Where to Stay in Samoa: The BEST Accommodations in Samoa [2024]

Where to Stay in Samoa

Volcanic jungle-clad masses jutting from the vast blue Pacific Ocean yet home to a rich and proud culture, as you can see, there’s something special about Samoa. Although there are nine islands in the archipelago, only two catch the eye mainly for their size: Upolu and Savai’i. One is the main hub of the islands, while the other is steeped in history and is said to be the birthplace of Polynesian culture. Whatever the legends say, there’s no doubt that these islands will captivate you between their natural beauty and the generosity of the locals. All you have to do is find a place to stay in Samoa.

Luckily, we can help you there; not only listing Samoa’s best accommodations by location but by accommodation type, whether it be a lavish resort or a humble beach fale. Join us for the best accommodations in Samoa, as well as where to stay in Samoa.

The Top 10 Accommodations in Samoa

Before we dive into this complete guide on where to stay in Samoa, we thought you’d find it helpful for us to list our top 10 Samoa accommodations and where to find them.

Seabreeze Resort – Upolu
Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa – Upolu
Amoa Resort – Savai’i
Le Vasa Resort – Upolu
Bayview Resort – Savai’i
Faofao Beach Fales – Upolu
Lauiula Beach Fales – Savai’i
Tanu Beach Fales – Savai’i
Le Manumea Hotel – Apia (Upolu)
Namu’a Island Beach Fales – Namu’a

And the list continues in The Top 25 Resorts in Samoa and 20 Best Beach Fale Accommodations in Samoa.

Where to Stay in Samoa: The BEST Accommodations in Samoa [2023]

Where to Stay: Apia

The capital of Samoa is a bustling hub with a vast range of accommodations to choose from. What Apia lacks in dreamy beaches, it more than makes up for in culture and dining: the latter is something you will perhaps crave once you’ve spent a week in the same remote resort elsewhere on Upolu.

Apia is located on the northern shores of Upolu, surrounding a vast harbour and backed by the bush-clad Mt Vaea. There are markets, museums and picturesque parks to keep you occupied in the city, while tour operators are happy to pick you up from your Apia accommodation and take you to any of the island’s attractions you want to go, so To Sua can still firmly remain on the must-do list.

That’s not to say that there aren’t a few natural wonders within easy reach of town, like the magnificent coral depths of the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve or the waterslide wonder of the Papase’ea Sliding Rocks. Abseiling tours, mountain hikes and paddleboarding are all still on the adventure menu.

Learn more about what Apia is all about in The Complete Travel Guide to Apia and the 25 Best Things to Do in Apia.

The Best Hotels in Apia

Lava Hotel – Upscale contemporary hotel with free WiFi
Tanoa Tusitala Hotel – Polynesian hotel with a pool and free WiFi
Samoana Boutique Hotel – Hotel rooms and apartments
Vaea Hotel Samoa – Boutique child-free hotel
Insel Fehmarn Hotel – 3-star hotel with self-catering

Intrigued? Discover much more about these hotels in the 25 Best Hotels in Apia & Upolu.

The Best Resorts in Apia

Taumeasina Island Resort – Samoa’s largest resort
Le Manumea Hotel – Polynesian boutique hotel with fiafia nights
Samoa Tradition Resort – Hotel and apartment rooms with fiafia nights
Orator Hotel – Affordable resort-like rooms with gardens, pool and restaurant

Again, most of these resorts are covered in the 25 Best Hotels in Apia & Upolu, as well as The Top 25 Resorts in Samoa.

The Best Budget Accommodations in Apia

The Samoan Outrigger Hotel – Well-kept budget hotel
Dave Parker Eco Lodge – Cheap lodge rooms surrounded by lush forest
Lynn’s Getaway – Budget hotel with a pool and free WiFi
Olivia’s Accommodation – Cheap guesthouse with a garden
Talofa Inn – Central budget B&B with free WiFi

Want to know more? Check out more cheap stays in the 20 Best Budget Accommodations in Apia.

The Best Holiday Homes and Apartments in Apia

Lotopa Home – Modern four-bedroom holiday home
Kuini’s Guesthouse – Cheap but comfortable two-bedroom home
Cheerful Modern Villa with Pool – Three-bedroom home
MKR Serviced Apartments – Self-catering apartments
Nia Mall Apartments – Renovated apartments in mall

Fancy your own space, find out more about these listings in the 10 Best Holiday Homes in Apia & Upolu and 10 Best Holiday Apartments in Samoa.

