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Experience Nay Palad Hideaway

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Nay Palad Hideaway video recap

This recent trip to Siargao my friend and I had the pleasure of experience Nay Palad Hideaway in Siargao. Let’s just say it did not disappoint! As soon as we were driving through the gates of the property and an entourage of staff was there to welcome us, we knew that this was going to be good!

Walking through the main gates to Nay Palad Hideaway after greeted by 5 staff members.

Click Here to find out how to get to Siargao Island, and more info.

About Nay Palad

Nay Palad Hideaway is one of a kind in Siargao, boasting barefoot luxury and sans wallet kind of place. This all inclusive resort is really all inclusive! From food, to drinks, to snacks, spa treatments and activities; everything is tailored, and curated to your specific needs.

Nay Palad is located slightly away from General Luna area, so if you’re wanting to check out the local area you’ll have to go off property and drive about 20 minutes. Personally, I would recommend spending as much time on property because it’s stunning! Although, the team at Nay Palad ensures that you are getting your fill of the island with all the activities they offer.

About The Rooms

The property itself has 10 rooms, ranging from 1 bedroom- 3 bedroom villas. We were lucky enough to check out the 2 bedroom villa during our stay, and it was exceptional. We walked through a private sandy curved path up to our gorgeous veranda, once inside the villa we were greeted to the sounds of Adele playing on the in room sound system with playlists already uploaded to the provided Apple device. Just beyond the first bedroom was the bathroom with a beautiful stone rainfall shower, and all the all standard five star amenities wrapped nicely with seashells and bamboo leaves. Continuing to the side of the bathroom was the second door to the second bedroom with its own private rear patio, in room lounge area, and desk. In fact the entire villa had three lounging daybeds at your convenience just incase you got tired walking from one room to the other. Although, we didn’t use the second bedroom it would be enough space for a small family in this particular villa.

About The Property

The property had several areas to make you feel at home and space for privacy to spread out. The Main hang out area besides your villa was the pool area. The beautiful blue pool was surround by many shaded and non shaded daybeds. Just to the right of the pool was the bar area, and it was a “help yourself bar”. I actually missed this detail and when my girlfriend went behind the bar I was in shock and asked her what in the heck she was doing?! Well, it’s a free for all at the bar and it was stocked!! They said treat this as your home and help yourself, if you didn’t feel like helping yourself then you could certainly ask one of the staff members roaming around to assist you. They even had a drink book behind the bar in case you wanted to get creative in the cocktail department. However, even the bar was a help yourself kind of thing, you won’t find people being disrespectful or crazy. It’s just not that kind of place. To be honest I don’t even think anyone was even drinking during the day from what I saw.

The beach was about 40 meters in from of the pool. Between the pool and the beach the lawn was dotted with palm trees and several beach side beds. Literally beds! It makes for a very cool aesthetic pool and even better photo op!

Beach front at Nay Palad

To the left of the pool was the covered dining area. Which had many open but divided spaces which made for more of a private dining experience. There was also a pool table situated in the back, and a larger lounging area, but could turn into a big table for larger groups. Beyond that you could see a kitchen, but an open kitchen. The chef explained to us that they can offer cooking classes for guests if they wish, or the guests could cook something they wanted to share. This space was completely flexible.

Back need the villas there was a separate spa area with several palm thatched covered rooms for different services. Services you could indulge in included, but not limited to, was a foot scrub, manicure, pedicure, foot massage, romantic baths, and various types of massages.

Spa area at Nay Palad

About The Food

The food at Nay Palad was amazing. Once on property we were personally introduced to the chef, we were also told that they do not provide menus on property. That lunch was served family style between your group, and dinner was a fine dining experience, but they did have a breakfast menu serving all the familiar options. They do this to keep things fresh, and to go with what is available on the market for that day. Since receiving shipments on the island isn’t easy or damn near impossible, they have to rely a lot on what’s local, and most importantly fresh. You will not go hungry here! Trust me! There are little nibbles provided in your rooms and each meal was more than enough and we even told them to go light on the portions.

  • Family style lunch featuring poké bowls.
  • One of 4 courses served at dinner.

About The Activities

We didn’t get to try all the activities they had to offer only because we had limited time, and we had already spent a few days prior exploring. Our first evening we were offered to try our their paddle board experience in the mangroves. This was an unforgettable experience! You can see these mangrove shots in the recap video at the beginning of this post.

They also offered their own island hopping experience. I’m not sure if they went to the same three-island hopping tour that is typically advertised in Siargao, but on the way to Nay Palad the driver pointed out another island closer to them, and that could be one of the stop off points, too.

