A Sunset Cruise, Amazing Dining, and Luxury Shopping: Why You Should Visit Cebu’s NUSTAR Resort and Casino

The South Road Properties (SRP) project is arguably the most exciting property development to happen in Cebu City in years. With much of the city already heavily urbanized and developed, the reclamation project added fresh real estate to the area on which several locators subsequently built mixed-use facilities catering to a wide variety of markets and consumers. 

A view of Nustar Resort and Caisno at dusk from the water

Photo by PJ Cana.

Four of the country’s biggest property developers have built their own projects at SRP, but of those four, it’s the Gokongwei Group’s JG Summit Holdings that has deliberately targeted the premium or luxury segment of the market with Nustar Resort and Casino. While it’s the smallest locator at SRP in terms of land area—just eight hectares versus the others’ 48, 30, and 26—it has carefully curated its offerings and facilities to appeal to the upper segment of travelers and visitors.

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Integrated casino and high-end mall

In addition to opening the region’s largest integrated casino, Nustar complemented it with an ultra-premium shopping mall that makes available the world’s biggest luxury fashion brands for the first time to Cebuano consumers. This includes iconic brands like Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Dior, Tory Burch, Dior, Loewe, Celine, Off-White (and coming soon—Bulgari, Ferragamo, Tiffany & Co., Lacoste, Montblanc, and Kenzo) as well as multi-brand boutique store Univers.

The first Louis Vuitton in the Philippines store outside Manila is in Nustar Resort and Casino

Photo by PJ Cana.

Several other boutiques and stores for the upscale shopper have already opened at Nustar Mall, including jewelry stores like Luk Fook and Dia Gold, luggage brand Rimowa, and multi-brand shoe store Sole Republiq. Movie lovers will also be happy to know that Premier Cinemas have already opened at the mall. 

Nustar also offers elevated dining concepts for foodies, including Kazuwa Prime, Good Luck Hot Pot, Barcino, Abaca baking Co., Café Laguna, Koshima by Nonki, Taiwan Shabu-Shabu, and the first branch of the internationally acclaimed Mott 32 in the Philippines.

The gym at Fili Hotel

Photo by PJ Cana.

Italian food lovers should make a beeline for Il Primo, which serves traditional antipasti, pasta, steak and dessert options, while those looking for fine local fare should head to Fina, where specialty regional cuisine, as well as traditional Filipino food are always topnotch. All-day dining of international fare is also available at Fili Café.

Tomahawk Steak at Il Primo

Photo by PJ Cana.

Vongole Pasta at Il Primo

Photo by PJ Cana.

Fili Hotel

Nustar Resort and Casino also sets itself apart from the other developments in SRP with the opening of Fili Hotel, the first to achieve five-star rating for a wholly Filipino hospitality brand. A luxurious atmosphere featuring unmistakably Filipino design touches greets guests at the lobby, which is dominated by a striking chandelier. There is furniture by Vito Selma and artworks by Jef Albea and Fidel Sarmiento.

The lobby at Fili Hotel

Photo by Nustar Resort and Casino.

The Presidential Suite at Fili Hotel

Photo by Nustar Resort and Casino.

The hotel has a total of 379 rooms, most of which offer stunning ocean views. All the rooms offer a smart TV, complimentary high-speed internet access for multiple devices, 24-hour in-room dining service, mini bar and Nespresso coffee machine, premium bath amenities, an in-room safe, IDD telephone and voicemail. 

The hotel also offers services and amenities, including a gym, outdoor pool, and relaxing spa. If money is not an issue, guests may want to consider checking into the President’s or Chairman’s suite at the hotel’s top floor, or the multi-bedroom villas located at the third floor.

Crucero

While Fili started welcoming guests in 2022, it has not stopped offering brand new services and features for guests. Earlier this year, the hotel introduced Crucero, an unforgettable sunset cruise experience for guests that sets off right from the hotel. Onboard a “party yacht” that can accommodate up to 60, guests can enjoy their choice of champagne, cocktails, or non-alcoholic drinks with pass-around hors d’oeuvres while cruising Cebu Bay, passing underneath the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) Bridge just in time to view the stunning sunset. It’s yet another feature that elevates a stay at Fili Hotel.

Enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise with a stay at Nustar Resort and Casino

Photo by Nustar Resort and Casino.

While guests can already experience premium Filipino hospitality at a luxury Filipino-branded hotel, Nustar officials say the best is yet to come. Expected to open later this year is the second hotel of the property, the flagship Nustar Hotel, which they say is going to be the first ultra-luxury hotel in the region. It’s yet another thing to look forward to at Nustar and another reason to book a visit to arguably the most exciting development in this part of Cebu City.