French Polynesia / The Brando

On the distant atoll of Tetiaroa, accessed by plane, lies a private island resort once favoured as the personal retreat of Marlon Brando.

Brando, who found the island’s beauty beyond his power to describe, is said to have first seen Tetiaroa whilst scouting film locations for Mutiny on the Bounty. Today the resort endeavours to operate exclusively with renewable energy drawn from the sea and sun, and comprises a winsome collection of one, two and three bedroom villas with private pools, outdoor eating and private beach area – each of the larger villas having its own dressing room and upgraded furnishings on the expanded private deck.

Naturally, fresh seafood is the star in the resort’s restaurants, alongside Polynesian-inspired dishes and the finest East/West fusion French cuisine, all accompanied by fresh produce from the property’s gardens and excellent vintages from the world-class wine cellar. Explore the terrain by bike, sail across to neighbouring motus, snorkel to spot rare marine life or take a steam bath in the spa whilst contemplating which cocktail to order later at Bob’s Bar, named after Brando’s factotum on the film set.