The award-winning Taumeasina Island Resort has been given the thumbs up by a visiting Kiwi couple.

Greg Hale, 60, and his wife Leanne, 53, last visited Samoa two years ago and stayed at the Saletoga Beach Resort on the south coast of Upolu.

But things have changed since their last visit and they have noticed the new developments on their way into town.

Mr. Hale said he noticed what he described as “improvements” that they did not see when they were last in Samoa.

“Things I have seen, some improvement was the buildings and the road improvement as well, which was different from our first visit,” he said.

And his stay at the Taumeasina Island Resort has been enjoyable and relaxing, which is good as it is his holiday away from work. 

For Mrs. Hale, she said they are enjoying the hospitality and a few hours after arriving, they went straight for a swim. 

The couple, who flew into Samoa on Tuesday, return to New Zealand on October 22. They both work for a diesel truck delivery company in Auckland, New Zealand – and have been employees of the firm for 21 years. 

Discussing the service at Taumeasina, she told the Samoa Observer that the staff are very friendly and the set up at the resort is lovely. 

Taumeasina Island Resort was recently the recipient of the “Luxury Beach Resort” award in the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2019. The resort also took out the prize for Oceania and Australia regions for the first time and are the only Samoan winners of the competition.