Faofao Beach Fales

Location: Saleapaga, Lepa, South East Coast, Saleapaga, Eastern Cape, Saleapaga, WS

Star Rating: 2 Stars

Property Type: Hotels

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Instructions: This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). To arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 72 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM. This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in. The front desk is staffed during limited hours.

Amenities & Facilities

• Area shuttle (surcharge)
• Garden
• Luggage storage
• Wheelchair accessible
• Front desk (limited hours)
• On private beach
• Smoke-free property
• Wedding services
• Grocery/convenience store
• Area shuttle (surcharge)
• Free self parking
• Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
• Accessible airport shuttle
• No accessible airport shuttle

Rooms Available

• Beach Fale

  1 Twin Bed

  161-sq-foot room with ocean views

  
  

  Layout - Bedroom

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Shower, towels, and toilet paper

  Need to Know - Limited housekeeping

  Smoking And Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Smoking and Non-Smoking
  • Private or shared bathroom
  • Bedsheets provided

• Basic Room, 1 Bedroom (with Air Conditioning)

  1 Double Bed

  161 sq feet

  
  

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Shower, towels, and toilet paper

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning

  Need to Know - Limited housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Private or shared bathroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Guest Reviews

• Ajay (8/5): - People runni g the place are very ki d and helpful. We loved the experience and willdefo return again.
• Jenny (10/5): - Sleeping in the fale on the beach and listening to the ocean sound was an absolute trip highlight. The owner and her family were so friendly and welcoming. The meals were plentiful and delicious. We would definitely recommend this place.
• Leane (10/5): - Right across from Beach
• Verified traveler (10/5): - A beautiful location with lovely hosts. They were very welcoming and friendly. The breakfast was very good as well. If you want to truly experience Samoa this is the way to do it instead of staying in a resort. I wish I could’ve stayed there for longer. It’s definitely somewhere I plan on going back to.
• Layla (10/5): - Great place will be back!!
• Glenys (8/5): - Nice stay
• Derene (8/5): - Faofao fales on Saleapaga beach is run by Koroesta & her family. It has large tiled dining room/social eating place separate to the hut/bar with seaviews. This is the best location if you like a quieter beach with snorkeling straight out front better than 😉Paolo Deep. My friend saw a turtle so I hope it remains protected from plastic getting into water, as we all know this kills turtles. It is also not too far from Lalomanu & some main attractions - particularly closer to To Sua Trench. The Faofao fale experience is just like camping but well protected with mosquito net & although my ol'body couldn't do much more than 2 nights on a thin mattress with hard floor - you won't get a real Faa'a Samoan experience unless you experience local fale, right ON the beach. Food is very good(local small buffet style) - I was able to eat fish every night. Breakfast included, dinner 35WST p.p but If you book directly, get better rates - find email on fbk. Yes it's best to wear your flipflops in bathrooms, shower is cold tap up high but it's 27-29degrees out! Recognized it for what it is - true local style; your sleeping high above, but on a beach. Wake up to Sunrise! Waves WILL sound loud in still of night- Bring earplugs if that bothers you. Tip: ask for fale furtherest from bar. Unfortunately the new fale is the closest As in all of Upolu, roadside rubbish is terrible. Any family owned fale that makes an effort to pickup around their area will greatly improve their guests stay.
• Mary (8/5): - 4 seniors stayed in motel rooms. While we expected basic accommodation a few small upgrades would improve things a lot. Staff were lovely and very friendly. The beach is idyllic, perfect for snorkeling
• Verified traveler (6/5): Right on the beach! - Great stay on the beach. Stayed in a fales, right on the beach…the surf may have been a bit noisy, but the view was incredible. Fales are very basic accommodations, a mattress, sheets and mosquito net. I think they have a/c units, but not on the beach. Breakfast was included and good.
• Carolyn (4/5): - I did not stay at this property. I paid for accommodation insurance and Expedia tried to get a refund but Faofao refused. I will not recommend Faofao to anyone I know travelling to Samoa in the future.
