Combining environmental sustainability with sensational scenery and luxurious exclusivity, The Brando is one of the premier eco-lodges in the world. As a former residence of both Tahitian Royalty and Marlon Brando, this island hideaway is rich with history and home to a variety of indigenous flora and fauna. With sparkling azure lagoons and pearly-white sand beaches fringed with swaying coconut trees, it is no wonder the tropical idyll has A-listers and former presidents, such as Barack Obama, Beyoncé and Leonardo DiCaprio flocking to this far-flung paradise in the South Pacific.
Location
What is special about The Brando’s location, compared to other properties in French Polynesia?
Residing on the breathtakingly beautiful private atoll of Tetiaroa, The Brando epitomizes exclusivity and luxury at its finest. Surrounded on all sides by Cerulean blue water and with a dozen exotic islands easily accessible by walking, kayaking or paddleboarding, you will feel like you are dreaming with your eyes wide open at this postcard-perfect property. Whether you are pedaling your way along the winding paths, enjoying the sea breeze against your skin or discovering the fascinating wildlife that calls this island home, your options for exploration are limitless.
Key Facts
- the resort is located just 30 miles north of Tahiti
- The Brando is situated on Onetahi, a small island, spanning 78 hectares
- the destination can only be reached via a 20-minute helicopter ride from Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport
What is special?
- slip into your swimsuit and get ready to soak up some sun as you paddle your way out onto the calm crystalline waters via paddleboard or outrigger canoe
- grab a snorkeling mask and explore the spectacular underwater up close and personal – swimming alongside sea turtles, rays, reef sharks and an array of tropical fish boasting every color of the rainbow
- island hop your way around the 12 idyllic islands, taking your pick of where you would like to settle for an exclusive island picnic in true Robinson Crusoe style
What do the guests say?
- guests love how easily accessible it is to explore the nearby islands whether by water or chauffeured electric buggy
- travelers find the location to be perfect to relax and take in the beauty of a remote south pacific atoll
- with its myriad of wildlife, bird life and marine life all on a paradise island, guests are already planning their return
Accomodation
What are the room options at The Brando? What kind of privacy can I expect at my villa?
Polynesian-style, thatch-roofed villas, equipped with soft plush sofas, natural elements, muted color palettes and floor-to-ceiling windows allow for the interiors of this castaway-chic retreat to blend seamlessly with the outdoor surroundings. The Brando’s mission is to operate exclusively with renewable energy sources drawn from the sea, the sun, and other renewable resources, without sacrificing luxury or comfort – and they execute this flawlessly. From lavish living rooms to outdoor dining pavilions and romantically discreet outdoor bathtubs, you are in for one extraordinary experience.
Key Facts
- The Brando features 36 luxury villas each with its own private beach area and plunge pool
- local and renewable materials are used in an effort to blend with the pristine natural landscapes
- a pair of cruiser-style bicycles are provided with each villa
- the villas are equipped with a media room, WiFi and a wide selection of movies for guests’ entertainment
What is special?
- saunter onto your private deck where a private plunge pool awaits, beckoning you to test its temperate waters while soaking up kisses of sun rays
- enjoy the spoils of a luxurious eco-friendly villa devised from locally sourced, sustainable materials and utilizing solar power and even deep sea water to minimise its ecological impact
- the Family One-bedroom villas are specially created for families travelling with teenagers and equipped with a media room converted into a teens room
What do the guests say?
- being able to view the stars in a warm bath on the private outside deck is an unforgettable experience guests won’t soon forget
- guests love the feel of an outdoor/indoor space and being able to maneuver between the two at ease and with total privacy
- being able to have a delicious made-to-order breakfast set up on their beautiful outdoor dining table each morning is a highlight for many guests
Pool & Spa
What’s the best way to relax in a place that is already the epitome of relaxation?
Nestled in a cluster of coconut palms, the Varua Te Ora Spa, is comprised of a collection of bewildering bungalows surrounding a peaceful lagoon. Varua, translates to “the soul” and Te Ora translates to “to heal”, collectively the meaning “the healing soul”, which is just what the Varua Spa sets out to do – heal the soul. From traditional Polynesian massages starting at the head to purifying scrubs to the tips of your toes, the Varua Spa will help you rediscover harmony, relaxation and inner peace.
