Latest news with #Bali-esque
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Forbes
Nay Palad Sets A New Standard For Barefoot Luxury In The Philippines
Siargao, a popular surfing destination in the Philippines, is having a moment. Often referred to as a Bali-esque escape from the 1970s, this lush island has a beguiling charm that draws travelers back to visit over and over again. Maybe it's because there are more palm trees than people, or the fact that you can go surfing, island hopping and swimming in natural rock pools all in the same day, but once you experience the magic of Siargao, it's hard to stay away. For those in the know, the best place to stay is Nay Palad Hideaway, Siargao's most refined retreat. Tucked on a quiet beach just 15-minutes' drive from General Luna, the main town on the island, Nay Palad Hideaway captures what's most beloved about Siargao. A stylish resort with plenty of tropical flair, it offers an intimate experience and a genuine hospitality that sets the Philippines apart. Nay Palad Hideaway is owned by Bobby Dekeyser, former soccer player and founder of global luxury brand DEDON, as a tribute to his love for Siargao. He first visited in the 1990s while setting up production for his outdoor furniture company in the Philippines, tapping into the craftsmanship of local communities to weave intricate patterns and create elegant, weather-resistant furnishings. In Siargao, he found the perfect place to build a resort that brings together his passion for design, leisure and hospitality. Nestled between the island's pristine coastline and a lush mangrove forest, the property was entirely rebuilt after Typhoon Rai devastated the island in 2021. Dekeyser brought back his original architect, Romanian-born, Paris-based Daniel Pouzet, to reimagine the resort for its next chapter. The new name, 'Nay Palad,' combines the Filipino words for 'mother' and 'palm' — reflecting the property's nurturing approach to hospitality. The hideaway features 10 villas with ample indoor and outdoor living space: each one sleeps between 6–9 guests. Spacious yet unpretentious, they feature thatched roofs, large open-air deck areas and rain bathrooms that bring the outdoors in. The Ocean View Villas, which span 100m², are perfect for couples or families, while the Perlah Villa, a private sanctuary with four bedrooms, swimming pool and beach access, is ideal for larger groups. The resort has a laidback feel with playful nooks perfect for relaxing with a drink or book. DEDON's iconic furnishings appear throughout, from "Nestrest" canopies and "Swingrest" hanging loungers to oversized daybeds that look like something out of Alice in Wonderland — creating spaces that guests of all ages can enjoy. At the heart of the resort is a dining room overseen by Thai-German Chef Thorsten, who creates dishes tailored to each guest. Breakfast features an à la carte menu with local and international options, while in the evening, meals are multi-course, fine-dining experiences staged in different enchanting corners of the resort. One night you might dine on the beach under the stars, the next tucked into a candlelit treehouse with the sound of waves in the distance — this spontaneity adds to the magic. The staff has created over a dozen different venues for meals, ensuring each dining experience feels fresh and special. A large outdoor swimming pool invites guests to enjoy refreshing dips alongside craft cocktails, while the nearby games area offers billiards, foosball and boardgames — perfect for a digital detox. The property also features an airy yoga shala and spa offering traditional hilot massages. Despite its many activities, the vibe here is luxuriously relaxed: there's no schedule to keep, no decisions to make — just the slow, satisfying rhythm of island time. Nay Palad is a place where you're encouraged to walk around barefoot and dine when you wish. And its all-inclusive aspect means you won't spend your time comparing prices or worrying about fees (all activities are included in the price of your villa). One unmissable experience is an island-hopping tour aboard Nay Palad's boat, which takes you to nearby islands like Daku, Guyam and Naked Island. You can snorkel, enjoy a pop-up beach picnic, and take a short hike for panoramic views. But what truly sets Nay Palad apart is its commitment to Siargao's environment and community. The property supports everything from organic farming and coral rehabilitation to biodiversity research and local education. More than 80% of the team is locally employed, and nearly everything is sourced from the island. It's proof that luxury and sustainability don't just coexist — they enhance each other.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ellen DeGeneres Just Sold a Midcentury Bungalow in Montecito for $5.2 Million
Back in 2020, after they sold a Beverly Hills mansion to a San Francisco-based venture capitalist for a cool $45 million, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi went on a real estate buying spree in the Santa Barbara area. The former talk show host and actress snatched up a $49 million compound from comedian Dennis Miller, bought back a $14.3 million ranch they had previously owned from Tinder founder Sean Rad, and picked up a two-bedroom, two-bath 1950s bungalow just steps away from Montecito's Butterfly Beach for $2.9 million, just to name a few of their purchases. The couple went on to flip the Miller pad for $55 million to an unidentified buyer and once again offloaded the historic Rancho San Leandro hacienda—it's right next door to Oprah Winfrey's Promised Land estate—to Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe in an off-market deal for $21 million. Now they've come full circle, selling the petite cottage in a bidding war for $5.2 million just days after they listed it for a speck under $5 million. Not only is that around $200,000 over the asking price, but it's also $2.3 million more than they paid for the place a little more than four years ago. More from Robb Report This $4.1 Million Cottage Is Located in a Celebrity-Favorite Enclave Just North of New York City This $3.4 Million Manhattan Coop Comes With a Coveted Key to Gramercy Park Michter's Is About to Release Its Excellent Annual 10 Year Old Bourbon Tucked away at the end of a lengthy driveway shared with three other homes, amid a nearly half-acre parcel laced with palms, the single-level house was built in 1954 and offers about 1,700 square feet of glass-lined living space that has been extensively renovated through the years. With vaulted ceilings sporting whitewashed exposed beams throughout, the Bali-esque interiors are centered around an open-concept great room hosting a fireside living room, a dining area, and a sleekly designed kitchen outfitted with Portuguese limestone countertops and high-end stainless appliances. Just off the kitchen is a small guest bedroom that sits across from a full bath and a laundry room. At the end of a hallway is a secluded primary retreat, which features a bedroom with its own patio, along with a walk-in closet and a spa-like bath that comes with a soaking tub and access to a privately walled courtyard. A second enclosed patio off the living area is embellished with a fire pit and a water feature, while a carport rests out front. The property-mad pair, who have largely decamped to the U.K., are rumored to already be looking at a new and very modern house in the Cotswolds after they experienced issues with flooding and backlash from neighbors over construction work at an $18 million farmhouse they first moved into last year. Back in the U.S., they still lay claim to at least two Montecito homes: a $32 million Roman-style estate known as Pompeiian Court that the two repurchased last year as part of a property swap deal with billionaire mining magnate Robert Friedland, as well as another smaller house nearby. The just-sold listing was held by Riskin Partners Estate Group of Village Properties/Forbes Global Properties; Mark Bacino of Keller Williams Realty repped the of Robb Report The 10 Priciest Neighborhoods in America (And How They Got to Be That Way) In Pictures: Most Expensive Properties Click here to read the full article.