• Robert (8/5): - Beautifully situated fales on the beach to enjoy a slice of paradise. Well presented fales. Staff really tried to make stay enjoyable. What let property down was the condition of the shared shower/toilet facilities. Enjoyed a lovely home cooked breakfast and could pay for dinner albeit a bit pricey.
• Claire-Lise (10/5): - We loved our fale with traditional collapsible panels rather than ugly tarp. The fale was right on the beach, simply stunning! Our host was lovely and helpful. A great place to stay with awesome snorkeling.
• Chavah (10/5): - Our host greeted us upon arrival and took us to our freshly made up fale. The bed was spacious and I was amazed how warm it was, as the night we stayed it was bucketing down. We can't get over how delicious the food for dinnner and breakfast was. This was our favourite place to stay and we can't wait to come back.
• Agata (10/5): - It was very simple in my fake I had only bed, but it was one of a kind experience! So close to the ocean, the beach was beautiful! Breakfast were included, there was really good and there was enough food for everyone. Staff was really kind and helpful
• Tracy (10/5): - The owners and staff were very sweet. The false were well-maintained and right on the beach. So lovely!
• Sandra J (10/5): - The beachfront location is spectacular. Sleeping in traditional fales was comfortable and a unique cultural experience. Breakfasts and dinners were tasty and plentiful. Best of all were the friendly, kind and helpful women of both management and staff. We had a thorougally enjoyable stay!
• Emma (10/5): - Beautiful beach
• Karen (10/5): - Owner/staff included visitors in a family celebration; they were so kind and generous. The beach setting is absolute paradise and it is central to so many of the sights. Also a small shop for snacks a 2-min walk away.
• Gareth (10/5): - Spent 4 peaceful and relaxing nights in a fale, nice to sleep right on the beach, hearing nothing but the sea. Breakfast included (pancakes, toast, fruit, sausages) was plentiful and tasty, filled us up for the day. The fale was comfortable and just about big enough for 2 people and our luggage. Mosquito net provided was a little hole-y but it did the job. Excellent snorkeling out on the reef which is easily accessible. Dinner and drinks at the bar were great, with friendly service. Facilities were exactly as described, basic but suitable.
• Luisa (10/5): Location, location, location - Faofao is a wonderful family run accommodation located in Lepa, beautiful swimming beach and lovely hosts. The only thing I would suggest would be a change of pillows and mattresses soon as they were a bit musty. Location though cant be beaten if you like the sound of the waves and you're walking on the sand when you step out of the fale.
• Michelle (10/5): - We absolutely LOVED our stay at Faofao Beach fales! We stayed in a fale on the beach and it was such an incredible experience that I would highly recommend. The beach is blissful and quiet (other than the sound of the crashing waves) and the road behind was not busy. We never got bored of the view! Breakfast and dinner was provided daily and the options were healthy and included fish every day which I loved! Served buffet style so we were well fed! The toilet and showers are basic but it was wonderful to have an outdoor shower looking up at the sky! No WiFi so it was nice to be "off grid" for a few days. Great location for visiting waterfalls, the ocean trench and the national park. Overall we had an amazing time and was sad to leave! Thank you so much to the wonderful family at Faofao!
• Gala (10/5): - Faofao fales were beautiful and right on the beach! Our included breakfast was delicious and the supper buffet always impressed. The staff were lovely and we particularly enjoyed the show on Saturday night. A true authentic and welcoming experience staying at a family run business. Highly recommend!
• matthew (10/5): - All good
• Christopher (10/5): - Exellent location right on beach. Basic but beautiful fale, good food.
• Christopher (10/5): - Beautiful rustic palm fales with ocean beach views
• Gardengirl212 (10/5): Fantastic FaoFao Fales Restaurant - Popped in for lunch at Faofao Fales. Great beach views from the restaurant where we enjoyed a meal of fish and chips and chicken and salad which we shared with the two very naughty pussycats. Lunch here was a welcome change from the exorbitantly priced resort food everywhere else. Really enjoyed it at FaoFao Fales.
