The Brando Resort
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 |
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]
Travel
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
Construction 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
The 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
- ^ "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