Click Here to check out my three island hopping tour video.

Besides water and spa activities, they also have sporting activities on property such as beach volleyball, cricket, badminton, and soccer available. You won’t be short on things to do here that’s for sure!

Hope you’ll be able to experience this beautiful property some day or just Siargao period, it truly is a hidden gem!

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Siargao Three-Island Hopping Tour

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Naked Island, Daku Island, Guyam Island

Click Here to learn how to book the three island tour.

Naked Island– The name sake describes itself. A bare island with fine white sand; nothing else besides sea shells, and crystal clear blue waters surrounding the island. You can walk across this island long ways in 5 minutes. Great place for photo ops and sea shell hunting. Pack the sunscreen for this place there is absolutely no cover!

Daku Island- This island is the biggest among the 3 islands on this tour. There are tables for rent here to allow you to have some lunch. The rental fee is 300 PHP. You can bring your own food, or there are vendors on the island who have food to purchase. The water here is also equally as clear with little corals off the coast, however, this area isn’t really known for snorkelling, but you might see a few fish under the surface. You’ll probably spend most of the tour here especially if you’re having lunch here.

Guyam Island- Also another small island of the three. There is an entrance fee to pay here, 30 PHP per person. First stop is posing with the colourful Guyam Sign, then explore the little palm tree oasis. There is a nice swimming area that’s shallow and warn with again the clearest blue water you’ll see while in Siargao. There’s a little snack shop here as well serving up smoothies, chips, and burgers. You’ll also come to notice that half of the island is scattered with sharp volcanic rock. Things can get pretty crowded here quick given the tiny size of this island. So take a dip, take some photos and head out!

  • Naked Island
  • Daku Island
  • Guyam Island

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Booking A Siargao Island Hopping Tour

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One of my favourite activities in the Philippines is taking a paraw or filipino boat out for the day to visit nearby islands, sandbars, coves, reefs, or shipwrecks. This is very popular to do in Coron, and El Nido. I knew there were a few islands we could do this in within Siargao, but there wasn’t a lot of information on how to go about getting a boat before arriving. But I wasn’t concerned, it wasn’t my first time doing this and I knew it would be easy to book once I arrived.

Private Tour Cost- 1500 PHP

Click Here for the Siargao three-island tour drone video, and more.

You ask how I managed to get this price? Well, I asked locals for one. Unlike other Philippine islands there aren’t a lot of dive shops set up, or tour agencies. I walked into one tour agency and their price was 2500 PHP per person. Inclusive of island fees and environmental fees as well as pick up, and food for the day. From one other place I read, I felt like that price was high, and from experience never take the first offer you find!! That’s a life lesson to use anyway.

We were passing a dry market and needed to pick up a few things, I saw a small printed sign for private car hires behind the cash register so I decided to ask the cashier (who spoke English) if she knew anyone who took people on the three island boat tour privately. She quickly picked up her phone and said yes! Rang someone, and within a few minutes she told me the price and that someone would be at our hotel in the morning at our desired time. However, this price did not include food (which we decided we didn’t want), one island fee (30 PHP per person), pick up/drop off fee (80 PHP total), and environmental charge (100PHP). All together, 210 PHP extra, excluding any snacks or drinks we wanted to bring or buy on the little islands.

Now, I don’t usually recommend just walking up to strangers and asking someone to take us out on a boat for the day. But seeing as she ran quite a large shop, was super friendly, and had a few small signs advertising car tours I figured why not! And again, I had other experiences booking tours like this, and it’s all basically the same on the other islands. Someone calls up some random person, and says be ready at your hotel at X time in the morning.

If you also want a private tour for an inexpensive price just try to show up early on the main boat docks before 8:30am and someone will be available for the day.

Traditional Filipino Boat

Alternatively, you can go with a group tour. This definitely is the more cost effective way. We were given the price of 300 PHP per person. Personally, I do not prefer this. Going privately allows you to take control of what you want to do, and how you want to do it. For example, if it starts pissing rain and you’re out with a tour… suck it up you’re in for a longgggg cold ride because someone on that boat will want to keep trucking along as long as its safe. Or, let’s say you got a mad case of sea sickness, or somehow food poisoning.. nope it’ll be a slow death until you safely birth back to the mainland. If you can swing it, taking a private tour is worth it!

