Cover Story: Coming Home

Nay Palad, in one of the most beautiful spots in the Philippines, has redefined paradise

AS THE FIRST six-star beachfront resort in Siargao, Nay Palad Hideaway looked to set the bar high on barefoot luxury when it opened in 2012—then known as Dedon Island— and set the bar high it most certainly has since. To stay in the “Hideaway,” as the Nay Palad family simply calls it, is to have all worries melt away as you take in the breathtaking views of calm, bluer-than-blue ocean against a lush green tropical forest. Here, going barefoot is encouraged, but it is so much more than merely slipping out of your sandals and digging toes into fine, white sand. Rather, it’s the kind of mood that involves pure bliss and peace, and having the time to enjoy and savor each moment in a home away from home.

The Nay Palad Hideaway experience begins even before you step foot on the island, with most of the arrangements for matters such as transportation and food smoothed out prior to arrival. Tucked away in a secluded area on the southeastern tip of Siargao, one of the last islands of the Philippines, the Hideaway is a bit of a destination but a destination well worth it. Upon arrival at Sayak Airport, located along the west coast of Siargao, a member of the Nay Palad team awaits you. Afterwards, you’ll climb aboard a retro-fitted luxe jeepney, which could be aptly described as a plush living

room on wheels, and enjoy a 40-minute drive taking in the sights and sounds of the peaceful island.

An exquisite stay

At the Hideaway, you are warmly greeted by family and given a brief introduction of your home for the next few days. “Our concept was to create barefoot luxury, and to create something unlike other places and do things differently here,” shares Vincent Lampert, general manager of the resort. “You come in and we have no check-in. You just step into your villa, with your drink, and enjoy barefoot luxury—no shoes, no cell phones, no computers, no wallets, no keys, and just enjoy. We try to mix the local know how and the Western touch and design to create something innovative and unlike anywhere else in the world.” The resort has been around for nine years, and does its best to maintain its world-class standard of accommodations, amenities, and experience. There are 10 beautifully decorated villas with a total of 17 rooms, which simultaneously ensures privacy and exclusivity in your own tropical slice of paradise. The resort’s overall design and interiors showcase Nay Palad Hideaway’s roots in Dedon, maker of exemplary outdoor furniture. Local materials are used for all furniture, such as the several iconic daybeds and sofas you’ll spot (and most likely, lounge on) throughout the property. Each villa is outfitted to be soothing and airy, with spacious rooms and bathrooms, indoor-outdoor showers, and a front glass sliding door that lets in light. Choosing to build all the villas and huts around and among the trees, instead of cutting them down and building against what was intended, Nay Palad has successfully created a deep feeling and emotion of being one with nature in every single moment of your stay.

The resort facilities include a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, wireless internet access in the villas and on the hideaway grounds, one mobile phone for local calls per villa, a minibar in each villa, an outdoor cinema, a treehouse, a spa, a gym, a yoga pavilion, a fire pit, a children’s village which includes a trampoline, a swing, and a kid’s size treehouse, a volleyball/badminton court, table soccer, table tennis, soccer, and a wide selection of sports equipment and board games. There are also two stunning pagodas on the property, a mangrove pagoda and a sea pagoda, where guests are welcome to lounge in and watch the sun rise or set, either with a one-on-one yoga session or perhaps with cocktails or wine paired with a cheese and cold cuts platter.

The Hideaway’s promise to its guests is to make things happen. An all-inclusive stay means that every delicacy you so desire, every drink you fancy, every massage you need, every adventure you seek, and everything you wish for—all is possible. Included in its rates are: full board meals (breakfast menu; family style, picnic or barbecue lunch; fine dining dinner with three or four courses), all

beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic, except Champagne), unlimited mini bar, all excursions and activities such as surfing, kayaking, paddle-boarding, sailing with Hobie Cat, island-hopping, snorkeling, cycling, hiking, and cooking classes, all water sports such as wakeboarding, water-skiing, and donut rides, yoga at the sea or mangrove pagoda, or at the yoga pavilion, all spa treatments including massages, scrubs, and soaks, access to the fitness studio, daily housekeeping and laundry services, and transfers from and to Siargao’s Sayak Airport. Families are very welcome here, and local nannies and babysitters are available at no extra cost, ensuring that you get to fully relax and enjoy the resort’s facilities.

Privacy is a promise and the resort certainly keeps that with a complete team of guest relations who work out the schedules and logistics of each guest. The Hideaway team offers a slew of activity options, and there’s an activity for every mood. Janice, Nay Palad Hideaway’s resort manager, describes exactly what this team does perfectly: “As we prepare the activities for you during your stay, we make sure to make it truly tailor-made. It really depends what the guests would like to do here. For example, if they’d like to have a day of pure relaxation at the spa, or do a half land tour of the island and see its sights.” The resort can take its guests anywhere their heart so desires but sights not to be missed are Cloud 9, Janoyoy island, Tob Tabon and Bito caves, the quaint fishing village of General Luna, Magpupungko rock pool, and island hopping over to nearby Daku and Guyam islands.