The Best Side of Apia to Stay

Where about should you stay in Apia? Central Apia and Sogi on the Mulinuu Peninsula provide your easiest access to the town centre and its attractions, while the southern suburbs of Malifa, Moto’otua and Tanugamanono are another endearing option with proximity to some of the city’s best dining. Luckily, we have a complete guide on the best places to stay in the city. Check it out in Where to Stay in Apia: The Best Accommodations in Apia.

Where to Stay: Upolu

This is the South Pacific escape you envisioned: white sand beaches and swaying coconut palms. What’s more, this is also likely why you chose Samoa: lush tropical jungles scattered with waterfalls. The greater island of Upolu provides all of that and more, along with the accommodations to complete the paradisical picture.

The oblong island with an area of 1,125 km² (434 mi²) is Samoa’s most populated and most visited. With that, tourism infrastructure is abundant in comparison to its neighbouring islands, with an interesting but at least not overwhelming choice of upscale resorts, mid-range resorts and budget beach fales.

Upolu’s attractions are scattered across the island, meaning you’ll likely need to hire a car, take a day tour or ride on the vibrant buses to get to its iconic ocean trench, waterfalls, national park and beaches. You can also plan a more dynamic itinerary around the island, trying various accommodations along the way. Check out our Trip Ideas category for pre-made itineraries.

Dive deeper into what a getaway to Upolu looks like in The Complete Travel Guide to Upolu and the 50 Best Things to Do on Upolu.

The Best Luxury Resorts on Upolu

Seabreeze Resort – Adults-only luxury boutique resort
Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa – Luxury resort best suited to couples
Coconut Beach Club Resort & Spa – Upscale resort with overwater bungalows
Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa – Family-friendly beach resort
Aga Reef Resort – Boutique resort with islet bungalows

Now, “luxury” in Samoa doesn’t exactly mean five stars, but these retreats are the best options for discerning travellers. Learn more about them in the 7 Best Luxury Resorts on Upolu.

The Best Budget to Mid-Range Resorts on Upolu

Le Vasa Resort – Good-value boutique resort with a pool, restaurant and island boat tours
Salani Surf Resort – Eco surf resort with air-conditioned units
Return to Paradise Resort – Beach resort with beachfront bungalows and self-catering villas
Litia Sini Beach Resort – Low-key units with beach fale-style hospitality
Le Uaina Seaside Resort – Cheap resort with a pool

Tempted? Learn more about these budget to mid-range resorts in the 20 Best Budget Accommodations on Upolu and the 17 Best Resorts on Upolu.

The Best Beach Fales (Budget Stays) on Upolu

Faofao Beach Fales – Traditional beach fales with fiafia nights
Taufua Beach Fales – Beach fales, ensuite beach fales and air-conditioned units with restaurant
Vaiula Beach Fales – Beach fales with bar and cafe, surf and snorkelling
Manusina Beach Fales – Spacious beach fales with a bar
Ocean Club – Modern beach fales with a cafe and beach bar

Want to try out Samoa’s most iconic type of accommodation? Check out the 10 Best Beach Fale Accommodations on Upolu.

The Best of the Rest

Ifiele’ele Plantation – Self-catering plantation rooms and villas with a pool and food tours
Transit Motel – Cheap airport accommodation with a restaurant

And for all those little accommodations that don’t neatly fit into a category, take a look at the 10 Best Boutique Accommodations on Upolu and 7 Best Motels in Samoa.

The Best Side of Upolu to Stay

For urban vibes, stay in Apia (see above). For beaches, stay on the east coast of Upolu and for easy access to off-shore islands (see below), stay on the west side. That’s the simplified version anyway. Check out Where to Stay on Upolu: The Best Upolu Accommodations to learn more about the best side to stay on.

Where to Stay: Savai’i

Humble, traditional and breathtakingly beautiful, Savai’i is Samoa’s largest island and provides a true sense of the South Pacific. Far from spoiled and touristy, the island only has a handful of resorts, while beach fales and boutique lodges make up the rest of the offering. Here, you’ll experience Samoan hospitality in all its authenticity, for the good and for the not-so-polished.

Some of Samoa’s most iconic attractions lie on the “big island”, from the mesmerising Alofaaga Blowholes to the thought-provoking Saleaula Lava Fields. Picturesque waterfalls, swimming with turtles, caving and engaging in Samoan traditions make up the rest of your stay here.

Like Upolu, the island is big, so you’ll need at least a couple of days to comfortably explore it. Check out our Trip Ideas category for pre-made itineraries including accommodation suggestions at the end of each day as you explore the island.

As for what Savai’i has to offer as a destination, make sure to head to The Complete Travel Guide to Savai’i and the 50 Best Things to Do on Savai’i.

