SINALEI REEF RESORT & SPA
Our Resort Report
OUR Thoughts on Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa, South Coast, Upolu, Samoa
Sinalei is a well-established Samoan Beach Resort on the south coast of Upolu which offers a mix of modern and traditional Samoan architecture and services. Sinalei is approached by a private access road off the Main South Coast Road; you pass the nine-hole golf course and the tennis courts on the left as you approach the main entrance and lobby.
The lobby complex is a pleasant grouping of linked traditional Samoan Fales, each one housing a different resort facility such as Reception, the Internet Fale and the Gift Shop. Where the central complex approaches the lagoon, you find Uncle Harry’s Bar on one side and the Laumosooi Fale Restaurant on the other. The beautiful, natural-rock swimming pool is set in the tropical garden next to Uncle Harry’s Bar and the wonderful Tui-I-Laga Spa is located out front almost on the beach. The Spa’s massage tables seem to float out over the sand. The Sauna and Gym are located next to the Spa. Another feature of Sinalei Reef Resort is the Ava I Tonga Restaurant and Bar located on a natural low rock outcrop which divides the Resort’s beach in two. Ava I Tonga is accessed by a short, curved causeway off the beachfront and features a wide deck out over the lagoon. On one side of this “island” the beach is white and wide – on the other side there is a series of romantic little sandy coves which lead to another beach in front of the villas on the beachfront. The pier off the end of Ava I Tonga Restaurant leads to a natural fresh water spring which bubbles up into the surrounding lagoon.
The tropical breakfast included in the nightly tariff is served in the Laumosooi Fale Restaurant. Ava I Tonga on the island opens for lunch. Both restaurants and bars rotate opening days for dinners. A meal plan option is available which makes it possible to prepay lunch and dinners (tropical breakfast is included in the nightly tariff).
Tariff inclusions at Sinalei Reef Resort:
● Accommodation
● Tropical breakfast daily (menu selection)
● 15-minute Head & Shoulder Massage
● Daily Afternoon Tea
● Use of snorkelling gear
● Use of resort kayaks
● Use of resort golf & tennis court.
(clubs & balls may be hired)
● Welcome drink on arrival
A short walk along the beach from Sinalei brings you to Coconuts Beach Club and between the two resorts on the roadside, there is a local-food café, so there are all sorts of options for dining.
Your Accommodation Options
The 30 Villas are scattered throughout the grounds on both sides of the central resort buildings, so none are any great distance away from the restaurants and services. The accommodation units at Sinalei are spacious and airy, air-conditioned and well screened. While the central resort buildings are a fusion of traditional and modern Samoan influences in their architecture, the accommodation villas are more like individual modern houses, each with a subtle Samoan-influenced décor. The "Traditional Villas" are of the original Sinalei style, the other villas are more modern while still reflecting a very pleasant Samoan ambience.
Sinalei Reef was a frontrunner in the provision of up-market accommodation in Samoa and has been very successful in maintaining a very high standard.
Room Categories (In ascending order of tariff)
Traditional Garden View Villas:
With a “Traditional Samoan” theme reflecting Sinalei’s original décor and design, Traditional Villas feature woven panels on the walls and Samoan motifs throughout. Of all the villas at Sinalei, these are located furthest away from the beach. The view from the balcony is of the tropical gardens and some may have just a peep of the sea beyond.
Maximum Occupancy: 3 guests
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Rollaway Bed can be added for the 3rd person.
Traditional Ocean View Villas:
Similar in every respect to the Traditional Garden View Villas but located closer to the beach with filtered views through the palm trees to the ocean.
Maximum Occupancy: 3 guests
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Rollaway Bed can be added for the 3rd person.
Superior Garden View Villas:
Set in the beautiful tropical gardens, each Superior Garden View Villa is a stand-alone bungalow and has an open plan interior space and tiled floor. Each one has a small, raised deck with 2 or 3 steps down to the manicured lawn out front. Some Garden Villas face the resort golf course. A major feature of each Superior Garden View Villa is their bathroom. Throughout the Pacific Islands, there has been a fairly recent move towards open walled courtyards off bathrooms which contain an open-to-the-sky garden shower which can be fabulously romantic but doesn’t always suit everyone. In Sinalei’s Garden View and Ocean View Villas, they combine all the facilities of a normal internal bathroom with the main feature of a courtyard bathroom by means of a glass ceiling above the vanity and the shower. This provides total protection from the weather and insects while allowing all the moods of the day and night in to enhance the ambience of their beautifully modern bathrooms.
Maximum Occupancy: 3 guests
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Rollaway Bed can be added for the 3rd person.
Superior Ocean View Villas:
Similar in every respect to the Superior Garden View Villas but located closer to the beach with filtered views through the palm trees to the ocean.
Maximum Occupancy: 3 guests
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: 1 Single Rollaway Bed can be added for the 3rd person.
1 Bedroom Ocean View Villas:
With views through the palm trees or over the swimming pool to the water, the recently remodelled 1 Bedroom Ocean View Villas are a generous size. There is a separate bedroom and a separate lounge room, both of which open on to a sizeable wooden deck out front. A portion of the deck is shaded by a roofed gazebo which makes it ideal for lounging in the heat of the day or taking a pre-dinner drink as the sun sets over the lagoon. These stylish, modern Villas have cool, tiled floors throughout. The tiled bathroom is spacious and bright.
