Return to Paradise Samoa is an amazing holiday experience. Built on a gorgeous beach that even Samoans call special, this 60 room four star resort is exactly what is says – Paradise. The resort is 100% Samoan owned and operated by Matriarch Ramona and her large extended family who proudly welcome you to the land they have been guardians of for 1000 years.
A smiling welcome at the airport with refreshing hand towels and drinks, followed by a comfortable 20 minute drive across the Island to the South Coast, renowned for its beautiful white sand beaches, brings you to the delightful Return To Paradise Resort. On arrival, another warm welcome awaits with great smiles, delicious local punch and another refreshing towel.
The gardens are stunning with lush tropical plantings, palms, frangipanis and over 20 varieties of hibiscus, some as big as saucers. The architecture makes you feel like you are in a Samoan village with lots of carvings everywhere, all proudly done by the local village. The rooms boast traditional thatched roofs outside, and inside they are spacious with marble flooring, silk curtains, air-conditioning and walk in wardrobes. The resort is spread out so you never feel crowded, even when it is full, and there are concrete paths from one end to the other. For those requiring assistance, there are wheelchairs with almost every staff member competing to see who is allowed to push if you need one, and they even say if they run of out wheelchairs and you get a bit legless at the bar, the boys will take you back to your room in a wheelbarrow. We are not sure if anyone has requested that service yet, but the boys would be happy to oblige.
Four pools open onto the beach that is impossibly beautiful when the sun is out and just stunning at sunset cocktail time. The snorkeling is amazing and recently 75 baby turtles hatched on the beach and made it to the sea. There are a host of local authentic activities to experience, and the weekly Fia Fia cultural night is not to be missed.
Paradise Kitchen Restaurant is a marvel of Samoan architecture overlooking the beach, the Rock Pool Bar offers casual dining and drinks right on the waters’ edge and the Cabana cafe? opens for breakfast daily. The menu created by international chefs has a mixture of Pacific Fusion and European food with at least four daily specials or for something more simple, try a wood red pizza under the palms right on the beach. There are high teas for special occasions and at Christmas the Gary Cooper lounge is a Christmas wonderland with 20,000 lights, and Ramona presiding over amazing Christmas family dinners to which all guests are welcome and even get presents.
The Resort is named after the Hollywood movie made here 60 years ago starring Gary Cooper. Every Thursday night, you can dine gold class, enjoying our dinner while watching the movie in the air-conditioned Gary Cooper Lounge. Matriach, Ramona gives a short talk of the history of the movie and its impact on Samoa. The chief in the movie is Ramona’s uncle, Gary Cooper’s baby was her sister and her father did the sound effects. Co-star, Robert Haynes now 87, came back to the Resort in 2015 as guest honour for the movie’s reunion. She has such a wonderful time that she told her family that when she dies, she wants her ashes brought back to Return to Paradise.
This is a great resort to experience as a couple, an extended family or grab a group of friends and just have an amazing time. On departure the staff sing to you with all their hearts. “O, I never will forget you” and driving away, you determine that yes, one day very soon you will “Return to Paradise”.
For more information contact us today
W: returntoparadiseresort.com
Ph: (00685) 35055 or 7675001 or 7648573 Lefaga Samoa
E: gm@returntoparadiseresort.com
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