3 Best Hotels in American Samoa

Just a five minute walk to downtown Pago Pago, this inn is named for the legendary Sadie Thompson, a colorful character who allegedly ran a house of ill repute and who was immortalized in a short story by Somerset Maugham. The boutique hotel has 12 rooms with large sitting areas, as well as two apartments with separate entrances. All units have air-conditioning, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, refrigerators, and coffeemakers. The on-site bar is lively, and the restaurant serves excellent seafood.

All rooms at this property—the oceanfront sister of the Sadie Thompson Inn—feature an open-air patio or balcony area. The hotel is right on the beach at Utulei, near the village of Fogagogo, about 2½ km (1½ miles) from downtown Pago Pago. Overhead, iconic Rainmaker Mountain looms over the beach, and turtles and dolphins bob up in the surrounding waters. All rooms are air-conditioned and have a refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron and board, and free Wi-Fi.

Set in tropical gardens and occupying a pale pink colonial-style building just over 3 km (2 miles) from the airport, Tradewinds is the largest hotel in American Samoa. All rooms are decorated in earthtones with Indonesian-timber furniture; the king rooms have impressive carved sleigh-style beds, while the top-level plaza suites each have two bathrooms and a kitchenette. Room balconies have ocean or mountain views or overlook the large swimming pool. The Equator Restaurant is one of the island's most popular haunts, and the weekly Friday night dance performance, known as a fiafia, is a must-see featuring fire-and-knife dances in which "warriors" juggle and twirl flaming spears. There's free high-speed Internet, and if you're loking for activities, consult with the concierge, who can arrange an ocean kayak, a tee time, a jungle hike, snorkeling, or reef fishing.