17 BEST Resorts on Upolu 🏝️ [2024]

The Top Resort Accommodations on Samoa’s Main Island

One of the few South Pacific paradises that is not overrun with holiday accommodations, the main island of Samoa offers a more genuine holiday experience. Upolu‘s international resort chains are few and far in between, rather opting for more family-owned businesses, each providing a unique experience. From authentically Samoan to luxurious compounds popped into paradise to resort-style hotels in the heart of the nation’s capital, there’s a wide range of resort experiences on Samoa’s most-visited island. Discover the best one for you with this list of the best resorts on Upolu!

Before we begin, be sure to plan the rest of your vacation antics with the 50 Best Things to Do on Upolu and The Food Guide to Upolu: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

1. Seabreeze Resort

Easily Upolu’s most luxurious offering, Seabreeze Resort is the place to treat yourself. A boutique resort that’s exclusively adults only, Seabreeze has just 12/13 contemporary villas, ranging from elegant rooms by the infinity pool and bar to the elevated “Honeymoon Point Villa” boasting a private plunge pool and enviable position in the cliffs overlooking the resort’s picturesque bay. Spend your time here exploring the lagoon in the provided clear-bottom kayaks, indulging in a couples’ massage, and dining on contemporary cuisine at The Waterfront Restaurant and Bar. If luxury is what you crave, how about checking out the 7 Best Luxury Resorts on Upolu?

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2. Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa

Rustic luxury awaits at the Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa. Design your own getaway, whether it’s private dinner setups on the beach, treatments available at the Tui–I–Lagi Spa or making use of the resort’s very own 9-hole golf course. Dining here is quite the event as you make your way down the lantern-lit pathway to the lagoon-edge Ava I Toga Restaurant for fresh seafood and South Pacific fusion dining. Meanwhile, any one of the villas decorated with soothing tones and island-inspired interiors is sure to impress, whether it’s among the lush tropical grounds or basking in the absolute beachfront. For more effortlessly romantic stays like this, also check out the 10 Most Romantic Wedding & Honeymoon Resorts on Upolu.

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3. Le Vasa Resort

For a low-key resort holiday offering an idyllic balance of relaxation and adventure (not to mention, is much kinder on the holiday budget), choose Le Vasa Resort. Looking out to the Apolima Strait islands of Manono, Nu’ulopa and Apolima, the resort offers experiences to visit the uninhabited Nu’ulopa island, as well as accommodations that happen to bask in front-row views of the islands. The boutique resort boasts just 13 bungalows uniquely decorated with their own colour scheme and traditional materials. When you’re not relaxing in your bungalow, retreat to the generously sized swimming pool or Cocolin’s by the Sea Restaurant, which offers some of the best resort food on the island (see The 10 Best Restaurants on Upolu).

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4. Coconuts Beach Club Resort & Spa

Through the water garden entrance and past the open restaurant, lagoon-style swimming pool and real lagoon beyond are Samoa’s only true overwater bungalows connected by a winding walkway. Definitely Coconut Beach Club‘s most attractive offering, the overwater fales maximise individual privacy with expansive sun decks, airy bedrooms with king-sized beds, and an ensuite with rock wall interiors and a sunken bathtub. Alternatively, retreat to dry land in one of the spacious beachfront “fales” (more like a luxurious villa than a fale) with lava rock bathrooms and attractive bamboo furniture. Nestled in the gardens are also the lavish “Royal Villas”, two storeys of luxury complete with in-the-ground bathtubs and an observatory balcony accessed by a spiral staircase. While Coconuts is the most upmarket overwater accommodation, check out alternatives in the 5 Best Overwater Bungalows in Samoa.

Check Coconuts Beach Club Resort & Spa out:

5. Aga Reef Resort

One of the rare resorts along the highly sought-after Lalomanu and Saleapaga stretch of Upolu, Aga Reef Resort offers a selection of contemporary hotel-style rooms and lagoon-front villas. Although it doesn’t have much of a beach itself, it has several endearing spots to share with friends or your loved one between its private island connected to the mainland by a pier walkway and its public areas like its airy bar and restaurant behind the infinity pool. Travellers may want to treat themselves to a “Deluxe Villa” with its very own private outdoor plunge pool, ensuite with a twin vanity and standalone bathtub, and a high-ceiling bedroom with large ranch sliders soaking in the ocean views. Otherwise, the timber-lined “Waterfront Villas” are nothing to snuff at, providing unbeatable reef views while watching the sunrise or sunset.

