Return to Paradise Resort and Spa

The beach views and location are excellent, and we did appreciate being allowed to check out late without a fee after getting our dates wrong. That’s about all that went well at Faimafili. We paid a lot for a place with 1 to 2 star facilities and what felt like 5 star prices. It has potential, but the owners would need to raise the standards, especially for hygiene, or bring prices in line with what’s offered. The beach views are its only real draw for me. Paying for the booking was a hassle because the payment details were wrong. I had to call Western Union several times before it finally went through, which set the tone for our stay. We were in sea view cabin #2. The cabin light was loose and flickered like a strobe, the toilet still had shit in it when we arrived, and the door lock kept turning before it would eventually lock or unlock. It was still broken and needed repair. We weren’t told there were only cold showers. Even in Samoa’s heat I would have liked a warm one, and the shower pressure was very low. The shower caddies were dirty, the sink kept blocking, and the tea and coffee were really bad, cheap stuff. When we needed help with the lock, there was nobody around at first. I found a staff member in his fale, who sent me to the restaurant to look for a team member. Nobody was there, so I went back. The staff member came with me and we found that person having a swim. Staff were polite, but need customer service training. It was hit and miss whether anyone was onsite, and uniforms would help tell staff apart from others. They seemed distracted with TikTok videos and dance trends, which didn’t give a good impression. There was rubbish scattered on the beach in front of the cabins, including plastic drink and alcohol bottles, food wrappers, tea bags and used nappies. I picked it up from around our cabin and others and left it on a chair at the restaurant because I couldn’t see any bins. Staff walked past it. The outdoor furniture was old, rusty, mouldy and broken. People from the general public also had access to the beachfront. Kids were sprawled on the broken furniture while adults drank and sang under the restaurant building. A drunk older man broke a chair, spat on the ground and left. You may have to share the deck furniture with the public or whoever FVR has made arrangements with, even though it doesn’t feel like it’s just for guests. Staff moved the broken chair under the restaurant deck, but left it in plain sight. Breakfast on our first day was scrambled eggs, toast and fruit. The eggs were firm with a grey tinge and everything was cold. We did arrive later, but I thought they’d keep food warm. It looked like it had been cooked and plated, then left out. Bar drinks were expensive, and the food was standard but pricey. The teriyaki chicken with rice and salad was $35 for a standard serve. The staff were friendly, but it felt like just a job to them. Our family in the villas had water from the shower flood into their living area, lost power to the A/C, and had electrical appliances that didn’t work. I saw some good reviews and wish we’d had the same experience. Two stars, with 1.5 for the beach.

We got the Easter Special for the Ocean Beach Villa, $350 for two adults, including dinner, breakfast and Toonai for two. It was a sweet deal. We paid another $60 for my other son, age 11, and $70 for him to join the Toonai. You do have to pay in advance to book. The small rooms are cute and a little fancy, probably perfect for a couple. The fridge had free soda, water, snacks and a bottle of wine, and there was even a microwave, which you hardly ever get. The windows were really cool. It was muggy when we arrived, but the kids still went for a long swim. The Toonai was amazing. I went hard on the lobsters and crab. Food was great, although we had a bit of the runs after dinner that night. By the next day we were fine, and it didn’t affect our Toonai appetite. Parking at the Ocean Villa isn’t great. There’s just one space for unloading, then you have to park at reception. Some people parked in that spot and didn’t think about others checking in. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. Tosi is the bomb! The beach has rocks that might put off people who are scared of them, if you know what I mean, though there are sandy parts and it’s beautiful anyway. Great value for your money, with an awesome sunset view!

We had a family get together here, and they catered for us well, including meals for the children. The food and service were excellent, and the beach was wonderful. There were power problems that meant we couldn’t use the Air Con, but the stay was still lovely and affordable, within our budget. The owner provided what we paid for and more. We’ll come again and recommend it to family. Keep up the good work, and hope to visit soon.

We called ahead to check vegetarian options, and they went out of their way to send menus so we could decide. The food was simple and good, with choices for everyone, generous portions and very reasonable prices. The chips were especially tasty. Wait times were much like everywhere else we ate on the island. It was a great restaurant visit. The resort is minutes from the Giant Clam Sanctuary, tucked off the beaten track, with an unbeatable view from our seats. The place was clean, the resident dogs were friendly and the restrooms tidy. It isn’t a luxury 5 star resort, but it was just right for lunch after snorkeling nearby.