Nay Palad Hideaway
Located on the tear-drop shaped island of Siargao, off the coast of Mindanao in the Philippines, Nay Palad Hideaway is the birthplace of barefoot luxury. Nestled between mangrove forests and private white sandy beaches, the five-star resort invites guests to an unforgettable experience with nothing but relaxation in mind.
Former professional soccer player Bobby Dekeyser’s vision for this blissful hideout is to give visitors the experience of all-inclusive barefoot luxury. “Passing through the gates of Nay Palad Hideaway, you leave the real world behind. Welcome to the barefoot state of mind. There’s no need for a wallet here. No checks are signed,” says Dekeyser. “From now on, every delicacy you desire, every drink you fancy, every massage you need, every adventure you seek, is yours for the asking. There’s just one thing we ask in return: Treat this palm-fringed paradise as your home, and let us make your dreams come true.”
Visiting this secluded paradise also means preserving it. A member of The Long Run Initiative, Nay Palad Hideaway aims to create sustainable experiences while applying the “4Cs”—conservation, community, culture and commerce. Created in 2009, The Long Run provides a concrete way for businesses to internalize sustainability in their operations and decision-making
At the restaurant, most of the produce comes from Nay Palad Hideaway’s own organic vegetable garden. This ensures that guests eat only the freshest, seasonal ingredients and have a farm-to-table experience. It is also possible to visit the garden along with chef Marc Silvestre to pick the ingredients and then cook some local dishes. The additional produce and ingredients are sourced from local, organic farms in an effort to support the local community as well as the environment.
Nay Palad Hideaway’s eco-conscious initiatives also include banning plastic bottles and straws as well as participating in cleaning the coastline and mangroves of Siargao. Rainwater is collected to irrigate the plants at the resort, and the property is built and maintained with locally-sourced materials such as wood and bamboo—combining local traditions and timeless beauty.
Waste is dealt with according to the principle of “reduce, reuse, recycle,” meaning that green waste from the kitchen goes back to the vegetable farm as compost. Bath and spa supply as well as cleaning materials at the resort are all natural and organic.
Passing through the gates of Nay Palad Hideaway, you leave the real world behind. Welcome to the barefoot state of mind.
To give back to the local communities, Nay Palad Hideaway supports the health of local children through its yearly Medical Mission. For one week, dozens of doctors from all over the Philippines attend to the health and dental care of about 2,000 children in the community of Malinao in Siargao Island. Nay Palad Hideaway and the team have also been supporting the Compostela Village Project of Dekeyser & Friends Foundation on the island of Cebu. “Designed by architects Daniel Pouzet and Jean-Marie Massaud, the village was built in 2012 to host 50 families of scavengers living on a major dumpsite on the island. The objective of the Compostela Village was to create a self-sustaining community. Over the years, an organic vegetables and fruits garden, a livestock farm and a little jewelry and accessories manufacture have been developed in order to generate a sustainable income for the families,” says Chantal Hesp, the Sales & Marketing Manager at the resort.
At the end of your stay, if you wish to bring a piece of Siargao island home with you, the resort has a boutique which sells exquisite, handmade items from local artisans. This will help you remember this unique hideaway while supporting a local artisan’s livelihood. And perhaps you will be able to take the mindset of barefoot luxury back home with you.
images copyrights Nay Palad Hideaway
words by Nina Ahmedow
