Trip was great - surf everyday except for 1 which was from exhaustion more than anything. Aganoa was fantastic apart from the NZ Billabong junior pros with film crew that turned up - still plenty of waves though and the week in Samoana made up for that. Every surf except for 1/2 a session was just our group with perfect waves and perfect offshore and light winds. Rudy and Maleny from Samoana did a fantastic job getting us onto great surf spots with most sessions 4-5 hours of non-stop paddling. Special K's, Barras, YTops were fantastic waves. The resort was great and made us all welcome and our time really relaxing - It did help that we had the whole resort to ourselves for most of the time - Attached is the report from Samoana.
The guys from Aganoa
were fantastic and really made our stay amazing - please pass on our thanks to
Keith and his family. It's an amazing place to stay with a fantastic beach on
your doorstep, snorkelling
straight out the front and a short paddle from your Fale - can't ask for much more than that!! You won't ever go hungry either with plenty of great food. No need to go anywhere else much and I think we only left the front gate once for a trip to the markets and crater!!
Thanks for all your help.
Cheers
customer survey form. Submitted on: 05/20/2011 10:54:44 AM Completion time: n/a
Subject: Sa'Moana Response
We had an awesome holiday! We would especially like to highlight a local surf guide that works at Sa’Moana. His name is Farani, he’s local guy, who welcomed us with open arms from the moment we arrived. His extensive knowledge of the island gave my husband and myself total security that he would show us the best
Farani ate his meals with us, mingle, played pool and even socialised with us after his work had finished for the day. He has a great and happy personality and was born to be a surf guide. I know my husband had a tear in his eye (I had lots) when we parted ways. Having Farani for a mate (now life long internet buddies) while we were at Sa’Moana was, besides the surf, the highlight of the holiday. Farini was great to us not for self gain, but because he’s a good bloke! He even taught us the loca language (which we had many laughs learning). I hope you can pass this page onto Sa’Moana Resort management as all good acts deserve praise. Thank you to all involved (esp. Cath Hart) at World Surfaris for organising our awesome holiday.
Cheers
Chris and Nicky Fazzolare
Sent: Thursday, 19 November 2009 5:41 AM
To:
Cc:
Subject: some feedback
Some feed back on SaMoana so that you can pass this onto others who may wish to book……here goes!
Rooms: Very clean and tidy – great size – we were not breathing each others air and had plenty of room to spread our gear out. They were well serviced each day. There was plenty of ventilation via louver windows with fly screens on them. The best was the shower – this was out the rear door in an out door “room” which was enclosed by a high rock wall - no roof. (don’t think all fales had this). There is nothing like taking a shower under the stars with the waves crashing in the background – awesome! The view from the fale was exactly as the web site – white sand, palms and then the ocean – amazing!
Meals: Restaurant was open for decent lengths during the day. The food was excellent and there was a good choice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The portions were generous. It was great having the communal area for eating on the open deck of the main fale, this meant you got to socialise with the other guests. The staff are warm and friendly and the meals arrived in good time. The cost of the meals and drinks is spot on, we got good value for money and didn’t feel “ripped off” which can happen in an out of the way resort.
The Pool: It is fitting not to have some great big chlorine pool – the sea water pool right on the edge of the beach was magic – good depth and large enough so that you didn’t feel cramped with others in it at the same time. The view from the pool is wonderful.
The Staff: Terry and her husband (the managers) are fantastic, the staff from the village were warm, friendly and courteous. Chris and Wes the two “surf guides” were amazing – they were equally attentive to us as they were to the younger guests who were there for the surfing. We wanted to do the kayaking trip but the surf guides said the day it was due to go would be too windy – then they said “let’s go now” All of a sudden we had 8 guests paddling up the coast line! You can snorkel right off the beach in front of the resort with their gear, just great.
We took an Island Tour via the resort, hosted by Andy, he was brilliant – willing to share local knowledge and customs, while he was obviously with the resort and from the local village, it felt as though a friend was showing us around rather than someone you had met that day.
Atmosphere: Terry and the team have managed to get the balance just right – the resort is relaxed and casual – which is what you want while on holiday, but at the same time very professionally run with great attention to detail – we didn’t want for anything. I think the maximum guests they can take is 27 – you are not one of the crowd – and there is plenty of space to get away from others if that was what you wanted. The grounds are extremely well kept.
