Overview
Nustar Resort and Casino is a large-scale integrated resort and casino facility located on Kawit Point within the South Road Properties (SRP) area of Cebu City, Philippines. The development occupies a 9-hectare (22-acre) site and functions as a joint venture between the Cebu City Government and Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc.. The project represents a significant addition to the hospitality and leisure infrastructure in the Visayas region, specifically targeting both local and international visitors to Cebu City.
The facility is designed as a comprehensive destination that combines multiple entertainment, commercial, and accommodation components under one integrated framework. Key features of the Nustar Resort and Casino include a casino, a shopping mall, a convention center, a theater, a park, and various dining establishments such as restaurants and bars. The project also includes at least three distinct hotels, providing varied accommodation options for guests. This mix of amenities aims to cater to a broad spectrum of visitors, from business travelers utilizing the convention center to leisure tourists enjoying the park and entertainment venues.
The project began its operational phase with a partial opening in 2022. This initial launch marked the beginning of Nustar's presence in the competitive Cebu hospitality market. The development is situated on Kawit Point, a prominent location along the South Road Properties, which enhances its accessibility and visibility for travelers moving through Cebu City. The collaboration between the local government and Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. underscores the strategic importance of the project to the city's economic and tourism goals.
Facility Components and Layout
The 9-hectare site is utilized to house a diverse array of facilities designed to offer a complete experience for visitors. The inclusion of a mall and convention center suggests a dual focus on retail commerce and business events, making Nustar a potential hub for both leisure and professional activities. The presence of a theater and park indicates an emphasis on cultural and recreational offerings, providing spaces for performances and relaxation. The multiple hotels within the complex ensure that visitors have access to varied lodging options, catering to different preferences and budget ranges.
The integration of restaurants and bars further enhances the resort's appeal, offering dining choices that complement the other amenities. This holistic approach to resort development aligns with modern trends in integrated resorts, which aim to provide a one-stop destination for entertainment, accommodation, and commerce. The location on Kawit Point adds to the appeal, offering potential views and a strategic position within the South Road Properties corridor.
History and Development
Project Announcement and Joint Venture
The development of the Nustar Resort and Casino began with a strategic initiative by the Cebu City Government to enhance the South Road Properties (SRP) area. In 2017, Mayor Tomas Osmeña announced the project, aiming to transform Kawit Point into a major integrated resort destination. This announcement marked the initial phase of planning for a large-scale facility intended to boost tourism and economic activity in Cebu City, located in the Visayas region. The site was selected for its prominent position along the coast, offering significant potential for hospitality and entertainment developments.
Following the 2017 announcement, formal negotiations led to a joint venture agreement in 2018. The Cebu City Government partnered with Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc., to develop the property. This collaboration combined local governmental oversight with the operational expertise of Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc., which serves as the primary operator and governing body for the facility. The agreement established the framework for constructing a comprehensive resort complex, integrating various hospitality and retail components under a single management structure.
Naming and Conceptualization
During the early planning stages, the project was proposed under the name Isla dela Victoria. This name reflected the vision of creating a distinct island-like destination within the urban landscape of Cebu City. The conceptualization included plans for a 9-hectare (22-acre) integrated resort and casino facility. The design incorporated multiple functional areas, including restaurants, bars, a mall, a convention center, a casino, a park, a theater, and at least three hotels. This diverse mix of amenities was intended to cater to both local residents and international visitors, positioning the resort as a key player in the regional tourism market.
The development process involved detailed planning to ensure that the facility would meet the needs of a modern integrated resort. The joint venture between the Cebu City Government and Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. facilitated the coordination of these various components. The project's scope was ambitious, aiming to create a self-contained destination that could accommodate a wide range of activities, from business conventions to leisure tourism. The proposed name Isla dela Victoria highlighted the aspirational nature of the project, emphasizing its potential to become a landmark attraction in Cebu City.
Opening and Operational Status
The Nustar Resort and Casino officially opened partially in 2022. This initial opening marked a significant milestone in the project's timeline, transitioning from planning and construction to active operation. The facility is currently listed as active, indicating that it has successfully launched its core services and amenities. The partial opening allowed the resort to begin welcoming guests and generating revenue, while potentially continuing with the final phases of construction or refinement of specific areas. The establishment in 2022 solidified the project's presence in the Cebu City tourism landscape, fulfilling the goals set forth during the 2017 announcement and the 2018 joint venture agreement.
Construction and Opening
Project Inception and Groundbreaking
The development of the Nustar Resort and Casino began with a formal groundbreaking ceremony held in 2018. This event marked the official start of the project, which was structured as a joint venture between the Cebu City Government and Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. The strategic location chosen for the integrated resort was Kawit Point, situated along the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City. The site selection was critical for the project's visibility and accessibility within the Visayas region. The partnership aimed to create a comprehensive leisure and business destination, leveraging the coastal geography of the area. The initial phase focused on securing the land and initiating the necessary civil engineering works to prepare the 9-hectare plot for construction.
