Best Hotels in Matatufu, Samoa

I can’t put into words how incredible our experience was at Saletoga Sands. We were expecting ‘good’ but not ‘great’ things due to the after effects of covid. But oh was I so wrong. My fiancée organised with Villy a “Private Dinner” for us the first night we arrived. I wasn’t aware but the amazing staff spent the entire afternoon decorating the Fale next to the main restaurant. Pina was our wonderful waitress for the evening and absolutely went out of her way. I had no idea my partner was going to propose and Pina captured the entire proposal for us on video. The dinner was lovely and the entire evening was so perfect. From the moment we arrived there were staff helping us starting with carrying our bags to our villa and ensuring we were comfortable there. The restaurant staff also went out of there way each day. They work so hard everyday and such long hours but each time you see them they have smiles on their faces and will go out of their way for you. We stayed all 7 nights in an Exclusive Villa which was perfect for us as a young couple. Quiet as it was an adult only area. King size bed and wonderful A/C. The outdoor shower was great as well. The room was very modern and we felt so comfortable there. The ocean was about 50 metres away from our room. Snorkelling and kayaking gear is all free to borrow and the boys in the boat shed will go the extra mile to help you. You can also hire the gear to take to other places such as Lalomanu Beach, Giant clams etc. The reef was at our doorstep and was beautiful with a huge variety of fish. Would definitely recommend hiring a car as there are many places to visit outside the resort. That’s what we did and we really made the most of each day. However, if you didn’t want to do that and wanted to stay at the resort there is a lot you can do the at the resort. Lounge by the pool, water sports, gym etc. The resort also run various tours daily. We went to the FiaFia night which we couldn’t recommended enough, such a talented group and the food was amazing. The owner Gav is a great guy and goes out of his way to get to know his guests. You’ll see him around the resort a lot and whilst he is so busy he will make an effort to stop and talk to you. The resort is in an amazing condition. Gardens are immaculate. The staff are collectively doing an amazing job and deserve recognition for it. Thank you so much to the team at Saletoga for contributing to one of the most amazing weeks of our lives. We will definitely be back and will be spreading the word about this amazing place.

The facility was clean and modern, but the shower didn't drain fully leaving a slippery puddle away from the drain hole. Housekeeping wasn't consistent. On separate occasions the mirror was left wet, the bins unemptied, the towel unchanged and the bed not made up properly. The programmable safe didn't open once locked, and the key card had to be reprogrammed to give access to the room. Once, while resting in my room in the early afternoon, someone tried to enter my room but the latch stopped them. I quickly checked outside, thinking it might have been housekeeping, but no one was there except someone - a burly obese island man in singlet, shorts and jandals - walking quickly around the corner. I believe it was another guest who'd somehow gained access to electronic access cards, and who was raiding other guest's rooms. It was after that incident that my key card failed to work, and I had to visit reception to get it reprogrammed. The staff were generally courteous and kind, but really only going through the motions to fulfil their role. No one stood out as loving the work they do. The egg station couldn't make poached egg. That had to come from the kitchen, and they had to boil the water first and it was an inordinately long wait. In a previous visit to Samoa, at a hotel in Savai'i, the egg station had a pan with simmering water for poached eggs, and they delivered poached eggs as quickly as any other style of egg. I visited other hotels for events around Apia on this visit. I'm now open to staying at other hotels after this visit.

Return to paradise felt like returning home! It felt like visiting family. The staff were so amazing and are always willing to do whatever it takes to make your stay comfortable. The snorkelling and swimming at the resort were just outstanding and really made our stay unforgettable. The day tour to the clams and turtles is a must and the resort guides are so knowledgable and were very understanding when I was nervous of the deeper water. The tropical breakfast was just great for the very hot weather and I gauged on all the fresh fruit. The resort lunches and dinners were generous and the sashimi and oka deserve a mention for freshness. We also attended a traditional samoan buffet tonaai( Sunday lunch) and it was just lively to sample samoan food. Cant wait to return to return to paradise! fa'afetai to everyone at the resort for making our vacation so memorable.

