Location
Located on the 89,000m² Kawit Island in Cebu City’s South Road Properties (SRP), NUSTAR Hotel and Casino is the only integrated resort in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Its ultra-luxury NUSTAR Hotel held a soft opening in early May, following the launch of the five-star Fili Hotel three years earlier. The development is around 15 minutes from Cebu’s historic and commercial districts, and approximately an hour from Mactan Cebu International Airport via the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX).
Accommodation
NUSTAR Hotel’s 223 rooms are among the largest in the Philippines. Signature rooms start at 52m², suites range from 77m² to 225m², and three villas span 435m² to 670m², each with full-length windows offering sea or city views. Every floor is staffed by a butler trained by Heilbron Hospitality.
A stay in a signature room features a king-sized bed, wood furnishings in warm tones, and modern conveniences such as a heated smart toilet and push-button controls for lighting, curtains, and door signs. Complimentary drinks, snacks, and fresh flowers contribute to a homely atmosphere. The marble bathroom is a focal point, with a large bathtub facing the sea, a chandelier overhead, and full-sized Guerlain bath products – larger than typical amenities in comparable hotels.
F&B
As of the latest count, NUSTAR Hotel & Casino hosts over 30 dining outlets, ranging from casual options at the Food Hall to cafés and fine dining restaurants. Among them is Mott 32, one of nine branches globally, known for its Peking duck and handmade dim sum. The restaurant’s detailed interiors complement its Cantonese menu. Italian restaurant Il Primo also draws consistent crowds, noted for its quality. On a return visit, a meal began with Angus beef carpaccio served with black truffle tapenade, 18-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano and young greens, followed by braised Angus beef cheek with saffron risotto, and finished with a classic tiramisu.
Facilities
The NUSTAR Lounge, set in the hotel’s expansive lobby, is emerging as a popular meeting place for both business and leisure guests, with its sea views and neoclassical design featuring colonial columns and arches by Hirsch Bedner Associates, Hong Kong. Guests of NUSTAR Hotel also have access to the Fili Executive Club Lounge, offering meals, cocktails, meeting spaces, and panoramic sea views.
The Mall spans four floors and features a mix of 22 high-end fashion boutiques including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, and Bulgari, alongside 11 specialty shops such as Jo Malone, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery, Diagold, and Luk Fook Jewellery. Its broad hallways and brand line-up rival those of luxury malls in Manila.
For leisure, the Crucero yacht offers sunset cruises along the Mactan Straits with live music, canapés, and drinks, accommodating up to 60 passengers. Later this year, The Wine Cellar tasting room is set to open, equipped with climate-control technology. Also expected to launch is the glass-floored, open-air Skydeck and Leisure Park, cantilevered with unobstructed views of the city and Cebu skyline.
Family-friendly facilities are also in development, including additional attractions to complement existing ones like Break 100 with golf simulators, NUSTAR Premier cinemas, Timezone, and a children’s play area.
Service
Paul, the butler, met me at the lift and escorted me to my room. While I did not require butler service, he proved well-informed about the hotel, its amenities, and the wider Cebu area.
During my stay, I heard from the caregivers of a guest with a disability who shared how smoothly her journey unfolded – from the Cebu Pacific flight from Manila, a sister company of NUSTAR, to her arrival at the hotel. By chance, I witnessed the hotel staff, including general manager Roel Constantino, personally welcoming the guest and her companions. They were later guided to a gala dinner at the NUSTAR Convention Center with attentive care, reflecting the hotel’s effort to ensure a relaxed and comfortable experience for all guests.
Verdict
NUSTAR positions itself as a destination in its own right, catering to both family and business travellers. With a wide range of amenities and access to Cebu’s many tourist attractions, guests have the option to stay indoors or head outdoors to explore.
The hotel’s claim to ultra-luxury status is supported by its breath-taking and sweeping sea views, high room standards, butler service, overall quality of hospitality, and the wide range of activities available throughout the property.
Contact details
E-mail: contactus@nustar.com.ph
Penny Fowler, chair of the Tourism Australia Board, praised Harrison’s leadership, noting that under her tenure, Australia welcomed more than eight million visitors last year for the first time in five years.
With over 20 years in hospitality, Weghmann previously served as vice president and global brand leader for The Luxury Collection at Marriott International, leading brand strategy and growth for more than 120 hotels worldwide.
