Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa

We travelled around 4 islands - Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia - in March staying in different accommodation.

Coconuts was, on reflection, our favourite and we loved it. However, it may not be to everyone’s taste. Any holiday’s experience depends upon a variety of factors: the weather, accommodation, location, other guests, facilities, staff and prior expectation.

Stayed for 5 nights and by the 4th day we were getting into it. We were blessed with great weather. And we were ‘flyers and floppers’ just wanting to laze away the days, enjoy the scenery, see a bit if the island, eat and have a few drinks.

Most of the accommodation is constructed of wood and done with concern for the environment. We stayed in an overwater fale and that was magical with great balcony space, glass in the floor to look down at the sea and peace and quiet to enjoy the sunrises and sunsets. Wow !

There’s a fridge in the room but you’ll have to stock it yourself and some cold drinks in it on arrival would have been welcome. The tap water is drinkable. The A/C was excellent. We really liked our bungalow (steps into the sea would have elevated it but …) and cannot speak with knowledge of the other accommodation but if you go then I think it’s got to be over water or beach front. Internet was ok - patchy in places. It’s true that there are no TVs in the rooms and the buildings may need a bit of touching up here and there but basically chill out.

The location was, for us, perfect: remote, peaceful, beautiful and picture postcard Pacific Island stuff with glorious sandy beaches (cleaned every morning), palm/coconut trees, blue water and turtles swimming in the lagoon. It’s about 40 minutes from the airport by car.

When we were there it was quite quiet and mainly couples. This reinforced the relaxed and chilled atmosphere. The place tends to cater for Australians/Kiwis but all sorts could be there. However, I can see it being detrimentally affected by groups wanting to ‘party’ (it just isn’t that sort of place) and I’m not sure that it caters for children as there really isn’t much to do other than read, laze around or possibly take a trip or two. To me it’s an obvious adults only quiet retreat.

With regard to facilities there’s a glorious beach, the sea, a turtle watching jetty, a swimming pool (which could be cleaned up a bit), a used book library, a restaurant and bar (closes around 9.00), a spa (superb for massage), a Saturday ‘fire show’ also very good, a small gift shop, a few trips and car hire.

Breakfast, as part of the paid booking, is limited and will probably upset big eaters. If you want more there’s a cost. Not sure they’ve got this right. The evening food was actually pretty good, especially the fish dishes. The prices were ok. In the evening you’re pretty much expected to be there by 19.00/19.30 and it closes around 21.00.

However, within easy walking distance along the beach (5 minutes if that) is a beach shack bar/eatery which is actually pretty good and pretty cool. And another 5 minutes further along is another resort with bar and restaurant which offers a change of scenery. Moreover, there is also a small local village shop, just outside by the surfer’s block, if you want to stock up.

Like most, if not all, of the Pacific Islands it’s hard to go there and not be struck by how genuinely pleasant, polite, hospitable, warm and friendly the people are. These guys were simply and uniformly lovely. You will be looked after. Sometimes it was almost as if they were a touch embarrassed about being involved in a business enterprise which required them to charge?

Coconuts is also a fascinating story worth finding out about. It bounced back from near total destruction and is now recovering from covid related tourist shut down. And everything can’t be perfect so, perhaps, others should cut it some slack.

So, we loved it. But can see why others may not. If you want to chill, aren’t particularly fussy, don’t expect 5 star Parisian style instantaneous hotel service and are happy to go with the flow then it’s great. It reminded me of the smaller Greek islands 30/40 years ago with a dash of The Caribbean thrown in. If you’re club 18-30, really very particular or have children maybe have a think.

Oh and if you arrive at night, as we did, then have a torch as it’s very dark, maybe bring some drink and snacks with you and wait until the morning.

For us, and what we wanted, it was magic and we wished we had stayed longer.

Talofa Philip, We thank you for being our guests, it was our pleasure to have you stay with us. We are very happy to know that you had a great time relaxing and enjoying what Coconuts has to offer. We are also flattered that your stay here in Samoa was the favorite part of your South Pacific island holiday.