Location: The resort is about an hours walk off the main road – or about a 15 minute drive. There is a bus stop at the top of the road, the bus trip into
Rachael – this is the first time I have been to
Overall I would give the resort and the staff 10 out of 10 – I can’t speak highly enough of it. Note – current management leaving in two weeks – I am sure the standards will remain the same!
Hope this helps and that it results in more bookings for SaMoana thanks for making all the arrangements.
Regards Karen
Sent:
To:
Subject: Thank you
Hi Cath,
I haven't had the chance to thank you for organising our
Thanks for your patience in answering all my questions. I will be sure to use Worldsurfaris for my next surfari adventure!
Kind regards
Sent:
To: Cath Hart
Subject:
Hi Cath, well were back, and we loved it!!! just wanted to send you a quick thank you for helping make our trip such a hassle free process, the resort was lovely, the staff there great and it was all we expected and more, we will definately try and get back there again with another couple of families.
Thanks again, kind regards, Liz Straney
From:
Sent: Monday, 23 March 2009 12:09 PM
To: Wendy Glover
Subject: Samoa
Good afternoon Wendy
Big thanks to you and the team for organising our holiday. It all went well with not one hiccup, well getting knocked out of the pool comp was my only problem. But some local beer got me over it quicksmart
We got waves nearly everyday we were there and when we weren’t surfing, we were far from bored.
Samoa really is a beautiful place. I just hope it doesn’t become the next bali, or that us westerners get in there and stuff it all up like most places. At points I was convinced dinosaurs were going to storm out of the jungle covered mountains and eat me up.
Once again, thankyou very much and I hope to deal with you guys again in the not to distant future.
Cheers
Jay Rossetti
From: Jan Brown
Sent: Thursday, 6 November 2008 10:38 AM
To: Kellie Wilson
Subject: RE: Great Holiday
Hi Kellie
Had a wonderful time in
Many thanks for your help.
Jan Brown
-----Original Message-----
From: Debbie McPherson
Sent:
To: Kellie Wilson
Subject: Re:
Thanks Kellie,
We had a fantastic trip!! Perfect weather, surf was fairly small but the boys had some great adventures. We all have many stories to tell. Loved the local people, so friendly, such a beautiful place.
Food superb although very westernised. I guess we were expecting more seafood (fish) although it wasn't really missed as the food was so good. Loved the main fale for restaurant, bar, pool table and table tennis, all used lots. Accommodation - excellent, authentic and what we were seeking for our family holiday.
The resort was perfect for what we were after, (not hundreds of westerners jumping into a swimming pool drinking grog all day), lovely and quiet and absolutely picture perfect!! Lots of culture if you cared to venture out and explore.... which we did lots of!! Pool stunning and resort and surrounds, so well cared for, totally relaxing and true to the Samoan way of life.
Only two suggestions: -
1. Would have enjoyed having push bikes for our use so we could get out and see the local areas a bit more, even if only to look at local houses and beaches further up as the resort is quite a distance from anywhere. Snorkelling gear needed replacing, most of the fins were split and had passed their use by date.
2. The resort definitely needed to supply some clothes airers (for the verandah) to enable guests to hang out wet towels, boardies etc. Very difficult for family of five with constant wet clothes to try to hang out over balconies.
Otherwise, we should have stayed for two weeks instead of one. Fab holiday and we all left feeling a bit sad that we had to leave. The children had a wonderful holiday and saw things that they will carry with them forever. It was very safe and they were exposed to a different culture that they will never forget. We all really hope to return one day.
Regards
Debbie McPherson
From: Owen Wiseman
Sent: Monday, 8 October 2007 6:16 PM
To: Wendy Glover
Subject: RE: Welcome Home!
Managed to get a few good surfs. However, it’s more fickle than Indo. The tides have a big influence and the reefs are more exposed to winds and they did tend to shift around. When the high tide was in the morning I’d get up at 5 am and go surfing on the boat and be back before lunch. This was OK for the family. When high tide moved to the middle of the day it is easy to be away for most of the day. As a result I ended up staying at the Resort later in the trip but Tess did let me have the last day on the boat.
We did 2 tours. The one to the east of the island and the one to the west. Tess did the kayaking day but just about every day we paddled with the kids east about 1 km to the little island and went swimming and snorkeling.
The girls spend hours and hours over the holiday collecting Hermit crabs.
There was also a couple of 14 yr old boys from NZ at the resort. Kade played with them most of the second week.
