The Brando

A beautiful private island with about 20 beachside villas spread out over two beaches. Several good restaurants, wonderful food,and great service. They arranged a private jet for us to Moorea, turning a 12 hour journey due to limited ferry service on Sunday into a one hour journey (on Mother’s Day)....

A beautiful private island with about 20 beachside villas spread out over two beaches. Several good restaurants, wonderful food,and great service. They arranged a private jet for us to Moorea, turning a 12 hour journey due to limited ferry service on Sunday into a one hour journey (on Mother’s Day). The tours and activities are excellent. We were shocked when the small boat to bird island that seats at or so had just us and one other couple had a live Polynesia band with singers. Even the captain and bird guide joined in the singing. If I had to nitpick, their best restaurant is a bit small and intimate, but one group of four thought there booming voices should echo throughout. We left for the more casual restaurant and then were surprised when a celebrity also staying on the island left that restaurant and were seated next to us and the causal restaurant.

Absolutely a must! This wasn’t our first time. We have been lucky enough to visit before. Brando offers the ultimate in eco luxury! Staff is absolutely amazing. Highly recommend taking advantage of all their tours. The green tour is so fascinating! They really make you feel special and very well...

Absolutely a must! This wasn’t our first time. We have been lucky enough to visit before. Brando offers the ultimate in eco luxury! Staff is absolutely amazing. Highly recommend taking advantage of all their tours. The green tour is so fascinating! They really make you feel special and very well taken care of. You have all the amenities but also they do so much to make it a zero carbon footprint. If you can plan to be there on a Friday, it’s a must! As their Luau is truly an authentic experience. You feel like you’re with your Ohana…so beautiful. Also, take their Pareo making class! Timmy is fantastic! Tihoni is the absolute best if you are lucky enough to get him for a private boat tour! All staff are fantastic! Can’t wait to go back.

Absolutely a stunning place. The Brando pays attention to every detail. Extremely impressive. The perfect blend of a resort blending itself into a natural environment. They truly capture the beauty of tetiaroa. The staff are absolutely incredible.

I don’t believe that there enough words to express what a spectacular resort this is. We went in thinking it would be a once in a lifetime stay and now will do anything we can to get back. The facilities are stunning, biking along the paths is magical but it...

I don’t believe that there enough words to express what a spectacular resort this is. We went in thinking it would be a once in a lifetime stay and now will do anything we can to get back. The facilities are stunning, biking along the paths is magical but it is really the staff that makes this place exceptional. They are friendly, helpful and available but not ever intrusive. If you can get to the Brando you should, you will not regret it for a second. We can’t wait to get back.

Heavy HVAC panel fell from high up on the wall and almost hit us. It was never installed properly in the first place (no latch, only glue) and a huge safety risk to anyone at the hotel. It would be a major bruise, even concussion and blood loss, and since...

Heavy HVAC panel fell from high up on the wall and almost hit us. It was never installed properly in the first place (no latch, only glue) and a huge safety risk to anyone at the hotel. It would be a major bruise, even concussion and blood loss, and since there’s no doctor on the island it could be very dangerous. How do you expect to be on vacation when anything randomly would fall apart?! How they dealt with this situation was also horrendous. Emmanuel the manager on site tried to make it right by offering us a private tour and a bottle of champagne, not aware that we’ve done most of the tours and we said we don’t drink champagne. You would expect him to try a little harder by knowing what we like. We said we didn’t want to pack and move, but had maintenance in the room to glue the HVAC filter back up despite us telling them not to try to fix it so soon because it would be impossible. They used some strong glue, and then the room then was full of irritating smell and our eyes were tearing up and we had to pack and move late at night for it. They moved us to a new villa, which had a dysfunctional bright flashing light outside in the courtyard, and a curtain that doesn’t properly close. The new villa was also missing some of the amenities (inferior water kettle, missing wall decoration, cheap looking white replacement light) which made me seriously question how low and inconsistent their construction standard is. So we had to ask for a third room. As for compensation to say sorry, it took two days for them to get back to us on the plan because Emmanuel had no authority and had to go to the head office. Because we paid for an all inclusive package and we did all the tours already, they really can’t do much. We asked for a spa but they refused quoting that it’s a different company. No checking from Emmanuel afterwards on whether we liked or third villa or how we thought of the overall stay. He seems to have given up and on his way out to his vacation as well. Most of the staff’s hospitality and service is great before the accident happened, but it’s like eating a delicious dish only to find a fly in it - with an issue this big and such poor crisis management abilities, I really can’t recommend for anyone who wants the minimum standard of travelling. Not until they have a major operations and management overhaul.

