The Outrigger was our first stop when travelling to Samoa in August 05. You can arrange transfers direct through the hotel but its cheaper to catch the airport shuttle bus for only WS$10pp (have the address on hand for the shuttle driver). Located about a mile back from central Apia, its a bit of a hike for walkers but a taxi into town will only cost you WS$2 and you can flag one down easily enough. The rooms are pretty basic, but reasonably clean and comfortable with lockable doors (WS$20 key deposit required). The hotel offers a variety of room types at very reasonable prices. You can choose from:

Fales WS$45pp located down near the pool and kitchen, with shared (clean) facilities, security boxes in each fale and mossie nets.

Double WS$110 or Triple WS$130 in the Main Fale (upstairs) with shared facilities.

Double WS$160 Air-Con Rooms (downstairs) with en-suite, mini-fridge, small verandah - table & chairs, tea/coffee facilities. Single & Family rates also available at reasonable rates. We spent less then $130 aussie per night for 6 ppl (not bad considering).

Your room rates include an all you can eat breakfast - nothing special but it is filling (toast, tea/coffee, jam/butter, seasonal fruits & coconut). One of the benefits of the Outrigger for the money conscious is that the kitchen is open for guest use - you purchase your own food items and can prepare your lunch & dinner meals for yourself/family...this can def. save you some money. Just ask for your own storage box and label your items in the fridge...theft of items was not an issue while we stayed there. You also have access to the in-house laundry (I think there may be a small fee).

Staff are friendly and more then happy to help in anyway, at night if you need to visit the front desk and its unattended, just lean over the counter...you'll find your friendly desk clerk asleep on the floor! Bottled water and Samoa's own Vailima beer can be purchased here for WS$4 each. There is a small communal TV and a billiards table in the foyer. One computer and printer is available for internet hire (WS$5 per 5mins I think).

Other guests congregate in the dining area next to the pool and you'll find some great conversation, hints and tips there. Scots, Kiwis, Americans, Aussies & Germans make for some fun talks....

This hotel/hostel is great place to start or finsh your trip in and around Samoa. They have a vareity of rooms to suit all budgets. The ensuite rooms are a little grey and cell-like but the beds are extrememly cofortable and the whole place is very clean. The fales are roomy and have lockable storage inside and also have mosquito nets.
Breakfast is included and is a buffet affair with lots of fresh fruit, coconut, toast, pancakes and tea or coffee and you can have as much as you wish, more or les.
The girls there are really helpful and will giev you all sorts of information and book tours or car hire.
It is a bit of a walk from the town and the shops/banks etc and its is a bit daunting at first if you're two young girls like we were but once you get a feel for the place you quickly settle in. So the Outrigger is not what I would call central to Apia but it's not far - just be prepared to sweat a bit if you walk!! There is a pool there which is excellent if you need to cool off! I don't think that many of the more budget accommodation in Apia has a pool so this is a real advantage.
I would definately stay there again - we stayed there about 3 times in total on the one trip!