Latest news with #BobbyDekeyser
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.
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I visited the island of Siargao in the Philippines - here's why it's the closest you'll ever get to paradise
There aren't many finer tributes you can give a hotel than saying, 'I just spent two hours with the barman inventing a cocktail.' But so it is here, in the exquisitely bijou, not-exactly-cheap, seriously all-inclusive idyll that is Nay Palad Hideaway, on the near-paradise island of Siargao, in the Philippines. I'm afraid I can't tell you the cocktail recipe; I'm keenly hoping to patent it. I can tell you the barman and I decided to name it the 'Bobbini,' in honour of the hotel's owner and presiding genius: Bobby Dekeyser, a one-time pro footballer turned furniture mogul turned expert luxury hotelier (his hotel was recently named the 15th best in the world.) The ethos of Nay Palad is 'boutique and bespoke.' Perched on the edge of its own curve of shining blue bay, it consists of just ten swishy thatched bamboo-and-mahogany villas. There are Enid-Blyton-in-a-daydream treehouses, and vast hardwood beds set in powdery sands beside the surf. Much of the furniture is unique - the hotel was originally conceived as a design showcase. But after a devastating typhoon in 2021, the Dekeyser squad decided: go upmarket. And so they did. Folded into the pre-paid luxe is properly top-notch food and service. Nay Palad boasts a gifted Thai-German chef (the Mediterranean dishes are especially mmm). There's always someone on hand to take you boating, snorkelling, padel-playing, kayaking, sea-fishing, cocktail-inventing, or paddleboarding through serene blue-green mangrove lagoons, just a three-minute stroll from the hotel's kitchen garden. Of course, even the loveliest resort needs outside diversions, and it's here that Nay Palad falters, just a touch. You can go scuba-diving, but there's better diving elsewhere in the Philippines. The snorkelling is fine, but not exactly head-spinning. On the other hand, the bays around Nay Palad hide all manner of enticing islands, inlets and coves. And if you fancy a naked sunset picnic - with that lush, all-included wine - on a private sandbar, that can be arranged. Whatever you prefer, Sir. Meanwhile, anyone with a love of surfing is in for a treat: fifteen minutes down the road, near the friendly, hedonistic backpacker town of General Luna, is a famous surf break called Cloud 9. It's so celebrated they hold international tournaments here. But be careful - it can be gnarly. Nay Palad also works well as part of a wider Philippine tour. A short flight north brings you to the spectacular Samar Natural Park, with its caves, gorges, cataracts, jungles and plunging green rivers - home to the critically endangered Philippine crocodile. What's more, most of this is available year-round. Unless you're unlucky enough to hit a typhoon, any season is a good time to visit this safe, quiet, fortunate corner of the glittering Philippine archipelago. The sun shines, reliably, with the odd refreshing tropical shower, like a plunge pool of weather. On my last day, reluctant to leave my womb-like, palm-shaded sanctuary, I have a beachside breakfast with a new friend, Jenny. She looks especially relaxed, even by Nay Palad standards. I ask her why. She says, 'Oh, I just did yoga in the sea pagoda' - a pretty, thatched wooden platform, out there in the waves. I ask her what it was like. She thinks for a bit, closes her eyes, then says, 'Heaven. It was like being in heaven.'