• Mike (6/5): - Warnings: The Google Maps pin IS correct, you will just have to keep walking around the buildings until you find someone to check in. It took us about half an hour to find someone. If you stay in the fales, wild cats and dogs will come in all night and try to sleep on your bed. The showers are cold taps without shower heads. The location is amazing, best swim we have had around Upolu. Dinner and breakfast are yum.
• Tracey (10/5): Faofao beach fales are like living in paradise - Spent an amazing few nights at Faofao fales. The fale is right on the beach and a great place to relax. The family that run these fales are very friendly and beautiful hosts. The meals were so tasty and enjoyed lovely cocktails on the eating area veranda looking out over the ocean. Will definitely return here. The mosquito nets were intact, the mattresses comfortable and the shared bathroom facilities were well kept and cleaned. The location is close to To Sua trench and lolmanu beach however the Faofao beach is so beautiful i was happy to spend time there. Cant wait to return!
• Gareth (10/5): - It's a great example of a family run Samoan beach front falle, the family who own it and the wider village are super friendly, the location is stunning, palm trees over quiet sandy beaches. Shared toilet facilities, the food is very good, bring talla as there is no electronic payment and they have a lovely bar over the beach, perfect for a few beers and watching the sun go down.
• Paul (10/5): - Good fales, wake up to gorgeous beach, swim or good snorkeling, then a nice breakfast. Lovely family runs it, who provide great & friendly service - even a band one night. Bar & restaurant right on the water, looking out to the ocean and along the beach. Highly recommend! 👌
• Clint (10/5): - Absolutely beautiful beach!, Family is extremely friendly and the food was amazing! Rustic accommodation but great value for the money
• Ros (10/5): - Tina & [Siuna ] & family looked after us exceptionally well with beautiful home cooked breakfast & dinners , convivial bar & dining area over the lovely sandy beach - enjoyed sharing the experience with fellow travellers- our most relaxing stay in Samoa & a good base to visit Namua Island, waterfalls & To Sua Ocean Trench.
• Peter and Jane (10/5): - Loved the experience of being in a basic fale right on the beach in a glorious setting
• GRAHAM (10/5): - Friendly helpful staff. We stayed in the accommodation block. Beachfront fales were another cheaper option. Not luxurious but in keeping with its charging. It has a large communal dining room where it was easy to chat with other guests. Good basic breakfast and dinner were included with our Expedia booking.
• 529billyg (2/5): Disappointing Service and reality not what was advertised - Lovely location but our family trip and 1-night stay with adult children was spoilt by 1 of the 3 rooms (beach fales) not being available despite having full confirmation and prepayment. The owners provided an extra room in the village which was not what was planned but unfortunately the room was not only away from the sea and sans, but it was presented in a dreadful state. Strongly recommend you look elsewhere as the main eating and refreshments area was a construction site. I hope they fix this up, but their refusal to provide any refund for a complete failure to provide what was arranged and confirmed was hugely disappointing.
• Nicole (10/5): - STUNNING. Real authentic Fale stay with an awesome Samoan family. This is not the place to stay if you like resorts. But if you like sleeping three steps away from the most beautiful beach in the world, and eating yum authentic food, this is the place for you
• Quazi Nusrat (6/5): - I stayed in one of the air conditioned rooms. While I understand that staying in a local accomodation I cannot expect luxury, I thought for the price I paid the accomodation was really really basic. No bath towel or soap in the bathroom. A single sheet on the bed. The bathroom did not seem clean. And multiple cockroaches in my room. I ended up leaving a day early because I felt so uncomfortable here. I heard from other guests that they liked the fales so perhaps those are the better option here. I have photos of the room and cockroach but don’t have an option to upload these.
• Ella (10/5): - Really amazing, simple place to stay
• Chris (6/5): - This property could do with some tlc and good clean up
• Neil (8/5): - An amazing spot and the Fale’s are awesome! Foods good and staff really make you feel welcome! Toilet/shower areas basic and not the cleanest. If you can rough it a bit - highly recommended place to stay!
• William (2/5): Not what was booked, terribly disappointing - Location wonderful but booked three 'fales' but there was only two availble despite having oaid for "three rooms" via Hotels.com. Tried to squeeze me into one of the fales witj my adult son. Eventually gave me a room away from the beach which was terrible. Filthy dirty bathroom, no soap, no towels, etc
