Tip: how to book a stay at The Brando in French Polynesia

Friday newsletters always feature luxury travel contests, tips, or news.

Today: How to book a stay at The Brando in French Polynesia

The Brando is the ultimate private island resort located on French Polynesia’s breathtakingly beautiful atoll of Tetiaroa. Tetiaroa spans a spectacular three-mile wide lagoon surrounded by small islands (motus) that are exquisitely pristine and exclusive only to the resort’s guests and visiting researchers. Access to the island of Tetiaroa is provided by Air Tetiaroa via a quick 20-minute private plane flight from Papeete or a one hour flight from Bora Bora. You can read my review of The Brando here or watch my YouTube video below.

The private island resort features just 36 massive pool villas & residences, each featuring an ocean-view pool, expansive outdoor decks and secluded white-sand beach with lagoon access frequented by sea turtles, tropical fishes, and exotic birds. The Brando offers three restaurants showcasing Polynesian-inspired dishes, East/West fusion, classic French cuisine and Japanese specialties. The all-day Beachcomber Cafe is the perfect place to capture sunsets; Michelin fine dining is featured at Les Mutines; and Nami is an intimate, eight-seat venue serving classic teppanyaki prepared by Japanese Chef Kaito Nakamura.

Varua Te Ora Polynesian Spa is the one-of-a-kind spa at the heart of the motu. Here you will find the iconic Fare Manu (“Bird’s Nest”) massage bungalow in the treetops, indoor treatment villas and an open-air massage pavilion, all perched on a serene lily-covered pond. A steam room, relaxation area and 24-hour fitness center add to the spa experience.

There is an abundance of activities for those who want to be active. Each beach villa features a bicycle for each guest to explore the various pathways around the island, take a picnic to a favorite beach or discover Jack’s Cold Plunge, the ultimate wellness ritual. Guests can snorkel or dive with tropical fishes, sail or paddle board to a neighboring motu (island), kayak above coral gardens, test their skills at deep-sea fishing and fly-fishing in the lagoon, explore Bird Island & visit the Queen’s bath in the secret lagoon, or enjoy a guided tour of our pioneering sustainable technology and scientific EcoStation.

As you can imagine, a stay at The Brando does not come cheap. In this article, I’ll explain the best strategies for booking a holiday at The Brando, one of the world’s most iconic private island resorts:

1. Getting to The Brando
2. Two types of room rate & how to book

GETTING TO THE BRANDO

The following airlines from around the world offer direct flights to Faa’a International Airport in Papeete, Tahiti:

Once you’ve arrived in French Polynesia, it’s another short but spectacular flight to The Brando as the private island resort is exclusively accessible by air. All flights are operated by Air Tetiaroa. Air Tetiaroa operates two 6-passenger Britten Norman aircrafts, as well as two Twin-Otter aircrafts with a capacity of 14 passengers, which depart from a private terminal at Faa’a International Airport in Tahiti (with a private lounge) or from Bora Bora airport’s main terminal. The Brando’s reservation agents will arrange this portion of the trip with you once you’ve confirmed your stay.

• The resort operates daily flights from Tahiti (one flight in the early morning and one flight in the afternoon). The 20 min flight is short but spectacular. Regular rate is 480 Euros per guest roundtrip.
• The flight from Bora Bora takes one hour and only operates once a week (on Tuesdays). Regular rate is 896 Euros per guest roundtrip.

The rates for the flight to The Brando are charged on top of the package that you book and depend on the season. Promotional offers as well as discounts for children and infants may apply.

TWO TYPES OF ROOM RATES & HOW TO BOOK

A minimum stay applies at The Brando: two nights in low & high season and five nights during the festive season. Regardless of the season, The Brando offers two types of room rates: the bed & breakfast rate (which includes an American breakfast) and the all-inclusive rate. The type of rate you are interested in will determine your best strategy to book a stay at The Brando.

The “breakfast & villa only” package includes:

• A luxurious private beachfront villa
• American breakfast daily (at the restaurant or in the privacy of the villa)
• Access to the fitness center and tennis court
• Beach equipment: kayak, paddle board, outrigger canoe, snorkeling gear
• A bicycle per person at the Villa (also available for children)
• 24/7 unlimited online access to a selection of worldwide newspapers and magazines
• Unlimited WIFI Internet access from both the Villa and public areas

The daily all inclusive rate includes:

• A luxurious private beachfront villa
• All meals in the dining venues. Premium items are available at an additional charge.
• 24-hour in-villa dining. A surcharge of 80 Euro by order may apply from 10pm to 06am.
• Most beverages (bottled water, soft drinks, beers, wines, French champagne and spirits); premium wines and spirits are available at an additional charge.
• One excursion per person and per day from the list proposed by the Concierge, on a shared basis
• Spa treatments at the Varua Polynesian Spa:
  • One 50 min spa treatment per villa per day with the One Bedroom Villa
  • Two 50 min spa treatments per villa per day with the Two Bedroom Villa
  • Three 50 min spa treatments per villa per day with the Three Bedroom Villa
• Access to the fitness center and tennis court
• Beach equipment: kayak, paddle board, outrigger canoe, snorkeling gear
• A bicycle per person at the Villa (also available for children)
• 24/7 unlimited online access to a selection of worldwide newspapers and magazines
• Unlimited WIFI Internet access from both the villa and public areas

If you’re going for the all-inclusive rate, you may as well book directly via the website of The Brando, since this packages includes everything (no travel agent can offer any additional extras). Another incentive for booking via the website is that The Brando offers a discount for extended stays: 10% off the public rom rate for stays of 3 consecutive nights, and 15% off the public rom rate for stays of 4 consecutive nights. This offer is not valid though for stays during the Christmas Holidays, Easter Holidays, and the summer months of July and August.

If you’re going for the “Breakfast & Villa” rate, it might be a good idea to book a package via a Virtuoso travel agent or via your credit card company, since this will add a few extra perks to your reservation that can save you some money while on site.

When you book the “Breakfast & Villa” rate via Virtuoso, this will get you the following perks:

• Daily Buffet breakfast (included in rates)
• One-time, 100 Euro resort credit, per stay (not applicable to the Hinerava Pearl Shop, the Boutique, or Varua Te Ora Polynesian Spa)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

When you own an American Express credit card and you are a Platinum Card member, you can book The Brando via Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts. This will offer you more or less the same benefits as when you would book The Brando via the Virtuoso, except for a guaranteed late check-out at 4p (which comes in handy when you have a return flight in the evening):

• Room upgrade upon arrival when available
• Daily (continental) breakfast for two people
• Guaranteed late 4pm check-out time
• Noon check-in when available
• A spa, food, and/or beverage credit (valued at a minimum of US$ 100 USD)

When you own a Citi Prestige Card (USA citizens only) you can make use of the fourth night free benefit: when you book a four night stay at The Brando, you will get reimbursed the cost of the fourth night, minus any taxes and service fees. The fourth night benefit is calculated based on the average nightly rate of your complete stay. Reservations must be made through Thankyou.com or the Citi Prestige Concierge and you must pay for your stay with your Citi Prestige Card, ThankYou points, or a combination of the two.

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