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6. Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa

Providing a South Pacific resort holiday that is familiar to most, Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa has the beach, the pool, the restaurant, the accessibility, as well as upscale villas. If you’re going to book here for a special occasion, make it the “Matai Villa” located in a more quiet corner of the resort and beach. The ultra-spacious accommodation’s main enticement is its outdoor garden bathroom complete with a stone bath. Alternatively, the spacious family villas with separate bedrooms for the kids are soon to become your new favourite home away from home. The resort organises a range of island tours to make all of your holiday exploits effortless, while the on-site restaurant and bar provide an airy setting for fresh local flavours with an international twist. Discover more resorts ideal for taking little ones in the 20 Best Family Resorts & Accommodations on Upolu.

Check Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa out:

7. Taumeasina Island Resort

Its own private island yet moments away from Apia‘s bustling city centre, Taumeasina Island Resort is the perfect go-to for travellers who want to be close to the action. It is also Upolu’s largest resort so you won’t be stuck for things to do between the two resort pools, Fofo Spa & Sauna, tennis courts, watersports equipment and very popular fiafia nights (see the 10 Best Cultural Shows (Fiafia) in Samoa). There are three restaurants on-site to choose from, although they’re not our favourite at least you’re never too far from Apia’s finest places to wine and dine. As for rooms, the “Oceanview Hotel Rooms” will meet the requirements of most guests, boasting contemporary interiors of what you would expect of an international-style hotel. Alternatively, treat yourself to the full home-away-from-home experience in one of the two- or three-bedroom villas complete with a modern kitchen and plenty of space for your family or group. For more places to stay in Apia, check out the 25 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Apia.

Check Taumeasina Island Resort out:

8. Le Uaina Beach Resort

Swap international resort chains for a locally run operation with the best resort rates in Samoa at the Le Uaina Beach Resort. Enjoy South Pacific cuisine at the on-site restaurant and spend your days snorkelling or kayaking by the excellent reef just off the beach. There’s a substantial swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers if you’re looking for a more relaxing aspect to your holiday. Rooms all have an ensuite, while layouts fit couples up to large families. Find this resort in Faleapuna village, right by the Piula Cave Pool and approximately 20 minutes from Apia. And for more reasonably-prices accommodations, take a look at the 20 Best Budget Accommodations on Upolu.

Check Le Uaina Beach Resort out:

9. Return to Paradise Resort & Spa

Based on Upolu’s most famous beach, Return to Paradise Resort & Spa offers a secluded retreat on the island’s southwest coast. There are four individual swimming pools, a sheltered Samoan-style concrete pool on the coast, and a beach and reef containing turquoise lagoon water for interesting snorkelling at low tide. Otherwise, guests are kept entertained with weekly fiafia nights, table tennis and book exchange, garden walks and more. Dine or enjoy sundowner cocktails at the attractive waterfront restaurant, where a night under the rockpool cabana is always a highlight (as long as you’re prepared with insect repellent). As for accommodation, you have a wide array of beachfront and garden options, from one-bedroom beachfront suites boasting rock-wall bathrooms to three-bedroom villas with self-catering facilities. Check out more self-catering stays in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Samoa.

Check Return to Paradise Resort & Spa out:

10. Salani Surf Resort

Nestled in an enclave on the south coast of Upolu yet moments away from quality waves, Salani Surf Resort is an immediate go-to for a surf stay in Samoa. Each of the eight elevated units boasts estuary views from its private deck, while air-conditioning and an attractive ensuite bathroom with a waterfall shower are also part of the parcel. When you’re not making use of the surf boats and guides taking you to the most pumping waves, retreat to the resort’s saltwater swimming pool, dine at the restaurant specialising in fresh and responsibly sourced food or hop on one of the resort’s island excursions. Find out more about Salani’s sustainability principles in the 5 Best Eco Resorts in Samoa.

11. Samoa Tradition Resort

A favourite with the locals who have family visiting from overseas (and want to impress), Samoa Tradition Resort is all about family: family-owned, family-run and you’re sure to feel like family too by the end of your stay. Choose between hotel rooms with breakfast included and affordable rates or upgrade to one of the villas decorated with hand-carved poles and exposed rock walls complementing the nature embraced from your forest balcony. There are full apartments with cooking facilities should you want to add your family to the Samoa Tradition Resort family. Not to mention, one of the highlights of the resort is its famed fiafia night every Thursday.