The Best Resorts on Savai’i

Amoa Resort – Savai’i’s most complete resort with a pool and cultural activities
Le Lagoto Resort – Upscale boutique resort ideal for couples
Savaii Lagoon Resort – Self-catering bungalows ideal for families
Stevensons on Manase – Unique fale designs and ensuite units on the beach
Bayview Resort – Half open half closed units among lava fields

Ready to pack your bags? Head to the 10 Best Resorts on Savai’i to learn more about these stays and more.

The Best Boutique Accommodations on Savai’i

Aganoa Lodge – All-inclusive surf lodge with upscale fale units
Va-i-Moana Seaside Lodge – Ensuite family units, beachfront units and beach fales with a restaurant and cultural activities
Florence’s Place – B&B stay on a village plantation
Lusia’s Lagoon Chalets – Low-key overwater and garden units with restaurant
Kuki’s by the Harbour – Contemporary waterfront ensuite bungalows in Salelologa

For more about these alternative stays, take a look at the 10 Best Boutique Accommodations on Savai’i and the 10 Best Lodges in Samoa.

The Best Beach Fales (Budget Stays) in Savai’i

Lauiula Beach Fales – Beach fales and air-conditioned unit on Lano Beach with free snorkel hire
Tanu Beach Fales – Traditional fales with sleeping layouts for solo travellers to families
Jane’s Beach Fales – Enclosed and colourful fales and ensuite units
Tailua Beach Fales – Alternative fale design with raised beds and a private deck
Falealupo Beach Fales – Popular fales on white sands with snorkelling and island tours

Experience true Samoan hospitality at the 10 Best Beach Fale Accommodations on Savai’i.

The Best Side of Savai’i to Stay

For dining and beaches, choose Salelologa and the Sunrise Coast (east coast). For beaches, turtles and lava fields, head to Manase and the Sunshine Coast (north coast). For seclusion and history, choose Falealupo and the Sunset Coast (west coast). Finally, for waterfalls and blowholes, stay on the Surf Coast (south coast).

There’s a lot more to unpack when it comes to where to stay on Savai’i, so head over to Where to Stay on Savai’i: The Best Savai’i Accommodations to learn more.

Where to Stay: Manono and Apolima

For determined travellers, the Apolima Strait islands between Upolu and Savai’i are possible to stay on.

Boats from the western shores of Upolu can take you over choppy waters to either the larger Manono island, home to its own formal but basic enclosed accommodation units on the coast. Alternatively, head a little further to the lesser-visited Apolima where the village lies in the crater of a volcano. There’s no formal accommodation here, but visitors are usually welcome to stay on mattresses set up at the village chief’s fale at the entrance of the village.

Heading to any one of these islands is an adventurous if not rewarding experience, which you can arrange for yourself using the advice in The Travel Guide to Manono and The Travel Guide to Apolima.

The Best Accommodations on Manono and Apolima

Sunset View Fales – Basic units elevated among gardens on Manono
Apolima Chief’s Fale – Not a commercial accommodation; but visitors to Apolima usually stay in this open fale at the island’s entrance

Again, details on these accommodations can be found in The Travel Guide to Manono and The Travel Guide to Apolima.

Where to Stay: Namu’a Island

The final island in Samoa where you can stay overnight is the uninhabited Namu’a Island. On the edge of the lagoon on the eastern tip of Upolu, along with the neighbouring Aleipata Islands, Namu’a is a tiny island whose residents include birdlife, a dog and the occasional turtle.

While Namu’a Island is open for day trips to enjoy its snorkelling and serene ambience, overnight stays are possible by staying at the beach fale accommodation set up on the island’s sands.

Learn more about how to get to the island and how to stay there in The Guide to the Aleipata Islands.

The Best Accommodation on Namu’a

Namu’a Island Beach Fales – Traditional fales on the beach with breakfast, dinner and transfers included

Again, learn more about the accommodation in The Guide to the Aleipata Islands and 20 Best Beach Fale Accommodations in Samoa.

The Best Accommodations in Samoa: Accommodation Categories

By now, you’ve probably realised that Samoa has accommodations appealing to all types of travellers and that here, at Samoa Pocket Guide, we’ve ranked them all! Browse Samoa accommodations by category using the following links:

More About Where to Stay in Samoa + The Best Samoa Accommodations

Woah! Well done for making it this far in our guide to the best Samoa accommodations. By now, you probably have a good idea of where to stay in Samoa, so plan the rest of your trip with these guides:

Finally, if you’re still unsure where to stay in Samoa, compare the islands further in The Best Islands to Visit in Samoa.

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

Where to Stay in Samoa: The BEST Accommodations in Samoa [2024]