• clive (10/5): - Great place, bautiful beach, nice people
• Catherine (10/5): - Very cute little falles, on the beach. The view is beautiful, it’s a very quiet area. The family is very nice and the food delicious
• Isabella May (2/5): - Not clean
• Laura (8/5): - Staying in a fale overlooking the beach and ocean is an incredible experience I will never forget. Falling asleep to the waves crashing and star lit night sky was perfect. Mosquito net provided for the real deal. Takes 2-3 hours from the airport. Simple dinner and breakfast. Staff very warm and welcoming. Would recommend if you are after a simple but memorable experience
• 892glynisc (10/5): Fabulous Faldo’s - This was a fantastic experience. The owners were absolutely delightful. This is rustic but clean and Fales right on the beach offer a truly memorable experience. Please if you want luxury with aircon, hot water etc this is not for you. If you want to sleep to the sound of the ocean, wake up to the rising sun and experience the warm generosity of a Samoan family don’t hesitate to stay here.
• Nicholas (10/5): - A lovely place run by lovely people. Breakfast and dinner were yummy and good portions! Can snorkel in the beach infront. Yes it is basic but it has a real charm, highly recommend.
• Laura (2/5): - Suffice it to say that we left after two hours to go to a real resort nearby, which they suggested as an alternative (😉) and which luckily had a room for us. Of course, since we checked in we lost the right to ask for at least a partial refund. They have many wonderful reviews and decent pictures so we thought the place must be basic but charming. Big mistake, it's simply a scam which doesn't help Samoa's image or economy. Luckily we ended up in a great resort a short drive away (Aga Reef Resort) where we stayed wonderfully and had the vacation we where looking for.
• Rowena (10/5): - loved that it was very private. we were the only guests on the night we stayed over which was great. owner very friendly and had our dinner served to us on the night, enjoyed the breakfast prepared for us the next morning. will definitely book again with Faofao
• Benjamin (6/5): - There was confusion amongst the staff upon check-in as to what meals would be included in the half-board that was included in the reservation. The breakfast was very nice, the facility basic but clean and quiet. Very relaxing to wake up next to the sea.
• Nicole (2/5): - This property is not operating as advertised. Do not book here! It's in a dreadful state and the restaurant is closed.
• Ellen (10/5): - Highly recommend staying here for a simple, relaxing holiday. Nice fale with traditional woven blinds on a beautiful beach. Friendly host, although sad to note some rubbish visible on the beach. Very good family-style breakfast and dinner, self-serve buffet with changing selections each day. (Note: I did not request it, but did not seem to have vegetarian/other dietary options.) Simple facilities, has everything you need for a relaxing stay, but nothing fancy. For those who haven’t stayed in a fale before, I’d let you know that the waves crashing at the beach were quite loud, which is of course expected in this type of accommodation, but would recommend light sleepers get a closed room rather than beach fale.
• Joanna (2/5): - Beautiful situation but the bathroom facilities here were absolutely disgusting - broken and dirty . On top of which they were having construction work done around the bathrooms so there was no privacy Booked and paid for 4 nights but left after one
• Joanne (8/5): - Air conditioning in our unit was very much appreciated. We loved the geckos that inhabited our balcony light area. Really enjoyed meeting people at the communal breakfast and at dinner.
• Jéssica (8/5): - Nice place. Fale was clean and safe considering that we had a strong rain and as the weather wasn't so good, we could hear the strong sound of the waves. But felt very safe inside the Fale. Can't comment on the food as we didn't eat there. The bathroom could be much better as everything seems a bit left behind. Curtains for the girls' bathroom made me feel like I couldn't get my underwear off as the bathroom can be seen from the street. The floor is poor and could be fixed.
• Aimee (10/5): - Amazing family so welcoming. Fales are so comfortable and right on the beach. 10/10 would stay again
• Kimberly (8/5): - I loved the location of the faleo’os right on the beach. Meals were wholesome and delicious. My only complaint is that we came in late and the resold two of our five prepaid fales. They did set us up in a room in the motel with floor beds because of that but the faleo’os were our preferred option.
