Charming beachfront resort combining traditional Samoan style with modern comfort. Features beach fales and garden rooms, spa, beachfront restaurant, and authentic cultural experiences including traditional umu feasts.
Coconuts Beach Club Resort & Spa sits on Maninoa village's sheltered lagoon on the south coast of Upolu, about 35 km east of Apia along the South Coast Road. The beachfront position offers direct access to calm, reef-protected water suitable for swimming and snorkeling, while the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and Piula Cave Pool are both within a 30-minute drive. Faleolo International Airport is approximately 45 minutes west by road.
The resort opened in 1997 and has expanded incrementally while maintaining its core Polynesian character. Woven pandanus panels, thatch roofing, and hand-carved timber details define the aesthetic. The accommodation ranges from open-sided traditional beach fales — sleeping platforms with mosquito nets and ceiling fans positioned directly on the sand — to enclosed garden rooms and junior suites featuring air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, and private verandas. Guests in open fales share a nearby shower block, which suits those who want the full open-air sleeping experience.
The Coconuts restaurant operates beachside for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The kitchen blends Pacific Rim technique with local ingredients: fresh-caught fish, taro, papaya, and coconut cream feature prominently on the menu. The Thursday-night traditional umu feast, where food is cooked in an underground earth oven and presented with cultural performance, has become the resort's signature experience.
The Teuila Day Spa offers massage, body wraps, and beauty treatments in open-air pavilions overlooking the lagoon. There is no swimming pool, but the calm lagoon functions as the primary water recreation area. The activities programme includes snorkeling from the beach over a coral garden, guided reef dives, kayaking, whale-watching excursions between July and October (when humpbacks pass through), and organised village cultural visits. Service is predominantly Samoan and known for genuine warmth. The property accommodates families with child-welcoming meal options and activities, and front desk staff can coordinate airport transfers, Savai'i ferry bookings, and island tour arrangements.
Amenities
- beachfront
- spa
- restaurant
- bar
- traditional fales
- cultural activities
- snorkeling
- WiFi
Location
Maninoa, South Coast, Upolu
-13.9889, -171.8156 View on map
Highlights
- Open-sided traditional beach fales positioned directly on a sheltered lagoon with coral reef snorkeling from shore
- Weekly umu feast — food cooked in a traditional underground earth oven with live cultural performance
- Teuila Day Spa with open-air pavilion treatments including massage, body wraps, and facials
- Whale-watching excursions available July to October when humpbacks migrate through Samoan waters
- Samoan-owned and operated property with staff recognised for genuine hospitality
Tips for visiting
- Request a beach fale facing the lagoon rather than the garden side for the best sunrise views and sea breeze at night
- Book the Thursday umu feast in advance as it fills quickly; arrive by 6:30 pm for the cultural programme before dinner
- Bring reef shoes — the lagoon entry has some coral and rocks at low tide; snorkeling is best at mid to high tide
- The resort is a 45-minute drive from Faleolo Airport; arrange an airport transfer when booking to avoid waiting for taxis
When to visit
May to October (dry season) for most comfortable weather; July to October for whale-watching.
Accessibility
No lifts on site. Beach fales involve steps from the beach and require some mobility. The restaurant and spa are at beach level. Guests with mobility requirements should enquire directly about room placement.