The Brando is a private resort on the Society Islands' Tetiꞌaroa atoll in French Polynesia. It serves as a regulated airstrip, research facility, eco-resort and spa on the Onetahi motu. It consists of 80 staff and facilities management personnel.[1] The atoll's inside on which The Brando is located is on a 99-year lease contracted by Marlon Brando. Condé Nast Traveller described a site of "unspoiled beauty", "outlandish in its technicolor".[2]
 Aerial view of The Brando Resort on Tetiꞌaroa | |
 | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 17°0′S 149°33′W / 17.000°S 149.550°W |
| Archipelago | Society Islands |
| Area | 6 km2 (2.3 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Region | Overseas collectivity |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 80 |
Travel
edit
Traveling to The Brando can only be commercially done by air. Air Teti'aroa flies private planes between the island of Tahiti and Teti'aroa. The airline's departure is located in a private terminal at the Faa'a International Airport in Tahiti.[3] Air Tetiaroa rates to The Brando Resort on Tetiaroa fluctuate with the regular, high and festive seasons.[4]
History
editConstruction of The Brando Resort began in 2009 by Teti'aroa Pacific Beachcomber SC. In September 2010 Pacific Beachcomber announced it was investing US$60 million in construction.[5] The first phase of the building included repairing the airstrip runway for smoother plane landing and lengthening the tarmac to meet current aviation standards. Additionally, a reef dock was constructed to enable shipments from the ocean to the lagoon side of the reef.[6]
In February 2014, it was announced that construction on The Brando Resort was officially completed. In July 2014, The Brando was officially open to the public.[7][8] Eight of Marlon Brando’s eleven children were involved in the project along with the Brando Estate.[9]
Since 2013, the resort had been in conflict with Teiki Pambrun, a navigator who had been living on a boat in the lagoon of the Tetiaroa atoll and who criticized the resort for its “environmental damages.” In 2014, a court issued a summary order requiring Pambrun to remain more than 10 kilometers from the atoll, under penalty of a fine of 100,000 CFP francs per day. In the absence of payment or leaving, on January 22, 2016, a court of appeal confirmed Pambrun’s expulsion from the lagoon. On July 8, 2016, the two parties announced in a joint press release that an amicable agreement had been reached, with the terms of the agreement not disclosed. Pambrun subsequently relocated to Huahine with his family.[10]
In October 2016 the resort was named the world's best resort by Condé Nast.[11]
Ecology
editThe buildings are made using materials that are of local or certified origin, renewable, or recycled. There is a deep seawater air-conditioning (SWAC) system to reduce energy demands. Renewable energy sources such as solar power (from PV panels) and coconut oil (biofuel) are used. The zinc-bromine[12] flow batteries (used for storing the power from the PV panels) are made from recyclable materials. The resort's vehicles are electric or human-powered.[13]
References
edit- ^ "LinkedIn", The Brando, LinkedIn, February 3, 2018
- ^ "The Brando". Condé Nast Traveller.
- ^ "Air Tetiaroa", Tahiti Travel Islands, February 3, 2018
- ^ "Air Tetiaroa Rates", Paltino Air Teteiaroa, April 9, 2018
- ^ "Massive investment in new French Polynesia eco-hotel". RNZ. 16 September 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- ^ "The Brando Resort". holidayayo.com. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
- ^ "Brando luxury resort open in French Polynesia". RNZ. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- ^ "Marlon Brando's private-island escape in Polynesia". How to spend it. 16 February 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014.
- ^ Guy Martin (6 January 2015). "An Island Named Desire: $11,000-per-night Bungalows on Marlon Brando's Tahitian Hideaway". Forbes. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- ^ VALAX, Cédric (2016-07-09). "Les Brando et Teiki Pambrun s'accordent à l'amiable - Radio1 Tahiti" (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ "French Polynesia boasts world's top resort". RNZ. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- ^ Tetiaroa Brando Resort battery type
- ^ The Brando