WOW!!!! stunning place, rooms awesome, staff outstanding!! We would highly recommend staying here. We had a relaxing, luxurious break for a week here. All resort staff were very friendly, helpful, polite, fun and attentive. Our room had a stunning view and was always well serviced. Meals and drinks were great with choices for restricted diets. Breakfasts were great with a good selection. Pools were so nice to relax beside and beach front great for snorkeling and water sports.

The staff were amazing and the deck overlooking the water is definitely a highlight. We stayed in 3 different rooms - lily pond, garden villa and beach side villa. The garden villas were poorly maintained and in need of some love (TVs not working, air con not working, shower head missing, insecure door locks) the other 2 were better maintained but could also do with some TLC as could the pool. Lots of positives but attention to detail with things like milk for tea and coffee and 24 hour access to drinking water, consistent shampoo and conditioner in each room (some had none some 1 of each and others 2). Great location and a comfy enough base - the staff made the whole experience.

This hotel was like a lovely backpackers for grown ups and we enjoyed this. The rooms were clean, functional and had all of the facilities needed. Although a little small this was OK. We stayed in room 8 downstairs. It was value for money. I really liked the outdoor dining area near the pool as it was a friendly place to talk to other travelers and share stories. The gardens were stunning. The location was good as only 5 minutes drive to the city centre and on the Cross Island Road for the day we went to Robert Louis Stevenson's house and gardens. Apia is not a big city. There was space for 5 cars in the car park and 2 on the street and this was Ok as there was always parking available for us. I bought a local sim card at the airport on arrival and this was handy as I could use my maps app on my phone for us to find our way around. The staff were helpful and friendly. The breakfasts were colorful, creative and something for everyone as they were served on a tray with a bit of everything with different items each morning. We had some laundry done and it was ready within half a day. The TV did not work due to a signal connection error. The air con worked well. The shower was hot which I like. Their was a shelf in the bathroom to put your products which was very handy. Hotels should supply places to put your stuff. They asked you take off your shoes when walking in the reception area which was a pain as my shoes were clean and I feel there is a fungal infection risk walking around bare footed. There were stones outside and they were rough on bare feet if needed to nip between the reception and the downstairs. I think they should make this optional.

Perfect, especially good, great

What a genuinely fabulous place. The grounds are beautifully maintained, the service is excellent, the staff friendly but not intrusive and they get to know you by name. The resort feels small and intimate with a lovely pool area and beachfront. The restaurant food is also excellent. I can also highly recommend the quality of the spa treatments, which take place in little huts open to the breeze and the sound of the ocean; how fabulously relaxing. There is no free Wifi but you can pay for mobile WiFi at a reasonable cost which works well. What made the visit for me though was that the owners genuinely care about their guests. I had issues with a broken mobile phone when I was there and they could not have been kinder, recommending someone who could fix it and arranging lifts into town for me to see to it. I genuinely don't know what I'd have done without their kindness. It's a gem of a place and I highly recommend staying there.

Stayed just one night because we had business to attend to in Upolu. Breakfast was very good. Staff were nice and room was clean. A couple of small negatives, our room was very small and the pillow itself inside the pillow case was covered in brown sweaty stains. I could not sleep on that pillow. I did point it out to staff in the morning and suggested that they check the cleanliness of their pillows when preparing the room. The lady I spoke to was very grateful to have that pointed out. Overall this hotel is handy to most things in the main centre.

Third time returning on a friends trip (annually) to FaoFao Beach, and still having an amazing time. Fales were (as always) simple but comfortable, the ocean just gets clearer and more amazing every year, and the family that runs the place are just so friendly and accomodating. An extension to their beach front dining and bar is a fantastic addition, and always a centre for social gatherings with other guests in the evenings. Will definitely return next year!