The Brando (French Polynesia)
 

This might be a place for people on this Forum - Marlon Brando's atoll of Tetiaroa, which is fairly near Tahiti, has been converted into a hotel after several years of stop-starting. Must say the website looks extremely enticing and at 3000 Euros per night per villa (all inclusive) with a minimum 3 night stay this ups the ante a bit in French Polynesia. And no overwater bungalows which is a positive sign.

http://www.thebrando.com/

That looks stunning and it's on the beach;):D. Unfortunately at that price I'll have to pass unless I win the lottery.
I remember reading about it and the dispute. I know you know French Polynesia quite well - are there any atolls with slightly cheaper accommodation and without the ubiquitous over water bungalows.

The resort looks lovely and I really like the concept. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. But at 3000EUR per night, it makes most Amans look cheap.

It'll be interesting to see if they can maintain that price point.

It coulda been a contenduh, but for 3000 Euros a night, it ain't my night

I'm not totally in love, much less when factoring in the starting rates (non-inclusive of RT transfers, premium wines/liquors, etc).

I'd much rather try the new Cheval Blanc in the Maldives.

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/3320/7rna.jpg
not private island. private atoll with 12 islands private to resort. this is a first.

comparison for all-inclusive private island/atoll >

north island 500 acres 11 villas (they all have children's BR)
€5164 - 2014
€5530 - 2015
(includes diving/courses, half day fishing trips, sunset cruises)

fregate island 300 acres 22 villas
€3850-€5250 2014
€4400-€5250 2015

laucala island 3000 acres 25 villas
$5040 2014
$5520 2015
(includes one spa day, inner reef diving (not courses), sailing, jet boat, jetski)
(seems they also have underwater scooters, also included)

tetiaroa atoll 35 villas plus additional residences
(design looks like FS bora bora beachfront villas/residences?)
€2055 jul 1 to sep 30 2014
€3423 oct 1 to mar 31 2016
(includes one excursion per day and one spa treatment per day)

necker island 74 acres 15 rooms
$4023 - 2014
(includes speed boats and motorized watersports, sailing)

--- and (i believe not only thing on island, at lower price point) >

wakaya island 2200 acres 13 villas plus additional residences and village etc (do they own entire island?)
$2280
(includes two dives per day, guaranteed early morning checkin and late afternoon checkout)

---

comparisons must factor in
- rate inclusions which also mean property and roomcount
- seasonal rates. most aman dont have seasonal rates, but for example >
$2745 10 night minimum 1BR no pool no view amanyara dec 20 2014 - jan 6 2015 with basically no inclusions
and thats not even getting into how expensive large resorts and city properties can be especially during peak dates
maldives continues to have rate increases, and has huge premiums over xmas/nye if not easter as well
(annual rates allow best season and or holiday for no premium, instead of low season discount)

It´s an interesting option. I wait for the first trip report

I do love how the first sentence on the website bills it as:

" a true escape from the excesses of the modern world. "

As if a €3000++ resort is not part of the excesses of the modern world...

Ha! It's funny 'cause it's true. I can also see how they could use this credo to offer you less for your money. In the vein that what you want is 'excessive' and not in keeping with the spirit of the place (well, except for the cost part).

If I was paying that kind of cash (and I wouldn't), I would not only want excesses, but I would want an excessive amount of them. :D

LOL. You guys are right. :D

It does look like a neat place, though unlike a lot of folks, I love an overwater bungalow, as long as it isolated enough, and not having that is a bit of a minus for me. Hopefully we get a Trip Report from somebody on this.

You can't have too much minimalism.

Quote of the week.

i wonder how real estate taxes work in french polynesia

some maldives seasonal rates from 2008/2009 >
http://www.hotelsmaldives.com/maldiv..._spa_hotel.htm
http://www.hotelsmaldives.com/maldiv..._rah_hotel.htm
http://www.hotelsmaldives.com/maldiv...varu_hotel.htm
http://www.hotelsmaldives.com/maldiv..._spa_hotel.htm

:D

brando atoll >
http://www.anislandnameddesire.com/masterplan/ only developing one island?
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=tetia...gl=us&t=h&z=13
http://vimeo.com/28206957 http://tetiaroa.pf/gallery/ http://storyoftetiaroa.com/

brando atoll rates >
€2055 jul 1 to sep 30 2014 "soft opening"
€3423 oct 1 to mar 31 2016

brando round trip transfers per person >
€299 / €152 / €35 - jul 1 to mar 31 2015 (€598 per couple)
€597 / €303 / €69 - apr 1 to mar 31 2016 (€1194 per couple)
"12 years and over" / "2 to 11 years" / "under 2" per person
vs
(cheval blanc maldives - $3660 per couple / $885 per "2 to 11 years")
laucala - $2880 per couple / $720 per "3 years to 11 years"
fregate - €1600 charter boat / €1740 charter helicopter / €3420 charter plane
north - €1540 charter helicopter
wakaya - $1320 per couple

children >
brando - €248 then €412 "per child...2 children 12 years & older" / free "under 12"
vs
north - €1164 "13 to 19 years" / €366 "3 to 12 years" / free "under...3 years"
fregate - €720 "12-17 years" / €430 "6-12 years" / free "0-5 years"
necker - $595 "per child...between 6 and 11"
laucala - $540 "12 years and older" / free "till 11 years old" - "one additional bed"

so soft opening is 40% savings on rates and 50% savings on transfers