MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Actor Robert De Niro, Japanese culinary Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Hollywood producer Meir Teper in a joint venture with Melco Entertainment opened Asia’s first Nobu Hotel here at City of Dreams Manila.
The 321-room boutique hotel is the ninth in the portfolio, and its opening was marked by a traditional sake-barrel cracking ceremony before guests attended a gala dinner. Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony and VIP purple carpet entrance attended by dignitaries, the evening entertainment featured a surprise solo performance by Apl.de.ap of the Grammy Award-winning group The Black Eyed Peas.
Guests were served a Nobu-inspired dinner menu created by Nobu Hotel Manila’s culinary team, including Executive Chef Zackary Hillberry, hotel GM Marlon Hirsh and Restaurant Manager Casper Khamphouy.
Combining a fusion of luxury, nightlife and exclusive guestroom retreats, Nobu Hotel at City of Dreams Manila seeks to provide international travelers a world-class array of entertainment and lifestyle offerings, according to the company.
“Internationally acclaimed, innovative, world-class hospitality is a core component of the City of Dreams experience. I am thrilled that our collaboration with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Nobu Hospitality partners Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, together with the entire Nobu Hospitality executive team, has resulted in the creation of this inspiring and stunning destination hotel,” said Clarence Chung, chairman of Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation.
“We are convinced that the development of highly-exclusive, luxury lifestyle offerings is a key driver in inspiring growing numbers of the region’s luxury-leisure destination seekers to visit Manila and the Philippines. They rightly demand the very best in lifestyle offerings and Nobu Hotel Manila certainly ranks amongst the very best of the best.”