• Pioneer40952695058 (10/5): Just gets better every year! - 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!
• Maartje (10/5): - Beautiful location and even more beautiful family running this business. Enjoyed every minute.
• Sian (8/5): - Beautiful views and comfortable fales
• Yohan (10/5): - Amazing stay far from all sources of stress
• Emma (10/5): - This is a great beach spot with comfortable fales, friendly smiling staff, and the beach/ocean right on your doorstep. It’s as it says, we are travelling friends enjoyed staying two nights, perhaps if you didn’t have transport it would be tricky getting around on a Sunday. If you stayed here a while you may miss western small comforts. The shower is under the stars - it is not heated but you don’t notice because it’s so warm!
• Matej (10/5): - Faofao felt like home away from home. I spent only two nights but wish I could have stayed longer, had my trip allowed for it. The staff, the guests, everyone was great, friendly, family-like atmosphere. You also get brekky and dinner buffet, different options on different days. Sitting down at the beach bar felt relaxing and with the amazing views, you really wished you could stay at Faofao for a month at minimum. I stayed in one of the beach fales, it was basic but that's why I booked it. It felt great falling asleep to and waking up to the sound of the waves. Can't recommend this place any more. It is owned by a lovely family who really do take care of you. They also do fiafia night on Saturdays. Do yourself a favour and just head to this little paradise in Samoa when you get to the south side of the island. To-Sua ocean trench is only a 10min drive down the road and likewise for Lalomanu beach and Namua island. Can't beat this place! Hoping to be back one day. To all of you at Faofao, thank you so much for being so nice! Bless!
• Jamie (10/5): - Beautiful hosts, most beautiful beach we had stayed at in Sanoa, and excellent food. Highly recommend these fales.
• Loran (10/5): - Our stay was amazing, the family were so lovely and made it feel like home. Will definitely be back!!
• Jennifer (8/5): - Friendly family & wonderful location. Fale was beautiful
• Adrienne (10/5): - Fales right on beach. All that you need and nothing you don’t. A lovely, friendly family. Great, generous meals. The MOST AMAZING location.
• Ruth (10/5): - Singer was a star ! Amazing chef and lovely for a late night chat at the bar. A very relaxing place to be !
• Amy (10/5): - Absolutely loved my stay here!! The family who run this beach fale are lovely people who went above and beyond to give me a great experience. The beach is stunning and the food was great! I highly recommend staying at this amazing location :)
• Culture58870246955 (10/5): Best beach fale I’ve been to - This is the best beach fale I’ve stayed in so far in Samoa. The people are friendly and helpful. The food was really good and we got to have it as a buffet rather than a plate given to us which was nice. The beach is really nice just as good as lalomanu in my opinion. The fale itself is nice and the showers and toilets are in good condition.
• Hannah (8/5): - These beach fales are the most secluded and magical ones we stayed in during our trip to Samoa. Perched in a tree hut directly on the beach you can wake to watch the sunrise and have a refreshing dip whenever you like. We loved our stay and would definitely recommend it.
• Geronimo (6/5): - We enjoyed the beach and the food at Faofao. However it could have been much better. We booked a Fale (little wooden room on the beach) but we had to sleep in a normal room and when we asked why, we didn't get a real explanation. The general cleanliness was bad, terrible in the room.
• Andrew (10/5): - These are very traditional fakes We loved our stay here very relaxing great beach for swimming & Snorkeling Lots of other restaurants a short drive away for lunches or a dinner for a change of scenery Recommend having a hire car to get around and book this prior to arriving
• Sean (10/5): - Beautiful stay, relaxing
• Jennaheretoreview (10/5): Fantastic. Exactly as expected plus a bit more. - Amazing experience. Lovely people to stay with. Great food. Comfy beds. Mosquito net provided. Airflow from natural shutters/sides meant not as hot as I expected. Right on the waterfront. Awesome snorkelling. Absolute bliss. Highly recommend. Taxi from Faofao to Le Vasa was 200 tala. Walk along the beach to see hermit crabs, a fallen coconut and beaut views. Close to To Sua trench. Shop almost across the road for water and beer.
• Sabrina (8/5): - We stayed 6 nights at Faofao beach Fale and everything went perfect. Breakfast and diner are in good quantity and very good. The Fales are beautiful and the snorkeling there is great !