Your review is very detailed and quite accurate about the many different aspects that you mentioned. So this should be very helpful for any potential travelers. As you said, Coconuts is not like a typical hotel or resort, and it may not appeal to everyone. But it sounds like we were the right match for you, and when that happens it's a wonderful thing.

Fa'afetai lava for taking the time to share your thoughts and give us some valuable feedback. Your Coconuts family (all of our staff) sends alofa tele (much love) to both of you, and we would be honored to have you come back again sometime in the future. Until then we wish you many blessings. Tofa soifua!

If you want total relaxation within a stunning setting that provides a unique Island feel and hospitality, then look no further. It was so nice to unplug and recharge the senses the natural way. Sun, sand, surf and great food. We stayed in the 2 Bdrm beach villa which led straight out onto the beach. The rooms were clean, spacious and comfortable. The decor and lighting really set the tone.

Talofa dear guests, It was our pleasure to have you stay with us on your relaxing holiday in Samoa. We are delighted to know that you had an excellent experience and that you enjoyed our little slice of paradise. We thank you very much for taking the time to write your thoughtful review. All our staff (your new Coconuts family) send you alofa tele (much love), and we hope to see you again sometime in the future. Fa'afetai lava, and tofa soifua!

Staying next door at Sinalei we missed their fire show and they recommended next door at Coconuts . The day before the show we walked over and had a few drinks and met I think his name was Tony who seemed to be the manager and welcomed us and booked for the following night . While there enjoying some drinks relaxing overlooking the water one of the guests showed us through his overwater bungalow , very nice . The next night we we were met by Tony , had a few drinks + dinner , a huge menu with plenty of choice and then the fire show . Yes sometimes things can be a bit slow but who cares we are in Pacific and the staff were so friendly and welcoming . It amazes me some peoples comments about service at some of these resorts , remember most are not owned by multimillion dollar companies , and they have been affected by covid and the elements . We are on island time so chill out and enjoy this wonderful island . Many thanks for your hospitality Steve .

Talofa Steve, Thank you for checking out Coconuts, and sampling some of our food, drinks and entertainment. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed everything. We thank you for taking the time to share your experience and we also appreciate your understanding of the dynamics of a small family run business in a place like Samoa. We hope to see you again in the future. Fa'afetai lava, and manuia le tausaga fou!

Talofa! After leaving Aga Reef Resort and arriving at Coconuts - it was a culture shock. I felt in the first 24 hours that I had arrived in the USA with lost Samoans walking around enforcing "rules". I want to say right off the bat - the resort "way", does not match the Samoan "way". You can physically see in their eyes that they don't want to do things the way they've been told to do them. I will go in to more detail down below (see 6 'Staff').
After speaking about the following fully with the resort GM, and staff, I am writing this review so that YOU, the guest deciding if this is the right place for you, can make an informed decision before going.

We booked 3 nights in an overwater fale (specifically Fale Lina right at the end - THE BEST ONE hands down - OK (front desk staff) did not disappoint - there were many turtles!!), luckily we did get a discount on this room from Brian, however very thankful we did not pay full price as I would have been even more upset than I am.

I want to keep this easy to read so here are my concerns...

1. The Complimentary Breakfast.
3 measly options - Option 1 - a small bowl of cereal, Option 2 - toast and 1 small muffin (this is the continental which seems to be the most popular, but isn't served as it should be due to lack of training for new hires), or Option 3 - 2 tiny croissants - all accompanied by coffee OR tea, and OJ... you have to pay if you want other juice. Nothing accommodating for guests with dietary requirements. I am dairy free - pretty easy to accommodate - and even with the staff being told at check in, and by me every day, they still organised nothing but an extra banana 1 day. I ended up just ordering food off of the menu - which they still messed up with cheese in my. omelette and butter on my toast. Lack of communication and lack of training, mixed with new staff = a very confusing breakfast hour with no structure, routine or flow. The coffee included is NOT iced coffee unless your order coffee with a glass of ice on the side. Or you pay extra for Iced coffee. Confused? We were. Still are. But we got $30WST back - so a win!!
What is meant to happen is far from what is happening, and the GM is now aware of this and will hopefully add more options for other diets. Just be prepared.
The other thing I struggled with (which was rectified at the end when I voiced my many concerns) was the poor selection of said "complimentary' breakfasts. Especially having just come from a resort where we paid half the price, got five times the selection and quality (iced coffee, a la carte breakfast, fruit, and a Samoan porridge - see my AGA REEF review).

