The stars have been guiding explorers to French Polynesia for millennia. The first people to follow guiding stars to Polynesia left from Southeast Asia about 4,000 years ago, reaching the most easterly Society Islands by around 1100 AD. They came in outrigger canoes with coconuts, bananas, breadfruit, chickens, pigs—and new gods.
Much later, the Europeans followed, searching for knowledge. Most famous among them was Captain James Cook, who first came to Polynesia in 1769. His second in command of his third voyage, Lieutenant Bligh, returned years later on the Bounty as Captain Bligh to retrieve the local breadfruit plant to feed the far-flung British Empire and was overthrown by his crew, as recounted in “Mutiny on the Bounty.”
Despite these interruptions by European explorers, Tetiaroa remained sacred to the local people. They created a place of sanctuary, ritual, and tapu (taboo) on Tetiaroa, where the gods and ancestors were said to come down to earth to visit the marae (temples). Tetiaroa was also the favored retreat of Tahitian high chiefs. While Tahitian ma’ohi (young chiefs) competed in archery tournaments and sharpened their war skills, the arii vahine (princesses) retreated to the deep shade of the coconut trees to be pampered, as they lightened their skin and became ever more voluptuous. These were the sacred pleasure gardens of the Tahitian high chiefs.
Because of its rich history, Tetiaroa will forever be replete with meaning for Polynesian people.
Marlon Brando
“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 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. It was in this natural wonderland that he settled down, and finally found a home.
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 is the legacy of that shared vision.
Resort Rates Terms and Conditions
Rates are per villa, per night. For bookings made as of April 1, 2015 the minimum stay lenght is of two consecutive nights. All rates are exclusive of taxes and service charges and subject to change without notice. Rates do not include airfare to and from Air Tetiaroa.
APPLICABLE TAXES:
VAT: 5%
RPT: 5%
Service Charge: 4%
City Tax: 1.26 Euros per person and per night
PAYMENT TERMS:
A full prepayment is required to confirm the reservation. Bank fees cannot be retained from the payment.
The Brando will send the final confirmation of the reservation after receiving confirmation by the bank of final payment and the completed Guest Information Form. We reserve the right to cancel the reservation if final payment is not received by the due date. Please see cancellation terms.
CANCELLATION TERMS:
No cancellation fee applies if a booking is cancelled more than 120 days prior to the arrival date.
Between 120 and 91 days prior to arrival date, a 10% cancellation charge* applies.
Between 90 and 61 days prior to arrival date, a 20% cancellation charge* applies.
Between 60 and 31 days prior to arrival date, a 50% cancellation charge* applies.
Between 30 and 0 days prior to arrival date, or no show, a 100% cancellation charge will be retained.
*This charge can be applied toward a future stay to be rebooked within 12 months of the initial booking cancellation date.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
We want to ensure that your stay at The Brando is not only exceptional, but also worry free. We recommend Travel Insurance to protect your vacation investment should you need to cancel your trip and to protect yourself against unexpected occurrences and expenses while traveling.
CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT:
Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. Check-out time is 11:00 a.m.
Transit stay overs in Tahiti can be booked at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa (subject to availability).
Packages are bookable through The Brando reservation office and are available for stays immediately before and after the stay at The Brando. All rates are based on double occupancy, are exclusive of taxes and service charges and subject to change without notice.
APPLICABLE TAXES:
VAT: 5%
RPT: 5%
Service Charge: 4%
City Tax: 1.26 Euros per person and per night
PAYMENT TERMS:
A 20% deposit is to be received by wire transfer within 30 days after the reservation has been placed, to confirm the reservation. The balance (80%) is due by wire transfer 60 days prior to arrival date at the latest, along with the Guest Information Form.
Payment is required in Euros and must cover the total amount of the invoice. Bank fees cannot be retained from the payment.
The Brando will send the final confirmation of the reservation after receiving confirmation by the bank of final payment and the completed Guest Information Form. We reserve the right to cancel the reservation if final payment is not received by the due date. Please see cancellation terms.
CANCELLATION TERMS:
No cancellation fee applies if a booking is cancelled more than 120 days prior to the arrival date.
Between 120 and 91 days prior to arrival date, a 10% cancellation charge* applies.
Between 90 and 61 days prior to arrival date, a 20% cancellation charge* applies.
Between 60 and 31 days prior to arrival date, a 50% cancellation charge* applies.
Between 30 and 0 days prior to arrival date, or no show, a 100% cancellation charge will be retained.
*This charge can be applied toward a future stay to be rebooked within 12 months of the initial booking cancellation date.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
We want to ensure that your stay at The Brando is not only exceptional, but also worry free. We recommend Travel Insurance to protect your vacation investment should you need to cancel your trip and to protect yourself against unexpected occurrences and expenses while traveling.