• Doug & Christina (8/5): - Beautiful location, friendly staff, the true Samoan experience!
• Alison (10/5): - Dinner and breakfast healthy, varied and great. Host fanily very friendly and obliging. Place consists of beach fales, with basic toilet block across road. Also a green concrete block of about 12 rooms 2 storeyed, most with aircon Green block equivalent to a budget backpacker. All kept clean and place quiet. Sometimes family puts on dance shows at night. Under cover cafe like structure on beach front where meals are held, as well as relaxing anytime by the beach. Tea or coffee available but forget your capaccino. Good place to talk to locals and family about their life and 2009 tsunami time. Tips for improvement for rooms ..some more pillows for beds, a plastic table so you dont have to use the floor for items, and maybe some bright flowery local material as a bedspread to brighten up rooms would be good. Overall a good stay for couple nights.
• ingridh173 (8/5): Pleasent and relaxing beach stay. - Very pleasent experience. The owners and staff made us feel at home, very friendly and helpful. Fale's are right on the beach, and to our mind the best value around. Breakfast and dinner are available, plentiful and tasty. Would not hesitate to stay here again and experience the real Samoa.
• jnomadr (10/5): Idyllic beachside fale with warm family welcome - Loved our 2 night stay at the family-run Faofao, and only wish it could have been longer. The fale are right on the sandy/rocky beach with very safe and inviting waters. We really enjoyed meeting other guests at breakfasts and dinners (and those pancakes were to die for!) Fale are next to the road so expect some night lights and road noise, but almost all fale are the same along the southern Coast, plus the sea is loud, the moon is bright and traffic is light! Local holiday-makers were also staying, and we saw others snorkeling around as well. We wish we were still there and would 1000% stay again. Hope we can come come back soon!! Fa'afetai tele lava Koroseta, and your wonderful family!!
• Tricia (8/5): - Faofao beach Fales are comfortable, authentic, and as close to the ocean you can get without being in the water! The staff were very nice and it was a great get away! I do wish they would serve more traditional food or offer it in addition. All in all, a fantastic place!
• Rhonda (10/5): - Our stay at FaoFao Beach Fales was awesome. Set in a beautiful location with amazing beaches. Owned and managed by a local family, guest are welcomed
• Jayne (8/5): - Very friendly and helpful staff. Beautiful location, totally "beach on doorstep" location. A bit tricky for non-Pasifika" folks who need a little more in the way of somewhere to sit in the fale or on the beach. Hire of seats/cushions could help.
• Pioneer40952695058 (10/5): Will come back here every year if I can! - Second time here with friends (boys trip) and we will come here every year! Exactly what it says on the tin, an open sided traditional fale on the beach with the water lapping right up to you. Great food (breakfast and dinner) and plenty of restaurants and resorts nearby for lunch. Most importantly thought, the staff are fantastic. Family run and just so friendly!
• SWV3280 (10/5): Fantastic Foafoa Beach Fales - We had the most wonderful Samoan experience at Foafoa Beach Fales. The beautiful Korosetta spoilt us with her delicious cooking and generous heart. Vaa swept us up in his enthusiastic desire to share his culture. One night turned into two and I cried when we had to go. It was so much fun. We only had one daughter with us this time (she had her own fale) but we plan to bring back the whole family when we come back to Samoa. They will love the romance of the fale and happily deal with the rustic bathroom facilities because a cold shower is preferable in a tropical climate anyway. The beach is beautiful, the beds are comfortable and the hospitality beyond compare. We loved it!
• Thunder99 (10/5): Best beach fale in Samoa! - Stayed in the beach fale for 2 nights. They have refreshed the rooms and dining area with the reopening of the borders. Friendly hosts, great food and unbeatable value. If you want to try the fale experience you can't do better than Faofao Beach Fales!
• AleipataAllDay (8/5): Natural Beauty: - The places natural beauty is unsurpassed. The Fales were simple but great. It was nice to be able to isolate ourselves from civilisation. It is usually a bit or even never crowded. It was tropical paradise at its finest.
