Beach fale is a modern term for a simple thatched hut in Samoa. They are also common in other parts of Polynesia. They have become popular in tourism as low budget accommodation situated by the coast, built with a few posts, no walls and a thatched roof with a round or oval shape.
The word fale (pronounced fah-leh) is the Samoan word for any type of building. A similar word is used in other Polynesian languages, like whare in the Maori language.
In Samoan architecture, these simple huts are called faleo'o in the Samoan language. They are common in villages where they provide extra storage or space for families.
As the term denotes, beach fale are usually located around the coast in villages in Samoa and renting them out to visitors provide extra income for families.[1]
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In comparison to beach fale, this is a large traditional Samoan house, fale tele which serves as a meeting house or guest house, Lelepa village, Savai'i Island.