There is nothing quite like a tropical paradise. And we found one at Saletoga Sands resort on the South Pacific Island of Upolu in Samoa. Departing from our usual on-the-go travel mode, we adapted easily to a week-long resort vacation. Relaxation, pampering, poolside bar, optional tours, and delicious meals. If you are wondering where to stay in Samoa, read on . . .
First Impressions
Arriving close to 10 pm, we were instantly enveloped in the warm, fragrant, tropical air and quickly lulled to sleep by the gentle sound of the surf. Our biggest decision was air conditioning or open windows. A great nights sleep and in the morning, as I watched the sunrise, I genuinely fell in love with Samoa.
Our ocean view villa
Our ocean view family villa is large and spacious, with a big bed on one side, a wicker couch and fridge on the other. French doors open to a smaller room with two single beds for our teens. The bathroom was modern, with a backdoor leading to a private outdoor shower. Open to the sky, and surrounded by plants, it was pure heaven.
Turning on the overhead fans, I open the floor to ceiling louvres. The warm tropical air circulates through the screens that keep the mosquitoes out while allowing in the sounds of the sea. Our girls prefer to close the louvres and turn on the air conditioning, as it is hot in Samoa.
While we can see the ocean beyond the pool, not all the ocean view villas have this luxury. If an ocean view family villa is what you want, we recommend requesting villas 114, 115 or 116.
We were upgraded for our wedding anniversary to the luxurious beachfront Matai Villa Suite. With our own section of the beach and an outdoor bathtub, we were sure that this is where to stay in Samoa. Or, if we were travelling without our kids, we would have stayed in one of the oceanfront villas.
⇒ Check pricing and availability of different rooms at Saletoga Sands Resort
Matai Villa Suite. 
Outdoor shower. 
Ocean front villas. 
Love.
Resort life at Saletoga Sands
Relaxing was new to me. I have never been good at it. However, with a swim-up pool bar, oceanfront loungers, and a talented masseuse, it was easy. Then there was the never-ending ocean views and an evening Fiafia show (not every night).
Photo ©Sarah Albom. All rights reserved.
And, when I needed to move, the options included snorkelling, kayaking, stand up paddle boards, swimming, cultural activities, or off-site tours.
We never quite figured out the pool bartender schedule. However, when the bar was closed the staff brought drinks from the cafe bar or a fresh coconut from the nearby trees.
The beach
Stepping out of the far side of the pool, we walk straight ahead into the sea. Reef shoes are useful, as there are broken bits of coral along the beach, the remnants of a 2010 tsunami that ripped through these shores. We had the same need for reef shoes in Rarotonga.
Relaxing. 
Beach walk. 
Paradise.
Tropical rains
Even the tropical rains which dominated the weather for the first few days couldn’t dissuade us from enjoyment. Cold rain makes the outdoor shower more invigorating (there is an indoor shower too, but I like the novelty). And the resort provided umbrellas and altered tour options to accommodate the weather. Personally, I found the rain a perfect time to get a massage, or two.
⇒ Check pricing and availability at Saletoga Sands Resort
Mealtime at Saletoga Sands
A beautiful buffet breakfast is included for everyone, and the varied menu and creative chefs created exquiste meals, as well as simple options. Not a lot of choices, but enough. Being somewhat isolated, Saletoga Sands is the only place to eat if you don’t have transportation.
For that reason, we purchased an optional meal plan that included lunch and a massive three-course dinner. Financially, it appears like a great value. However, without the plan, we would have eaten less. For me, the meals were large enough that the main would have sufficed for dinner without the other two courses.
The menu offers a variety of local and familiar foods, both meat and vegetarian, plus fresh coconut. The chef went out of his way to accommodate our teen’s allergies. The only negative, and it’s a personal pet peeve, while filtered water was provided in the rooms, a glass of water is charged for at mealtime. We noticed many guests brought pre-filled water bottles/glasses from their rooms.
Feeling like family
Saving the best for last, it is the people who make Saletoga Sands so special. Kiwi owners Gavin and Lou are so approachable I feel like I have left behind long lost friends. The outdoor environment, coupled with their warm, easy-going personalities gives a family feel beyond what I would expect to find at a resort.
