Fodor's Expert Review Coconuts Beach Club & Spa

Notable for having a gecko-shaped swimming pool (the creature's tail wraps around the swim-up bar), Coconuts is a lovely retreat at Si'umu Bay, on Samoa's beautiful southern coast. Built by owners Barry and Jennifer Rose, who escaped the fast-lane as Hollywood-based lawyers, Coconuts was almost washed away in the tsunami of 2009. Today, after extensive renovations, it's reopened its fale doors and has three two-room Coco Suites complete with romantic lava-rock waterfall showers, eight "treehouse" rooms decorated with bamboo four-poster beds, and seven beach fales. Construction of six over-water bungalows began in September 2012. Rates include treats from the mini-bar stocked with wine, beer, and soft drinks, airport transfers and bus tickets for a trip into Apia, and entry to the Saturday Samoan cultural day. Meal plans are available for the two restaurants. Activities include yoga, use of outrigger canoes, snorkeling, and kayaking.