What struck me most was how seamlessly everything flowed - check-in was a breeze, room service was prompt yet unobtrusive, and every staff member seemed to genuinely enjoy making guests' stays special. The ambiance perfectly balanced modern luxury with cozy comfort. The common areas invited both socializing and peaceful relaxation,...

What struck me most was how seamlessly everything flowed - check-in was a breeze, room service was prompt yet unobtrusive, and every staff member seemed to genuinely enjoy making guests' stays special. The ambiance perfectly balanced modern luxury with cozy comfort. The common areas invited both socializing and peaceful relaxation, while the rooms felt like private retreats. A mast

Our stay on the island was a real highlight during our trip through the Pacific. The highest standards of the facilities, the comfort and the hospitality. A unique natural germ and a festive of colours, smells, tastes and thrills that we will never forget. A private escape into a better...

Our stay on the island was a real highlight during our trip through the Pacific. The highest standards of the facilities, the comfort and the hospitality. A unique natural germ and a festive of colours, smells, tastes and thrills that we will never forget. A private escape into a better world, a very personal time for ourselves yet with the wonderful people of the staff around you. It is a beautiful and captivating place with charmful, kind and beautiful people. We want to thank to everybody again for making our stay such a wonderful experience. We still remember your every single smile, cordial gesture, dance and your kind treat. We still remember your faces and your names. You have been a part of our beautiful experience. Thank you. Grateful for making us happy, Leszek and Ángel

I travel frequently for business, but this stay felt like a retreat. The workspace in the room was actually usable, the internet was lightning-fast, and the staff's efficiency was remarkable. Yet it was the small touches - the perfectly timed room service, the spotless facilities, and the genuine

No place like it on earth. Went here on our honeymoon and the service was incredible, food was the best we had in all of FP by a sizable margin, not to mention the fact that it feels like you have the entire island to yourself. Anyone considering heading to...

No place like it on earth. Went here on our honeymoon and the service was incredible, food was the best we had in all of FP by a sizable margin, not to mention the fact that it feels like you have the entire island to yourself. Anyone considering heading to FP and spending the whole time in Bora Bora, DON'T. This will be the most memorable place you will stay during your visit and it won't be close. So happy we included this in our itinerary. Despite us saying this was going to be a once in a lifetime trip to FP, we will definitely be back!

Just finished our stay at the Brando. I really wanted to love it but when you have been to places like Miavana in Madagascar or Soneva Jani or Soneva Kiri, this hotel fell short. It’s like trying on the most lovely and expensive wedding gown and then looking at cheaper...

Just finished our stay at the Brando. I really wanted to love it but when you have been to places like Miavana in Madagascar or Soneva Jani or Soneva Kiri, this hotel fell short. It’s like trying on the most lovely and expensive wedding gown and then looking at cheaper versions…it’s not the same. Unfortunately, for the Brando is that it cost the same at the hotels above and delivered an inferior product. No butler, no included surprise specialty curated experiences, no cook whatever you want to eat, no cultural experience, less activities, and a lack of attention to detail that you expect when you are paying this much money. They did allow you to add on with a couples spa experience and private dinner. We did both. They were nice but I recommend passing on the $2,200 massages with mediocre therapists and stick with the daily free ones included in your stay. The private dinner was cute on the beach and the staff was lovely. It just feels a bit much to pay $3k for filet mignon and vegetables. The food lacked any wow factor. I rather save the money and eat at Alchemist. As for what we did like, the location. It was easy to get to from Ca and the scenery is beautiful. The aqua blue water is gorgeous. The staff was kind and helpful. Sitting at Jack’s bar was cool and the fresh pastries/spread every morning at breakfast were delicious. It really is a chill place. If you want to just be and not have many activities, this is your place. If you like adventure and activities, try one of the places above. There really wasn’t much to do other than snorkel, swim, kayak, and chill. As for the room, it was ok. The location on the beach was lovely. The bed was very firm and we did sleep well. However, in the morning our backs hurt. In the world of sexy bathrooms, this one was a 5. The toilet had a funny sewer smell that annoyed my husband. There was an outdoor bathtub that was cool but it only fit one person, unless you are both very petite. Final thoughts, do the a la carte package instead of the all-inclusive. I think we would have saved money that way. Order the burger at the bar, it’s yummy. If you have never been to North Island resort in the Seychelles or the Miavana’s of the world, take what I said above with a grain of salt. You are trying on a second rate wedding dress but you won’t know the difference and the Brando still looks lovely on. Enjoy.

