In 1960, while filming the movie “Mutiny on the Bounty” Marlon Brando came across the island of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia. Stunned by the beauty of the local nature, the Polynesian way of life and his counterpart in the filming – Tarita Teripia, who became his third and last wife, Brando decided to buy this piece of paradise.In 1967, he purchased Tethiara – an atoll not far from Tahiti, consisting of 12 small Polynesian islands lying in a stunningly beautiful serene lagoon.
Renaming the island in Brando, the actor spent the next 50 years of his life, caring for its nature.
But this piece of paradise was available not only for the actor and his “retinue” – environmentalists and archaeologists could also explore it.
Brando was very keen to preserve the natural beauty of Tetiaroa, its biological diversity and cultural wealth.
He was trying to find a way to make the island a center of research and education, as well as a model for sustainable development.
He was sure that this small atoll can bring good for the whole planet.
“I always calm down when I imagine how I sit at night on my island in the South Sea. If I could, I would forever preserve the untouched nature of Tetiaroa, as a place that reminds the Tahitians who they are and who they were several centuries ago,” said Marlon Brando.
Despite the fact that the actor built 12 huts with palm roofs along the coast of one of the islands – Motu Onetehi, it was not indeed what he had planned to make here.
Now, when more than 10 years have passed since the actor’s death, Brando Island passed into the hands of the Tahitian developer. In July 2014, the island was re-opened as one of the best eco-friendly resorts in the world.
Along the coast of the island of Motu Onetahey there are 35 private villas, two gourmet restaurants, two bars, a luxury spa and an orchard. Brando Island is truly a self-sufficient luxury environment in which the life principles of actor Brando are maintained.
Instead of building villas on the water, as they do on other island resorts of Polynesia, developers decided to build villas away from the beach so as not to interfere with sea turtles living in their natural habitat.
And in order to protect the reef and its inhabitants, it is possible to reach the island only on the private plane of the resort.
How to get there: airlines all over the world fly to Papeete International Airport, Tahiti. And from there the private plane of the hotel will take you directly to Tethiara. The flight lasts 20 minutes.
How much does it cost: Prices for one-bedroom villas on the island of Brando start from 2,400 euros per night. The maximum cost for a villa is 7200 euros (three bedrooms). All prices include food and beverages, as well as daily spa treatments and various leisure activities.
