The latest addition in the Nustar complex takes pride in being the first fully Filipino owned ultra-luxury hotel.
Cebu City is on a roll! Long pitted against bigger, rowdier sister Metro Manila, the Queen City of the South is coming on its own. Tourism is thriving, while food and beverage options rival that of the capital region’s.
Emblematic of the city’s burgeoning lifestyle scene is Nustar Resort Cebu, which recently unveiled its newest addition—Nustar Hotel, billed as the first ultra-luxury hotel in Cebu. It is also the first fully Filipino owned establishment of its kind, operated by Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. (UHRI), a subsidiary of JG Summit Holdings, Inc.
Last May 2 to 4, select members of the media, The POST included, had the chance to experience the luxury that Nustar Hotel has to offer. Here’s what we think of our luxe weekend getaway.
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Room with a view—and a touch of royalty
We were each booked in our own Premiere King Room, and I think I won the lottery on this one because I got the one with a bay view instead of city. This, my readers, is the best part of the room—a sweeping panoramic view of Cebu Bay’s gently lapping waves framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. I’m sure the sunrise is gorgeous from that vantage point — but sadly, my two mornings there saw cloudy early morning skies.
Adding to the drama is the push-button curtains which I admittedly enjoyed tinkering with in my first few minutes in the room. Oh, it was nice just watching boats sail by, too, while enjoying a cup of coffee (yep, there’s a Nespresso machine in the room).
My room stays true to its promise of a luxurious stay. The beds are oh-so-comfy that I was guilty of entertaining thoughts of staying in instead of attending the activities because the mattress and the pillow begged to be slept in. But then I was there to work and not rot in bed, a mighty tempting option it may have been. I wish the television wasn’t placed in an odd corner, though. As someone who watches international news and keeps the telly on the whole night when alone in a large hotel room, with an empty second bed at that, I would have appreciated a TV that doesn’t require me to crane my neck sideways at a 45-degree angle. A minor qualm, sure, but something that perhaps management can reconsider?
It’s the bathroom, however, which spoke of luxury the loudest. The first word that came to mind when I saw it was “opulence.” It is outfitted with marble floors and walls that almost ensconced the entire room, his-and-hers sinks, and an intelligent toilet (fans of Japanese-style bidet, rejoice!). The Guerlain toiletries are a nice touch of luxe. They come in the brand’s signature Eau Imperiale scent, which made me feel a bit like royalty—after all, it was the first made-to-measure fragrance in perfumery, created upon special order of the Empress Eugénie to treat her migraines.
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It was the spacious bathtub with an overhanging chandelier that made me smile though. I took immense pleasure in soaking myself in it for the two nights I stayed in Nustar Hotel, using the complimentary bath bomb on the first night and the bath salts on the second. A glorious end to each day I spent there. The bathroom has floor-to-ceiling windows, too, equipped with electronically-controlled blinds which my rather modest tita self found handy. What if the boat’s passengers could see me while splashing in the tub? Of course not, but still! Heh!
Breakfast buffet to rival all other breakfast buffets
As one blessed with a perpetually hearty appetite, one of the things I look forward to in a hotel stay is the breakfast buffet. Over the years, I’ve had a few favorites, and I’m glad to report that Nustar Hotel has just been inducted to that list. I’m extremely satisfied with their breakfast buffet at Fili Café, located on the fourth floor of Fili Hotel. What. A. Spread!
It has the usual stations that serve breakfast staples: bacon, eggs, waffles, pancakes, you name it. What stood out were the other specialty counters with the Cebuano, Indian, and Korean ones being particularly impressive—they even have a wall of specialty Korean fermented food! Their Indian selections were also mouthwatering: lamb keema, vegetable masala, vegetable poha, pani puri, roti, paratha, naan—each one divine. And the danggit and lechon paksiw? I had seconds of them.
As early as 6:30 am, I went to have my breakfast, Fili Café was already a hive of activity, with mostly foreign guests and visitors in groups. If you’re looking for a more peaceful start to your day, far from the clattering of utensils and steady drone of conversations, Nustar Hotel guests are entitled to Club Lounge perks.
