Boutique hotels in Savai'i

Savai'i is the largest island in Polynesia outside Hawaii and New Zealand, and it feels it: a long, green volcanic island with lava fields, coastal blowholes, rainforest waterfalls and some of the oldest ceremonial sites in the Pacific. Villages are traditional, roads are quiet and most visitors stay in small beachfront resorts.

Where to stay

Le Lagoto Resort & Spa is the strongest pick, a secluded resort on a white-sand beach fringed by palms with about ten Samoan-style bungalows and two family rooms, an infinity pool and a spa. Stevensons at Manase is the best-known resort on the island, on a bay on the north coast with fales and reef-facing bungalows. Amoa Resort has Polynesian-style accommodation around a lagoon-style pool, and Joelan Beach Fales on Lano Beach is simpler, with thatched fales.

Good to know

The ferry from Upolu takes about an hour and a half, and flights are available. A rental car or driver is needed to get around, and the star mounds and Pulemelei are well worth a visit.