• kawreed (8/5): Perfect beach holiday - We stayed in a fale right on beach. This included a mattress on floor, mosquitoe netting, fan, electric light and outlet, two chairs and table on covered deck. Toilet was a short walk from fake and was very clean. Cold water shower, but that was fine - it felt great. Beautiful beach. Meals were plentiful and very good. Service was excellent. This wasn’t a posh resort but a village experience and was very fun and felt right. Samoa is not a rich country. For us, it feels a bit”off” to go to a country and live like a billionaire for a week in the midst of a village. .Faofao gave us a lovely Samoan experience where no one had to pretend you were someone you weren’t. But it wasn’t total roughing it. Free wifi!
• kyriacrombie (4/5): beautiful place poorly run - as above. Ran almost entirely by overseas "volunteers"....i.e. free accommodation, it lacked family influence and Samoan hospitality. Fales, very but very uncomfortable. BUT beautiful place...Unsurpassed in natural beauty.
• hanmayliv (10/5): Slice of Samoan paradise - Beautiful family run Fales.. good breakfast and dinner provided and a chance to live village life.. the Fales are basic but clean and well kept! Waking up to beautiful views and falling asleep to the crashing waves! The kids enjoyed crab hunting at nights and swimming all day!
• petertaylor57 (8/5): What a great spot!!! - I could write a book on these but perhaps the easiest thing is to draw your attention to the attached gallery to show you what a 'fale' is.I could write a book on these but perhaps the easiest thing is to draw your attention to the gallery to show you what a 'fale' is. Don't expect any furniture of any kind, and make sure you're within sprinting distance of the local amenity block for ablutions, etc. I guess it's a right of passage to sleep on a beach, in a fale under the stars with nothing but the crashing of the waves to disturb your sleep. HOWEVER, the crashing of the waves, coupled with the rain on the straw roof, and gaps in the matting walls, sometimes mean you get little sleep. Anyway, the high point is that you did it and ran into the sea for your early morning shower. As for the folks running the Faofao Beach fales, they are friendly, co-operative and generally nice. The next layer up from the fale is a room with a bed, bedside and a fan, and very little else. No hot water for showers, etc., this is basic Samoan living at its very best. Accommodation is half board, a substantial dinner and breakfast is available. Again, however, ST$130.- (NZ$100.-) seems pretty expensive for the no thrills room. Anyway, they seem to survive well with plenty of satisfied customers, probably more satisfaction coming from the one night you will ever spend in a fale.
• annie_eliza1 (10/5): Home away from home - Stoked with our decision to stay here! Absolutely loved the Fao Fao Beach Fale family - special thanks to Corsetta and Lyn for making us feel so welcome and at home, and the whole team for putting on a really fun Fia Fia night :) the beach here is beautiful and good for snorkelling, fales are clean, safe and roomy with stunning views - how good is it going to sleep and waking up to the sound of the ocean! Meals are plentiful and delicious (including vegetarian options), and there’s a little shop up the road for snacks. Good central location to waterfalls etc. Chapo even helped us organise a hire car. Couldn’t have hoped for a better experience in Samoa - we are already planning our next trip here! Love, Annie & Matt
• Tawhiri1 (8/5): Faofao beach fale recommended - Lovely friendly family run business. Authentic Samoan food every night was a treat as was unannounced Fiafia feast and performance. Get a thatched fale on the beach. Clean but basic facilities. Shop next door
• keele07 (10/5): Relaxed, friendly fale life - We had such a great time at Fao Fao. We were well fed with lovely hearty food, and felt very safe in our beach fale. Everyone was friendly and the outdoor showers were wonderful and cooling! Met some great people there and had a few Taulas and chats. Would definitely go back.
• Pioneer40952695058 (10/5): Total escape - Incredibly relaxing, back to basics escape. I stayed here with friends (yip...a boys trip) and it was just so damn relaxing. We got on great with the locals, who were super friendly. Even chipped in a bit of cash for a whole pig for dinner on our last night which was a real treat. The fales are an authentic experience. The nights are quite warm so they were very comfortable. Plenty of cool sights and attractions close by, but there is little that beats just chilling on the beach and doing....well nothing. It’s been a while since I had a holiday that recharged me as much as this one did, and I put that down to the location, and the very friendly (but equally relaxed) locals.

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