Hotels near Vailima Botanical Garden, Apia

Perfect, especially good, great

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.

Didn’t stay here, as the hotel was full when I arrived with some fellow travellers, who had made prior reservations. But with help of the receptionist, who let me use the wifi and subsequently rang another hotel for and organised a taxi, I ended up ok!

I would not hesitate to give 5 stars to the fantastic staff for the kindness towards the clients at any time. The food from the lounge to the restaurant deserve also 5 stars! Very tasty and great variety of dishes . A buffet for dinner different every day. But i would give only 3 stars for the cleaning in our room and also in the public areas. The main door of the toilets in the lounge are covered in hand prints. We used in our room a cup. It was not cleaned or replaced but just rinsed and put back in the cupboard. The toilets were not clean upon arrival. The bassin tap needs to be mended and the bath is in a terrible state. We also found all cushions on the restaurant chairs very dirty. All covered in stains. But still. We will come back and will recommend this establishment for a short or long stay !!

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.

I didn't know what to expect at first, this was my first time staying away from Apia but this has honestly been the best experience I've had in samoa thus far. Although the weather has been terrible, my experience here at sina Lei has been absolutely beautiful. From the moment we stepped in we were checked in early, our bags carried to our room. The room itself is stunning with a view of the lush green hills and palm trees and the gorgeous bathroom with the glass roof. Our room came with the deck outside dressed with a coffee table and 2 chairs, as well as inside as well next to our fridge and coffee and tea station. My partner and I had decided to go to the spa for the first time on our first day after checking in and settling. We each got a facial and the spa rooms were absolutely stunning, right next to the beach, I had the 45 minute facial and short massage and just hearing the sound of the beach waves, the cool sea breeze against your skin enhanced my experience. The women at the spa were very kind, very attentive and greet us daily whenever they see us. Im going for a full body massage today im really looking forward to it. The food is honestly delicious, like I kid you not, it's honestly the best food I've had at any resort and I've stayed at 6 resorts these past 3 weeks both in an out of town. I haven't had the best experience with food at some resorts here but every pasta dish I've had here was divine. Even the deserts, everything was presented beautifully, the staff treated us well and the events manager/ fnb manager greeted us like old friends. The waiting time was also really swift, about a 5-10 minute wait. We went to the entertainment night yesterday on Wednesday, it was dance performances + Siva afi (fire dance). The performances were beautiful as well as funny in their own way. ALL staff members even the waiters got involved at their ending performance and they had EVERYBODY up and involved and encouraged everyone to come together, the atmosphere was so good, absolutely beautiful. The Siva afi was also very well done, it was my first time seeing men AND women take part in it and even a child !! It was honestly riveting to watch and an amazing experience. All in all, this is the best resort I've stayed at in samoa so far. The staff are very helpful, kind and polite. Food was amazing, and even the views of the beach and animals within the water were beautiful. Would definitely recommend to couples coming to samoa for a getaway. Thank you sina lei for this experience !

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.

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.