Words cannot describe how beautiful this place is! We were fortunate to be allocated a villa on Mermaid Bay which we did request as our preference. The view was breathtaking. The sand is pure white and the water is turquoise. We walked out for what seemed miles into the sea-...

Words cannot describe how beautiful this place is! We were fortunate to be allocated a villa on Mermaid Bay which we did request as our preference. The view was breathtaking. The sand is pure white and the water is turquoise. We walked out for what seemed miles into the sea- it was so shallow! We could see lots of fish by simply walking by the waters edge. Their colours were beautiful. We spent a lot of time by our pool in the villa which was a lovely size. We travelled to The Brando for a relaxing break and we didn't take advantage of many activities. We did combine our spa credits however, and visited 3-4 times during our 7 day stay. I would recommend the facials! The privacy you experience is exactly what we were looking for. We felt like we were on a private island and with the exception of attending the restaurants/bars we did not see many other guests. We enjoyed our wedding anniversary while we were there- a delicious chocolate cake was left in our room along with some decoration on our bed and some hand woven items such as a hat and bag. A really kind touch. My husband loved the Brando Burger and still raves about it now! We did find the menu became repetitive as we stayed for 7 nights, therefore we did eat a number of dishes more than once. However this did not detract or spoil our stay at all. The staff ordered smoked salmon in advance of our stay so we could eat eggs Benedict with smoked Salmon for breakfast- nothing was too much trouble! We enjoyed Les Mutines restaurant and experienced the Polynesian show twice during our visit. We loved every minute of our stay and only wish we lived much closer to the Island to visit again. It is not cheap to visit, however if you appreciate a tropical island experience and crave beautiful water and beaches, you must visit The Brando at least once in your lifetime! We hope to return again in the future.

The experience here is a combination of the pristine beauty of this location, the total privacy and serenity all around you and the service The grounds are spotless , the rooms and private pool area are spotless The staff and manager always available and very willing to serve you but...

The experience here is a combination of the pristine beauty of this location, the total privacy and serenity all around you and the service The grounds are spotless , the rooms and private pool area are spotless The staff and manager always available and very willing to serve you but will never be in your face. We wandered into the garden area on our own and the gardener approached us and offered us fresh coconut water which we enjoyed the rest of out walk ... we will never forget that. The 3 restaurants have excellent options and we tried all of them but Les Mutines was our favorite. The wine list is exquisite. If you want something special or exotic you have to let the staff know ahead of time. Remember this is a resort in the middle of the Pacific ocean. There are plenty of spa options and activities if you want them or if not ..to do absolutely nothing. Yes you can combine credits for longer spa experience The beaches and the atoll are yours to explore We have traveled all over the world except Antartica and this experience is so far the most unique and beautiful one The resort is not cheap and if you come here resentful of the price tag and with a budget mentality you will not enjoy this unique experience I have read some of the negative reviews over the past years prior to booking and I can say that none of them are accurate at present . There is paperwork to sign when you check in for the privacy of ALL guests ... if this is an issue for you again you are missing the point of this resort. We will be returning

“Have we peaked?” We kept asking ourselves. Damn that’s a beautiful archipelago. We had the honeymoon stay of a lifetime on this remote and incredibly well-maintained (and surprisingly sustainable) resort. From the private flight in to the massive secluded beachside villa to the beautiful outdoor soaking pool, we felt beyond...

