Destination: Tetiaroa, French Polynesia

Vacation: Island paradise

Seeking: Sustainable luxury

Highlight: Stunning natural beauty

There are many reasons to stay at The Brando, a unique luxury resort on French Polynesia’s breathtakingly beautiful private island of Tetiaroa, each seemingly more compelling than the last.

Private plane access, 35 luxury villas nestled on white-sand beaches frequented by sea turtles, manta rays and exotic birds, the fact the legendary Marlon Brando, the Godfather himself, made this natural wonderland his home, the island’s vibrant enduring culture, the resort’s mission for sustainability, and its innovation to preserve and enhance.

Each reason stand-alone makes the journey to this beautiful atoll composed of a dozen small islands surrounding a sparkling lagoon 30 miles northeast of Tahiti more than worthwhile. Combined, The Brando is simply unmissable.

Marlon Brando first came to Tetiaroa while filming Mutiny on the Bounty and was immediately enchanted by the island’s rare beauty and the sense it gave him of being closer to paradise. Enthralled by the Polynesian way of life – and the leading lady Tarita, the love of his life – he resolved to find a way to own this piece of paradise and succeeded in his goal in 1967.

Brando was passionate about preserving Tetiaroa’s natural beauty, biodiversity and cultural richness and was determined to find a way in which it could be a center for research and education, and a model of sustainability. He was convinced that this small atoll could bring good to the entire world.

In 1999 he asked Richard Bailey, a long-time resident of Tahiti who shared Brando’s passion for the environment and who had created some of the region’s finest resorts, to help him conceive a plan that would help Brando achieve his dream. Together, Brando and Bailey pursued a vision of creating the world’s first and foremost post-carbon resort—an island where innovative new technologies would enable a self-sustaining luxury environment for hotel guests, residents and scientific research. The Brando resort is the legacy of that shared vision.

Today the resort’s mission is to provide one of the most luxurious, authentic and enriching travel experiences available anywhere in the world in an environmentally sensitive, sustainable and culturally rich manner.

Photographs compliments of The Brando resort.

Relax

Varua Te Ora Polynesian Spa is a unique haven of tranquillity nestled on a restful pond in the heart of the atoll of Tetiaroa. Varua, meaning “the Soul”, perpetuates the tradition established by the Royal family who used to retreat here to relax and indulge in beauty rituals.

Blending into the lush vegetation, it is a hidden oasis at the end of a path through the tropical undergrowth. The Spa is in harmony with its surroundings of plant life, water and wood. Aware of the need to preserve its pure and unspoilt habitat, it offers unrivalled holistic treatments inspired by international and ancestral Polynesian techniques in a truly exceptional setting.

The Spa suites offer amazing views over 2000 sqm of natural landscape on an islet covered in abundant vegetation. And high above in the trees sits Fare Manu, an exceptional suite nesting like a cocoon between heaven and earth. The Spa also has quiet spaces for relaxation including a steam bath, a waterfall, a tea lounge and the Fare Mana, an area sets aside for gentle energies.