12. Litia Sini Beach Resort

Escape to one Upolu’s most popular beaches, especially with the locals, Lalomanu Beach. While traditional beach fales make up the majority of accommodation lining this idyllic stretch of white sand and turquoise lagoon, Litia Sini Beach Resort offers a slight step up in their fully-enclosed bungalows. Choose from either a garden bungalow or on the beachfront with direct access down the steps to Lalomanu’s white sands. Rooms are compact, fitting beds for up to four or five people, with each equipped with a mosquito net. You can easily get a bit more space, however, on your private deck where watching the sunrise or sunset is simply magical. Home-cooked Samoan-style cuisine is served for breakfast and dinner, included in the rate. For more “beach fale” stays, check out the 10 Best Beach Fale Accommodations on Upolu.

Check Litia Sini Beach Resort out:

13. Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort

Offering the convenience of its location near the airport and wharf with ferry connections to Savai’i, yet boasting the standards of an international resort (but perhaps not the usual Sheraton), the Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort might just fit the bill for a fly-and-flop getaway to Upolu. There’s plenty of room for relaxation along the beach with thatched shade umbrellas and the lagoon-style pool, while the elegant outdoor settings of the Apolima Fale open for breakfast (one of the best breakfast buffets on the island, might we add) and the evening venue of the South Pacific Restaurant make dining as easy as an island breeze. Guests also can’t miss a rejuvenating spa session at the Manaia Polynesian Spa, which easily makes it onto our 10 Best Spas in Samoa.

Check Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort out:

14. Tanoa Tusitala Hotel

A hotel with resort vibes and a convenient location in the island’s capital, Tanoa Tusitala Hotel is well worth considering as your resort on Upolu. The magnificent dome rooves along the Mulinuu Peninsula are a striking introduction to this Apia hotel. Just try to pull yourself away from the large outdoor pool or the kids from the shaded toddlers’ pool. Meanwhile, enjoy a hot buffet breakfast served each morning in the Fala Restaurant and al fresco dining at the Deck Restaurant by the pool. As for rooms, expect your usual hotel-style offering, each with air-conditioning, an ensuite and either a private balcony or patio. There’s even free (limited) WiFi, which is a rarity in Samoa. If a hotel stay is definitely your thing, be also sure to check out the 25 Best Hotels on Upolu.

Check Tanoa Tusitala Hotel out:

15. Le Manumea Hotel

A vibrant family-run boutique hotel/resort radiating Samoan flair, Le Manumea Hotel offers a fun and characterful stay in Apia. Your room is decorated with natural materials, including woven panelling across your kitchenette’s cabinetry and hand-carved doors. Outside is your ensuite shower in a rock garden setting, while shared areas consist of an attractive lagoon-style swimming pool, a bar that has one of the best happy hour deals in town, and an airy fale restaurant where one of Apia’s most popular fiafia nights take place. For more boutique stays, check out the 10 Best Boutique Resorts & Accommodations on Upolu.

Check Le Manumea Hotel out:

16. Faimafili Village Resort

A charming village-run resort on the shores of Matautu, Faimafili Village Resort provides friendly and tentative hospitality for a true Samoan experience. The bungalows either raised on the beach or nestled in the gardens are very basic but what you’d expect for a budget-style accommodation. Menus at the dining fale are limited if you’re the only guest staying there, but weekends and public holidays usually mean locals gather at this popular spot with events like Sunday to’onai (see the 10 Best Foodie Experiences on Upolu) that make this a more likely place to be. There are accommodation options suitable for both couples/solo travellers and families.

Check Faimafili Village Resort out:

17. The St Therese Samoa Retreat & Accommodation

Nestled in tropical gardens halfway between Apia and Faleolo International Airport, The St Therese Samoa Retreat & Accommodation offers an alternative “resort” experience on Upolu. The budget if not slightly rundown hotel/resort in Le’auva’a village has double and family rooms set in high-ceiling Polynesian hotel blocks surrounding a large lawn. During your downtime, have a dip in the pool, dine at the on-site restaurant and watch the sunset across the lagoon.

Check The St Therese Samoa Retreat & Accommodation out:

More About the Best Resorts on Upolu

That’s it for the best resorts on Upolu, but it’s by no means the end of our accommodation advice for Samoa! Consider some alternative accommodation styles by browsing the following guides:

Finally, if you’re still undecided on where to stay, be sure to check out Where to Stay on Upolu: The Best Upolu Accommodations.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Samoa and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Samoa Tourism Authority (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
Samoa Tourism Authority Corporate (Tourism news - Updated [2024])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2024])
Samoa Hotels Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
Samoa Meteorological Division (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2024])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
Ministry of Customs & Revenue (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2024])
Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2024])
Samoa Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
Land Transport Authority (Tourist driver’s license info - Updated [2024])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])

Our editorial standards: At Samoa Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Samoa Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Samoa. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Upolu and Savai’i’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Laura via our contact page