“Have we peaked?” We kept asking ourselves. Damn that’s a beautiful archipelago. We had the honeymoon stay of a lifetime on this remote and incredibly well-maintained (and surprisingly sustainable) resort. From the private flight in to the massive secluded beachside villa to the beautiful outdoor soaking pool, we felt beyond pampered. You want a private beach? It basically feels like your own private island, pure and pristine. You want incredible service? Everyone will know your schedule and will cater to you as such throughout your stay, and you will never wait for anything. You want relaxation? The spa treatments are great and the poolside is serene. You want to spend the day looking at your phone while tanning and getting served a fresh drink every twenty minutes while you post thirst-traps to your followers? Boy, have I got the atoll for you! Kudos to the Tetiaroa Society for keeping the reef, islets, and lagoon pristine and doing so much to protect the nesting sea birds and sea turtles (trip highlight: watching newly hatched baby turtles crawl into the ocean. Amazing!), among other things. There is something like 10:1 staff to guest ratio at the Brando, and it shows. Whenever we called for a golf carts, they appeared instantly. Whenever we ordered room service and it was brought to our private villa, consistently exceeding expectations. Every kitchen and bar was staffed nightly despite the exclusive number of villas. The whole crew works tirelessly, with every path and beach freshly groomed, and every amenity full of beautifully woven leaves and flowers. We often felt like we had the whole island to ourselves (minus the tireless hosts staff who were always serving us, golfcarting us, taking us on an excursion, and generally making us feel like royalty). Thomas and the whole team at Bob’s bar—the defacto watering hole for beachside guests who venture out from their private villas—deserve a special mention, with an incredible cocktail/mocktail menu and a killer kitchen staff (…even the leather bound menu itself feels like a piece of art) served up in the wet heat. Kudos to Hugo, Axel, Paola, and everyone else who kept me and my wife thoroughly hydrated. Get the “real life mounds bar” which is basically hot chocolate inside ice cream inside a coconut. Hell, get two, you’re on vacation. At the Brando, every excursion feels like a private tour, every reservation feels like a private dinner. Usually I’m not one to go all inclusive, but this time we went with it, and it was an amazing decision. It honestly felt like the best value (and considering the staggering costs of the resort itself, that’s saying something). Not only for the sake of never thinking once about whether to order another Strawberry Daquiri, marlonburger, lobster roll etc… especially when combined with the daily activities and spa treatments that are thrown in, it made sense. The reef quest, bird tour, and ultimate tour are all excellent ways to spend some time while here, staffed by incredibly knowledgeable and friendly guides. Tetiaroa offers some of the best snorkeling we’ve ever had, especially in this day and age of bleached coral and overcrowded beaches. We we dozens of types of sea life just by sticking our head in the water on the beach, from flounder and jackfish to stingrays, turtles, octopi, and curious reef sharks. If you make zero plans, you will still have an amazing time. Food was great, especially when you realize you are in the absolute middle of nowhere. They grow so much on the island and every ingredient is so fresh and flavorful, as well as the incredible attention to detail with preparation, serving (and allergy awareness) it’s hard to go wrong. My only real critique is this: let’s face it - If you end up booking here, you are probably some higher tier of food snob (at least I would hope so), and you are spending a nontrivial amount on even a short stay on the island. Les Mutinee (despite the stylized decor and whimsical nautical map menu) did not live up to our (granted, extremely, perhaps criminally high) expectations, given the price point (especially when the price fixe is an upsell even on the all inclusive option). HOWEVER it was still a great night and ended with the best suffle I’ve ever had in my life. Would it be the best restaurant in a major West cost city? Not quite. Is it the best restaurant in French Polynesia? Probably third best restaurant that we went to (right behind to Lagoon in Bora Bora and La Villa Mahana). Is it still special, magical, and captivating in its own stylized way? Absolutely. Something about the menu just didn’t click for us, but both nights we went, it was basically a private dinner in an amazing location, so this “complaint” feels like peak pettiness in the grand scheme of things, but it simply must be mentioned. Every other meal we had at all of the restaurants was memorable and delicious, and the Polynesian firedancing performance night is intense and authentic in ways so many resorts fail to achieve. For couples looking to treat themselves to luxury in private, unless you know a billionaire with a nice island or megayacht of their own, this is pretty much the ceiling of South Pacific exclusive luxury. We asked for extra padding on our bed and got it ASAP. Turndown service was arranged based on our schedule, and our villa was always immaculate. The villa itself (3 huge rooms including a beach facing bedroom, a deck and pool, our private beach, a his and hers closet leading into a massive glass-walled bathroom with an outdoor bathtub) has incredible AC, sound system, and amenities. It was perfect for us as newly weds and we had more privacy than anywhere we have ever stayed, including in our “backyard” beach skinny dipping under the Milky Way. There are large coral colonies literally feet from the shore teeming with life. For solo travelers… you will feel very alone, as chances are there is basically nobody else at any part of the resort at any given time (except peak afternoon at the bar). Take this as you will, but you may make good friends over drinks, we observed many couples stayed to themselves with a few exceptions (.. but that’s the point, is it not?). Fortunately, all staff are incredibly friendly and interesting, from the “lifers” to the newly arrived hosts. I would probably go a little crazy if I was here by myself (even as an introvert) because at times it almost feels like you’re in the matrix/metaverse/mmo server no one else is logged into. But that could be a plus for you, who knows. They say it’s lonely at the top, and the Brando feels quite close. Maybe I was crazy to book here, and I won’t lie that I was keeping an eye out for any celebrities. But during our stay, we felt like we truly were on another level of life in terms of service and comfort and oneness with the pristine environment. All while also feeling keenly aware that we had our own part to play in some new season of TV about privileged yuppies on the ultimate vacation. If you can go, go. You will still have an amazing vacation if you chose other islands or resorts, but this one truly feels one in a million on so many levels. P.s. Please Don’t waste this incredible, exclusive, pristine luxury resort on your kids - enjoy it all for yourself and your spouse!

