SALETOGA SANDS RESORTS
Our Resort Report
OUR Thoughts on Saletoga Sands Resort, South East Coast Road, Matatufu, Upolu
A super mid-sized resort with a wide range of accommodation options (hotel rooms, bungalows and villas) plus an equally wide range of services including a conference facility catering for small conferences of up to 60 seated, day spa, gym, Wedding Chapel, 4 bars, on-site rental cars and more, all set on a magnificent bay on the south coast of Upolu. We’ve visited Saletoga Sands many times since it opened (including the amalgamated resort) and have experienced all its great facilities and services. Be assured, this is a really good resort and well worth considering in any Samoa holiday plans.
The Central Complex is a superb fusion of traditional Samoan, colonial and modern architecture. The Reception area steps down to the restaurant which faces over the an excellent free-form swimming pool (with swim-up bar) and which has a pizza oven right alongside for great pizza snacks during the day. There seems to be views of the ocean from everywhere. The intimate on-site spa provides a welcome range of treatments. Right in front of the resort there is delightful swimming in the sea where the lovely soft sand slopes away (but not too quickly) and you can get some nice depth without having to go out too far.
We are most impressed with the beautiful hand-carved rocks around the resort grounds and the traditional Samoan carvings and decorations on the fale-style villas. These add lovely touches and help build on the modern-Samoan ambience of the whole place.
Saletoga Sands offers a choice of restaurants - The award-winning Saletoga Restaurant (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner) and on the beachfront “The Bungalows” restaurant which is open seasonally for dinner 6:00pm to 9:00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday featuring good quality food at affordable prices and a casual dining atmosphere. Both restaurants are a delight with a good range of menu options complementing their stunning views.
Saletoga Sands has a nice jetty which gives access to deep water at the end. The end of the jetty is marked by a thatched open-sided fale which is a pleasant spot to sit and take in the scenery during the day, but which, in the evening becomes a romantic location for a special occasion private dinners with personal waiter. You dine off the resort menu and there is a small set-up fee for the jetty table etc and although we didn’t have time to experience dinner on the jetty when we visited, we could see that it would be a very impressive arrangement for a special occasion.
Click to view Saletoga Sands resort map
Your Accommodation Options
The 73 units comprise 17 Hotel Rooms, 8 Deluxe Villas, 15 Exclusive Villas (adults-only),10 Lagoon View Family Bungalows, 12 Beachfront Villas, 10 Deluxe Family Villas and 1 absolute beachfront Suite – the Matai Villa Suite. There is an accommodation type for everyone!
Deluxe Villas, Exclusive Villas and Beachfront Villas have an open-plan combined bedroom-living area; the Deluxe Family Villas also have the one combined bedroom-living area with the option for a separate bedroom which can either be closed off by sliding doors or opened right up to the lounge area if preferred to add to the open-plan feel of the Villa. All Bungalows and Villas are built in the “fale” style which reflects the way traditional Samoan houses have been built over the ages. Hotel Rooms are more contemporary in style, but the furnishings still reflect a pleasing Samoa influence.
Bungalows differ from Villas mainly in the flooring and bathroom set-up. Bungalows have ceramic tiled floors and an internal bathroom. Bungalows and Villas are all air-conditioned, feature a handmade traditional thatched roof and a furnished veranda with a sizeable deck.
In Villas, the timber deck leads into the mahogany timbered floor interior with its light, earthy shades and timber surrounds. The tiled bathroom is another feature with natural stone basins and timber slab vanity bench tops. There is a full-size internal shower and, in addition, the bathroom opens to an amazing, private, walled courtyard which comes complete with a tropical open-air outdoor shower. Saletoga Sands Villas have the best of both worlds with this thoughtful arrangement; a superb outdoor tropical courtyard shower for those who are seeking something completely different on their tropical holiday, while providing an indoor shower option for those guests who are more comfortable with a more conventional shower arrangement.
All villas are raised off the ground a little at the front and entry to the veranda deck is via 4 wide steps off the front or side.
Room Categories (In ascending order of tariff)
Hotel Rooms:
The air-conditioned Hotel Rooms are a good size with plenty of space. Located in a two-level block, some have ocean views.
Maximum Occupancy: 3 guests.
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed which may be split into 2 King Singles, plus a King Single.
Additional Bedding: A cot may be added but this does not increase the maximum occupancy allowed.
Deluxe Hotel Rooms:
The Deluxe Hotel Rooms are much larger than the Hotel Rooms and are located on both levels and enjoy some ocean views.
Maximum Occupancy: 4 guests.
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed which may be split into 2 King Singles, plus a King Single.
Additional Bedding: 1 Rollaway Bed or cot may be added to a room when the King Bed is not split.
The Executive Hotel Room:
Recently renovated, a beautiful, spacious room located on the top floor with exceptional ocean views. The Executive Hotel Room will easily accommodate a family of 5.
Maximum Occupancy: 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children.
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed which may be split into 2 King Singles
Additional Bedding: 3 Single Beds or a cot may be added to a room when the King Bed is not split.
Deluxe Villas:
The 40m2 interior gives these villas a beautifully spacious feeling and that feeling of space is enhanced by the 14m2 patio deck which flows seamlessly from the interior of the villa. The outdoor courtyard off the bathroom at the rear also enhances the feeling of space. Deluxe Villas are air-conditioned and surrounded by tropical gardens and have either a partial ocean view or pool view.
Maximum occupancy: 3 guests.
