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Biz Beat: The Orator Hotel — a jewel in the South Pacific

Tourism is a multi-million-dollar global industry and in independent Samoa, it couldn’t be more true. Nestled in the south Pacific Ocean with tropical temperatures year-round, Samoa has become the destination of choice for travelers from Australia, New Zealand, the Orient, and  places around the world.

 

And why wouldn’t it be? The clean environment, friendly attitude of the natives, and the wide selection of hotels makes Samoa the ideal place for weekenders, backpackers, and lovebirds looking for a romantic spot to tie the knot and celebrate the beginning of their new life together.

 

But you haven’t experienced the beauty and tradition of Samoa until you’ve spent the night at the Orator Hotel, located in the middle of a magnificent tropical forest above the heights of Tanumapua.

 

The Orator has everything going in its favor. It is located only ten minutes from the Tuanaimato Golf Course and sports facilities, as well as the popular volcanic sliding rocks “Papaseea”.

 

The Orator – which literally translates to mean “eloquent speaker” – “is a place of eloquence designed to blend with the rich and exotic surrounding environment that truly represents the natural beauty of our Samoa”.

 

The hotel is owned and operated by young entrepreneurs Leiataualesa Taii Jerry Brunt and his wife Fia’ailetoa Charlotte Chan Mow Brunt, who also own Manaia Events – the coordinator of this year’s successful Ms. Samoa pageant.

 

This past weekend, the Samoa News was able to experience first-hand what the buzz is about and collectively, we give the Orator Hotel a big ‘thumbs up’. From the moment you set foot in the front lobby, you already feel like you’re in paradise. With the cool breeze hitting your back, you are greeted with a server offering delicious homemade lemonade.

 

The girls behind the counter are smiley and friendly. While you are waiting for them to process your paperwork and get your room key, look over to your right and you’ll see the Orator’s outdoor cocktail bar, serving up what we can argue is the best mojito in the Pacific. Their signature drink – the Simoi Margarita – looks like a mini volcano with a lava explosion: the mound of white crushed ice topped with red sprinkles of simoi powder is simply beautiful and outright delicious.

 

In addition to cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages are also whipped up fresh and cold, including smoothies based in papaya, grapes and strawberries, all of which are grown locally and bloom only yards away from the bar area. While making your way to one of the 26 villas or the one master suite, glance over at the three-tiered cascading swimming pool which is a favorite for guests of all ages.

 

Once you enter your room, you feel like you’re home. The high ceilings, with the traditional Samoan mat (fala) lining the bottom half of the walls, and smooth beach pebbles incorporated as part of the restroom décor, make the Orator villas definitely worth checking out.

 

The shower floors are made of rocks that are not only beautiful but slip-free. And then there’s the bed. Once you lay down, you will sink into pure softness that is unsurpassed— this is definitely not your average hotel bed. Guests with joint pain have reported having their best sleep in months at the Orator Hotel, thanks to the bed and the peacefully quiet atmosphere that helped them “sleep like a baby.”

 

Every evening, there is a different menu offering at their restaurant. Thursdays offer  Korean barbecue night and Sundays include toona’i that features a mouth-watering spread of Samoan favorites such as coconut-based oka, taro, salty beef brisket, and of course – the size 2 pua’a roasted the traditional way and cooked to perfection.

 

Stateside menu items are also offered, including fresh green salad and clam chowder soup.

 

The atmosphere couldn’t be more perfect, as live entertainment is provided. This past Sunday, the Samoan Korean Baptist Church soccer team, representing American Samoa in the ongoing Club Championship Games in Samoa, was hosted by Leiataualesa who treated the whole 25-member delegation to free toona’i.

 

In addition to Sunday brunch, the Orator offers free breakfast for its guests. The menu features cereal, scrambled eggs, shepherd’s pie, and muffins – all served with a smile. Upwards from the dining area and through the lush landscaping that includes red bamboos and native plants, is the wedding area, one of the hotel’s best features.

 

It includes a small white gazebo where the vows are exchanged, a built-in stage for entertainment, and lots of space for tents, tables and chairs. The spillover is hosted in the dining area just below and in total, the Orator can comfortably host up to 400 party guests.

 

“We are truly an oasis within, ideally suited to those seeking pure indulgence and relaxed Samoan tropical getaway. Our tranquil location, lush gardens and air-conditioned villas provide a quiet haven, only moments away from the hustle and bustle of Apia Town Centre,” says the Orator brochure.

 

 The hotel also offers an organic spa, gift shop, free shuttle, tour packages, room service, conference room, business center, and laundry service – all of which make the Orator a ‘must see’.

 

So what are you waiting for? The owners and staff members of the Orator want you to “experience home away from home where our lobby is your living room, the restaurant your dining room, our villa your bedroom, and where you are known not as a guest of the villa, but by your first name.”

 

When planning your next trip to Samoa, call (685) 29136 or 29137 to book  your reservations at the Orator Hotel or log on to <www.oratorhotel.com>