A white sandy beach and tranquil blue waters provide the perfect setting for your quintessential South Pacific resort. Saletoga Sands Resort combines luxury and comfort within the natural splendour of Samoa’s main island Upolu.
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It is intimate and friendly with a great feel and vibe. The latter has much to do with the welcome you receive from Gavin and Lou, the resort’s owners. Originally from Hamilton, New Zealand, the Kiwi couple realised a long term dream and opened the resort in April 2014.
Who for
This is one of Samoa’s most popular resorts and justifiably so. Unique in that is is perfect for couples, honeymooners and families looking for a quality, yet affordable resort.
Accommodation
There are 58 hotel rooms, bungalows and tastefully furnished individual villas inspired by Fa’a Samoa (a phrase that means The Samoan Way), where outdoor living is integral to the daily life. Here you simply fall out of bed straight on to the white sand.
Beachfront Villa interior
Modern and comfortable with white walls, dark wood floors and double beds, all rooms include air conditioning and a 32″ TV with DVD player. Some rooms also include an outdoor as well as indoor shower, whilst the Matai villa suite has a bathtub in the outdoor shower area and a double shower.
Food and Drink
The restaurant say they use a blend of fresh local flavours with international cuisine or for more casual dining enjoy a wood fire pizza poolside.
The resort has arguably one of the best FiaFia nights on the island featuring traditional song and dance routines performed by staff and locals. Fia Fia means “happy”, an appropriate name as the singing, dancing, slapping, enthusiasm and energy within the dances is both contagious and joyous. There are 4 bars perfect for sun downers and a swim up pool bar. Mention should also be given to the excellent homemade bread and pastries at breakfast.
Facilities
Snorkelling, kayaking (the reef shelters the lagoon from the open sea, making for fun and safe kayaking), stand up paddle boarding, lazing around the pool, and swimming in the tranquil lagoon.
Stand up paddle boarding is available
If you are looking for adventure try surfing, scuba diving or game fishing. There’s also a gym located next to the spa and Kid’s activity programme. A luxury day spa offers private massage sessions and beauty treatments.
Is Wi-Fi available?
This is the place for a digital detox, don’t go expecting good Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi at all. The internet isn’t strong in this part of the island although Wi-Fi is available in the reception areas.
Price
What’s nearby?
Saletoga Sands Resort and Spa is located just over an hour from Faleolo International Airport or the capital of Apia on the South East Coast of Upolu.
Along the south coast waterfalls and natural swimming holes are the main draw. Some of Samoa’s best attractions are located nearby To Sua Trench, Piula Cave pool and stunning Lalomanu Beach (voted one of the best in the world).
On site car rental is available, a Samoan drivers licence is required but this can be organised at reception along with a picnic hamper.
The empty roads are easy to navigate, there are no traffic lights or for that matter road signs but with just one road circling Upolu and another going across, getting lost shouldn’t be a problem.