Key Facts
- a complimentary spa treatment per day is included with the all-inclusive package
- the spa suites offer breathtaking views over 2000 square meters of natural landscape
- traditional Taurumi massage treatments incorporate local Monoï oil products
- quiet spaces for relaxation, a steam bath, and a tea lounge can be found at the Varua Te Ora Spa
What is special?
- love birds can experience pure relaxation with an exquisite couples spa treatment in a tree-house style suite perched in the forest canopy
- an Indian Head Massage is the perfect antidote to dissipate tensions and cast away any ails
- improve your energy flow and experience a profound sensation of harmony with an Oriental Blend Massage
What do the guests say?
- spa-goers are blown away by how beautifully and creatively laid out the treatment bungalows are
- guests insist you cannot leave The Brando without trying the Fare Manu Experience – you won’t regret it
- the Indian Head Massage comes highly recommended by guests
Culinary
What type of restaurants are to be found at The Brando? Are they able to accommodate dietary restrictions?
The Brando brings you extraordinary culinary creations curated by Executive Chef Pierre Lecorne. Delight in a dining experience with a culmination of Polynesian inspired cuisines with fusions of international influences. Whether you are delving into dishes with French flare at the Beachcomber Café, opting for more of an elegant affair at Les Mutinés or feasting on an intimate meal in the privacy of your villa, there is something to fit every mood and every dining occasion.
Key Facts
- the Beachcomber Café is a casual restaurant overlooking the lagoon and beach, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- the resort features a vegan menu with fresh vegetables from the resort’s organic garden
- in-villa dining is available 24 hours a day
What is special?
- your every culinary whim and desire will be met at The Brando and can be enjoyed anytime through room service or at the beach
- embark on a culinary journey as you watch meals being exquisitely prepared in front of you at Nami Teppanyaki, an intimate Japanese-inspired restaurant offering a trifecta of specialties from the land, the sea, and a mix of both
- make your way through the palm canopies to a secluded tree-top sitting area, raise a glass, sip to the good life and soak up the sensational views of the breathtaking lagoon and sublime sunset
What do the guests say?
- guests appreciate the vast menu at Beachcomber Café and the accommodation of the staff to prepare the fresh-caught fish and vegetables any way they like
- with 3 restaurant options and 2 bars, guests feel like there are plenty of options and variety to choose from
- Nami Teppanyaki is a favorite and dinner highlight for many guests
Activities
What does French Polynesia have to offer? What can I do besides relaxing?
From wildlife drives to helicopter rides and shopping, The Brando offers an abundance of activities for guests to enjoy during their stay. Nature enthusiasts won’t just observe nature there, but will be immersed in it fully. With lagoon as your backyard, explorations of the underwater world will leave you breathless. Get a taste of French Polynesia with cooking classes or find your groove with fun dance lessons. If that requires you to exert more energy than you desire to, don’t you worry, listlessly lounging by the poolside is also a favorite pastime among vacationers where all you have to do is lift a finger to request whatever your heart desires.
Key Facts
- the resort’s all-inclusive option comes with one excursion per day
- on-site research teams offer insights to the atoll’s wildlife and ecosystem
- The Brando’s Library and Explorer Center is available to learn more about the French Polynesian history and culture
What is special?
- hop aboard a pontoon-style boat and glide over turquoise waters with a naturalist guide as you try to spot sharks, rays, turtles and other marine life
- take a dip in the warm, waist-deep waters of “Billionaire Pool”, allegedly named for A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio
- traverse the calm crystal waters to explore the other nearby islands which are nesting grounds for seabirds and seasonally to turtles
- keep that beach body in tip-top shape with a personal trainer who tailors personalized workouts to fit your needs
What do the guests say?
- the most thrilling experience for many guests is the hatching and releasing of baby turtles
- guests feel that the outdoor nature activities on offer at The Brando are what differentiates this resort from all the other ultra luxury resorts
- The Lagoon School is a favorite for families traveling with kids between 6 and 12 years old
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Find out more about The Brando...
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- See all our luxury hotels in French Polynesia
- Visit the official website of The Brando