MANILA, Philippines – Cebu City has raised the bar for luxury destinations in the Philippines with the completion of The Mall at NUSTAR, the crown jewel of NUSTAR Resort and Casino.
The four-level luxury shopping haven, almost fully operational as of September 2024, aims to raise Cebu as the premier gateway to high-end lifestyle, shopping, and entertainment in the Visayas and Mindanao for locals and foreign tourists alike.
The integrated resort built in 2019 proudly stands as the first homegrown 5-star luxury mall in VisMin. It is also home to the beautiful Fili Hotel, the Philippines’ first Filipino 5-star hotel.
5 years in the making
NUSTAR rivals the grandeur of Metro Manila’s high-end malls while offering a uniquely Cebuano experience. A mix of the world’s most iconic brands and dining destinations were carefully curated to be under one roof; a vision that refused to be derailed by the pandemic.
NUSTAR’s developers pushed forward with the resort’s construction during 2020, becoming one of the only projects in Cebu to continue building at the height of the lockdown.
The resort opened to the public in May 2022, gradually unveiling its attractions per section, starting with the Fili Hotel, the casino, and select restaurants and specialty shops until late 2023. Finally, the grand opening of the completed luxury mall happened in September.
“When we laid our master plan in 2018, our vision was to bring Cebu to the world and the world to Cebu. By infusing elements that reflect Cebu’s distinct charm, we created the ultimate luxury getaway destination that melds cultural crossroads,” May Adolfo, general manager of The Mall at NUSTAR, said.
Getting there, staying there
From the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, a quick 20-minute van transfer brings you directly to the resort.
As soon as you step inside, the elegant and opulent atmosphere is evident — the spacious and sophisticated mall is adorned with golden accents, marble floors, and vast open spaces, offering a slow, quiet, and leisurely shopping pace.
A standout feature is the Sardine Run sculpture above, an exclusively made masterpiece honoring Moalboal, Cebu’s famous underwater phenomenon.
NUSTAR also houses Mott32, the award-winning premium Chinese restaurant founded in Hong Kong in 2014. Dine here for luxurious Cantonese feasts, dim sum, Peking duck, and more.
Diners, shoppers, and mallgoers! Here’s what to expect, level by level, at The Mall at NUSTAR.
Upper Ground
- Lacoste
- Luk Fook Jewellery
- Core Pacific Money Exchange
- Han-Mart Convenience Store
- Robinsons Bank
Level One (A shopaholic’s paradise)
- BOSS
- Bvlgari
- Burberry
- CELINE
- Chow Tai Fook Jewellery
- Diagold
- Dior
- Ferragamo
- Givenchy
- Gucci
- Kenzo
- Loewe
- Louis Vuitton
- Montblanc
- Off-White
- RIMOWA
- Rustan’s Beauty Source
- Saint Laurent
- Tiffany & Co.
- Tory Burch
- Versace
NUSTAR’S Gucci store is the fourth in the Philippines and the largest, with its design standing out as the first of its kind in the country — featuring sleek marble and minimalist interiors. The store also offers collections specially curated for this branch by creative director Sabato de Sarno.
Adding an exclusive Cebuano touch, customers can enjoy complimentary luggage tag engraving, personalized with their name and a design of one of Cebu’s churches.
The Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. stores are also the largest in the Philippines, each with bespoke differences.
For dining, there’s Abaca Baking Co., Barcino, Good Luck Hot Pot, and Kazuwa Prime.
Good Luck Hot Pot is as authentic and premium as hot pot spots come, featuring the freshest sashimi and the highest quality seafood, paired with good service and live entertainment. Don’t miss their top-notch beef, meats, and flavorful broths — the mushroom and tomato ones are personal favorites.
Level Two
This level balances shopping and dining with tech and lifestyle offerings.
- Eye Society
- Jewelmer
- Open Source by Beyond the Box
- Playgrnd R.O.X.
- Seiko
- Sole Republic
For dining, there’s Cafe Laguna, Koshima by Nonki (premium Japanese fare here), Starbucks, Taiwan Shabu-Shabu, and Yeonhwa The Premium by KAYA.
Level Three
Here, there’s Rose Pharmacy and a small Timezone corner for kids, as well as a food hall with regional and international favorites, including:
- Bangkok Kitchen
- Cebu’s Original Lechon Belly (a must-try pasalubong)
- Dai Pau Dong by Harbour City
- Jose’s Filipino Kitchen
- New York Buffalo Brad’s Hot Wings
- Nonki Express
- Odenya Han
- Peri-Peri Chicken
More to come
The Mall is conveniently and seamlessly linked to Fili Hotel and the casino, with premier Lazy Boy cinemas and a performing theater coming soon.
Also soon to open are Texas Roadhouse, Kultura, BB.Q Chicken, Fortune Noodles, and the Oasis Nail Tropics Spa.
The property also houses a 2,500-capacity convention center — the largest in VisMin — and soon, a 2,000-sqm Onsen Spa, slated to open in 2025.
A pinnacle of luxury and an emerging hub of economic growth, NUSTAR is set on its promise to bring Cebu to the world and the world to Cebu, merging Cebuano pride and world-class luxury for guests looking for both. – Rappler.com
