Boutique hotels in Apia

Apia is a small, easygoing capital on Upolu's north coast, with a waterfront road of colonial buildings, a clock tower, a busy market and the Catholic cathedral. Robert Louis Stevenson's house, Vailima, sits on the hill above and the writer's grave is at the top of Mount Vaea. The city is a base for waterfalls, swimming holes and the south coast.

Where to stay

Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows is the best-known hotel in town and scores 8.9 in Hotelier's Choice. Taumeasina Island Resort is a beachfront property with two pools, a spa and an Art Deco style. Samoana Boutique Hotel is a small hotel near the center with traditional Samoan decor and a pool, though its listing reads like generic copy. Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort is a larger, internationally branded hotel about five minutes from the center.

Good to know

Sunday is quiet, with shops closed, and the church services are worth hearing if you dress modestly. Taxis are cheap. The dry season, May to October, is the most comfortable.