We took the kids to the local primary school one morning. They sat in on a composite Year 3 and 4 class that just happened to be doing an English lesson. Our girls took their skipping ropes and at lunch the whole school was doing skipping. We had the whole school wave us good-bye after lunch.
All in all it was enjoyed by all.
Regards,
Owen Wiseman
From: terry
Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 8:13 AM
To: Samoana Reservations
Subject: Kia ora
From: Masters, Craig R
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 10:48 PM
To: samoana@samoanaresort.com
Subject: Talofa!
Talofa Samoa'ana!
Thank-you for our stay in the red fale, Fia Fia Night, the beaches, the surf, the tours, the food and the staff.
I would love to see you again soon.
It was the best expirieance of my life.
Thank-you and Talofa,
Amber Masters
From: mcrapp@
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 12:52 PM
To: samoana@samoanaresort.com
Subject: Thanks for a great time.
This is a quick note to thank you and your staff for making our honeymoon the most enjoyable ten days we've ever spent together. We had high expectation and were pleased to find they were not only met but surpassed.
The set up and facilities at your resort are great. I couldn't imagine a more picturesque setting. I don't think I'd ever tire of sitting at the main fale and watching the sun set through the palm trees. Our fale was more than adequate and the outdoor shower was a great surprise. It felt like we were washing in a tropical waterfall every time we had a shower but our favorite thing was the pool. There was nothing better than sitting in the pool watching the fish and crabs play in the lagoon as the surf pealing down the reef. Just magic! And finishing the day with a beer in the hand, good company and a smile on the face is the way every day should end.
We found the whole experience relaxing, entertaining and rejuvenating. We enjoyed the tours, the snorkeling, the surfing and the sea kayaking. Balanced with reading books by the pool and sleeping in the hammocks.... it was just what we wanted. Your staff also deserve a pat on the back. We didn't see a frown on a face in the ten days and their warmth and kindness set the tone for our whole stay. We felt we were part of their village.
Thanks and see you next time,
Mini and Andi.
PS.
Michael Crapp
Rip Curl
Surfwear Product Manager
Torquay VIC 3228
From: matt rohm
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 2:43 PM
Subject: Samoa
To Whom it may concern,
I just got back from a 2 week excursion at the Sa'Moana resort in Samoa & I wanted to say thanks to the entire staff at Sa'Moana for being so hospitable for our entire stay there. Mick and Clark are excellent surf guides and we scored some epic waves on the trip. No matter what the conditions were like we got surf somewhere. Also wanted to say thanks to Fale, who is an awsome bartender at Sa'Moana. Thanks to everyone else as well. Cheers!
Sincerely,
Matt Rohm
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Hill
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2005 4:56 PM
Subject: Samoana Resort
I’d wanted to email you when I returned last week but I’m buried in work already!
The trip to Samoa was unreal, a trip of a life time! The Resort was insane…our Fale next to the beach and pool was awesome
I cannot even put into words how fantastic the staff at Samoana was! John (driver and over-all hard worker), John’s wife (forgot her name but an awesome cook), Mellenu (waterman, strong guy, dancer & funny guy), Mai (great spirited bar tender, worker & masseuse), Amani (Mr. can I help you), Tim, Suzie & Wayne our guides and general caretakers! And a whole lot of other great people that run the resort and make sure we are having a great time! We were taken care of like kings.
Now to the surf...the wind blew side shore and on shore for about a week. However, there was always swell and we surfed head high waves or bigger every day except one. The surf during these days was fun and we got some great waves. During my two week stay I surfed and hung out with my friend Charlie and four Australian surfers (when we first arrived there were only three other surfers at the resort).
They all were gone by Friday and I was all by myself, the only surfer in the camp! Tim (my guide and overall great guy) just smiled and said “well I guess it’s just you and me mate”. The wind changed direction and blew straight off shore and the surf increased by 2-4 feet more (out of the south east). Needless to say I got some of the waves of my life…Tim was my witness.
My most memorable days are last Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday Tim informed me that the boat we were to take was being worked on and rather than waiting we should make a plan. An hour and a half later (after a 12 minute paddle to an off shore reef) we paddled into perfect lefts…I suppose if you were Kelly or Andy you’d be getting 5-6 second tube rides. We scored great waves for about an hour and a half before we were discovered by another boat with eight guys. Sunday we boated back to the same spot just after day break and the surf was much the same, perfect with no one out! (Thank you Tim and Suzie). On Monday Paul (great guy and good taste in music), Tim & Suzie boated me to 8-10 different spots before we settled into Pebbles. Paul said it wasn’t very big, but I watched Tim take off on a wave easily 5-6 feet over his head (oh, and if he’d made it he would have had the 5 second tube ride). I tried not to kill myself on Monday, knowing I’d be coming home that night.