Maximum Occupancy: 4 guests
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds in the bedroom
Additional Bedding: 2 Single Rollaway Beds can be added in the lounge for the 3rd and 4th occupants.
Beachfront Villas:
in a word – “Fabulous”. As the name suggests, the Beachfront Villas are virtually right on the beach, indeed, the nice big furnished deck extend right out over the sand. These modern villas have tropical wooden flooring which extends out of the villa on to the deck. Villas are open-plan with bed and lounge in the one big room. The vaulted ceiling adds to the feeling of space. Bathrooms in the Beachfront Villas are a generous size and very modern.
Maximum Occupancy: 2 Adults
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed or 2 Single Beds
Additional Bedding: No additional bedding accommodated
The 1 Bedroom Beachfront Villa:
We’ll let Sinalei describe this one!
“Located on the western side of the resort, the Executive Fale Villa Suite is situated in a perfect panoramic beachfront setting. The Executive Villa is made up of 2 Fales separated by covered timber walkways, making ideal indoor and outdoor living spaces to suit a variety of needs. The first Fale is air-conditioned accommodation with all the comforts you would expect in such an executive suite. The second Fale is a large open lounge area with bar and entertaining facilities. This combination of inspirational design makes for an incomparable facility; the ultimate Pacific Island retreat in true luxury”.
The bedroom is a terrific room with light-painted walls, timber floor and cathedral ceiling. The ensuite bathroom is spacious and modern and includes a spectacular Jacuzzi spa-bath which is plenty big enough for two!
The adjoining lounge is a big separate open Fale, which, in addition to the wet bar with full-sized fridge, contains lounge seating for 6 comprising a three-seat couch (which converts to a sofa bed), a two-seat couch plus a single lounge chair. The lounge has similar décor to that in the bedroom. Both bedroom and lounge open to a deck and overlook a lawn and the lagoon.
Maximum Occupancy: 4 guests
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed in the bedroom villa and 1 tilt-away Queen Bed in the lounge villa
Additional Bedding: No additional bedding accommodated
The 2 Bedroom Beachfront Villa:
This is the 1 Bedroom Beachfront Villa with the addition of an adjoining Beachfront Villa. The decks of both villas flow seamlessly together. The “2 Bedroom” configuration allows for 2 separate bedrooms each with ensuite bathroom in an absolute beachfront private position.
Maximum Occupancy: 6 guests
Existing Bedding: 1 King Bed in each bedroom villa and 1 tilt-away Queen Bed in the lounge villa.
One of the King Beds may be split to make 2 Single Beds.
Additional Bedding: No additional bedding accommodated.
Getting to and from Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa
Sinalei Reef Resort Staff personally meet all arriving international guests at Faleolo Airport and provide a Transfer to The Resort. Transfer time is approximately 45 minutes. There is a charge for this service (transfers are complimentary when staying at least 5 consecutive nights at Sinalei) and we will include this charge in holiday package arrangements.
Guests carrying a surfboard will be charged a small additional fee payable direct to The Resort.
An outbound airport transfer will be prearranged and included in holiday costs as required/agreed.
Sinalei Reef Resort is very handily located on Upolu’s South Coast, quite close to where the Cross- Island Road meets the South Coast Road. Staying at Sinalei, you are approximately 40 minutes from all the main features of Upolu and only 25-30 minutes from Apia. The airport is 45 minutes to the west around the South Coast Road, and the beaches of Lalomanu are within a 40-minute drive east along the South Coast Road. The natural attractions in the National Parks, the magnificent waterfalls and the sliding rocks are also mostly accessible within these boundaries. You have a choice of exploring by rental car or a private car with driver. However, if you are at all adventurous, you might consider a trip over to Apia via the colourful local bus – it’s not for everyone but it’s a great way to rub shoulders with the Samoan country village people.
At Sinalei you are within walking distance of Siumu and Maniloa Villages as well as the nearby Coconuts Beach Club.
Kids Policy
Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa have introduced child & family friendly months, November to April where children of all ages will be welcomed.
Check-in/Check Out
Resort standard check-in and check-out times:
Check In Time: 2:00pm
Check Out Time: 11:00am
Guests arriving prior to 2:00pm:
The Resort recommends guests who wish to guarantee access to their accommodation immediately on arrival should book and pay for accommodation from the day prior to arrival.
Except during the period 01 May to 31 October each year, an early check-in is offered at a reasonable price for guests arriving between 7:00am and 2:00pm. This offer is based on "Run of House" availability and may result in guests being accommodated in other than the accommodation type booked and confirmed.
Guests departing after 11:00am:
Subject to availability (apart from stays 01 May to 31 October), a late check-out may be pre-arranged for a flat fee. The late check-out may or may or may not be accommodated in the same room guests have occupied during their stay.
Travel Insurance is recommended.
OUR Travel Specialists can advise on all aspects of travel insurance.
All information shown is subject to change without notice.