Exploring the island
We did leave the resort a few times, once for a tour on a rainy day, once in our own rental car, and one rather amusing trip to the hospital. Samoa is an adventure filled with laughter, colourful open-air fales (houses), dogs, pigs, waterfalls, lava caves, and plenty of things to do once you leave the resort’s isolated luxury.
Still wondering where to stay in Samoa?
We recommend Saletoga Sands if you are headed to Samoa.
⇒ Check pricing and availability at Saletoga Sands Resort
Will you stay at Saletoga Sands Resort in Samoa?
Disclaimer: Saletoga Sands Resort partially sponsored our travels, however, the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Eating Cakes and Viewing Penguins in St Kilda a Melbourne Suburb
Suzy
June 5, 2014 at 8:48 pmBeautiful pictures particularly the first one. I would love to visit Samoa someday.
Dropping by from SIMC linkup
Anne
June 5, 2014 at 1:11 pmGorgeous share! Sounds like the perfect getaway! I live in the USA in Colorful Colorado. I have only traveled to Mexico as a child with my phamily. But we love traveling and hope to extend our travels internationally. A relaxing trip. Thank you for this beautiful blue share. Come visit soon.
Rhonda Albom
June 5, 2014 at 7:27 pmWe have only been to Colorado in the winter and the over ridding color was white.
Michael Orobona
June 5, 2014 at 9:16 amI have relatives living in Samoa. Your pictures, particularly the sunrise, make me want to go and visit.
Rhonda Albom
June 5, 2014 at 7:26 pmOh, you should go and visit. Samoa is an interesting place. This resort is the possibly the best of it though, most of the native people live much differently.
Rosey
June 4, 2014 at 11:16 pmEverything does look and sound amazing (except for the hospital visit). 😉
I’m glad the resort owners are so kind too! That does add a nice touch.
Rajlakshmi
June 4, 2014 at 10:49 pmSo many fascinating memories. I love your photos.
Mary {The World Is A Book}
June 4, 2014 at 6:30 pmI think this is the first post I’ve read on Samoa. What a beautiful resort and looks so relaxing. Your pictures are beautiful and I especially love that first picture – postcard perfect. We have a big Samoan community near where I live and I’ve always been curious about these islands.
Rhonda Albom
June 5, 2014 at 7:24 pmRemember, this is a resort, which is much different from how the people live. I will have more posts coming soon.
Cascia @ The Healthy Moms Mag
June 4, 2014 at 4:02 pmIt looks like you had a wonderful vacation!
Nancie Lee
June 4, 2014 at 1:42 pmI would love to travel to Samoa. The Saletoga Sands Resort sounds lovely. Your insights about the meals and how they helped with weather issues are great to know. The beaches and sunset look wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
Rhonda Albom
June 5, 2014 at 7:22 pmThe owners, managers and staff were really helpful with everything, and we were very pleased with our choice.
Karren Haller
June 4, 2014 at 11:55 amWhat a wonderful time that you have shared, I have never been to islands like these, only to Hawaii. Some of your photos are post card perfect. Thank you for sharing, look forward to seeing more of your trip as you share.
Rhonda Albom
June 4, 2014 at 12:16 pmSamoa is very different from Hawaii as it’s independent rather than being part of the US or any bigger nation. Although the tropical sunshine and natural beauty is comparable.
Katie
June 4, 2014 at 7:41 amI haven’t been to Samoa yet, but that sunrise shot you took makes it that much more tempting! Can’t wait to hear about the other stuff you did, I haven’t really researched Samoa before (a rarity for me, actually). You’ve definitely peaked my curiosity with an “amusing” hospital trip. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
June 4, 2014 at 12:15 pmI have lots to share about our wonderful trip, I will try and get to the hospital story soon 🙂
Sonya
June 3, 2014 at 12:50 pmI would LOVE to go to Samoa!! Gorgeous place and gorgeous photos! Happy Blue Monday!
Sonya
L. Diane Wolfe
June 3, 2014 at 11:28 amIt looks like paradise! We took a cruise to Mexico and swam in a salt water pool that had a bar, and i thought that was the neatest thing ever.
Time you stayed somewhere in style.
Comedy Plus
June 3, 2014 at 3:39 amMy kind of vacation. Anything tropical you have my attention. I don’t care if it rains a bit either. Refreshing. I would venture out to take in the local sights as often as possible and I think I would tire of eating at the same place everyday. I do get the meal plan though.