The island wasvery beautiful, we went for scuba diving as they have a dive center, but there was no reef system. So we didn't dive after first 2. We could not enjoy ANYWHERE OUTDOORS due to the flies!!! They make their own compost so there's a major issue! The dinner...

The island wasvery beautiful, we went for scuba diving as they have a dive center, but there was no reef system. So we didn't dive after first 2. We could not enjoy ANYWHERE OUTDOORS due to the flies!!! They make their own compost so there's a major issue! The dinner and lunch menus are very limited. A burger, club sandwich with 4 drinks over $300! It was a total waste, I do not recommend this exclusive island. They did refund us $27,000, but it was not worth the hassle of getting there.

This is the place of my dreams. Me and my husband visited for our honeymoon and it was beyond our greatest expectations. It is quite literally the best hotel we have visited ever. The rooms were pristine, clean and impeccable, the food was exceptional, but the service was the best...

This is the place of my dreams. Me and my husband visited for our honeymoon and it was beyond our greatest expectations. It is quite literally the best hotel we have visited ever. The rooms were pristine, clean and impeccable, the food was exceptional, but the service was the best of all. Everyone in the island is super exited to be working there, and make you feel at home at every moment. We will definitely be coming back. 10/10 recommend. Sof and Miguel

The Brando is an uber luxurious resort, and the only one located on the "Motu" (Island) of Onetahi on Tetiaroa atoll, which is a 20 minute (charter) flight from Papeete. It consists of just 35 rooms, but still manages to offer an array of dining and activity options to keep...