Civil Works and Infrastructure Development
Civil works progressed into 2019, laying the foundational infrastructure for the extensive facility. The construction efforts involved significant earthmoving and structural development to accommodate the diverse components of the resort. The project plan included the integration of multiple functional areas, including restaurants, bars, a shopping mall, a convention center, a casino, a park, a theater, and at least three hotel towers. The scale of the civil engineering required coordinating various contractors and suppliers to meet the ambitious timeline set by the joint venture partners. The development was designed to serve both local residents and international travelers, aiming to boost the tourism and business sectors in Cebu City. The infrastructure work ensured that the facility could support high-capacity events and daily operations of the resort amenities.
Partial Opening and Operational Launch
The Nustar Resort and Casino achieved its partial opening in 2022, marking a significant milestone in the project's lifecycle. The launch included the soft opening of the Fili Hotel's convention center, which served as an initial anchor for business and leisure visitors. This phased approach allowed the operators to test facilities and gather feedback before a full-scale rollout. The convention center provided immediate utility for events, while other components of the resort continued their final stages of construction and fitting. The opening in 2022 confirmed the project's status as an active facility, contributing to the growing hospitality landscape in Cebu. The joint venture partners utilized this phase to refine operations across the restaurants, bars, and retail spaces. The successful launch demonstrated the viability of the integrated resort model in the South Road Properties area, setting the stage for future expansions and full operational capacity.
Facilities and Amenities
Nustar Resort and Casino operates as a comprehensive integrated resort complex situated on Kawit Point along the South Road Properties in Cebu City. The facility spans a total area of 9 hectares, providing a diverse range of amenities designed to serve both leisure tourists and business travelers. The development is structured as a joint venture between the Cebu City Government and Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc., aiming to consolidate hospitality, retail, and entertainment options within a single destination.
Accommodations and Hospitality
The resort features multiple hotel properties, with the Fili Hotel being a prominent component of the accommodation offerings. The Fili Hotel provides villa-style lodging options that cater to guests seeking a blend of modern comfort and localized design elements. These villas are part of the broader hospitality infrastructure that includes at least three distinct hotel entities within the complex, allowing for varied pricing and room configurations to suit different traveler preferences.
Retail and Dining
Commercial activities are centered around the Nustar Mall, which serves as the primary retail hub for the resort. The mall hosts a selection of shops and services intended to complement the visitor experience. Culinary offerings are distributed across various restaurants and bars located throughout the property. These dining establishments provide options for casual meals as well as more formal dining experiences, leveraging the coastal location of Kawit Point to enhance the atmosphere for patrons.
Convention and Entertainment Facilities
The NUSTAR Convention Center is a key feature of the resort, designed to host large-scale events, conferences, and exhibitions. The convention facility is equipped to handle significant attendee volumes, supporting the business tourism sector in Cebu City. In addition to the convention center, the complex includes a dedicated theater for performances and a park area for recreational use. The casino floor operates as a central entertainment venue, offering gaming options alongside the other leisure facilities. The partial opening in 2022 marked the initial phase of these amenities becoming available to the public.
Why it matters
Nustar Resort and Casino represents a significant expansion of tourism infrastructure in Cebu City, situated on the strategic Kawit Point within the South Road Properties (SRP) corridor. As a 9-hectare (22-acre) integrated resort and casino facility, the development marks a major shift in the local hospitality landscape by consolidating multiple leisure and business amenities into a single destination. The project operates as a joint venture between the Cebu City Government and Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc., reflecting a collaborative approach to urban development and economic growth in the Visayas region. This partnership underscores the municipality's commitment to leveraging public-private initiatives to enhance the city’s appeal to both domestic and international visitors.
The facility includes a diverse range of amenities designed to serve various market segments, including restaurants, bars, a mall, a convention center, a casino, a park, a theater, and at least three hotels. This integrated model aims to capture a broader share of the tourism economy by catering to business travelers, convention attendees, and leisure tourists simultaneously. The inclusion of a convention center and theater positions Nustar as a potential hub for events and gatherings, thereby extending the length of stays and increasing spending per visitor compared to traditional hotel-only accommodations. Such developments are critical for diversifying the revenue streams of the local tourism sector, reducing reliance on seasonal beach tourism.
Opened partially in 2022, Nustar contributes to the ongoing revitalization of the South Road Properties area, which has historically been a key commercial and residential zone in Cebu City. The introduction of a large-scale integrated resort in this location helps to modernize the urban fabric and provides new employment opportunities for the local workforce. The construction and subsequent operation of the facility generate jobs across various sectors, from hospitality and retail to maintenance and management. This job generation is particularly important for Cebu City, which continues to grow as an economic engine in the Visayas region. By enhancing the city’s infrastructure and offering world-class facilities, Nustar supports the broader goal of positioning Cebu as a premier destination in the Philippines.