The Brando exemplifies Polynesian heritage and an eco-friendly ethos.
The Brando
It would be easy to dismiss a world-famous actor buying a private island in French Polynesia as a mere vanity project, a secluded fortress far away from prying eyes. But Marlon Brando defied that cliché. After falling in love with the islands of Tahiti while filming Mutiny on the Bounty in the 1960s, he eventually purchased the Tetiaroa atoll. He didn’t just see a sanctuary for himself — he saw a responsibility to preserve a site so breathtaking it served as a preferred retreat for Tahitian royalty.
On the atoll, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star and Edge List honoree The Brando serves as a testament to the celebrity’s vision of building an eco-friendly resort that would not harm its surroundings. Brando teamed up with Richard Bailey, a friend, local hotelier and property developer, to work on this dream. Today, visitors can appreciate the legacy Brando left behind in a place so beautiful that it’s crystal clear why it captivated him.
The villas, surrounded by trees, feel secluded and serene.
The Brando
The Villas
Thirty-five of the resort’s accommodations are standalone villas, each with a bedroom, a living room, a media room, a large bathroom with an outdoor bathtub, a pool and private beach access. The main difference between the accommodations is simply size, with the two- and three-bedroom villas also sporting a kitchen and additional bathrooms, among other amenities. There is also one residence, Teremoana, with four bedrooms.
You could easily stay in your villa and pretend that you are on your own private island, with staff catering to your every need — which is likely what the resort’s most famous guests opt to do. All the villas are secluded, surrounded by trees, well back from the main path and removed from the beach, so the lights don’t disorient the protected sea turtles.
One tempting reason to leave your villa, though, is the gorgeous Varua Te Ora Polynesian Spa, where you can indulge in traditional treatments, yoga and meditation in a sublime indoor/outdoor setting.
Try everything from French Polynesian fare to Marlon’s Hot Dog.
Kim Foley MacKinnon
The Dining
Brando was notorious for his large appetite — and ice cream and hot dogs were among his favorites. On the atoll, several of the restaurants pay homage to him, but none more than Bob’s Bar, the large, round outdoor hut where you can order all sorts of fruity cocktails while basking in a view of the water.
According to the menu, Marlon’s Burger is “just as Marlon liked it,” made with Black Angus steak, cheddar, pickles, island herbs and secret sauce on a brioche bun. There’s also Marlon’s Hot Dog and a riff on the actor’s famous coconut, ice cream and chocolate dessert, which Brando dubbed a “real-life Mounds bar.”
Other dining choices include Nami Teppanyaki, an intimate Japanese dinner venue; the casual all-day Beachcomber Café; and Les Mutinés, the resort’s exquisite fine-dining restaurant that features a French Polynesian menu, decorative nods to the famous movie and dramatic plate presentations. Te Namu Bar is a lovely lounge, ideal for pre- or post-dinner drinks, with a pool table, great vistas and live entertainment.
Private dining at your villa is always an option, too. While dinner on the patio is exceptional, breakfast served under a thatched hut — where staff froths cappuccinos tableside — is equally satisfying.
Staffers at the spa and everywhere else are warm and welcoming.
The Brando
The Service
Five-Star service at The Brando is delivered with immense pride. Staffers are incredibly friendly and will go out of their way to check in with you as you traverse the island’s paths to your next activity, sharing personal stories of their journey to Tetiaroa. And if asked, team members will comprehensively discuss the resort’s eco-friendly ethos and how it works.
Additionally, many of the versatile staff members naturally wear more than one hat at the remote luxury resort. For example, you might see an employee at the Te Namu Bar, strumming a ukulele before dinner one night and, on the next day, teaching guests how to open a coconut on the beach.
Pedal wherever you need to go in paradise.
The Brando
The Solitude
As befitting an eco-lodge, there are no cars on Tetiaroa, enhancing the experience of the pristine, peaceful paradise Brando envisioned decades ago. It may be an initial challenge imagining a place where there is no vehicle noise, but you do quickly grow accustomed to the tranquility.
All guests are provided with bicycles to get around and, of course, walking is an option. Guests can also request to be picked up from their villa in an electric golf cart. The cart can shuttle them to nature trails, tennis, pickleball, beach volleyball and the kid-friendly Lagoon School. There is also a fitness center with classes and coaching available.
Take a tour to see how the resort operates in harmony with nature.
The Brando
The Sustainability
The Brando’s sustainability efforts are as impressive as its scenery. They range from a composting program to a unique air-conditioning system that harnesses seawater to cool its rooms. While guests can choose from several curated tours, focusing on everything from local birds to archaeology, the Green Tour is the one you can’t miss, offering a firsthand look at how a luxury resort can operate in harmony with nature.
Participants will discover how the thousands of solar panels on the atoll can power almost all of The Brando’s electricity (plans are in the works to make it 100%); how everything from old flip-flops to champagne bottles is recycled; how the impressive composting systems runs; how the Sea Water Air Conditioning system drastically reduces the energy consumption used for air conditioning compared to traditional methods by 90%; and how a nonprofit organization, the Tetiaroa Society, was created to help protect the atoll along with the Ecostation research hub.
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