Written By : PETER LOMAS. Good news if you’re going to Samoa for business or pleasure.
The growing Tanoa Hotel Group is about to launch into the Samoan market with the class and quality that feature in its leading Fiji hotels.
It will open up accommodation, food and beverage, meeting. and leisure options in the Samoan capital.
Till now in Apia good accommodation has been limited and prices sometimes notoriously high. Change is coming first July.
Chief executive Gordon Wilson confirmed the Tanoa Hotel Group will that day officially open its 95-room Tanoa Tusitala Hotel.
This is on Beach Road, across the street from the waterfront and close by downtown Apia.
It will come after a “soft opening” in the coming month hosting some of the teams in the Oceania swimming championships at Apia’s Tuana’imato Aquatic Centre.
Mr Wilson has been busy working to help turn Tanoa Hotel Group chairman and founder Yanktesh Permal “YP” Reddy’s vision for the Tanoa Tusitala into reality.
Mr Reddy took over the former Kitano Tusitala from its Japanese owners last year.
The Tusitala was once the pride of Samoa, an iconic hotel marked by spectacular Samoan fale-style main buildings and warm hospitality.
But in recent times maintenance, standards and service slumped. So did the Tusitala’s proud reputation.

PROMISE
DELIVERED
That’s all about to change. Mr Reddy has delivered on his promise when he shut down the Tusitala after the takeover and said he was going to rebuild it and restore it to its former glory.
Despite a fire during reconstruction and the side effects of the Samoan tsunami, the Tusitala is now transformed.
Mr Wilson said: “The only resemblance from the old Kitano and the new Tanoa Tusitala can be quite simply put as … they both have the same number of rooms and they are both in the same location.
“Every other aspect is completely different and will be seen by most to be a completely new product.”
Former Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi Airport, manager Jong Cataylo is now general manager. Senior Tanoa staff from Fiji will be in Apia to help with training and launching properly.
“But they will return to Fiji,” Mr Wilson said. “Our company philosophy is to employ from within the country where we operate, whenever possible, and therefore our aim is to employ and develop Samoan nationals as a priority.
“What excites us is to see the end product of a great deal of endeavour from a great number of highly talented individuals and to become one step closer to our vision of being a true provider of hospitality solutions in this part of the world.”
Tanoa Hotel Group director of sales Richard Crouch is equally enthusiastic:
He said: “What we are most excited about is seeing the results of a heck of a lot of hard work – the restoration of the fales, the refurbishment of the whole property to an international 4.5 star level, and of course the reinstatement of the iconic Tusitala name back into the hotel landscape.
“We are totally committed to continuing to develop the local Samoan hospitality community in their endeavour to offer a world class and yet totally unique and local service offering.”

HOW IT
WILL OPEN
The “reborn” Tusitala is being reopened in two stages..
Stage 1 on 1 July will consist of:
l All 95 fully refurbished rooms
48 Double Deluxe Rooms (2 x Double beds)
45 King Deluxe (1 x King Split Beds)
1 Junior Suite (1 x King Bed and large living area)
1 Presidential Suite (1 x King Bed, separate living and dining area)
The rooms are designed to suit both the leisure traveller and the business executive. All open on to either a balcony or self contained patio.
Other features include:
l Flat screen LCD televisions with cable channels
l Dual Line IDD telephones
l Radio Alarm clocks
lRefrigerators
l Coffee and Tea making facilities
lIron and Ironing Board
l Electronic Key Card Access
l In Room Safes
l Separate Business desk with Internet Access
All these are features common in Fiji, but not so automatic in Samoan establishments.
The first stage also includes:
l The swimming pool and children’s pool
l Tamarind Restaurant
lPoolside Bar
l Temporary Reception area
Stage 2, scheduled for completion by late this year, includes more food and beverage outlets, a Kids’ club, gymnasium, conference and meeting space and permanent reception area.
Upon completion, the hotel will have been refurbished to a 4.5 star international standard, Mr Crouch said.
And a place visitors from Fiji and elsewhere will feel right at home in.