Samoana Resort

Hi,

I need some feedback about Sa'Moana Resort at Upolu. Anyone that has been there?

Thanks,

Derek.

Hi there Derek
I'm going next week, I'll post a review when I get back early September - hope that helps.

It's a very nice spot. Located in a coconut palm grove on a stretch of fairly rocky coastline, but with a couple of small sandy coves. They have a pool built into part of the rocky coastline, salt water I think. Nice, trim enclosed fales (I think the owners were in construction in Oz prior to Samoa, so well built), some of which sleep 6 or 8 and some more private. Central common fale has a TV. I've only stopped by so can't comment on it other than that.

First we were quoted in AUD, which we paid, but because the resort owners didn't get a favourable exchange rate on the days we paid they actually had the gall to charge us an extra $200!!!
We paid about $520AUD per night for our cabin (which is about $1,150 WST). For this I would expect some luxury. Brand new family rooms in Apia near everything in 5 star resorts are $150AUD per night (which is about $325WST). BOY WAS I DISAPPOINTED BY SA'MOANA.
The room had a pit toilet, which was constantly surrounded by flies. The beds were the cheapest you could find anywhere - thin and very uncomfortable. Everything including the linen looked like it was about 20 years old. And there was no airconditioning.
The resort barred you from bringing any food back to your room, so we were forced to pay through the nose for every meal at their restaurant.
And the food choices were pretty basic � hardly any Samoan choices.
What this resort had going for it was a nice salt water pool - which is closed for cleaning for a full day each week (Friday).
And lovely staff, who are being totally exploited by the Australian owners (and forced to speak English to the guests which was hugely disappointing). The weekly wage for a staff member is about $100WST. For each single night we stayed there it kept 5 staff members employed for a week - not to mention how much they made off us with the food.
The owners of Sa'moana must be making a PACKET.
I would never recommend anyone stay at Sa'moana. Just because they charge very high prices does not indicate that you will get what you pay for. It was a huge rip off and a terrible place to stay.
Samoa is a lovely country to visit, but shop around, there are plenty of far more luxurious and far more value for money places to stay at.