2. Overwater Fale.
First off, this was 1 of the only highlights about this stay, the other being the staff - which I will get to, however even as the highlight of the trip it needs a lot of improvement. One of the biggest disappointments (which we read about but thought had been changed) is there is no ladder or steps down in to the water - so ZERO access from the fale - you have to go to the beach to swim. Fale Lina is the most private of the OW Fale's, however with the full sun in the afternoons the AC needs to run on low for the entire time so I don't follow the recommendation of turning it off while you're not in the room - and to housekeeping... please turn it on a couple hours before people are due to check in. Also, no phone to call for anything you may need - housekeeping, food, clean cups, info. The walk to reception isn't too far but it's far enough so a phone would be helpful. Another thing I noticed first off was there was no mini bar options, including the basics of milk and water in the fridge. Paying $900-$1300/night NZD I expect a cold fresh bottle of water, juice, pop, wine, beer, nuts, and some fruit stocked daily. But, no, you must walk to breakfast to hopefully get your 4-5 cut bits of fruit and OJ. The tap water is safe (yes, it says in the book), but good luck getting a cold glass out of the tap. My suggestion is to bring at a minimum 2 water bottles, boil the water, and pop them in the fridge - alternate.
An example of exemplary in room service (and something to think about incorporating here) was when when we stayed at the Yasawa Island Resort & Spa (Fiji), we were asked on arrival to fill out a preference card stating which drinks and snacks we would like stocked daily - this was complimentary for the villa we were staying in (see my Yasawa review), and would be a nice touch for the OW Fale guests.

3. Extra Charges.
We celebrated my birthday while we were at Coconuts, and we were told it would be $300WST to have room service - which included someone setting our table. We didn't want to pay for a fuss, or for someone to lay a tablecloth down with a flower and candle, we just wanted to eat in our room enjoying our balcony over the water at sunset. We did explain we were happy to pay a tray fee but weren't happy to pay the $300WST ON TOP OF the dinner, drinks, and dessert. We've paid for special dinners in romantic set up spots before, but this wasn't one of them - this was at our table IN our room. AKA Room Service.
For Wifi - if you're with ONENZ (as I am) - roam. It's $8 or $9 per day and it works fine. The resort wifi is very expensive as wifi isn't cheap in Samoa - $20WST for 1G and it is very slow - 8-10 insta posts max. LOL

4. Food.
Some items are great, some are terrible. Mika's dishes seem to be the best pick - his special sauce pasta (without anchovies for me) was delicious and my husband loved the coconut I'a fish. Definitely try the Palusami - YUM! My husband and I are foodies, we love eating local flare when we travel - probably another reason we were so disappointed with our breakfasts here. Stay away from the stuffed eggplant, and the Coconut Cobb salad - both very average. As well, the "lobster" is spiny rock lobster aka crayfish.

5. Pool Bar & Activities.
The pool swim up bar wasn't open the entire time we were there (4 days), and was filthy... empty cups/coconuts, and overflowing rubbish. The water activities hut is hit and miss - and again, because there's no phones you can't call to check if someone can help you. It's frequently left unattended even though it's meant to be manned 830-12, and 1-430. The staff that we did find rectified the situation (again) but it would be nice if someone was there more. Also, specifically the snorkel gear needs to be cleaned properly - this is actually a Health & Safety matter. My suggestion is to bring your own snorkel gear as the "best ones" have parts missing and mine was full of gross makeup (ladies, wash your face - you're going in the ocean... fish aren't judging you).