Your stay at The Hideaway is really what you make it, and that simple, laidback principle spills over to the food. Nay Palad Hideaway’s kitchen works without menus, which means anything goes. All meals in The Hideaway are always a surprise, you just never know where exactly it will be or what is on the menu. However, rest assured, the ambiance, the location, and the food will always be delightful. At the helm of the resort’s kitchen is Chef Marc Silvestre, who, together with a dynamic team, whip up different delicacies depending on what the catch of the day is or what fresh picks the local farm has to offer. “All the fish, seafood, vegetables, herbs come from the island, we try our best to work with the local community,” explains Silvestre. Guests can dig into a cuisine that is a fusion of European and Asian. “For lunch, it’s a little more Filipino and Asian, with a touch of Mediterranean cuisine. For dinner, it’s a bit more creative, and we combine flavors from around the world.”

A Heart for Sustainability

It doesn’t take much time until you realize that this beachfront escape takes great care of the land it rests on, reducing carbon footprint every chance they can. At The Hideaway, water is heated through solar energy, the gardens’ compost comes from the kitchens,

produce and ingredients are locally sourced or grown on the property’s farm, and the resort takes whatever steps they can make to reduce the use of plastic. In the villas, you’ll find reusable bottles of water, glass jars of dried fruits and snacks, wooden combs, and bamboo toothbrushes. Not only do you get to bask in the peace and serenity of this refuge, you also give back to the land that so graciously nourishes its people.

“We do our best and source local, to work with what we have in the island,” shares Lampert. “We are not perfect but we do our best to not have any waste, nothing to throw away. There is no plastic; plastic is banned here. All the food and biodegradable waste are recycled to compost for our farm. We are still trying to improve and get new ideas on how to further evolve.”

Creating True Social Change

Nay Palad founder Carolin Dekeyser has done amazing work in helping the mothers of Compostela, a sustainable rainforest village in Cebu, Philippines, which was built to rehouse some 500 displaced individuals living on a Cebu City dumpsite. The project was initiated by her father and founder of furniture brand Dedon, Bobby Dekeyser, and his foundation, Dekeyser & Friends. It serves as a model for similar relief projects around the world

and has changed the lives of many mothers of Compostela, providing them with livelihood and homes. Workshops are organized and mentors and teachers invited to come in to help these women develop handicraft skills and get on the path to an independent livelihood.

The name change from Dedon Island to Nay Palad Hideaway was a decision to honor the people who work behind the scenes, these women, as well as reference the local touch. The Philippines is undoubtedly home to some of the warmest people on the planet, with a reputation for friendliness and sincerity reaching far and wide. At the same time, Nay Palad also signifies the heart of the Philippines, pointing out the reason why the country is so beautiful: its people.

The Hideaway is the first destination by Nay Palad, a friends-and-family company, that seeks to create magical destinations. A six-star luxury beachfront resort on the quiet island of Siargao, it is the brainchild of Carolin Dekeyser with the idea of sharing her family’s philosophy of barefoot luxury to the rest of the world.

Above: The moment you walk through the Nay Palad’s towering gates, you are immediately transported to a tropical wonderland wherein your holiday wishes come true. Right: Take in the fresh ocean air at the breathtaking sea pagoda, glass of wine in hand. Below: Editor-in-Chief Raul Manzano and Managing Editor Justin Convento traverse the mangrove forest on the Nay Palad speedboat.

The Perlah Villa features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, an indoor lounge, an outdoor lounge, a private pool, and a tree cabana, occupying a spacious 400 square meters.

Clockwise from right: A nature lover’s dream, Nay Palad builds all its villas and structures amidst the existing trees and foliage of the property it sits on; the yoga pavilion and fitness studio are your wellness hubs in The Hideaway; one of the treatment rooms at the resort’s spa; the treehouse platform at The Children’s Village; take a seat at the bar and relax after a dip in the infinity pool.

Above left: Angus beef rib-eye with potato puree, smoked red peppers, and garlic cream and demi-glace sauce. Above: At the helm of the Nay Palad kitchen is Chef Marc Silvestre who heads a team that aims to constantly wow and surprise guests.

Clockwise from left: Tuna sashimi served with pico de gallo, crunchy cassava, and egg plant cream; pan-seared lobster with chorizo migas, pimientos del piquillo, and egg yolk cream; Sexy on the Beach, the Hideaway’s version of the classic cocktail; deconstructed ‘calamansi’ pie with ‘calamansi’ mousse, Italian meringue, ‘calamansi sabayon,’ lemon peel ice cream, and honey sponge cake; sauteed green beans in pesto veloute, feta cheese, almonds, and egg yolk cream.

The sunken seating area, which may be considered as Nay Palad’s reception, is welcoming, and makes for the perfect place to laze and lounge after a day of activities on the island.