It’s not every day that one comes across a furniture brand so progressive, it actually has its own sustainable luxury resort getaway—snugly kitted out with its own line of furniture and furnishings, of course—tucked away in the paradise-like settings off the south-eastern tip of Siargao Island, one of Philippines’ 7,100 or so islands.Welcome to Dedon Island, yes, the same Dedon of the luxury furniture world. Known for its strikingly statuesque outdoor furniture designs, the brand, after all, has long had a distinguished history with the Philippines, sniffing out some of the world’s best artisan weavers in the nearby island of Cebu, with its manufacturing facility sitting there since 2000.Back to Dedon Island, now. Impatient travelers who loathe connections (only one direct flight from Cebu serves the sleepy Sayak Airport daily, and from there it’s a short 45-minute ride on the resort’s sleek off-white jeepney to Dedon Island) might find it a bit of a hike to get to the resort, though they’ll find the unusual outdoor living lab well worth the trip once they get there.Barefoot luxury is the name of the game here. Dedon founder Bobby Dekeyser, who first chanced upon the place as a personal getaway, subsequently acquired the resort in 2010 (he still returns to it). Roping in French designers Jean-Marie Massaud and Daniel Pouzet for an overhaul in the resort design, the architecturally stunning sanctuary, with an emphasis on local materials by local craftsmen, took two years in the making to complete its makeover, opening its rebranded doors—we mean, beautiful white woven gates—in 2012.Bent coconut trees lazily flank the sandy shores, shying short of the water’s edge, including one with Dedon’s signature lounger, the NestRest, hanging from it. From the locally carved wooden headboards and spacious showers with sunken stone floors in the nine pagoda-like villas, to the impressive birdnest-inspired open-air lounge that doubles up as a library, the effect is serene and surreal at once. Nothing seems out of place here, yet the landscape, neatly peppered with Dedon furniture and furnishings that hardly show signs of wear and tear (no doubt a testament to the stellar Dedon fibre touted to prove impervious to the effects of seawater, UV radiation and even extreme changes in temperature), almost seems otherworldly.Dedon Island’s general manager Nicolas Morell certainly runs a tight ship here. Guests can obtain massages on demand and set their feet freely on the premises’ well-maintained grounds. In-villa gadgets are kept to a minimum, so as to maximize digital detox. No TV is in sight, nor the newspapers, for that matter. In the villa, an iPod Touch pipes music from a curated playlist, while a black Nokia phone lets you dial up a few select stored contacts at any time, including Morell, sales and marketing director Lucia Doglio, and the guest relations team.Granted, of course, the natural allure of the beachfront property is all set to please, thanks to the privacy from the resort’s own bay, the lush tropical setting, the magical mangrove forests that surround the site and yes, even the locally sourced ingredients for meals. As executive chef Justin Mechill assures you, seasonal produce and fresh seafood obtained directly from the local fishermen every day play a major role in the resort cuisine.It ultimately all boils down to the human touch. Service at Dedon Island is attentive without bordering on over-zealous intrusiveness: a fine balance many resorts grapple with. Even out-of-resort activities can be arranged for at a snap, from a leisurely afternoon of island-hopping on a private boat with adventure manager Sean Hartley leading you to the best snorkeling spots, to an obligatory pilgrimage to the legendary Cloud 9 surf wave for surf fans.When one thinks out of the box, one might as well, in this case, think out of the resort.To get to Siargao, connect through Cebu International Airport, where you can catch a direct flight to Sayak Domestic Airport on Siargao. From there, Dedon Island’s guest relations team will escort you to the resort via a ride on its jeepney. Or simply ditch it for a private helicopter ride straight to the resort from Cebu, or a private charter for your entire journey. More details at www.dedonisland.com Read more