6. Staff.
Most of the staff are really nice and seem to love what they do, but some seem to not be enjoying themselves at work, at all. I feel like this is the heavy influence of the owners son, the Resort Manager Brian.
The restaurant staff are a mix of people who are genuinely warm, there to have a good chat, and make you feel welcome, where as others (especially if you have had to complain about something or send something back due to dietary needs) make you feel like you're a bit of an inconvenience to deal with.
The culture show is well worth going to - this was another highlight of our stay. It was a more personal intimate experience and less showy than other resort nights we've attended. Fire knife dancing was a hit.
The front desk staff will help you if you need anything easy, but will also tell you to "get use to it - its Samoa" if you have any actual concerns. At first this didn't sit well with me, as my "concerns" were quite genuine, and I felt unheard - like they were just there to collect the last dollar in your pocket, but after a lengthy discussion explaining what had been happening since our arrival - one said person in particular, corrected his phrase to say he didn't mean it how it came across, and wanted to try to make things better.
Sio has a great sense of humour and is warm and welcoming from the moment you meet him - thanks for the lift!
Brian, to you, thank you for the discount on the Fale - it was appreciated. I know in the US resorts like this work, however having travelled extensively through the pacific islands - this is not the ideal way to have this resort. The staff would be much happier not trying to squeeze every dollar out of every guest. Less change, more routine, flow and freedom to keep guests happy would go a long way. An example being able to offer apple or pineapple juice if someone doesn't like orange, offering 2 complimentary cocktails for the beach huts, and maybe 2 cocktails with an in room dining night for the overwater fales, having a smaller a la carte menu for breakfast catering to everyones needs, and making espresso the standard when serving coffee - not charging extra for it. I felt a very heavy American influence during my stay, and again, as I said above, felt the resort policies do not come off well from the samoan people. The Samoans we met along the way - prior, and during, seemed to be caring, giving, humble people - not greedy, charge charge, charge, Americans. I know you know what I mean. Your Dad Barry is very highly spoken of by the staff as a good man, and I think you should have a chat with him about the direction this resort could go, as well as getting the staffs input. I don't mean any of this to come across harsh, but the reality is in the review. Speaking to other guests, I am not alone with these feelings - I'm just happy to voice them.
If you've made it to the end of this review, thanks, I'm only trying to help make your experience better than ours was. For us it was just one thing after the other that made our first couple days hard to enjoy. If you do go to this resort thinking "she's just complaining" as we did after reading a few concerning reviews

Lastly, to ALL of the staff who did make our stay more warm and welcome, we thank you! You know who you are!

Talofa, thank you for being our guests and for taking the time to write your quite thorough review. We value your thoughts and feedback as they are very helpful to both us and to other travelers.
We are very sorry that there were many areas where your experience fell short of expectations, and in some cases where we didn't meet our own goals. Every guest is unique, and as they take in what is happening around them, they create individual concepts which help shape and support the overall story.
Please know that your disappointment is shared by us, but we hope to make some improvements based on your remarks and suggestions. Fa'afetai and tofa soifua.

We have just arrived from the most relaxing holiday at Coconuts Beach Club Resort. My husband and I stayed here 20 years ago. Its still as great as we remember. The beach and pool are fabulous! Brian and the staff are friendly and helpful. We LOVED the Beach front Fale we were upgraded to, and totally recommend staying in one! There is plenty of activities you can do, from snorkling, paddleboarding to trips out to see the turtles and giant clams.
We were so relaxed we didnt leave the resort, which is VERY unusual for us!
A top trip! We will be back

Talofa Tracey, thank you for being our guests again! We always love to see our Returning Nuts, no matter how many years have gone by. We are so happy to know you had a great and relaxing holiday in Samoa. We do appreciate your kind words and wonderful review. All of our staff send alofa tele (much love) to both of you, and we would be honored to see you again. Wishing you Manuia le Kerisimasi. Fa'afetai lava, tofa soifua!