Have a fabulous day and I’m glad you had such a great time. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
June 3, 2014 at 6:25 pmLOL – I worried I would tire of the food as well, but I never did, as it was so good! You would love this place, even if no big boats were involved 🙂
Sally
June 2, 2014 at 11:47 pmHi Rhonda,
Thanks for sharing your blue today. What a dream spot you’ve found!
You’re pretty dressed in blue.
Happy Blue Monday!
lina@a happy family
June 2, 2014 at 11:40 pmIt looks a perfect place!
bettyl - New Zealand
June 2, 2014 at 10:04 pmIt truly looks like paradise and all I have heard about it since I moved to New Zealand. Glad you had a great time.
Rhonda Albom
June 3, 2014 at 12:39 amIt is a piece of paradise, and close and easy to get too if you live in New Zealand.
Ann
June 2, 2014 at 9:37 pmI love vacations that look like vacations – and this one looks like a vacation. I’ve always relied on cruises for a real getaway because it’s the only thing that makes it very difficult to not leave the area on a whim, right? But, as I get older and my kids get younger, I’m finding myself more drawn to alternating self-contained trips with the city breaks. My best fit is to be open to anything.
Also, I have a cousin who’s married to a Samoan guy and that has made me interested in the area, though it’ll probably be years before we’d make it that way.
Rhonda Albom
June 3, 2014 at 12:38 amThis was definitely a vacation. Luxurious like a cruise – only on the land. The resort is isolated enough to keep us from doing too much, although we could get a car. We pre-paid the week, so we knew a whim wouldn’t carry us off. Of course once we were there, we wouldn’t really want to leave.
lyn barden
June 2, 2014 at 9:26 pmThe colors in the sunrise are amazing, how beautiful. That alone would sell me on a visit to the resort.It would be nice to see Samoa and be simple idle for a change. I always like to get out and see everything that going on, but I could be tempted by that beautiful resort,sand,sea and palms. Lucky you!
Rhonda Albom
June 3, 2014 at 12:34 amI don’t often get up early enough for sunrise. I was glad I did that morning. I took that shot from our deck (villa 115).
stevebethere
June 2, 2014 at 7:13 pmIt looks beautiful there I think I would prefer a resort especially after seeing this one I liked your fun photos 🙂
have a tanfastic week 🙂
Rhonda Albom
June 2, 2014 at 7:59 pmLOL – It rained a bit too much for a super tan-fastic week. Clever play on words 🙂
Gillian
June 2, 2014 at 6:54 pmThanks. This resort looks beautiful and very tempting. Normally we go to Rarotonga every year.
Lexa Cain
June 2, 2014 at 5:35 pmAhh – that looks fabulous!! I was lucky enough to work and live at resorts (in Egypt) for many years. It was awesome! The resort you stayed in looks fantastic too! I don’t miss the work, but I sure miss living at a resort year round. Nothing beats that! 🙂
Rhonda Albom
June 2, 2014 at 5:43 pmWow, years at a resort. I think I could get used to that, especially if they are in Sharm El Sheikh. Is that where you were?
Corinne
June 2, 2014 at 4:32 pmRhonda, I’ve never tried going to a resort…but I have to say between your narrative and your photos, this one looks amazing. I can’t wait to read about the day you rented a car!
Rhonda Albom
June 2, 2014 at 5:40 pmIt is amazing. You should give it a try if the opportunity comes your way. It is completely different from the normal traveling we do, and it did take me a bit to get used to having so many people looking after me for a change. I recommend it.
Delfina Blatchley
June 2, 2014 at 2:22 pmWe are going here next week, thanks for the post Ronda! great article x
Rhonda Albom
June 2, 2014 at 2:27 pmAre you staying at Saletoga Sands? I will be blogging all week about different sites we visited that we recommend, or not along with lots of photos.
Delfina Blatchley
June 2, 2014 at 8:24 pmYes we are going to the same
Ellen
June 2, 2014 at 1:51 pmIt looks really beautiful. I love that sunrise photo and giggled at you at the pool bar. It’s already a cold winter, so Samoa sounds really tempting.
diana wilder
June 2, 2014 at 1:14 pmNow I am hungry and wishing to travel throughout the Pacific islands – and all thanks to you! Enjoy our travels and your friends!
Diana