Ever wondered what it’s like to stay at the Hard Rock Hotel® Orlando? Well, look no further, as we guide you through its doors and reveal exactly what it’s like to holiday like rock royalty - from the theme park perks to underwater pool music…
First things first, we can’t talk about the Hard Rock Hotel® Orlando and not mention its location. A 10-minute stroll will land you in Universal Studios Florida. The pathway’s lined with trees and bamboo, meaning plenty of shade for little arms and legs. But, if you don’t fancy walking, there’s also a free water taxi to CityWalk or a free bus to Volcano Bay.
As the Hard Rock Hotel is a Premier Universal resort, the perks keep coming. You get a free Universal Express Unlimited pass, so you can skip the queues at a load of popular rides and attractions at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. And they throw in early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ as well; a whole one hour before general admission (as long as you have a valid theme park ticket).
You can check in from 4pm and check out at 11am. If you don’t want to check out the traditional way, there’s the option to do it via TV, phone, or a self-service machine in the lobby.
The rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel are fit for Nirvana – both the band and the feeling. They all feature pops of colour and quirky artwork, so you know you’re staying at a Hard Rock Hotel®. Standard ones have room for up to five guests, with a rollaway bed for an extra fee. They all come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, iHome® docking stations and coffee makers. You can upgrade to get a garden or pool view – it’s worth doing for the latter, as the pool area’s a real head-turner. Deluxe rooms come with that little bit of extra space.
But if you really want to channel your inner Elton John, opt for a suite. At 800 square feet, these bad boys give you all the space in the world – with a king-sized bed for parents and a twin room for the kids. There’s even a colour-changing stage where they can perform in the Future Rock Star Suite. And, exclusive to the Hard Rock Hotel® Orlando, there’s the Graceland Suite. This place is superstar territory, with a baby grand piano, fireplace and whirlpool – the Rolling Stones would be jealous…
You can dine like a diva in five eating spots. At The Kitchen, you can tuck into American classics, surrounded by memorabilia from celebs. It sorts breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Plus, there’s an acoustic brunch on Sundays and roaming magicians on Wednesday and Friday evenings.
Taking it up a notch, the Palm resembles a New York steakhouse, serving up prime beef and jumbo Nova Scotia lobster. Then there are a couple of more casual joints. If you’re by the pool, you can get your bites and beers from the beach club. It does all the classics, like loaded nachos, chicken wings and burgers. And you can wash them all down with a music-themed cocktail – My Paloma, Ziggy’s Stardust, and Blue Suede Shoes are some that grace the menu.
The Velvet Bar is the type of place you might come for an appetiser or small plate, to go alongside your martini. Here, they serve up tacos, flatbreads and charcuterie boards, set to live music. For more of a relaxed scene, you’ve got Emack & Bolio’s Marketplace. You’re not going to want to miss the ice cream here – it’s legendary in Boston. You can also pick up pastries, pizzas and sandwiches for on-the-go lunches, or a cup of Starbucks® coffee.
And failing all that, there’s 24/7 room service – perfect for after a busy day at the parks.
The 12,000-square-foot pool is front and centre here. It’s so big it could fit two basketball courts inside it. And you don’t have to miss a minute of the music while you’re swimming, thanks to the underwater speakers. The area is completed by a kids’ zone, a waterslide, a sandy beach, a volleyball court and whirlpools. It’s such a focal point that a lot of the hotel’s activities take place around it – from daytime children’s activities to films under the stars. For a celeb-worthy sunbathing experience, you can hire cabanas. They come equipped with a ceiling fan, TV and fridge, plus a waiter to deliver your drinks.
But you don’t even have to leave your room to get in on the action. You can get a Fender guitar or record player delivered to your door. Or, strike a pose with a free in-room yoga class on your TV. The Rock Om® classes are led by yoga gurus and set to a DJ-curated soundtrack. Plus, you’ve got more traditional options, like a gym with a steam room and sauna.
The Hard Rock Hotel® Orlando puts on a free water taxi to Universal CityWalk. From here, you can easily get to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. There’s also a free shuttle bus to Universal Volcano Bay.
Extras-wise, you can upgrade to Rock Royalty rooms and suites, which are on their own private floor. They’ll grant you access to an exclusive Rock Royalty lounge with hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine laid on in the evenings, as well as sweet buffets.
There’s no dress code for the Hard Rock Hotel® Orlando unless you’re dining at some of the restaurants. In this case, you’ll need to avoid beachwear, as well as sleeveless shirts for men.
When you arrive, call (407) 503-2236 to book a cabana.
There’s one pool, but it’s a whopper. Plus, there are two whirlpools.
There’s a walking path that connects the hotel to Universal Citywalk, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and other Universal hotels. It takes around 10 minutes to reach Universal Studios
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