Located deep in the South Pacific, The Brando ranks among the best of the best in the world-class luxury hotel scene of French Polynesia.
The Brando is nestled within Tetiaroa, an atoll of a dozen idyllic islands. Within them sits a collection of luxurious eco-villas scattered amidst a kaleidoscope of biodiversity and waters teeming with vibrant marine life.
Once the home of Marlon Brando, the island captivated him during the filming of Mutiny on the Bounty in 1960. He pledged to preserve the twelve raw and untamed islands, which were once the private residences of Tahitian royalty.
Over the years, the resort has hosted various famous visitors, including Barack Obama, who came here to write his memoir.
Leading up to our stay, I was undoubtedly consumed with excitement, and eagerly anticipated the chance to check this iconic, once-in-a-lifetime property from my bucket list.
The Brando – Booking
Rates for a stay at The Brando fluctuate depending on the season. These rates are regularly published on The Brando’s website and typically updated once per year.
For April 2023 through March 2024, you can expect prices for the base-level One-Bedroom Villa during low season to start around €3,400 ($3,720 USD, $4,900 CAD) per night under the Villa + Breakfast package, and €4,300 ($4,700 USD, $6,200 CAD) per night under the All-Inclusive package.
The villas at The Brando come in one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom options, which are priced accordingly at approximately double or triple the rate.
On top of the cost of your accommodation package, you’ll also need to budget for round-trip flights from Papeete to Tetiaroa on Air Tetiaroa, the sole airline serving the resort, which are priced at €483 ($485 USD, $640 CAD) per person.
If you’re planning for an extended stay, there are often special deals available for longer bookings, such as 10–15% off or round-trip flights included for stays of a given minimum duration.
You’ll also want to make sure you book far in advance, as the resort is limited to just 35 villas and fills up quickly.
When booking, you have the option to choose between the Villa + Breakfast package or the all-inclusive rate. The latter can provide excellent value, as it includes with all meals and beverages, including alcohol.
Moreover, you’ll also enjoy one complimentary activity per day, which is one of the highlights of staying at The Brando. Otherwise, the activities cost around €300 ($328 USD, $430 CAD) each.
The all-inclusive plan also offers one spa treatment per room per day, valued at €210 ($230 USD, $290 CAD). With many ways to enhance your visit, the all-inclusive package is definitely worth considering, especially if you’re already splurging for the room rate.
For an added bonus, consider booking through Virtuoso , which grants you an extra €100 resort credit per stay. Keep in mind that other Virtuoso amenities may not be applicable, since early check-in and late checkout are already included for all guests at The Brando when possible.
Furthermore, breakfast is already provided with all rates at The Brando, and upgrades aren’t typically offered for Virtuoso bookings.
Book with Prince of Travel and Virtuoso
Book a hotel stay with Prince of Travel through Virtuoso and enjoy exclusive additional benefits at no cost to you, including:
Daily breakfast for two guests
Room upgrade, subject to availability at check-in
Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
$100 (USD) property credit (benefit may vary)
Third, Fourth, or Fifth Night Free at select properties
Book The Brando
For my stay, I was able to secure a two-night all-inclusive package at a favourable industry rate. Even so, staying at a resort of this calibre certainly left a dent in my wallet, and was among the most I’ve splurged on any hotel in the world so far.
Lastly, prior to your arrival, the resort will send you a survey to gather information about your dining and beverage preferences.
You’ll also receive an invitation to pre-book your dinner reservations, activities, and spa treatments, which I highly recommend taking advantage of.
The Brando – Location
Tetiaroa, an atoll located 53 kilometres north of Tahiti, is a stunning collection of 13 idyllic islets. It emerged as a volcanic peak over three million years ago, and shares its origin with famous sister islands like Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora.
Today, Tetiaroa is known for its captivating islets, locally known as motus. The area is surrounded by a vibrant living reef, albeit only a fraction of its original size.
Within the Tetiaroa atoll, Motu Onetahi is the cherished home of The Brando resort and the only part that welcomes visitors. The other islands are dedicated to preserving the atoll’s untouched natural beauty and all of the flora and fauna that lives within.
The Brando – Arrival
To embark on your journey to Tetiaroa, you’ll first need to fly into Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. From there, Air Tetiaroa will transport you directly to The Brando, with the resort’s helpful staff readily available to assist you in making the necessary arrangements.
It’s worth mentioning that Air Tetiaroa operates from its own private terminal at Papeete (PPT). Upon arrival, simply exit the arrivals area and take a leisurely stroll to your left for a few minutes until you find this exclusive terminal, awaiting your arrival with open arms.
We had stayed a night in Papeete before our departure to The Brando, and we had the option to book a city pickup service. For a shared pickup, the cost was €25 ($30 USD, $36 CAD) per person, while a private pickup cost €34 ($42 USD, $49 CAD) per person.
We decided to go with the shared option, but interestingly enough, we ended up being the only passengers for the ride anyway.
The Brando – Pickup service in Papeete
We arrived at the Air Tetiaroa private terminal at approximately 7:30am, well in time for our 8:30am departure. To begin, we first made our way through the private security screening area.
Air Tetiaroa private terminal – Exterior
Air Tetiaroa private terminal – Sign
Air Tetiaroa’s private terminal is compact yet charming. It’s solely comprised of a check-in desk, a security checkpoint, and an exclusive pre-departure lounge for guests of The Brando.
