It was work that first brought actor Marlon Brando in close proximity to the remote island atoll of Tetiaroa, but it was the breathtaking beauty and natural landscape that inspired repeat returns, and the eventual purchase of the island in 1966. His vision was to protect the long history, authenticity, and rich biodiversity of Tetiaroa and its 12 motu islets, a dream and legacy that The Brando, a luxurious eco-resort, is keeping alive.
Once a private retreat of the Pomare family, the last royal family of Tahiti, Tetiaroa, located about 60 kilometres from Tahiti, is now home to The Brando’s 36 villas. Getting to the resort makes the journey almost as remarkable as the destination itself, as the 20-minute flight from Tahiti Faa’a International Airport affords stunning views over the ocean.
Ranging from one to three bedrooms, with an additional four-bedroom option available at the Teremoana private residence, the exclusive accommodations were designed by architect Pierre-Jean Picard and interior designer Gilles Leborgne, drawing from Polynesian traditions, materials, and building techniques to create peaceful island dwellings while respecting the environment. Wooden walls, pandanus-leaf-covered roofs, verdant gardens filled with coconut palms, and bay windows are distinctive characteristics of the villas, with private swimming pools, outdoor bathtubs, terraces, and spectacular views over the lagoon as key features. Guests can step out onto the white-sand beach directly from their villas.
Five F&B concepts shape The Brando’s dining programme, with vegan options available. Les Mutinés, the signature restaurant of the resort, is a tribute and a reminder of Brando’s connection to the island, as well as an homage to the historical HMS Bounty. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by the original poster for Mutiny on the Bounty, the film that first brought the actor to French Polynesia. Jean Imbert—the culinary maestro behind Jean Imbert au Plaza Athéneé and Monsieur Dior in Paris—transforms local ingredients through a precision-driven farm-to-table ethos, fashioned as a gastronomic journey in the wake of the HMS Bounty’s fateful voyage from England to Tahiti. From “The Departure” and “The Storm” to “The Mutiny” and “The Hideout,” the tasting menu meanders through the history of the Bounty’s adventures in a flavourful narrative.
Kaito Nakamura brings an intimate dining experience to the island with Nami. Seating eight, the teppanyaki restaurant takes guests on a journey through the tastes of Japan, complemented by sake pairings and front-row seats to the cooking table. Polynesian cuisine comes to the fore at The Beachcomber Café, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served over views of the lagoon. Bob’s Bar, a recreation of Brando’s tropical hangout, provides a post-swim refuel with gourmet bites and film-inspired cocktails, while Te Manu Bar encourages slow, peaceful lounging amidst the treetops. Produce is sourced, whenever possible, from The Brando’s own organic garden, and honey is produced on-site with more than 70 beehives, while food waste is responsibly composted with eco-digesters.
Wellness informs a significant part of the Brando experience, with the award-winning Varua Te Ora Polynesian Spa positioned as a holistic oasis of harmony and balance. In a sanctuary of pandanus trees, the private Fare Manu treatment cabin—its woven design inspired by birds’ nests—is perched above the trees. Fare Mana treatment huts are a place of healing and recovery. Discover authentic Polynesian therapeutic traditions such as the taurumi massage to promote spiritual wellness, the peue blend massage to release muscular and emotional tension, and various well-being rituals that incorporate the elements of sound, touch, and nature for a deeper connection to your surroundings.
Protecting the atoll is a key concern that drives The Brando, and its vision is based on the belief that luxury and sustainability can coexist harmoniously. On-resort measures are widely implemented to minimise ecological impact, such as incorporating technological innovations into the day-to-day operations to create French Polynesia’s first deep-sea air conditioner and reducing energy consumption by 90 percent compared to conventional cooling systems.
More than 4,000 solar panels cover 60 percent of the resort’s electricity needs, sea water is desalinated with an on-site osmosis plant to bottle drinking water, wastewater is recycled for garden irrigation, and rainfall covers 50 percent of water needs for the resort’s swimming pools and laundry. The Brando’s non-profit organisation, Tetiaroa Society, also welcomes scientists at the Ecostation to share their knowledge and conduct research on topics as wide-ranging as sea-turtle monitoring, cultural archaeology, and behavioural studies on sharks, creating a natural classroom that has educated more than 5,000 local students.
Guests can take part in naturalist-guided boat tours to explore the surrounding motu and discover their unique flora and fauna, learn local lore and wisdom, and live out their Robinson Crusoe fantasies as they uncover archaeological secrets and geological wonders. Go on a bird discovery tour, seeking out sea-bird species that inhabit Tetiaroa’s many motu. Kayak or paddleboard around the lagoon, snorkel around the reef, or venture further for a scuba-diving adventure.
Naturally, The Brando’s activity programme is shaped by its commitment to ecological and marine conservation, and the Lagoon School offers an opportunity for young travellers to engage with local culture through educational activities and workshops. Supporting Polynesian arts and culture is another important mission, and The Brando facilitates meaningful exchanges through traditional dance experiences, the art of dyeing Polynesian pāreu wraparound skirts, and weaving palm fronds into baskets, hats, and art pieces. Music lovers can learn how to play the Tahitian ukulele and sound the pahu drum, while budding linguists can join an introductory session to explore the Tahitian language and its melodious qualities.
Off-resort, The Brando can take visitors on whale-watching and diving expeditions, organise deep-sea fishing trips, or curate a completely custom itinerary to cater to different interests. However you decide to spend your time on Tetiaroa, whichever motu captures your particular fascination—The Brando provides the blueprint and the tools to experience immersive sensory journeys, swaddled in the beauty of French Polynesia.
