A WORLD AT THE EDGE OF TIME
Long before it was a thing, Marlon Brando dreamed up his Eco Resort in a slice of paradise
“My mind is always soothed when I imagine myself sitting on my South Sea island at night. If I have my way, Tetiaroa will remain forever a place that reminds Tahitians of what they are, and what they were centuries ago” – Marlon Brando
Brando was one of the greatest movie actors of all time, famed for his intense roles and his method acting style, from the brutish bad boy in A Streetcar Named Desire in 1951, Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now, and his Academy-winning roles in On The Waterfront and, The Godfather. He was also a renowned supporter of American Indian Movements and American Civil Rights.
In 1962 while filming Mutiny on the Bounty Brando fell in love with French Polynesia in Tahiti. It was where he found his peace.
Brando passed away in 2004 but besides his epic film roles, he left us another unexpected legacy, in the form of Tetiaroa, an atoll of twelve small islands in the South Pacific, with an over four-mile-wide blue lagoon in the middle. He had dreamed of creating a University of the Seas – a center for research and education, and a model of sustainability. And this was it. This lush green atoll covered with swaying coconut palms, 33 miles north of Tahiti. He’d found paradise, and he wanted to keep it that way.
Brando purchased Tetiaroa in 1967 and committed himself to protecting the biodiversity of the island.
In 1999, he partnered with Tahitian resident Richard Bailey, who’d designed some of the area’s finer resorts. Brando wanted to create the world’s first post-carbon, self-sustained luxury environment for hotel guests, residents, and scientific research, built using strong local materials that integrate into the environment. The villas were a collaborative design between Brando and Bailey, who also established The Tetiaroa Society, a non-profit responsible for the educational and preservational aspects of the atoll, the marine life around it, and the indigenous cultures of Oceania.
Opened in 2014, ten years after he passed away, The Brando is now a 35-villa, five-star luxury resort. The villas are built to conserve resources, limit waste, and tread gently on the natural environment. This pioneering approach has led The Brando to become the first resort globally to receive the prestigious LEED Platinum Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), as well as receiving many luxury travel awards.
The resort is powered mainly by sunlight, 4900 photovoltaic solar panels are positioned on Tetiaroa’s airstrip, meeting 60% of the resort’s energy requirements, powering everything from golf carts to high-speed internet.
At the resort, they not only grow their own food, and recycle all their own waste, they have a system that cycles cold deep seawater for air-conditioning, and makes drinking water through a desalinator and reverse osmosis, which they then filter through a tank of crushed seashells to add minerals, calcium and magnesium.
Solar water heaters satisfy almost all hot water needs for the hotel. This commitment to renewable energy minimizes carbon emissions and aligns with The Brando’s mission to preserve the pristine environment of the atoll.
They grow dragon fruit, papaya, and vanilla, spraying seawater and tobacco on the fruit leaves to naturally repel insects. Over two million honey bees provide them with the honey that they add to cocktails and use in spa treatments.
Even the straws are made out of … straw!
There’s a turtle and bird sanctuary. You can snorkel with the manta ray, or explore the terrain on a bicycle or golf cart. There’s kayaking, diving, paddleboarding, and eco tours to the outer limits of the atoll.
Or you can go to Bob’s Bar, which was the island’s first social hub, where Brando himself would visit daily to have cocktails made to his liking. Their signature cocktail is the ‘Dirty Old Bob’. They’re open for lunch, dinner, and cocktails.
The resort’s numerous restaurants uncover new culinary experiences with innovative French chef Jean Imbert at the helm, fusing Polynesian flavors with classic French techniques. Imbert worked at several world-class establishments, including the Plaza Athenee, Maison Christian Dior, and even the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. “It has to be personal. Food is very sensitive. It’s a part of you. It’s close to love,” he says.
You won’t go hungry. They also serve organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs from their gardens and orchards.
Polynesian fine dining restaurant, Les Mutinés, provides guests with a maritime adventure experience inspired by Mutiny on the Bounty. ‘A symphony of taste that dances across the senses’ they say –- and, if you can’t get out of your villa for whatever reason, they’ll bring it to you.
Nami Teppanyaki combines flavors of the land and the sea, as they like to put it, curated for small groups, cooked before you on a Japanese teppanyaki iron griddle. Or you can dine more casually at the beach at Beachcomber Café, undercover or under the stars, or imbibe a heavenly cocktail in one of the private tree-top seating areas at the Te Manu Bar, accessible by palm canopied walkways. Which, let’s face it, you don’t see every day.
There are also private dining options on the atoll, and they’ll set you up with mid-day beach picnics.
The spa offers Polynesian massage — which is not an affectation, but rooted in native ancient culture and designed to lighten your body, mind, and soul, using Monoi oil, scented fruits and flowers, extra virgin coconut oil, papaya, and honey.
Brando really did create a sanctuary.
THE DEETS
High season is traditionally July 1st – Oct 31 but prices vary greatly. If you go off-season you’ll be paying up to 50% less. So go now!
Luxurious air-conditioned, beachfront villas, 2, 3, or 4 bedroomed with cable TV, look out at the lagoon through the palm fronds. Rental charges are per night, excluding taxes and service charges, with a minimum two-night stay. ‘All inclusive’ includes all meals, 24 hr. in-villa dining, bicycles, beach equipment, most beverages, wi-fi, and a spa treatment, with a part of the fee going to fund research and conservation. (Prices are per night, high season, and approximate, based on the dollar rate, and the package you choose).
There is a special offer currently, offering 4 nights for the price of three, or a minimum stay of 5 nights to enjoy all included VIP services. Offers are valid until March 31, 2026 — so, not ending for a year!
1-bed villa around $10,000
2-bed villa from $20,000
3-bed villa, sleeps six $30,000
Again, prices are reduced by around 50% in the off-season. So, you know, just take the prices above and halve them, and suddenly those one and two-bedroom villas are looking like bargains over four to five nights.
To get there, fly to Papeete’s Faa’a International Airport, Tahiti. Air Tetiaroa will then take you on a 20-minute flight to paradise, which may be complimentary depending on your villa occupancy.
If you can’t make it this year, this is what you’re missing! The Brando Luxury Resort. (Although it’s probably the same next year too…)
