BRANDO'S WORLD FAMOUS OVER WATER BUNGALOW IN BORA BORA!

Our stay at Brando’s Over the Water Bungalow was absolutely amazing. I am a planner and researcher. I googled everything I could about Bora Bora before traveling there, however, the internet information was very limited. Once we arrived and made our way around the island, I discovered that we made by far the best decision by staying here. This is a complete and full functioning home, not just an ‘over the water bedroom and bathroom’ as compared to the many resorts. I will honestly say that the pictures posted do not capture the true beauty of the surroundings and views, it exceeded our expectations. We had unlimited access to the island, which is what sets this bungalow apart from most of the resorts with over the water bungalows. I heard other travelers complain about how they had limited access to be able to come to the mainland from the resorts on the private islands. The community setting where this bungalow is located is very private, very clean, quiet, and a safe environment. Richard has three of the five bungalows over the water, a home to suit every need! This review can easily be applied to any of three if you are considering Marlon’s Over the Water Bungalow, Brando’s Over the Water Bungalow or the Black Pearl.
Richard was so friendly and welcoming and such a pleasure to work with. Once in Bora Bora, he arranged a local friend, Nir to meet and greet us and provide us with a cell phone to be able to contact him for any of our needs, and we did! Nir was readily available every time we called, and always had knowledgeable responses to our requests, from simple restaurant recommendations to scheduling our excursions. He also had a rental car available for us, which can be a little hard to reserve in advance on the island, and I would highly recommend having a car to get around at your leisure. Nir’s recommendation for a private boat tour around the island was the highlight of our trip. Patrick with Maohi Nui gave us a real experience we will never forget! Sharks, stingrays, coral, sea life, and amazing snorkeling locations which are only accessible by boat!
Things about the house that we found comfortable and surprising: great water pressure for being over the water, wifi, the cool breeze constantly blowing throughout the house, drinking morning coffee on the deck watching the sunrise, snorkeling off the deck we saw the occasional sting ray, schools of yellow jacks, lion fish, butterfly fish, angel fish, moorish idols, and spotted eel and more!

Our stay was absolutely amazing. I am a planner and researcher. I googled everything I could about Bora Bora before traveling there, however, the internet information was very limited. Once we arrived and made our way around the island, I discovered that we made by far the best decision by staying here. This is a complete and full functioning home, not just an ‘over the water bedroom and bathroom’ as compared to the many resorts. I will honestly say that the pictures posted do not capture the true beauty of the surroundings and views, it exceeded our expectations.
The community setting where this bungalow is located is very private, very clean, quiet, and a safe environment. Richard has three of the five bungalows over the water, a home to suit every need! This review can easily be applied to any of three if you are considering Marlon’s Over the Water Bungalow, Brando’s Over the Water Bungalow or the Black Pearl.
Richard was so friendly and welcoming and such a pleasure to work with. Once in Bora Bora, he arranged a local friend, Nir to meet and greet us and provide us with a cell phone to be able to contact him for any of our needs, and we did! Nir was readily available every time we called, and always had knowledgeable responses to our requests, from simple restaurant recommendations to scheduling our excursions. He also had a rental car available for us, which can be a little hard to reserve in advance on the island, and I would highly recommend having a car to get around at your leisure. Nir’s recommendation for a private boat tour around the island was the highlight of our trip. Patrick with Maohi Nui gave us a real experience we will never forget! Sharks, stingrays, coral, sea life, and amazing snorkeling locations which are only accessible by boat!
Things about the house that we found comfortable and surprising: great water pressure for being over the water, wifi, the cool breeze constantly blowing throughout the house, drinking coffee on the deck enjoying the sunrise while watching the different fish swim by, security and safety, snorkeling, we saw the occasional sting ray pass by, schools of yellow jacks, lion fish, butterfly fish, angel fish, Moorish idols, privacy of the small community, the history of the property, and the mango tree across the street! If you want the convenience of a complete home over the water and to see all of what Bora Bora has to offer, don’t hesitate, contact Richard immediately and get your vacation started!

My wife and I had promised an Island vacation to our two children 20 years ago and we finally made it happen Nov 8th for 10 FANTASTIC days. I contacted Richard, the owner, and told him we wanted both the Marlon and Brando bungalows for the 10 day period. His response was immediate. He answered my email it seems within the hour. Thanks Richard for the promptness and for the promptness of the many that followed. That does not seem to happen anymore.

The description of the bungalows and pictures were perfect. The properties were clean and pretty well maintained. I still get confused of which one is which. The beach area was small but with the large lanai, you did not need one. We stayed in the one on the end. The only issue we had was the outside shower was so badly rusted, and sprayed water all over the place, except the shower head, we just used the hose to rinse off with. The bungalow next door had issues with the stove not working part of the time but most of the cooking was at our bungalow. Swimming at the bungalows was absolutely wonderful; water temp. was 86 degrees. Marine life was all over, from many types of fish including 3 Lion Fish, One Moray eel, and lots of reef fish. Did not have much of a sandy bottom so make sure to bring reef walkers. If you are able to go directly across the lagoon to the reef for snorkeling, do so it was a snorkelers paradise, you will not be disappointed.

Nir, the property manager was the perfect host. He did everything we asked of him and did it when we asked. He is the kind of manager everyone would love to have. At the end of our stay, we told him of the decks shower head and he was upset that we did not tell him of it at the start and stated he would have gotten someone out immediately to fix the problem. I do believe EVERYONE on the island knows, Nir.

Sarah from Bora Diving and her crew were great and the diving was fantastic. It is true you go to Bora Bora for 2 things, The Water and Relaxation. Do not plan on a night life on Bora Bora because there really isn't any but that was okay with all of us. I have told everyone since we have been back that this was the most relaxing vacation I, we have ever had. We will be back, but next time just with my wife.

My entire family and I want to thank both Richard and Nir for the vacation we had only dreamed of up until Nov. 8th. Thanks again. We all miss the island.

Would I recommend this property to a friend or relative: ABSOLUTELY