The Brando: Marlon Brando’s Private Island in the South Pacific Gets a Luxury Eco-Resort

This dreamy spot in the South Pacific will soon be home to The Brando, a luxury eco-resort that's slated for 2011. Marlon Brando bought the private island in French Polynesia in 1965, a postcard-perfect atoll called Tetiaroa surrounded by a coral reef. Construction has begun on what will be the only resort on the island, following Brando's vision for an eco-friendly hideaway. What's in store? The official website promises "47 deluxe bungalow villas (each with private plunge pools), a spa, fitness center, community pool, as well as various island activities including scuba diving and archaeological tours of royal Tahitian sites." To minimize the resort's environmental footprint, The Brando will use a "sea water air conditioning" system which uses renewable clean energy. This system is also used at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa, as The Brando is being developed by Tahiti Beachcomber SA, whose CEO, Richard Bailey, owns the four InterContinental resorts in the region, all committed to eco-friendly practices: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort, InterContiental Tahiti Resort, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, and InterContinental Moorea Resort and Spa.