With a posh, yet laid-back vibe, Hard Rock Hotel boasts close proximity to Universal Orlando’s theme parks, as well as world-class recreation and dining at the hotel itself. Cue sick guitar lick!
Perfect for: Families and groups who want to combine theme park thrills with rock ‘n’ roll relaxation.
Theming: Inspired by classic rock music, the Hard Rock Hotel has an architectural design pulled straight from the sunny shores of California. Palm trees line the swimming pool, and there’s no shortage of rock memorabilia hanging on the walls. Seriously, if you’re a music lover, you’ll want to set aside some time on your vacation just to wander the hotel and take in all of the sights to see, including instruments and outfits once rocked by some of music’s biggest stars, from Bruce Springsteen to Katy Perry.
Fun fact: Hard Rock Hotel’s music library plays in “music zones” throughout the hotel! The hotel’s Vibe Manager determines the playlist and sets the mood depending on the area of the hotel, time of day, season, etc.
Rooms: Rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel are fit for a pop star, blending modern comfort and classic style. Your options include:
Standard Rooms: Two queen beds, a flat screen TV, a coffee maker and a mini refrigerator — plus, choose from a Pool View or Garden View!
Deluxe Rooms: One ultra-comfortable king bed, a lounge area, an in-room work station and modern amenities. With an optional rollaway, this room sleeps up to three guests.
Club Level Rooms: Located on the hotel’s exclusive seventh floor, these rooms have two queen beds or a king bed along with additional perks. You’ll have access to the exclusive Rock Royalty Lounge, where you can grab complimentary continental breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, and desserts.
Suites: Ready to live like rock ‘n’ roll royalty? Choose from the Future Rock Star Suite (one king bed and two twin beds), the King Suite (one king bed and a pull-out sofa), the Hospitality Suite (one king bed and one sofa bed) or the Graceland Suite (one king bed). Oh, and that last one comes complete with a baby grand piano — no big deal!
Another awesome perk of staying at the Hard Rock Hotel is The Sound of Your Stay, which brings the music to your room for free:
Picks: Check out a Fender Guitar and premium headphones so you can rock out in your room to your heart’s content.
Tracks: Whatever kind of stay you’re enjoying, the Hard Rock Hotel has an expertly curated collection of tunes to choose from.
Wax: Elevate your in-room listening experience with iconic records chosen by Hard Rock Hotel’s music experts; you can spin them on your Crosley turntable!
Hard Rock Hotel is all about music, but if you’re looking to empty your mind of some noise, you’ll want to give the Rock Om Experience a try. Simply request a Rock Om yoga kit for your room, which includes a yoga mat!
PRO TIP: If you’re the type to hoard all your old room keys as mementos, Hard Rock Hotel has a solution that will be music to your ears. Simply bring your room key to the front desk at checkout, and they’ll punch out the shape of a guitar pick for you to treasure (or strum with) forever!
Benefits
All of the Universal hotels offer a range of special benefits and perks, and the Hard Rock Hotel is no exception. During your stay, you’ll be treated to:
Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Enter the Wizarding World up to one hour before the parks open (valid theme park admission required).
Transportation to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk: Getting to the parks is a breeze with complimentary water taxis and shuttle services, as well as a walking path.
Free Universal Express Unlimited: Skip the regular lines at participating rides and attractions at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure.
Priority Seating at Restaurants: Visit the Concierge desk to take reserve complimentary seating at select Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk restaurants.
Room Key Charging: Enjoy resort-wide charging privileges to your room key card — no need to lug around a bunch of credit cards!
Complimentary Purchase Delivery: Once you’ve charged your souvenir purchase to your room, select stores will handle delivering it directly to your hotel — so your hands can stay free to hold onto those churros.
What to Do
If you’re staying at Hard Rock Hotel, you’ll want to take advantage of that short walk over to the theme parks whenever you can. But I also recommend blocking out a day to explore everything the hotel has to offer, because boy is there plenty to enjoy!
With a 12,000 square foot pool complete with a sand beach, the Hard Rock Hotel is the perfect spot for a mini tropical getaway. I’m talking two hot tubs, a sand volleyball court, interactive fountains, a play area and a thrilling pool slide. Plus, the innovative underwater sound system ensures that you’ll never miss a beat.
PRO TIP: Opt for a cabana rental for the true VIP experience! These come with a ceiling fan, HD plasma TV, refrigerator, wireless internet and a server to keep the drinks coming.
Dining
The Hard Rock Hotel is home to five uniquely-themed dining outlets, from classic American cuisine to a famous New York steakhouse.
The Kitchen
From delicious opening acts (appetizers) to jaw-dropping encores (desserts), The Kitchen is the place to go for amped-up American favorites. Like the rest of the Hard Rock, this restaurant is home to plenty of legendary musical memorabilia, so carve out some extra time to peruse before or after (or during) your meal.
PRO TIP: Don’t miss Sunday Brunch at The Kitchen, featuring a full breakfast buffet, set to the sounds of a live acoustic performance. (And bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas, of course!)
Palm Restaurant
Palm Restaurant is a classic steakhouse featuring authentic Italian-American meals and an uptown atmosphere. Fun fact: you can spy caricatures of celebrities on the walls as a nod to the original restaurant in Manhattan, where famous cartoonists would exchange drawings for their meals!
Emack & Bolio’s Marketplace
The Hard Rock Hotel is full of plenty of things that rock, both literally and figuratively. But in my opinion, ice cream will always rock the most — and that’s why I love Emack & Bolio’s Marketplace! This legendary Boston ice cream shop features award-winning flavors, along with grab-and-go breakfast, lunch and snack options. You’ll also find some fun merchandise with a vintage flair, including puzzles and metal lunch boxes featuring famous musicians.
Velvet Bar
Looking for an escape from the limelight? You can unwind and catch up with your entourage in this chic lobby-level bar. The vibe in here is hard to beat, with intimate seating and a beautiful view of the pool. The cocktails are even harder to beat — go for the The Last Resort (Cincoro Reposado Tequila, Titos’ Handmade Vodka, mango, spice) for a guaranteed good time! Must be 21 years and older with valid identification to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages.
beachclub
This beachy bar and grill offers snacks and appetizers to enjoy in the open-air restaurant or from the comfort of your chair! One of my favorite parts of beachclub are the music-themed cocktails, like My Paloma and Ziggy’s Stardust. (If your timing is right, the DJ may even be there to invite you to partake in some poolside karaoke!)
(Info Courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort)
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