Grand Summit, which will have 360 rooms, is scheduled for a soft opening on February 23, 2027, ahead of its full opening on May 8, 2027, coinciding with NUSTAR's fifth anniversary.
With the addition of Grand Summit, NUSTAR expects to have at least 960 rooms across its three hotel brands—NUSTAR Hotel, Fili Hotel and Grand Summit—further strengthening Cebu's capacity to accommodate leisure and business travelers.
“We may change that number because we are still working on a few other concepts. We'll see how we go, but it will be a minimum of 960. Yeah, it will not be lower than 960. It can only be more than 960,” said NUSTAR Hotels general manager Udo Wittich.
He said Grand Summit will initially open 50 rooms across two floors, with the remaining rooms and facilities to become available gradually as management works to ensure that operations and services meet the resort's standards.
“When you have a hotel, you never open the hotel in one go, everything at once,” Wittich said, explaining the phased opening strategy.
Choices
Grand Summit will be positioned in the “upper-upscale” segment, offering a more affordable accommodation option than the resort's two existing luxury hotels.
NUSTAR vice president for marketing Vincent Fajarda said the addition of Grand Summit is intended to give guests more choices based on their accommodation preferences and budgets.
NUSTAR Hotel is positioned as an ultra-luxury property, offering larger suites and personalized butler service.
“NUSTAR doesn’t have an iron or an ironing board because you are not meant to (iron your clothes) yourself,” Wittich said, highlighting the hotel's emphasis on personalized service.
Fili Hotel, meanwhile, is positioned as a luxury brand offering spacious accommodations suited for families and guests seeking comfort and privacy. Its room rates fall between those of NUSTAR Hotel and Grand Summit.
Grand Summit, on the other hand, will offer more affordable rates and smaller rooms, catering to leisure travelers, business visitors and convention delegates seeking comfortable and convenient accommodations.
The three hotel brands are designed to serve different market segments, giving guests a wider range of accommodation options rather than focusing exclusively on the luxury market.
“It really depends on what you're looking for. If you're traveling by yourself or with your partner, and all you need is a room and a hot shower, maybe the Grand Summit is the best option,” Wittich said.
“If you travel with a larger family and you want to have more privacy in terms of spacing, then the Fili is a better option,” he added.
For guests seeking a more indulgent experience, with spacious suites and personalized butler service, NUSTAR Hotel would be the preferred choice, Wittich said.
More facilities in the pipeline
Beyond its third hotel, NUSTAR is also preparing to expand its entertainment, recreation and wellness facilities as part of its continuing development as an integrated resort.
Among the major projects in the pipeline is the Grand Theater, an about 1,800-seat venue designed to host major productions, concerts and theatrical performances.
Fajarda said the theater is envisioned to bring to Cebu productions typically staged in Metro Manila, giving local audiences access to more entertainment options without having to travel to the capital.
The facility will feature a purpose-built theater setup, including high ceilings and an orchestra pit, he said.
The Grand Theater is tentatively scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2027 or the first quarter of 2028.
Another major development is a planned recreation and wellness park on the resort's fifth floor.
Wittich said the facility will expand the resort's existing swimming pool amenities with additional water attractions, including a wave rider, splash areas and other recreational features.
The resort also plans to introduce more dining options, including a rooftop restaurant.
Wittich said guests staying at any of NUSTAR's three hotels will have access to the fifth-floor recreational facilities, which will be reserved exclusively for hotel guests.
Employment opportunities for Cebuanos
The opening of Grand Summit is also expected to create additional employment opportunities, with NUSTAR prioritizing applicants from Cebu City and neighboring local government units.
Fajarda said the resort recently held a job fair for the new hotel as preparations for its opening gather pace.
He said NUSTAR's employee transportation arrangements, including shuttle services covering areas such as Minglanilla town and the cities of Talisay and Mandaue, enable the company to recruit workers from communities beyond Cebu City.
Optimism for 2027
Despite challenges facing the tourism and hospitality industry amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, NUSTAR executives expressed optimism that business conditions would improve in 2027, supported by additional international flights, tourism activities and Cebu's growing MICE market.
“Nothing is meant to last forever. So you have to have an optimistic outlook, but at the same time realistically,” Wittich said.
He said a recovery could become more evident in the second and third quarters of 2027.
Fajarda also cited additional flights and upcoming MICE events as factors that could help strengthen demand for Cebu's hospitality industry.
Wittich said the integrated resort remains satisfied with the performance of its two existing hotels, although there is still room for improvement.
He noted that weekend occupancy has been particularly strong, with rooms sometimes becoming scarce during peak periods. However, he did not provide specific occupancy figures.
Fajarda said NUSTAR's integrated resort business model gives it an advantage by drawing demand from several market segments, including leisure travelers, corporate guests and gaming customers.
Unlike conventional city hotels, NUSTAR also benefits from its retail, dining, entertainment and gaming facilities, which attract both domestic and international visitors.
Wittich said the resort's strategy is not simply to compete on room rates but to offer guests a complete experience within a single destination.
The property currently has more than 20 restaurants, along with retail outlets, entertainment facilities and hotel accommodations.
With the Grand Summit set to open and additional entertainment and recreational facilities in the pipeline, NUSTAR aims to attract a broader mix of travelers while strengthening Cebu's appeal as a tourism, business and entertainment destination.—Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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