Samoa: Aggie's legend lives on

An artist's rendering of the pool area planned for the refurbished Aggie Grey's in Apia. Photo / Supplied

Apia's cyclone-struck grand dame is getting ready to rule again, writes Robyn Yousef.

One of the most famous hotels in the South Pacific, Aggie Grey's, will soon be back in business on the Apia waterfront. The great Samoan legend will be in her finest five-star attire, kicking up her heels, while also showing off a new extension.

In December 2012, Cyclone Evan had Aggie on her knees. The Vaisigano River swept in and destroyed much of the fale restaurant and premier fale rooms. The water went up to the third floor of the hotel and many guests huddling in the upper rooms had to be rescued from the roof.

A few months after the cyclone, Marina Grey (daughter-in-law of the late Aggie) said she believed the grand old lady of the South Pacific would soon be back. Well, it's taken longer than estimated, but the legendary hotel (built in 1933) should be open for business early next year. It will re-open as Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows.

In early June, the hotel looked forlorn with a large crane overhead and the exterior boarded up. All you could see of Aggie's former glory was the beautiful iron fretwork on the balconies where countless guests must have watched the magnificent sunsets over the harbour.

Marina and Alan Grey (Aggie's son) run the Aggie Grey's Group, which includes the bungalows and the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Resort (only minutes from Faleolo International Airport), the Le Meridien Tahiti resort in French Polynesia and Samoa Scenic Tours, with their son, Fred, and daughter Tanya. They also have a daughter called Aggie, who closely resembles her famous grandmother.

Aggie Gray, the famous former proprietor. Photo / Supplied

The refurbishment of Aggie Grey's bungalows could cost close to $40 million. With an additional wing, the hotel will have 175 rooms, suites and bungalows. The five-star complex will have a new ballroom seating up to 500, meeting and breakout rooms. It will also feature an additional swimming pool, a fully serviced spa, fitness centre, a signature fine-dining restaurant and all-day dining poolside in the original fale.

There'll be a French patisserie, a swim-up pool bar, a Sheraton Club Lounge and several exciting new eating options.

To protect the hotel from further flooding, a retaining wall has been built near the river and a levee is also adding protection.

The heart of the old Aggie Grey's will remain intact - the original facade will be retained and the new wing is being built in the same style.

The 10-year-old resort near the airport also had a major refurbishment this year.

Work on the 133 guest rooms cost about $15.7 million and it re-opened in January as Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Resort.

The opening date for the bungalows has been set for February 12.

The late Aggie Grey would definitely have approved of the planned grand gala.

CHECKLIST

Getting there: Air New Zealand flies direct to Samoa from Auckland.

Details: Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows is on Beach Rd, in Apia.