Marlon Brando’s coral reef eco-resort to finally see light of day in French Polynesia

Construction has finally commenced on the late actor’s ambitious environmental lodging project, The Brando, on the French Polynesian atoll of Tetiaroa, 35 miles off the coast of Tahiti. Slated for completion in late 2011, the developing luxury eco-resort has passed the Tahitian’s government rigorous environmental impact guidelines.

Complete with 47 deluxe bungalow villas (each with private plunge pools), a spa, fitness center and community pool, the resort will also feature a variety of island activities including scuba diving and archaeological tours of royal Tahitian sites. The exclusive resort will be the only hotel on Tetiaroa, the former playground of Tahitian Kings in French Polynesia’s idyllic islands.

In order for construction crews to gain access to the land without disrupting the sensitive tropical ecosystem, The Brando’s construction began with the building of a platform on the coral reef to provide logistical access to the island without causing environmental damage. Additionally, the old airstrip is being refurbished and extended to meet the government’s safety standards.

Green luxury in a land of kings

Purchased by Brando in 1965, Tetiaroa is a 13-island chain circled by a coral reef offering a tranquil setting 35 miles from the island of Tahiti. The Brando is a product of Brando’s vision to create a project which will resonate with visitors and also foster opportunities for guests to get to know both the place and the people of French Polynesia.

The project is being overseen by Tahiti Beachcomber SA, whose CEO, Richard Bailey, owner of several luxury resorts in French Polynesia, was a good friend of Brando and had been working with him for many years to fulfill their joint vision to develop an environmentally sustainable resort. Bailey has experience with other sustainable projects in Tahiti as he owns four InterContinental resorts in the region, each utilizing eco-friendly practices.

Brando had many ideas for how to create an eco-friendly resort, and Bailey is working with the Brando estate to implement these visions.

The hotel will operate with a “sea water air-conditioning” system (SWAC), which draws on an inexhaustible supply of completely renewable clean energy and has zero impact on the environment. Bailey plans to use a deep-sea pipe to pump cold water from the depths of the ocean, which will then be used to chill the air in the hotel—the same system he developed and that is successfully in place at InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa.

Bailey and his company, Tahiti Beachcomber SA, own the four InterContinental Resorts French Polynesia: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa, InterContinental Tahiti Resort, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, and InterContinental Moorea Resort and Spa. Bailey is also co-founder of the nonprofit foundation, Te Mana o Te Moana. Working closely with the Tahitian Ministry of Environment, the organization strives to protect marine life, educating the public on safe environmental activity, and continuously promotes eco-friendly practices throughout the InterContinental properties and local communities.

For more information, visit www.thebrando.com.