Tahiti Hotels|Tahiti, French Polynesia

The Brando

Name: The Brando
Telephone: 689-40-866-301

French Polynesia’s star-powered eco-luxe resort

VERIFIED LUXURY

Learn How We Inspect

The immaculate and pristine tropical atoll of Tetiaroa, a short 20-minute flight from Tahiti in French Polynesia, is an unlikely setting for an eco-friendly luxury resort like The Brando.

Ensconced in miki miki, pandanus and coconut trees, 35 villas emphasize seclusion, comfort and sustainable escapism to a remarkable degree. And each comes with its own pool and expanse of immaculate white-sand beach.

Marlon Brando was so captivated by the island’s rugged natural beauty that he purchased it in 1960. His estate spent the past decade and a half developing the private island getaway, taking great pains to make the property self-sustaining.

A haven for celebrities seeking privacy, honeymooners and those in need of a remote tropical hideaway, The Brando is an eco-luxe paradise.

Our Inspector's Highlights

The resort’s restaurants, bars and facilities are gathered centrally, with villas branching out along either Turtle Beach or Mermaid Bay. Villas on the Turtle Beach side are treated to breathtaking sunset views over the vast South Pacific.
Among the resort’s best activities is the Green Tour, which affords you backstage access to the island’s sustainable facilities. You’ll receive an overview of how this Platinum LEED-certified property generates electricity, uses seawater for air-conditioning, desalinates water and grows much of its produce.
Privacy is key, and you’ll have little awareness of the guests around you. You may only see other vacationers occasionally at restaurants or on one of the excursions, which can also be booked privately, if you prefer.
Much of the excursion staff works for the nonprofit Tetiaroa Society, a wildlife and nature conservancy. These individuals are deeply passionate and knowledgeable about their work, and are happy to engage in conversation.
The staff is attentive, genuinely warm and sincere about the property’s mission and the quality of your experience. It’s a credit to the hospitality of the Polynesian people.

Things to Know

The island is only accessible via Air Tetiaroa, the resort’s private air service, or by charter helicopter. Scheduled flights operate solely during daylight hours, so travelers arriving at Papeete’s Fa’a’a Airport after 3 p.m. will need to make overnight arrangements.
The busy season runs July to October, when the Southern Hemisphere’s winter provides lower humidity, less wind and fewer rain showers. Regardless, temperatures are in the mid-80s year-round.
There are no mosquitoes on Tetiaroa. A pesticide-free control program has eradicated biting insects on the atoll, which is good news if you’re concerned about the Zika virus or other tropical diseases.
For the most carefree way to experience all that The Brando has to offer, opt for the all-inclusive option when you book — most meals, drinks, excursions, tours and spa treatments will be covered.
Upon check-in, you’ll be assigned a beach cruiser bicycle and given a beach bag, flip-flops, sunscreen, refillable water bottles and Frette beach towels. You really only need to pack your swimsuit, but the onsite boutique offers those, too.

The Rooms

There are 35 villas available, in one-, two- or three-bedroom configurations. The one-bedroom villa (1,033 square feet) has a living room, separate media room/office with a pullout bed, a large bathroom with dual vanities and an outdoor tub.
The 1,808-square-foot two-bedroom villas have a shared living room, dining room and kitchen, and identical master bedrooms opening onto either the beach or an expansive private lanai. The three-bedroom option is almost identical, but with a separate structure containing the extra bed and bath.
No matter which room you choose, you’ll enjoy a private pool and alfresco lounge area to help you soak up that Polynesian sun.
Even though you’re on a private island, you can still be plugged in. Every villa has a media space with a television, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The Restaurants

Les Mutinés is the resort’s fine-dining restaurant. The menu is decidedly French with Polynesian influences, and is paired with an exquisite wine selection.
The alfresco Beachcomber Cafe is the resort’s casual all-day dining restaurant serving up classic fare (burgers and salads), Polynesian-inspired dishes and French classics with a side of ocean views.
Nami is the teppanyaki restaurant managed by Japanese chef Kaito Nakamura. Open only for dinner, Nami serves three menus each evening based on delicacies from the sea and the land.
There’s no need to worry about dietary restrictions or limited food options here. The Brando has a plant-based menu centered around the produce grown in the property’s own gardens.

Amenities