White Lotus may have Thailand on everyone’s radar, but for those at the helm of the world’s most beautiful yachts, the Philippines holds an even better-kept secret. After long weeks of charters, back-to-back itineraries, and the constant responsibility of keeping guests happy, captains deserve a place to step away, recharge, and be taken care of themselves.

I just returned from my first visit to Siargao, which is a 1.5-hour flight from Manila on Philippine Airlines, and it struck me immediately: this is the kind of destination captains should slip away to before or after a season. Picture-perfect palm tree jungles, glassy Pacific waters, and a level of calm that’s worlds away from the crowded marinas and packed beaches of the usual hotspots.

And at the heart of it all is Nay Palad Hideaway, a resort that feels tailor-made for those who spend their lives ensuring everyone else’s luxury.

Barefoot Luxury at its Best

Yacht captains know better than anyone that the details make the experience. At Nay Palad, every detail is handled—quietly and perfectly—so you don’t have to make a single decision. There are no check-in desks or stiff itineraries. Instead, you’ll find an all-inclusive, barefoot-luxury philosophy where every meal, massage, and excursion is seamlessly arranged for you.

Unlike Phuket or Koh Samui, where even five-star resorts feel like a scene, Nay Palad is intimate, secluded, and blissfully free of mass tourism. You won’t be competing for a beach chair or table here. The staff anticipates your needs, ensuring you feel looked after in a way that most of us in the yachting rarely get to experience.

The Affordable Luxury You Deserve

Captains know the value of time off; it’s rare, and it has to count. Nay Palad delivers the level of service you’d expect from Europe’s best private villas, but at a fraction of the cost. Because everything is included. Yes, everything. You won’t be nickel-and-dimed. Once you land on Siargao, your wallet stays in the safe.

This means daily massages, endless cocktails by the pool, multi-course meals with fresh-caught seafood, and even private island-hopping trips are all part of the package. It’s rare to find a destination that balances both affordability and such high-touch service, but Nay Palad strikes that sweet spot.

Restorative Rituals for Tired Captains

After a charter season, rest is more than just a luxury, it’s a necessity. At Nay Palad, the spa becomes your sanctuary. Daily massages quickly become ritual, whether it’s a deep hilot massage to ease months of tension or an aloe treatment after a sun-soaked excursion.

Days flow easily: start with a sunrise swim, spend midday kayaking through mangroves or snorkeling untouched reefs, then finish with a massage before a treehouse dinner under the stars. For captains used to being “always on,” this kind of rhythm is priceless.

One of the highlights of my stay was a private island-hopping adventure. Unlike the crowded Phi Phi Islands, our group had entire stretches of sand to ourselves. Freshly grilled seafood, crystal-clear waters, and not another boat in sight, this is what a reset should feel like.

And it’s not just about escaping. It’s about remembering what drew many of us to the water in the first place: freedom, beauty, and that rare sense of discovery.

By the time I left Nay Palad, it felt less like checking out of a resort and more like leaving a second home. The staff knew our names, our preferences, even how we liked our morning coffee. That’s the kind of attentiveness yacht crews are known for giving, but here, captains get to receive it.

Photo credits: Anantara Hotels & Resorts