A successful mission and a head full of memories! Many, many thanks to the gang Paul & his awesome staff especially Tim, Wayne, Suzie & Fallanu.
Way to go!
Chris Hill
March 2005 Testimonial - click here for pics from this March 2005 Samoa trip
-----Original Message-----
From: Hayes, Tim (TEM)
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2004 7:53 AM
To: wavehunters@wavehunters.com
Subject: Sa'Moana Rules !
Henry
Just a little feedback on my trip to Samoa. The accommodations at Samoana were excellent and exceeded what I expected. I thought I would be at the regular surf camp and was presently surprised to find a well rounded experience. All of the folks at the resort were extremely knowledgeable about the surf and all aspects of the island and went out of their way to make my stay enjoyable. I was luck enough to see the whole range of surf so I have no complaints in that area either. The food was EXCELLENT with Luke doing an incredible job as the chief chef. Paul runs a tight ship and insures that his staff is focused on the guests first. Anyway - I thought you might like to hear some positive feedback. Thanks for the help.
Tim
-----Original Message-----
From: Kyoko Nakayama
Sent: Monday, July 26, 2004 11:15 PM
To: HENRY@WAVEHUNTERS.COM
Subject: Mahalo
Hi
Just wanted to say thank you for setting up a great trip. I just got back from my Samoa and I had a blast. Everything at Samoana Resort was awesome, including the bungalows, the village and locals, the food, the surf guides (super-friendly and always knew the best spots to surf), the yoga instructor/masseuse, etc. The waves were really fun and best of all UNCROWDED! Even on days when the surf wasn't good, the surf guides took us all over the island to entertain myself and the other guests (golf, waterfalls, underwater caves, etc). I can't wait to go back there again. But I'm also looking forward to booking more trips with you guys.
Mahalo!
Kyoko Nakayama
-----Original Message-----
From: David J. Rumberg
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 7:36 PM
Subject: Samoa
Thanks for pushing Samoa. I had a great time and I am very thankful to you and Wave Hunters for making it happen. While the top 44 got epic big Tahiti I scored uncrowded Samoa on the same swell. While I did not get to surf Coco's doing it's thing I did get The Island, Boulders, Samoana, Village Lefts, and Ytops. Unreal was the quality of waves and hospitality of Samoana Resort. The food was great, the guides were awesome, and most of all the locals were the nicest group of people. I can not wait to go back as well as book other trips.
Regards,
David Rumberg
----- Original Message -----
From: J. Michael Vallee
To: samoana@samoanaresort.com
Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2003 9:13 AM
Subject: kudos to staff
Dear Paul and George;
My wife, Becky, and I had the pleasure of staying at your resort Jan 21st through Jan 27th. I'm sorry we weren't able to meet you but I just wanted to tell you how well we were taken care of by your wonderful staff and what a big difference that attention made for us on this holiday.
We try to take at least two week-long surf vacations per year. We have
visited the Maldives, Panama, Fiji, Mexico, etc, but Becky and I agreed this was the best surf vacation so far! Everything taken together made for a fantastic time.
As to your staff, they really made the most difference in making this our
best trip. (although great, uncrowded waves certainly played a part!)
Brent is a super guy. We could tell he really cares about the guests and is extremely conscientious about safety and doing his job well. I can't say enough about how impressed we were with him!
Although Joe and Josh were new, we felt extremely comfortable with them and I'm sure both will become part of the Sa'Moana family.
The local staff were very friendly and a pleasure to be around.
Anyway, thanks again for the absolutely fantastic vacation! Taking care of the little things and providing the extra comfort and thought for the guests really makes a difference. Something like the simple act of packing a lunch for the guests on the boat can make a huge difference to folks like us, who have certain expectations as to the level of customer service one can expect, even on a surf vacation. As the surf demographics age, these amenities become more important for us more mature surfers. So, your concept is right in tune with our needs and we'll be back, hopefully, as soon as next year. (Work keeps getting in the way of my surfing!)
Thanks again, Hi to Brent, Joe , and Josh, and keep up the good work!
Regards,
Mike and Becky
Mike Vallee
LAW OFFICES OF J. MICHAEL VALLEE