it may be challenging).
Make sure you bring LOTS of canned food, nappies (remember they will have to be disposed of specially) and other items from your home or Apia. There may be lots of mosquitoes and bugs.

Good luck... sounds like you will have your hands full for those 2 weeks! :)

You can try Vavau Beach Fale, self contained units, cost 180 tala a night. Bring your food from Apia.

Hi there,

We have traveled to Samoa with our son at 1 month and then again at 3 years. The key is to be really prepared before you get to Samoa. I would recommend Taufua for traveling with young children. The fales don’t have kitchens but you can request one with a small patio (tables and chairs) where you can sit and feed your baby. I would also recommend bringing some food from Apia (pack a small cloth cooler for this). You may also be able to pick foods off your own plate at mealtime for your baby. Things like potatoes, taro, bananas, pancakes, toast are all served pretty regularly and would be easy for baby to eat. I would talk to the staff, they will probably be willing to help you out at meal time.

On both of our trips to Sa, our son has experienced heat rash within a few days of arrival. There really isn’t much you can do about this but bath them in cool water and swims in the ocean. It is pretty itchy and uncomfortable though so be prepared. You should also try and collect some bags on arrival so that you can use them to stuff stinky diapers in before you get rid of them. Samoa now uses bio bags so try to use these instead of bringing plastic bags from home!

For our travels we usually rent a car with air conditioning. If you are renting, make sure the AC works before you leave the rental company!! This can be a much more comfortable trip for a child. We have traveled both ways and out of the many families we have met on our trip, the more unhappy ones seemed to be using solely public transportation which can mean long waits and be very hot!

If you are campers already, you will find Samoa very appealing with a child. I would say, don’t worry too much about schedules and bedtimes and just enjoy your time. Your baby will dictate your days and it’s best to go along with them. The best part of the trip is watching your child experience all of these new wonders. I would never do this trip without my child!

Let me know if you have any questions.
teine

Hi
We were in Samoa with an 18month old and a 3 year old (in May 07) who had a great time at Taufua at Lalomanu. Food is reaonable at Apia to stock up with (get lots of water) and we used biodegradable nappys (carried from Oz). The food is very good at Taufua and straightforward enough that kids can eat. We brought baby jars and did not use many at all. Once you see the food quality and quantity at Taufua you would not want to bother cooking anyway. As teine said Samoa is very appealing with children and the beach at Lalomanu is very safe. Even the mozzies are much less frequent than at Apia. Upset tummies can be issue but lots of fluid is necesary

Virgin Cove is lovely but a bit off the beaten track to take a baby.
I agree with islandboi.
Have good medical insurance.

Samoa is a wonderful place.. and you will have an amazing time...
Bring zip lock baggies ... the large ones.. so you can keep your things dry.. and can place the diapers in them to dispose of.

If the baby gets sick.. go to MedCen.. Dr. Adams and Dr. Puni are wonderful.. and you won't have to worry.
There are great pharmacies... etc.

I use a cooler.. as a piece of luggage.. so that I will have it for my travels around the island.
Before I head to the Alepata side.. I fill it to the max... and bring all my food with.
(another great reason for the zip lock baggies). You can store food in them.. and place it directly on the ice without worrying about it getting waterlogged.

You can also bring a battery operated fan.. to place over the baby for naps.. It works like a charm.. and keeps them a bit happier.

Vavau.. was open the last time I was there.. but it was stifling HOT... no breeze.. If you go there.. be sure.. to call and find out if the fan works and if the mosquito nets are there.

Boomerang Creek.. has great fales.. with bathrooms inside.. and a really nice resturaunt on the premises to eat.
The even have bbqs near the fales. The beach is a bit rugged.. but it sure is NICE to sleep there.

While in Savaii... on the salafai Inn.. near the blowholes.. has great fales.. amazing food.. and the water is beautiful. It's just a few minutes from the blowholes... Don't miss it.

Have a great trip.. Kristin

hi we are planning our third trip back to beautiful samoa. fell in love with samoa, while visiting my sister who was lucky enough to live there for a year. my sister no long lives in samoa but recently holidayed there with there 4 month old baby, and had a fantastic time, they stayed in fales. hired a car with baby seat.
each time we have gone to samoa we have taken our boys they were 10 & 12 the first 2 trips, this time they will be 12 & 14. we always book fales next to each other, and everything has been very safe. this trip we are taking our best friends and there 8 month old baby end sept for 2-3 weeks. so might see you around, it's a small place. some of our favourite places are litia's at lalamono ( the best each, and no waves so perfect for kids) , and vacations at savaii, these are the best fales in my mind, i love them,but the beach out the front is not the greatest, so we go around the corner and swim and eat, relax, also great fun for kids to swim with the turtles. matereva beach is a great place to spend a day, and they have fales you can hire for the day. bistro tautua in apia is amazing, the food is fine dining, but the best thing is all the waiters are dressed up , but with no shoes ! also giadarnos in town have the best pizzas we have ever tasted. hope you holiday goes well. make sure you pack a little first aid kit. the shops in town are great, you will be able to buy whatever you need, food ect for bub. try bub in the shower a few times before you leave, as most places as cold showers, which is all you need over there.
we are trying a few new places this time; virgin cove, sa' moana resort, & taufua fales.
samoa is amazing, we all have fallen in love with its' beauty and people. .. sue ( 2 weeks untill we are back there!!, not that i am counting!!)