Luxury in the Philippines continues reaching new heights. In Cebu, which is famous for its interweaving of both coastal and urban lifestyles, this is taken to a whole other level all thanks to NUSTAR.

Home to the first five-star Filipino hotel and a globally competitive leisure and entertainment hub, after two years since it first opened, NUSTAR now unveils its newest addition to the development, The Mall. Housing brands both familiar and unfamiliar to the general Filipino market, The Mall NUSTAR promises to offer fresh and exciting experiences nonetheless.

To commemorate this event, guests from all over the country gathered in the massive development that sits prominently on Kawit Island, Cebu City. Even from afar, the structure is almost impossible to miss, its grandiosity hinting at what’s to come once visitors enter through those doors. Approaching this piece of architecture that places itself against a painting of sea and sky creates a breathtaking view, one that definitely amped up the excitement in my anticipation. Needless to say, I was already quite impressed just seeing it from a distance.

Upon arrival, we headed straight to Mott 32, an award-winning Chinese restaurant known for its peking duck. Cebu is one of its eight locations worldwide and the only one in the country. For this event, the restaurant’s executive chef Lee Man-Sing had curated a menu that took us on a gustatory trip, showcasing a variety of flavors from Canton, Shanghai, and Beijing. Overall the meal was nice, as expected, however the three things that pleasantly caught me off guard were the Wagyu, the cocktails, and the interior design. I noticed that that last part was a common occurrence throughout my overnight stay in NUSTAR.

The Mall, with its warmly lit interiors and use of brown tones and curved elements, though exuding a kind of opulence, still manages to feel cozy. Every now and then, you’ll catch a glimpse of the ocean view from the large window walls, the vivid blues an allusive complement to the natural references all throughout.

The luxury wing boasts a premier directory of some of the world’s top high-end boutiques. This comprises fashion and jewelry brands like Celine, Dior, Gucci, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Montblanc, Off-White, Porsche Design, Rimowa, Tiffany & Co., Univers, and more. Additionally, the catalog also includes beauty brands such as Clé de Peau Beauté, Estée Lauder, Jo Malone, and the Rustan’s Beauty Source.

What I particularly admired about these stores was how each told a story through its design. Even more so, I loved finding out when certain elements were crafted by local artists and designers, seamlessly intertwining Filipino culture with that of other countries. In some stores like Louis Vuitton or Univers, for example, certain commissioned pieces and decorative elements were done by Cebu-based designer Vito Selma.

The aesthetics were not the only thing that set these boutiques apart from those in the country capital, Manila. Some collections they offer can be found exclusively at The Mall NUSTAR, such as Gucci’s resort-inspired collection which pays homage to the tropical nature of the island of Cebu.

As General Manager May Adolfo put it, “When we laid our masterplan in 2018, our grand vision was to bring Cebu to the world, and the world to Cebu. With this goal, we embarked on creating an integrated leisure and entertainment hub that rivals the bests of the world yet at the same time feels uniquely Cebuano.”

Of course, that entails a wide selection of dining options highlighting the local Cebuano cuisine, ranging from casual dining at Fina, brunch at Abaca Baking Company, and simple but delectable feasting with Cebu’s Original Lechon Belly. Moreover, a variety of other Asian restaurants can also be found at NUSTAR, such as Koshima by Nonki, Yeonwha The Premium by Kaya, Xin Tian Di, and Good Luck Hotpot. Cravings for international cuisines such as Spanish and Italian can also be satisfied at restaurants like Barcino and Il Primo.

At Fili Hotel, visitors can also check out Fili Café, Fili Lobby Lounge, The Executive Lounge, and more. On top of this, guests who opt to stay at Fili can enjoy its amenities like the pool, fitness center, and Hagod Spa. However, even just hanging out in the hotel room overlooking the view, maybe taking a nice, warm bath, already makes the visit worthwhile.

To learn more, visit nustar.ph/themall or follow @themallnustarcebu on Facebook and Instagram.