When planning your next holiday, you might wonder: who owns Return to Paradise Resort & Spa? The answer is simple: this iconic holiday resort in Samoa is 100% Samoan owned and operated, making it one of the most authentic places to experience true Samoan culture and hospitality.
A Samoan Owned Resort with a Community Vision
At the height of the Global Financial Crisis, building a new resort in Samoa was nearly impossible. Funding was scarce, but the Government introduced tax incentives to encourage local business families to invest in Samoa’s tourism industry.
The idea was to keep some of Samoa’s high-level tourism infrastructure locally owned and that’s exactly what happened. Some of Samoa’s most respected families joined forces to support Return to Paradise Resort.
Today, they remain co-owners alongside Afamasaga Su’a Ramona Gilchrist and her family trust.
Our shareholder families include:
- Apia Insurance (Ah Liki family)
- Chanmow Family
- Federal Pacific
- Fexco Samoa (Hutchison family)
- Rowlen Financial Services (Wendt family)
- Transam Samoa & Apia Stevedoring (Hogarth family)
- Pat Ah Him
- Petroleum Products (Westerlund & Sefo families)
- Samoa Commercial Bank (Ah Liki family)
- Pacific Ezy (Meredith family)
- Pacific Aluminium (Atkins family)
Leadership at Return to Paradise Resort
The board of Return to Paradise Resort is made up entirely of Samoan leaders:
- Her Excellency Hinauri Petana, B.A (Pol Sci & Mgt) – Chairman
- Tagaloa Faafouina Su’a, BCM, ACA, CPA – Finance
- Tuala Pat Leota, BCM, ACA, CPA – Audit & Investor Relations
- Afamasaga Su’a Ramona Gilchrist – General Manager
Our Legal Counsel is former Samoan Attorney General, Taulapapa Brenda Latu MBE.
The Samoan Team Behind the Resort
Unlike many resorts in the Pacific, Return to Paradise Resort is operated by a Samoan leadership team who live and breathe hospitality. Many have been with the resort for years, ensuring continuity, care, and genuine island warmth.
Key leaders include:
- Melanie Toailoa – Assistant General Manager
- Lisi Ah Siu – Human Resources
- Tom Toailoa – Logistics
- Lemalu Ofisa – Village Liaison
- Fatu Koleni – Projects & Security
- Krystle Ah Siu – Weddings & Events
- Fasitau Ula – Sales & Marketing
- Raz Gilchrist – Sales
- Britta Yeng Tung – Tours & Activities
- Rosalia Siliako – Housekeeping
Supporting them are over 130 full-time and 20 contract staff, all Samoan with more than half belonging to Ramona’s extended family.
Even Ramona’s adopted Fijian sons, Mika Colaudolu (Guest Relations) and Rafael Aminiasi (Maintenance), have become part of the Samoan community, raising families here and proudly calling Samoa home.
More Than a Holiday Resort in Samoa
When you stay at Return to Paradise Resort, you’re not just enjoying a Samoa beachfront accommodation or a luxury beach resort in Samoa, you’re being welcomed into a family that has been the guardian of this beach for over 1,000 years.
Our resort is more than just a destination. It’s a living expression of Samoan tradition, ownership, and pride, ensuring that every guest feels less like a tourist and more like family.
Welcome to Return to Paradise Resort & Spa – your home in Samoa.
