NUSTAR is Cebu’s newest iconic integrated resort befitting the economic culture, temper and landscapes of the Queen City of the South.

The premier luxury development personifies the resilient fierceness of the Cebuano spirit in winning the battles and challenges that impede its progress.

FROM AFAR AND VIEWED as dusk falls, NUSTAR is like a shimmering luxurious cruise ship safely anchored on Kawit Point at the Cebu South Road Properties, close to the country’s longest bridge, the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX). It is strategically nestled along the east coast of Cebu surrounded by the ocean and the city’s mountains and highlands. Four years ago, Frederick Go, CEO and President of Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. (UHRI), came up with a vision for Cebu to become a major business and leisure hub in the country. UHRI is a private and fully Filipino-owned corporation of the the Gokongwei Group, one of the largest and most diversified business conglomerates in the country with family roots in Cebu. “He envisioned a world-class integrated resort development in Cebu City which will be the top choice for tourists, business and travelers whether for leisure and entertainment, or gaming and hospitality, with the amenities of a luxurious resort hotel destination,”

Katrina de Jesus, Director of Business Development of Universal Hotels and Resorts, disclosed. Go, in one of his media interviews, bared that the group wanted to create an iconic, premier lifestyle destination equipped with state-of-the-art attractions and recreational venues for the Filipino and the world market to “experience nights that inspire and days that delight” the sensibilities of the guests and clients.

NUSTAR is truly Cebuano in its design references, linking its rich history and culture with the waters around the island. The base of the NUSTAR building is reminiscent of the galleon ships that explored the Visayas region and its three hotel towers were designed to resemble sails. A team of international master planners, designers and engineers collaborated to articulate and translate the founder’s vision for this architectural marvel. Working with valuable inputs from industry professionals in hotel and hospitality, dining and restaurants, retail, and Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE), the design teams include the HKS Architects, Hirsch Bedner and Associates Design Consultants, PIA Interior, ASYA Design, Branding Agency Latitude and Studio JEFRE. Coming from Cebu, the Gokongwei family has always looked at their hometown as a major hub in terms of business, seeing it as a still untouched market with huge potentials, Katrina said.

She added further, “Our strategy hinges on the popular description of Cebu as the number one tourism destination, not only in the Philippines and Asia, but throughout the world. Cebu’s landscape is so good, with the oceans and mountains and other things being close to each other.

The founders always think of long-term developments and possibilities.” Making a difference is the overriding vision of the Gokongwei family. Katrina shares that the group is always looking to bring newness to the market, with an in-depth experience that “makes a difference” in the lives of the Filipinos while keeping Cebu always in mind. 

Speaking of the timeliness in putting up NUSTAR, Katrina said, “The stars must have aligned because everything just fell into place.” The year 2020 was crucial for it paved the way for them and all the elements of the business universe seemed to have conspired to put their plans smoothly in place and make things work for NUSTAR. “Sobrang timing,” she enthused, “The hospitality industry and the Cebu business sector were very much open for dialog and communication to help each other.” While in its early planning stage the owners and the NUSTAR team wanted to give a name to the 5-star integrated resort. They wanted an identifying name that would capture and embody the personality of the premier complex and be part of its branding element, preferably just one word and something not too complicated. Thus, NUSTAR was born.

With its creative word play to sound like “new star,” the name is inspired by the North Star, one of the brightest stars in the sky. A new star player shining a beacon of hope like a guiding North Star, NUSTAR leads the way for business, tourism, leisure, retail and more. To make an even stronger presence the name would be in all-caps font.

“In five or ten year’s time, NUSTAR will be fully completed, but we don’t stop there,” Katrina said. She went on further to say, “What is special with our groups is that we make use of the experiences of all the diverse companies under the Gokongweis.”

They faced massive challenges due to the COVID-19 lockdown and the super typhoons, having over 2,000 people and workers who were part of the construction and development of NUSTAR to be looked after. Getting teary-eyed, Katrina narrated how in the aftermath of typhoon Odette that ferociously hit the city in December 2021, all their workers lined up while the team handed out cash to them. It was impossible to stop work in the middle of this massive development. Despite all the odds brought about by the pandemic, super storms and economic recession, she beamed, “We’ve hurdled all sorts of massive challenges, so whatever comes our way now, it no longer scares us!”

