During their Commonwealth tour of Australia and Samoa this autumn, King Charles and Queen Camilla will stay at several establishments. One of them is a four-star hotel in Samoa, which is now rushing to upgrade just in time for Their Majesties’ arrival.
The Commonwealth tour has been a classic in the British royal agenda for years. For 2024, the tour was originally also meant to include New Zealand and Fiji. Due to the King’s health issues (Charles III was diagnosed with cancer), however, the voyage will be contained to Australia and Samoa and will only last for ten days. The royals will first stop in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, before heading to Samoa where they will be attending the Commonwealth heads of government meeting on 21 October.
“The Queen and I look forward to our visit to Samoa alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October, and our visit to Australia”, Charles said during the King’s Speech at parliament on 17 July.
Even though the name of the resort where Charles and Camilla will be staying when in Samoa hasn’t been revealed for safety reasons, according to The Telegraph, the premises do have their downsides. Reviews mention that the staff is friendly, however, the facilities are run down, the bed linen musty and the air conditioning rattly. Moreover, the food seems to be “bland and tasteless”.
Of course the resort has been chosen for a reason. Despite its outdatedness, it is located next to some of the island’s sandy beaches and within a lagoon. As far as the food goes, it has a “farm and ocean to plate” ethos, something King Charles greatly appreciates. Finally, compared to many other resorts, there is an obvious sustainability programme, including sustainable waste systems and village tree planting days.
“We have to acknowledge the circumstances as it is and work for ways to make it better,” the hotel’s manager told The Telegraph. “The accommodations and other plans will be of the highest calibre.”
The resort has now been granted 300,000 Samoan Talas (99,000 euros) in government funding meant to give the premises an update. That money comes from the national budget for the Commonwealth Meeting, totalling 20 million Talas (6.6 million euros). It will be used to give the presidential suite a much-needed make-over, as well as the driveway, the spa facilities and the swimming pool. If approved by the British High Commission, the staff also plans a traditional “ava” drinking ritual to welcome the royal pair. However, so far, the government funding hasn’t arrived yet and only time will tell whether or not the renovation works will be completed in time.