Philippines: Seven
Thousand Islands of Blue

Featured Accommodation

Malinao, General Luna, Siargao Island

Nay Palad Hideaway — ten villas where no wallet is needed and no bill is ever signed

Formerly Dedon Island Resort, Nay Palad was dreamed up by former Bayern Munich goalkeeper Bobby Dekeyser, whose fibre furniture designs shaped a resort with one instruction for its guests: treat this place as home. Ten freestanding villas make up the entire property, each set a good distance from its neighbours among gardens planted with orchids and spider lilies, finished in a nest-like design language that runs from the bar to the sea-perched pagodas.

The all-inclusive model here is genuine rather than nominal. Full-board dining, all beverages except champagne and premium wines, every excursion and water sport, yoga, spa treatments and overland airport transfers are covered — guests are told not to bring a wallet at all, and nothing is signed for during a stay.

Siargao itself is the other half of the appeal. Private sessions with Tropicsurf run out by boat to remote breaks matched to your ability; the world-famous barrel at Cloud 9 is a short drive and visible from the resort’s own three-storey watchtower; and guided paddles thread through ancient mangrove forest. Eight hundred metres offshore, a thatched sea pagoda serves as the staging point for snorkelling. The resort holds a Michelin Key and places on Condé Nast’s Gold List and Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best.