Four New Zealand visitors, one with Samoan roots, have given the Taumeasina Island Resort a glowing review.

One of the visitors, Natasha Guttenbeil, told the Samoa Observer that their decision to fly over for their holidays was a good one.

"But it's absolutely worth it to come to Samoa just for relaxation,” she said.

The group, comprising Guttenbeil, Loana Bentin, Romana Wildy and Liz Tualasea, has already visited a number of Samoa’s tourist attractions while here.

But their time at the Taumeasina Island Resort has been the highlight, Wildy says, and a favourite catch-up spot:

“In addition, the staff here is welcoming, friendly and there is this calm ambiance, which allows us to celebrate each other and enjoy our holidays to the fullest.” 

And, while they note the absence of fashion outlets in Apia, they say that Samoa remains untouched and laid-back when compared to Fiji.

“A shopping district could also spoil our holidays,” Guttenbeil added. 

They acknowledged, too, that the biggest difference between Polynesian culture and New Zealand's is Samoa’s slower pace of life, which allows them to relax before heading back to the hustle-and-bustle of city life. 

In fact some family members of one of the four women, Tualasea, still live in Samoa.

“For me, it has a high significance to come back to my roots. Most of all, I appreciate that Samoan people are modest and humble,” she said.

The four New Zealand-based women were sitting next to the pool, enjoying the resort’s drink-of-the-month called ‘love passion’, for the duration of the interview. 

“Passion is high at the moment,” Guttenbeil said and laughed.