“We overcame the challenges and that’s something we’re proud of,” Katrina stated. She shared how meaningful it was to all the people involved, including the workers, when NUSTAR finally opened. They all learned so much and became a family along the way. “Every worker became part of the NUSTAR journey.”

On the same positive note, she shared the Gokongwei Group’s optimism of now having a Cebuana sitting as Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT). Giving their full support to the DOT’s programs, Katrina said that NUSTAR has emerged as a symbol of Cebu and the Cebuanos’ ability to lead the country as it re-opens while living up to its tagline – an “Island of New Possibilities.”

The NUSTAR Resort and Casino is a 9.7-hectare complex that initially opened on May 8, 2022. Offering the ultimate in entertainment and leisure, Cebu’s first ever ultra-luxury resort is a destination in itself. Being developed in phases, it will be home to world-class gaming, three hotel towers, curated specialty restaurants, a convention center, retail shopping, entertainment and many other attractions upon its completion. Its two-level casino with its own entrance has the largest gaming floor outside of Metro Manila and the region, with a total floor area of 21,000 square meters that features thousands of electronic gaming machines and hundreds of gaming tables. The casino’s private VIP rooms meet the levels of service expected by its high-rollers.

There will be live performances in the Axis Entertainment Bar, exclusive events in the Sports Bar, with local and international cuisine offerings in the restaurants. 

Three homegrown hotel brands will be introduced within its complex. Fili is a genuine Filipino 5-star urban resort hotel with 345 well-appointed deluxe rooms and 32 suites showcasing contemporary and traditional Filipino accents. Guests will experience the unmatched Filipino brand of hospitality and warm personalized service during their stay. Fili has the lobby lounge and all-day dining restaurant which highlights culinary favorites. A swimming pool, fitness  enter and spa are among its other facilities. Their ballroom can be divided into three function rooms and four meeting rooms. Aside from Fili, the resort complex will be opening the NUSTAR Hotel tower as well as a 4-star MICE hotel – the 3 hotels offering a combined total of 1,000 guest rooms.

Dining is a huge part of the NUSTAR luxury lifestyle experience. Some restaurants that already opened which people are talking about are Il Primo, the flagship dining outlet and Cebu’s only Italian steakhouse; Mott 32, the famous Hong Kong restaurant serving elevated Cantonese cuisine, opened its first and only outpost in the Philippines at NUSTAR just this year; Fina serves popular Cebuano dishes with an excellent take on classic Filipino food; and Xin Tian Di offers authentic southern Chinese specialties. More culinary options will be added to the growing restaurant list.

Elevating your shopping and dining experience is the four-levelled The Mall, designed by PIA Interior. It will feature a curated range of luxury retail brands, stylish restaurants, entertainment, and specialty shops for pampering and wellness. 

Once completed, the NUSTAR Convention Center will be ready to host business conferences, exhibitions and functions for a capacity of 2,000 delegates. More attractions will be opening at the iconic landmark such as The Skydeck, an open-air glass walk rising 116 meters above the water that will offer an unobstructed view of Cebu’s cityscape and the ocean.

And there’s more. The plush Cinema for the ultimate high-definition movie experience can be booked for private screening and premieres. The Boardwalk, a 580-meter walkway designed by contemporary artist JEFRE is ideal for a leisurely stroll. The leisure park with water features like the Flow Rider wave machine and a swim-up pool bar will also soon open. The venue can be reserved for private pool parties and events with separate areas for children.

“One of the visions of NUSTAR owners was for Cebu to be the venue for acclaimed international and local performances, musicals, concerts and plays,” Katrina said, adding that all these, even international pageants are possible at NUSTAR. 

The Stage will feature VIP, deluxe and premier balconies and stalls, all set amid one of the world’s most advanced sound systems. It will be the biggest in central and Southern Philippines.

“With NUSTAR, the stage is yours!” Expected date of full completion of Cebu’s pride is 2025.