The Brando is an uber luxurious resort, and the only one located on the "Motu" (Island) of Onetahi on Tetiaroa atoll, which is a 20 minute (charter) flight from Papeete. It consists of just 35 rooms, but still manages to offer an array of dining and activity options to keep even the most active people from getting bored. We ended our 10 night French Polynesian trip by saving the best for last. This followed our stay at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora - while they are different resorts and offer enough contrasts to make it a great combo stay, if we had to choose one it would be The Brando, hands down. It's less crowded, has better food, more polished service and has an air of luxury that the FS can't match. That said, we did enjoy the scenery and the overwater bungalow experience at the FS, as well as the magnificent shark and ray snorkeling tour, which should not be missed should you pay a visit to Bora Bora. We stayed in a 1BR Beachfront Villa on the Turtle Bay side. Our room (#202) was luxuriously appointed and had most of the amenities (toothbrush, body lotion, face moisturizer, etc.) that one would expect at a world-class resort. Two nits to pick: there was a treacherous step in the room (between bedroom and living room, and between the bathroom and bedroom) which - if you have a misstep - could easily ruin one's vacation. The other was the absence of a washlet toilet, which I feel should be mandatory for all top hotels by now. Our Villa was within short walking distance to everything (all restaurants, concierge, water sports shack, etc.), so we didn't even need to ride the bikes anywhere, which was nice. There are plenty of activities on offer; some of them are guided (most tours that requires a motor boat such as island hopping or snorkeling/scuba diving/fishing further out on the reef), while others can be done on your own, including kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkeling, among others. We did a half-day boat tour that included a visit to Reiono Island, where we did some light hiking in search of the infamous "Coconut Crab" (yes, we saw a pretty large one.) At the end of the tour we had a private lunch on the beach of an uninhabited island. We also did a tour with a naturalist who took us to the best spots on the atoll for snorkeling, followed by another high-quality lunch in an idyllic setting. One thing that stands out at The Brando is the food quality. Given its remote location and the fact that - generally - tropical seafood just isn't the best (relative to colder water fish like Sea Bass or Tuna, there's only so much you can do with Mahi Mahi or Parrot Fish), we enjoyed most of the dishes that we tried. They largely revamped the dining experience earlier this year - Jean Imbert produced the menu for Les Mutinés, as well as many of the offerings at Beachcomber Cafe and Bob's Bar. The Lobster Roll (on an awesome Brioche roll) was incredible, and the servings at Les Mutinés were very nicely done. The Parrot Fish served at the restaurant was the one time where the tropical fish dish was exceptionally done. However, a few days later we tried a different Parrot Fish dish at Beachcomber Cafe, but it was not something we'd care to have again. It was also nice for The Brando to offer Teppanyaki, which was a nice change of pace. Nami is not going to win any awards and won't remind you of similar establishments in Tokyo, but since we were there for 4 nights, it was good to have something different. Nami only serves 8 people in one sitting, so I'd suggest you reserve early if you'd like to dine there during your stay. Service was also a highlight at The Brando. Even though many of the front-line staff have not been at the Resort for a long time, everyone was charming, elegant, attentive and professional - nobody forgot any of our requests or preferences, unlike at the Four Seasons Bora Bora, where mishaps were all too common. Overall, our interactions were positive. If there was a nit to pick, our "Butler" (she introduced herself as the main point of contact for anything we needed during our stay) was only around for the first day. When I asked what happened to her afterwards, she had a day off on the second day and then became ill. Although that's understandable, I was curious why they didn't provide a replacement butler, or - at the very least - inform us of the situation rather than leaving us guessing. We've stayed at some of the world's finest tropical island/beach resorts, and while there are still many on our to-visit list, so far we'd put Brando at the top of the list, leapfrogging Amanpulo as our favorite to date.

An excellent hotel with top notch service. My wife and I started our Polynesian vacation here (after a brief night in Tahiti) and everything was truly first class and white-glove. It was the perfect start for us, as we really needed to just relax after a busy year (and a...

An excellent hotel with top notch service. My wife and I started our Polynesian vacation here (after a brief night in Tahiti) and everything was truly first class and white-glove. It was the perfect start for us, as we really needed to just relax after a busy year (and a long trip). Many others chose to end their vacations here but, for us, starting here was the right call. The hotel is very special with unique excursions built around the remote location. I would especially like to thank Lourine (I hope I spelled her name correctly) for her commitment to excellence.

My husband and I work a great deal in busy corporate dealings. Coming here was a total reset. The island, the beach and The Brando first and foremost was the most memorable relaxing vacation we have ever had. We will be coming back again as soon as we can. Loved...

My husband and I work a great deal in busy corporate dealings. Coming here was a total reset. The island, the beach and The Brando first and foremost was the most memorable relaxing vacation we have ever had. We will be coming back again as soon as we can. Loved the whole experience. Thank you!

The Brando is true paradise. We spent a week in villa 108 which I consider to be the most secluded and private place I have ever stayed. You can enjoy your private plunge pool in the natural without any disturbance. The service is beyond expectations. All of the little touches...

The Brando is true paradise. We spent a week in villa 108 which I consider to be the most secluded and private place I have ever stayed. You can enjoy your private plunge pool in the natural without any disturbance. The service is beyond expectations. All of the little touches that management satisfied before our arrival were truly impressive. I mentioned that I like gummie bears and M&Ms and that my wife likes white chocolate covered pretzels. Well, those items stayed well stocked all week in our room. The culinary offerings are amazing. Les Mutines, Nami, Beach Comber, and Bob's Bar all offer excellent food selections. I must say that the spicy bloody mary and lemon drop martinis are the best we've had.