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The exclusive Fili Executive Club Lounge is located on Level 23 of the Fili Hotel. Amid a breathtaking bay view, guests can enjoy a private breakfast, afternoon tea, and early evening cocktails. I checked out its breakfast spread on my first morning, and the offerings are significantly more limited compared with Fili Café’s. It is, however, the place to go if you prefer your breakfast lighter and in a much quieter place.
Meet the Nustar Butler
Adding to our luxurious stay is our designated Nustar Butler. These dedicated butlers are specially trained by Heilbron Hospitality, one of the world’s most respected training institutions for hospitality service.
Your personal butler can help you with dining reservations, valet and transport services, and even with customized itineraries. With these butlers at the ready, you can put all your energies into enjoying the sprawling Nustar Resort & Casino complex (more on this in a bit).
I’ve never been much of a fussy guest, but I needed help on my second morning when the room became a tad too warm for comfort. Pressed “Butler” in the in-room phone and a few minutes later, my jovial butler helped me maneuver the high-tech AC controls. He also noticed that I had used up all my Nespresso capsules and refilled my four-capsule stash moments later.
More than just a gaming hub
Nustar Hotel is the newest component of a sprawling 22-acre complex that is set to continue to evolve in the coming years. It sits beside sister hotel Fili, which was launched in 2022 and boasts a five-star rating.
Despite having “casino” in its name, the Nustar resort complex is more than a gaming hub. You won’t go hungry with its roster of world-class restaurants. There’s, of course, the country’s only Mott 32, whose dumplings and Peking duck are out of this world. There’s also UCC and its ever-reliable coffee and meals, Abaca and its yummy breads and pastries, Kazuwa’s sensational sushis, Fina’s comfort Filipino food, among many mouthwatering choices.
It was, however, Il Primo that blew my mind. We had our first meal at Nustar Resort there, where we were whisked directly from Mactan Cebu International Airport (a good 45-minute journey away on moderate traffic). Said to be Cebu’s first Italian steakhouse, each of the three dishes served to us was perfection: the Angus Beef Carpaccio with its medley of textures and flavors; the main course which was an unbelievably tender Braised Angus Beef Cheek Risotto; and a classic Tiramisu that’s best enjoyed with a steaming mug of cappuccino. The glutton in me was delighted. Will definitely go back.
Shopaholics will have a field day, too, with Nustar’s The Mall. The POST has covered the opening of its luxury shops a few months ago, and you can check out the story here. For starters, it has designer labels from Gucci (while Manila got a taste of Gucci’s summer raffia bags, island locations like Cebu get first dibs on resort wear) to Louis Vuitton; and jewelry stores like Tiffany & Co., Diagold, and Chao Tai Fook.
You can also book a sunset cruise of Cebu Bay, which we were treated to on our first day, with special thanks to Tiffany & Co. and aboard a “Tiffanized” yacht. Our cruise lasted about an hour-and-a-half amid relaxing lounge music, delectable canapés (I think I had one too many of that delicious Seared Scallop with Tomato Salsa), fresh sea breeze, and animated conversations.
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What to look forward to
In a media roundtable on May 3, Roel Constantino, general manager for hotels at NUSTAR, shared that among the additional amenities in the pipeline are a leisure park, a performing arts theater with 1,700 seating capacity, as well as a 1,000-sqm play area, and 3,200-sqm spa on the fourth level of The Mall. The entire complex is expected to be completed end of 2027.
They aim to have a balance between entertainment, leisure, and family-friendliness. And, of course, all these come with a touch of luxury. “Above all, luxury is about how you feel,” Constantino said. “That is what we aim for.”
Opening, anniversary promos
To celebrate its grand opening, Nustar Hotel offers up to 25% savings on room rates until July 31, 2025. After-discount rates from P12,750++ per night and comes with full benefits such as butler service, breakfast, and club lounge privileges throughout your stay.
With the month of May marking Nustar’s third anniversary, they also offer unique culinary experiences across the property at discounts. At Fili Café, guests can enjoy an “Anniversary Treat” with 30% off on daily dinner and weekend lunch. Xin Tian Di offers “Dim Sum Three Sum,” where ordering any three of Chicken Feet, Har Gao or Wasabi Shrimp Roll earns you one siomai for free, available 24/7 on weekdays.
For reservations and key information, guests may visit the hotel’s new website https://nustar.ph/hotels/, send an email to contactus@nustar.com.ph or call +63 32 888 8282.
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