De Niro eyes more hotel, resort investments in PH

From right, Trevor Horwell, CEO of Nobu Hospitality, Hollywood actor Robert De Niro, Japanese culinary Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Hollywood film producer Meir Teper pose during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening of the Nobu Hotel at the City of Dreams Casino Monday, May 18, 2015 at suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. Robert de Niro and his business partners have formally opened Asia’s first Nobu Hotel in Manila as the luxury brand gears up for global expansion. AP

Filipino tycoons have been making a killing in the country’s growing tourism and real estate sector, but soon, they may find a new star within their ranks.

Academy Award-winning actor Robert de Niro, who was in Manila opening a hotel he co-owns this week, said he could get involved in new ventures in the Philippines.

“There could be other locations in the Philippines. One would be good is a Nobu Resort. If we find the right real estate, the right place, it’s very possible in the future,” De Niro said at a press conference.

De Niro is one of the founding partners of Nobu, a chain of restaurants and hotels present in five continents.

De Niro said a new ultra high-end resort rivaling Palawan’s Amanpulo might be in the cards for Nobu.

Art imitates life for De Niro in the Philippines. Among his critically acclaimed performances include his portrayal of Sam “Ace” Rothstein in the movie Casino. In the role, director Martin Scorcese had De Niro playing a hard-nosed casino executive making his way in the gaming industry during Las Vegas’ early years.

Being one of Nobu hotels and restaurants’ founding partners, De Niro is now the closest he’s ever been to being a real-life Rothstein. The Nobu brand’s first hotel was built at the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Nobu Manila, which had its grand opening on Monday, is the first in Asia.

Nobu plans to open more hotels in Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Named after chef Nobu Matsuhisa, the hotel aims to profit off the Philippines’ burgeoning casino industry. Nobu is one of three hotels located at the 6.2-hectare City of Dreams complex, which is the second billion-dollar facility to be put up in Manila after Enrique Razon Jr.’s Solaire Resorts.

Chef Nobu has said he plans to make his Manila restaurant, which is also in the hotel, one of the best dining options for the locals and tourists alike. Apart from bringing signature Nobu dishes to the Philippines, the chef, whose London restaurant earned one Michelin star in 1997, plans to use local ingredients to create new dishes.

“It was very difficult to get fresh fish the last time I was here. But now we have connections for fresh fish,” he said.

Meanwhile, De Niro said he was busy as ever with his acting career. He has several movies and a possible leading role in a new Home Box Office (HBO) television drama coming up. But De Niro said investments in businesses like Nobu would see him through his retirement.

“As I get older, I’ll probably earn less as an actor… I’m at a certain age and I’ll take advantage of whatever comes my way, no matter what it is,” the 71-year-old said.

Nobu has been open in the Philippines since February of this year. Nobu Hospitality CEO Trevor Horwell said on average, about 80 percent of the hotel’s 300 rooms have been filled up.

He said the firm was confident of prospects in the Philippine market, noting strong demand from the country’s growing middle class. China’s recent crackdown on Macau’s gaming industry also promises to send more mainland high-rollers to other markets in the region such as the Philippines.

If the hotel is to thrive, Horwell said more work would have to be done to promote the Philippines as a premiere gaming destination amid competition from countries like Malaysia. “The destination has to be exposed to the market outside the Philippines. It’ll take time to build the business up,” he said.

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