| The Brando Resort on Teti'aroa | |
| Native Name Link: | Tahitian language |
| Location: | Pacific Ocean |
| Archipelago: | Society Islands |
| Area Km2: | 6 |
| Country: | France |
| Country Admin Divisions Title: | Region |
| Country Admin Divisions: | Overseas collectivity |
| 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]
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]
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]
In November 2015 the resort took a local man to court in an effort to have him barred from living in a boat in the lagoon.[10]
In October 2016 the resort was named the world's best resort by Condé Nast.[11]
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]