Savii Accommodation

Hi there,

Im busy counting down the days till im sitting on a Samoan beach with a local brew in my hand.

I was thinking about staying at the Tanu beach fales. I have heard mixed reports about this place, any opinions?

Can anyone suggest budget accommodation (beach fale) around Savii? Preferably with good snorkeling

Thanks in anticipation.

Janes beach fale next door to Tanu's is okay... and a lot cooler as they didnt loose all their coconuts in the last cyclone.

One more door further from Jane's would be Vacations Beach Fales (a bit more expensive but you will find it worth the extra Tala, especially regarding the food). And there is Regina's Beach Fales, another door further on, about the same rates as Tanu's and Jane's and quite pleasant.

Regina's is one of the places where staff has been known to steal from guests money handed over for safe-keeping to them.
It happened to a German woman I met there, so while I myself had no such experience (didn't give them my money) I would still not recommend staying there. Pity, as Regina's is nicer than Tanu's otherwise.

In general, beware of theft at budget fales around Sawai - met as many as three different people who experienced it.
More info in the relevant link in my signo line.

Why would you give money to staff to look after for you? I wouldn't even do that in my home country geesh. Take a little lock for your bag/suitcase and don't wander too far from the fale without taking your money with you.

Tanu was great when we were there in May. The staff were wonderful and the fiafia was really great! They even honoured one German couple who have returned year after year with special ulas and flower headbands.

We really enjoyed Tanu (you can even see your fale clearly while swimming). This is our third visit and often times you can jump in on a volley ball game which is super fun. One note, the night of the fiafia, some of the people from Vacations wandered over to see what was going on...they looked a little jealous! hehe

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<hr>Why would you give money to staff to look after for you? <hr></blockquote>I personally did NOT, but those others I met did because as you must be aware Samoan budget fales are all open, thus far from secure. And locks are of littl help when your whole bag gets stolen, I guess. That happened to a another couple in Sawai - at night, while they were actually sleeping inside the fale!
I agree that keeping an eye on your gear is the only safe solution, but can be hard for those travelling along and wishing to swim.
In those cases I'd now recommend asking another tourist to watch.

Why are these people not wearing money belts? Any tourist in any country is preyed apon. In Italy or Samoa, as a tourist I would be wearing my money belt night and day and only taking it off when I go into water. There are even some alternatives for that too. Aloha

taranaki chick, I totally agree, they are the way to go and you can get some pretty stylish money belts these days. Laszlo, I don't mean to offend, but honestly, so many people travel to Samoa solo (including me) and have no problems. This last trip I just took a little lock for my bag. Most people wouldn't be crazy enough to try and walk off with a heavy backpack in plain daylight. Especially since I was only feet from the fale most of the time. I've also traveled with a cable lock which you can wrap around a post in the fale and your bags/packs to be extra safe however, didn't feel that was necessary this time. Another smart idea would be to use debt machines and take out only as much as you need for a certain part of your journey. That way you don't loose everything and can return to Apia for more money. For anyone who rents a car, make sure the doors lock and make sure that you put valuables under the seat and park the car as close to your fale as possible (or under a light). There are SO MANY ways to prevent theft but most importantly, common sense. I really can't believe this is even a topic here... theft can be a problem anywhere you travel and that's all I have to say about that :)