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Rollaway Bed can be added. A cot for a baby may be substituted for the rollaway bed.
Exclusive Villas:
The (Adults-Only) Exclusive Villas circle a beautiful tropical oasis of mature Coconut trees, Frangipanis and Hibiscus plants through which there are glimpses of the ocean. There is a tropical garden pathway leading directly to the sea. Finished to a high standard, the Excusive Villas are beautifully designed with white-washed ceilings, framed by white exposed trusses, louvre windows for privacy which can be left open to capture the natural air flow and a wide 3.6m wide ranc slider which opens onto a generous furnished balcony. Spacious bathrooms have a dual vanity and a walk-in shower as well as an additional rain head shower in a secluded courtyard garden.
Maximum occupancy: 2 Adults.
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: No additional bedding accommodated.
Lagoon View Family Bungalows:
These traditional-style bungalows are located on the quieter eastern side of the property where the beach is less formed than the main beach. The Lagoon View Family Bungalows are in two rows back a little from the beach and those behind are staggered so that each one provides guests with a view to the lagoon between the bungalows on the front row. Similar in layout and facilities to Deluxe Family Villas (but slightly smaller) and without the second, outdoor shower. Lagoon View Family Bungalows offer a separate bedroom which contains the 2 single beds, although, in normal Samoa-style, to assist with air movement inside the bungalow, the dividing interior walls do not go all the way to the ceiling.
Maximum occupancy: 5 guests
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed in the main room and 2 Single Beds in the separate bedroom area.
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Rollaway Bed or cot may be added.
A baby in a cot is included in the maximum occupancy count.
Beachfront Villas:
40m2 of interior space make these villas beautifully spacious and the feeling of space is enhanced by the 14m2 deck which flows seamlessly between the interior and exterior of the villa. The outdoor courtyard off the bathroom at the rear (which contains a second shower) also enhances the feeling of space. Located just a few steps from a golden sandy beach and the lagoon, nestled within a sheltered bay, where you can hear the sound of the waves crashing on the distant reef. The air-conditioned, stand-alone Beachfront Villas are furnished with quality locally-made furnishings and feature panoramic lagoon views and an artfully designed layout with utmost guest comfort in mind.
Maximum occupancy: 3 guests.
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Rollaway Bed or cot may be added. A baby is included in the maximum occupancy count.
Deluxe Family Villas:
Big and beautiful; Deluxe Family Villas have just under 60m2 of interior space plus a 21m2 veranda and a large outdoor courtyard off the bathroom which features a second (open-air) shower. These Villas have a bathtub as well as a shower. Each of the Deluxe Family Villas offers have a separate bedroom partially partitioned from the lounge.
Maximum occupancy: 5 Adults or 3 Adults and 2 Children or 2 Adults and 3 Children
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed in the open-plan area which may be split into 2 Single Beds and 2 King Single Beds in the separate bedroom.
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Rollaway Bed can be added. A cot for a baby may be substituted for the rollaway bed but this does not increase the room maximum occupancy allowed.
Matai Villa Suite:
Located right on the beachfront at the western end of the beach, the adults-only Matai Villa Suite features an ensuite bathroom with shower. The courtyard off the bathroom also features an outdoor shower and a bath. Guests staying in the Maitai Fale Suite enjoy the inclusion of a fruit basket, bottle of sparkling wine and fresh flowers in the Suite on arrival.
Maximum occupancy: 2 Adults
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed which may be split to provide 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: No additional bedding accommodated.
Getting To and From Saletoga Sands Resort
Saletoga Sands staff personally meet all arriving guests at Faleolo International Airport and Mulifanua Wharf (from Savaii) and provide a transfer to The Resort. There is a charge for this service which we will include in package arrangements.
Saletoga Sands is approximately 70 minutes away from Faleolo International Airport, 80 minutes away from the Savaii ferry wharf via the South Coast Road and 60 minutes from Apia City via the Cross-island Road.
Kids’ Policy
This is a family-friendly resort and children of all ages are welcome year-round.
Up to 2 children under 12 years stay free when sharing a room with parents and utilising existing bedding. Subject to maximum room occupancy.
Kids aged under 3 years eat free when all the occupants of the villa have pre-purchased a daily Meal Plan for their complete stay. A discounted Meal Plan is offered for children aged 3 to 11 years inclusive.
A complimentary kids club operates daily 10am to 12pm daily for children 4-11yrs inclusive
Check-in/Check-out
Saletoga Sands’ standard check-in and check-out times:
Check-in time: 2:00pm
Checkout Time: 10:00am
Guests on Early Arriving and Late Departing Flights
Subject to their allocated accommodation being available on arrival at Saletoga Sands, guests may gain access from 8:00am on payment direct to the resort of an early occupation fee equal to 50% of the cost of staying 1 night. Similarly, should the occupied accommodation not be required for an incoming guest, your occupation may be extended up to 4:00pm on your day of departure on payment of 50% of the nightly tariff of the accommodation occupied.
To Guarantee immediate occupation for an early arrival
Guests on flights which arrive in Apia early in the morning who wish to guarantee immediate access to their accommodation are highly recommended to pre-book and pay for their accommodation from the night before.
Guests on late departing flights may only guarantee a late check-out by booking and paying for accommodation for an additional night.
Travel Insurance is recommended.
OUR Travel Specialists can advise on all aspects of travel insurance.
The information on this page is correct as at 21 March 2023 and is based on our supplier contracts which are valid for stays to 31 March 2024. All information shown is subject to change without notice.