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All About Siargao

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While living in Asia I constantly find myself in search of somewhere new to travel to. Living in the US I didn’t have the luxury of hopping on an airplane and within 2-7 hours I was surrounded by a completely different culture, people, food, and all sorts of unfamiliarities. Instead, I saved, and waited all year to travel for a period of 3-4 weeks to seek new and exciting places and it still took me around 24-30 hours to get to.

Now I feel sooo lucky to not only have the means to travel, and to visit places within such a short reach! Last week I had the great pleasure of finally visiting the island of Siargao (say it with me Shure-a-gao). Apparently, I had been pronouncing it wrong for years, and to be quite honest I still don’t know if I’m getting it right! Pronunciation police step aside! This tear drop shaped island is located on the most western side of the Philippines. The island is known for its wetlands, mangroves, surfing, and off shore coral reefs.

Siargao Island
Where is Siargao Island?

When To Go?

I had my doubts about visiting here in the month of July. SEA tends to be very wet in the months of July, August, and September. But as we to found out one of the directors at Nay Palad Hideaway said that April and August were their driest months, and that due to the location of the island it didn’t see the type of weather the rest of the Philippines does. But as with any island in SEA it’s best to keep in mind that you should experience some rain on your getaway. Don’t worry though, the rain usually passes, and it’s just as beautiful when it rains!!

On Siargao; January is their wettest month of the year. The low season is November- January and into February is considered low season because it experiences the most amount of rain fall.

How To Get There?

This is the toughest part. Since there are so few flights from destinations to get here finding flights to fit your needs may be tough. The main hubs that they receive flights from are Cebu (1 Hour flight away), and Manila (2 hour flight away). I was able to pull an arrival directory of flights that come to Siargao. I’m not sure how accurate this information is, but it gives you a good idea of the schedule that arrives here on most days.

Siargao Flight Arrivals
IAO Flight Arrivals August 2019

Two airlines fly to Siargao for now; Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. If you’re coming from far away it’s probably best to fly into Manila, or Cebu first; then purchase a separate flight to the island via these two airlines. Prices can vary greatly doing this and can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars rather than buying your ticket directly there. Just give yourself at least 4 hours between flights.

Where To Stay?

Like I said I’ve been wanting to travel to Siargao for some time now. Years ago when I was first researching there weren’t many places to stay. The most desirable place to stay was Nay Palad Hideaway, however, aside from the ultra luxury resort, the rest of Siargao was greatly lacking. Fast forward, things have changed! There is more of a range of options, although you still won’t find your hiltons, Hyatts, shangri-las (thank god actually, because you know that the island is no longer a hidden gem), there are plenty of nicer boutique resorts and villas to choose from. It’s also growing. There were construction sites everywhere.

We had the pleasure of checking out two options; a small boutique resort called Bulan Villas Siargao, which had just opened 3 months prior to our arrival. The second place was the islands coveted, ultra luxury; Nay Palad Hideaway. Both were amazing in their own respect, and we got to see so much of Siargao this way.

Bulan Villas Siargao – is a newly opened eco friendly villa hotel located in the heart of General Luna almost across from the ever popular Mama’s Grill. It’s set right along the main road. The Property consists of 6 villas with a private bathroom, air con, and wrap around balcony. The property also has several more economic rooms private rooms, but these rooms share a main bathroom facility. (Rooms $40-120 USD)

Bulan Villas

Nay Palad Hideaway– is one of a kind in Siargao, boasting barefoot luxury and sans wallet kind of place. This all inclusive resort is really all inclusive! From food, to drinks, to snacks, spa treatments and activities; everything is tailored and curated to your specific needs. (Rates begin at $630 USD Per person/night)

Nay Palad Hideaway

What To Do?

Siargao has a lot to offer and so much to see on and off the island. Since I was only there for 5 days I barely scratched the surface. Here’s a list of the top highlights and things to do in Siargao:

  • Three Island Hopping Tour– (Click Here to learn how to book a tour!)
  • Surfing at Cloud 9 Beach
  • Have a smoothie Bowl at Shaka Cafe, breakfast of champions!
  • Surf Watching at Cloud 9 Peir– (Click Here my surfing video.)
  • Visit Magpungko Rock Pools
  • SUP at the mangroves labyrinth– (Visit the Instagram @sup_siargao for tours, the owner is super friendly!)
  • Watch the sunset at Isla Cabana Resort– (300PHP min. per table good towards food and drinks)
  • Sugba Lagoon
  • White Banana Beach Club– (Chill out to the music vibes here)
  • Sohoton Cove– (Visit Journey Era blog post about how to get here and many more awesome things to do in Siargao!)

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