Aggie Grey's To The Resue

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa malielegaoi remarked recently that the country was holding back on its tourist promotions because it lacked sufficient hotel rooms of the quality needed to keep visitors happy.

Samoa's best-known hoteliers, the Grey family, the owners of that icon of South Pacific hostelry, Aggie Grey's Hotel in Apia, are springing to the rescue.

They have under construction an initial 140 rooms, four presidential suites and an 18-hole golf course of the future Aggie Grey's Resort, Lagoon and Beach Club.

It is due to open in May 2005. Completed on site five minutes from Faleolo International Airport, it will cover approximately 50 of a total area of 220 acres. The Greys, Alan and his son Fred, say they hope the new resort will become a catalyst for the opening of other resorts on adjoining areas along the coastline near the airport.

The resort is a joint venture between Aggie Grey's Limited, the Government of Samoa, and other private investors. The estimated cost is T$46 million, of which T$10 million is for the golf course.

The resort's theme incorporates the James Michener/South Pacific era, with a tropical island flair.

It was chosen because of the friendship Aggie Grey, founder of the Apia hotel, had with Michener.

It is widely believed that the character of "Bloody Mary" in Michener's Tales of the South Pacific was based on Aggie Grey. The tale became a musical show and later a film.

The theme is strengthened by the new resort's location on the site of a World War Two American gun site. Gun mounds and bunkers are still visible and will be preserved.

The resort's signature restaurant will be called "Micheners" offering Euro/Asian cuisine. Two cocktail bars will be named Bloody Mary's and South Pacific.

The 18-hole golf course with an essential clubhouse as the 19th hole was designed by an Arizona golf course architect. Golfers should be able to tee-off in around April 2005.

A man-made beach is the produce of beach studies assisted by the Samoa Ports Authority. Some small offshore islands will be built for sunbathing, swimming and relaxing. The islands will have a dual role of recreation and beach erosion protection.

Apart for golf, tennis and volleyball, there will be a strong emphasis on water activities for guests, including a wide range of water sports, diving and deep-sea fishing charters. The inter-island ferry wharf is located less than five minutes drive from the resort, and daily excursions from Upolu island to neighbouring Savaii will be available.

A breeding sanctuary for a native bird, the toloa, has been located on site and will be preserved with the war monuments.

Part of the project is the restoration of an old church, built on location from burnt coral more than 100 years ago. Located near the lobby, it will be a focal point of the resort and will be used to host weddings.

Phase II of the resort, planned to open around 2010, will include 30 overwater bungalows, a spa, and a 300-person conference centre.