As we stepped inside, my eyes were immediately drawn to the left-hand wall. A captivating photo of Tetiaroa is displayed here, and it provided us with a tantalizing glimpse of the luxurious stay that awaited us at the other end of the flight.
Air Tetiaroa private terminal – Photo of Tetiaroa
The lounge, characterized by its vibrant blue and floral sofas, served as a comfortable seating space as we waited to board our flight.
Mounted on the right-hand wall are flat-screen TVs, and local elements were thoughtfully incorporated into the décor, perhaps most evident in the wooden chair accents and floral patterns adorning the glass surfaces.
Air Tetiaroa private terminal – Lounge seating
Air Tetiaroa private terminal – Lounge seating
Air Tetiaroa private terminal – Lounge seating
Adjacent to the seating area, a small refreshment station offers a selection of chilled beverages, and a Nespresso coffee maker stands ready to satisfy any caffeine needs. However, notably absent from the lounge were any snacks, which would have been a welcome addition.
Air Tetiaroa private terminal – Beverage selection
Air Tetiaroa private terminal – Nespresso coffee maker
The bathrooms in the lounge were also well-appointed, and featured a mosaic floral pattern as the backdrop for the vanities and modern vessel sinks.
Air Tetiaroa private terminal – Lounge restroom
For those seeking a breath of fresh air, the terminal has a terrace with outdoor views of the tarmac. It was a delightful little space where we could soak in the ambiance and the anticipation of the journey ahead.
Air Tetiaroa private terminal – Terrace
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the terminal. Between a hit of Nespresso and catching up on some work, the hour passed by quickly.
Before long, it was time for departure, and we were escorted out to the tarmac and boarded a 14-seat DHC6-300 Twin Otter aircraft.
Air Tetiaroa – Twin Otter aircraft
Air Tetiaroa – Twin Otter aircraft interior
Air Tetiaroa – Views upon takeoff from Papeete
Once airborne, we embarked on a 20-minute northbound journey, headed directly towards Tetiaroa.
As I glanced through the window, I was captivated by the breathtaking backdrop that unfolded before me. The sheer beauty of the island, which would be our home for the next two nights, was absolutely mesmerizing from this vantage point.
Air Tetiaroa – Views on approach to The Brando
Finally, we landed at the resort’s private air strip, well and truly ready to continue this incredible journey.
The Brando – Check-in
Upon stepping off the plane, we were warmly welcomed by the arrival committee with a captivating song and dance performance.
The Brando – Welcome pavilion
Without skipping a beat, our dedicated staff member accompanied us on an exploration of the resort grounds, and whisked us away in a buggy. Along our journey, we made a pit stop at Bob’s Bar to enjoy some refreshing coconuts.
The Brando – Welcome coconut
Our staff member then took the initiative to ensure our dining, spa, and activity reservations were properly arranged. This proactive approach set the stage for the top-notch service we were in store for.
The Brando – Check-in desks
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa
The Brando has just 35 villas that are strategically positioned amidst its lush greenery, ensuring ample privacy for each residence.
Situated on pristine white-sand beaches, each villa is complete with its own private plunge pool, direct beach access, and tropical gardens adorned with coconut palms and other native foliage.
To get to our villa, we headed down a sandy boardwalk from the road that brought us to the front door.
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa access
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa entrance
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa entrance
Upon entering, there are three distinct rooms. There’s the main living room, the bedroom to the right, and a spacious media room to the left that can even be transformed into a second bedroom if needed.
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa main room
The villa interiors feature a delightful palette of creams alongside a juxtaposition of dark and light hues. The addition of contemporary furnishings creates an ultra-modern aesthetic.
Yet, the villa still seamlessly integrates with the local ambiance. Traditional building techniques and materials such as wooden walls and roofs adorned with pandanus leaves all pay homage to the region’s rich heritage and indigenous artistry.
Upon entering the main room is a space complete with a leather couch and a set of armchairs. Here, large bay windows offer a divine view of the private terrace and lush garden, pool, and beach that await just outside.
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa main room
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa main room
Villas are situated on the islet to overlook either Turtle Beach, where you can witness mesmerizing sunsets, or the Mermaid Bay, where the sunrise casts its golden glow.
Waiting for us at the table was a small bottle of Champagne as a welcome gift, although it’s worth noting that we’d have unlimited drinks included in the all-inclusive package regardless.
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa welcome gift
Apart from the main living room, there’s a separate media room decked out with a cozy sofa and an armchair positioned in front of a wall-mounted flat-screen TV.
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa media room
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa media room
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa flat-screen TV
A desk is available if you’re feeling particularly ambitious to get some work tasks done while enjoying the blissful surroundings.
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa desk
Crossing over to the other side of the living room, the bedroom is elevated a half-level up from the rest of the villa, and features a charming seating nook and an expansive king bed.
In the unlikely event that the outside scenery becomes mundane, a cleverly designed television projector emerges from a compact holder at the base of the windowsill, providing entertainment at your fingertips.
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa bedroom
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa bed
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa bedroom seating area
The villa also features a walk-through closet, with ample storage for your belongings. On one side of the closet is a well-appointed vanity.
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa walk-through closet
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa walk-through closet vanity
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa walk-through closet
The villa’s bathroom is accessed through the walk-through closet. Once inside, you’re afforded with a remarkable display of beauty and elegance, adorned by a distinct décor from the rest of the villa.
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa bathroom
There are two separate vanities, each featuring its own sink, flanking a floor-to-ceiling window pane that creates a symmetrical and seamless connection to the natural surroundings.
The Brando – One-Bedroom Villa vanity
