10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Apia & Upolu 🍽️ 2026

Last Updated: 9 May, 2026

The Top Accommodations with Cooking Facilities in Apia and Upolu

Any savvy traveller knows that a surefire way to reduce a travel budget is to cook your own meals. Luckily, Samoa‘s capital has a wide range of accommodations with private or communal cooking facilities. Unfortunately, the greater area of Upolu has far fewer choices when it comes to self-catering.

We give you all of your best options in this list of the best self-catering accommodations in Apia and Upolu!

For more self-catering advice, be sure to check out A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Samoa.

1. Insel Fehmarn Hotel

For a combination of self-catering convenience and hotel luxury, the Insel Fehmarn Hotel is hard to beat. Each comfortable room boasts a functional kitchenette with a full oven, perfect for whipping up your own meals. But don’t worry, you won’t be stuck in the kitchen all holiday!

The hotel offers Peleiupu Restaurant as the main dining spot. Fancy a drink? The poolside bar opens its doors on Friday and Saturday nights.

When you’re not lounging by the swimming pool or hitting the tennis court, you can explore the island with the hotel’s exclusive SUV and van rentals for guests. Water enthusiasts will love the kayak and board rentals (just remember, you’ll need to transport them to the sea yourself).

The friendly staff deliver genuine Samoan hospitality, making this great value accommodation an excellent choice. For the best experience, we recommend asking for a renovated room. And don’t forget to check out the on-site gift shop for those perfect Samoan souvenirs!

Book Insel Fehmarn Hotel:

10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Apia & Upolu 🍽️ [2025]

2. The Samoan Outrigger Hotel

A cute and quintessentially Samoan hotel on the outskirts of Apia, The Samoan Outrigger Hotel provides affordable rates and Samoan smiles.

Rooms are well-maintained, better so than some of Samoa’s more premium hotels, and come in a range of layouts for solo travellers up to families. Choose from air-conditioning, ensuite and shared bathroom facilities.

Otherwise, there are open fales in the garden should you want to get the real Samoan experience! With a well-equipped communal kitchen, swimming pool and gorgeous gardens to relax in, what else could you need in Apia?

Speaking of, see how this accommodation compares to the 25 Best Hotels in Apia & Upolu.

Book The Samoan Outrigger Hotel:

10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Apia & Upolu ????️ [2023]

3. Return to Paradise Resort & Spa

Return to Paradise Resort & Spa offers a secluded retreat on Upolu’s southwest coast, providing one of the few self-catering options outside of Apia. The resort boasts four individual swimming pools and a sheltered Samoan-style concrete pool on the coast. Guests can enjoy a turquoise lagoon perfect for snorkelling at low tide.

Weekly fiafia nights, table tennis, and a book exchange keep visitors entertained. The resort’s state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor gym facilities cater to fitness enthusiasts. As part of a marine reserve, the resort engages in its own coral planting initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to environmental conservation.

Dine or enjoy sundowner cocktails at the attractive waterfront restaurant. For accommodation, choose from multi-bedroom villas with full self-catering facilities nestled among manicured gardens.

Discover more resort stays in the 16 Best Resorts on Upolu.

Book Return to Paradise Resort & Spa:

4. Samoana Boutique Hotel

Perfect for families, friends or small groups, the Samoana Boutique Hotel offers spacious accommodations with each room type fitting at least four guests. Choose from two- or three-bedroom apartments if you’re after self-catering facilities.

The hotel boasts an attractive albeit small swimming pool – a refreshing retreat from Apia’s hot climate. Although a little way out of town, car rental is a breeze through the hotel’s sister company, Samoana Rentals (check out the 10 Best Car Rentals on Upolu for more options).

For more family-friendly suggestions, take a look at the 20 Best Family Accommodations on Upolu.

Book Samoana Boutique Hotel:

5. 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 Samoa’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 self-catering is very viable and even fun in the spacious and modern two- or three-bedroom villas.

For more upscale stays like this, check out the 10 Best Luxury Resorts on Upolu.

Book Taumeasina Island Resort:

6. Talofa Inn

Another affordable hotel well worth considering is Talofa Inn. Offering an ultra-convenient location in the heart of Apia, as well as irresistible prices, there’s not much reason not to choose Talofa.

Rooms are compact but are all uniquely styled with characterful bedding and furniture. Most have an ensuite, but be sure to double-check on booking.

Choose from single rooms or double/twin rooms each with air-conditioning. There are two lounges, as well as a communal kitchen with a fridge and microwave/convection oven. You also have laundry facilities and free WiFi!

See more places with free internet in the 8 Accommodations in Samoa with Free WiFi.

Book Talofa Inn:

7. MKR Serviced Apartments

Experience real city living at the MKR Serviced Apartments. All you need for an easy stay in Apia is within walking distance, including supermarkets where you can make the most of your purchases for your apartment’s very own kitchenette.

Cooking facilities range from simple electric hotplates to full ovens, so be sure to enquire if you need something specific.

Whether you’re a group or a couple, there are sleeping arrangements to suit, while apartments are also fully and modernly furnished with air-conditioning for a more comfortable stay.

8. Lotopa Home

Don’t rule out holiday homes when looking for self-catering accommodations in Apia and Upolu. For instance, Lotopa Home is a four-bedroom house sleeping up to 10 people in the suburban outskirts.

The holiday home is renovated with relatively modern furniture and fixings, from its open-plan kitchen to its two bathrooms.

Keep cool with the tiled floors and air-conditioning, and keep clean with home appliances such as a washing machine.

There’s parking on-site, as well as a garden. For more holiday rentals to choose from, check out the 10 Best Holiday Homes in Apia & Upolu.

Book Lotopa Home:

Lotopa Home on Booking.com

9. Talanoa Fales Accommodation

For something a little different, escape to lush gardens nestled in mountain views at Talanoa Fales Accommodation.

On the quiet foothills of Mt Vaea in the village of Moamoa, approximately 10 minutes from Apia, the family-run accommodation is abundant in fruit and vegetable plants ideal for cooking using your fale’s very own self-catering facilities.

Your garden fale is vibrantly decorated and also features an ensuite, a living area and a verandah to enjoy watching the birds. You can take a day off on Sunday, as a free lunch is served by your hosts.

For more great-value stays, check out the 20 Best Budget Accommodations on Upolu.

10. Tivoli Aparthotel

Surrounding a Mediterranean-esque pool area with ornate iron furniture under cute gazebos, Tivoli Aparthotel offers an alternative ambience in Apia.

Your ultra-spacious unit has colourful modern fixtures, as well as useful amenities like cooking facilities for a true home away from home.

You are also supplied with reusable glass bottles so you can keep hydrated using the hotel’s filtered water and reduce your plastic water bottle impact – yay!

Note that there is a security bond to pay upon check-in (so return those bottles!)

For more ways to travel more sustainably, check out the 30 Ways to Travel More Sustainably in Samoa.

Book Tivoli Aparthotel:

Tivoli Aparthotel on Booking.com

More Self-Catering Accommodations in Apia and Upolu

That’s it for our list of the best self-catering accommodations in Apia and Upolu, but there are more stays with kitchens that you can find in the following articles:

And if you’re still having trouble finding the perfect place to stay, be sure to also check out Where to Stay in Apia: The Best Accommodations in Apia and 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 [2025])
Samoa Tourism Authority Corporate (Tourism news - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Samoa Hotels Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
Samoa Meteorological Division (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Customs & Revenue (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Samoa Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Land Transport Authority (Tourist driver’s license info - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2025])
Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2025])

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

About The Author

Laura (Lora) 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.

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