Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Samoa - where to stay?

My wife and out two daugthers (aged 5 and 3) are going to Samoa the last ten days of November (after having spend 2 months in New Zealand and prior to a week in French Polynesia). After having done some reading, some search in different forums we are right now set for splitting the days even between Savaii and Upolu, where I have heard the eastern side is very beatifull..

Wife is not too thrilled about the most basic fale stay (matress in an open hut kind of style) - but is otherwise open to ideas. Will prioritise easy access to child friendly beach, friendly hosts, value for money and room enough for the four us is a must.

I have found Le Lagoto on the north shore of Savaii to be a good option on Savaii - alternatively Siufaga Beach resort (here however it believe the circular road between the resort and the beach. I am very much in doubt as far as Upolu is concerned

Advise is appreciated:
#1: Does it make sense to to split even between to the two islands?
#2: Acommodation on Savaii and on Upolu - and ideas?

Thanks

On Upolu, i think the southeast part was the most beautiful, beach-wise. There's not much of an east side to Upolu.

I'd say forget staying in Apia unless you're not concerned about the beach. A perfect place to fit your whole family is the Vaiala Beach Cottages (where I stayed), but the beach is all rocks there, although excellent snorkelling was only a 5 min. walk away.

The Boomerang Creek Resort is on the southeast side, and I would have stayed there, but there was more stuff I wanted to focus on near Apia. I did stop by the Boomerang and had lunch and enjoyed the nice beach. The rooms/fales were much better than the open air mattress-only kind, but not 5 star either. This would be a much better place for kids with the better beaches and more beach activities and fiafia shows. So maybe check that place out.

As far as splitting the time between the islands, it's always a pain to pack and move, and the kids are young and would probably complain, but it's up to you. They'll probably like seeing the blowholes on Savaii a lot, so that will kill a couple hours at least! I didn't get to Savaii and don't regret not going too badly.

Thanks

Right now the choice is between Boomerang and Litita Sini on Upolu. Would prefer Boomerang where it not for the lack of a child friendly beach at Boomerangs. As far as I can understand it has rocks, currents, etc.

On Savaii it is still between Siufaga and Le Lagoto