Hard Rock Hotel Orlando
The Hard Rock Hotel at the Universal Orlando Resort is a premier hotel offering a great location and stellar amenities to guests. The hotel has a theme embracing rock music and celebrates beloved musicians throughout history.
Resort Overview
The hotel opened in 2001, as the second on-site hotel at the Universal Orlando Resort. This resort is a tribute to all things rock ‘n’ roll! From the saxophone chandelier to the music playing underwater at the pool, the entire hotel celebrates the music! There are photos and artwork of beloved musicians from John Lennon to Madonna and Justin Timberlake. There is also memorabilia throughout the floors of the hotel including outfits and costumes from famous performers such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and more.
The vibe at this resort is fun for all ages, especially adults and families with older kids.
Reasons We Love This Resort
Location: The resort is located very close to the entrance of Universal Studios. Guests can use the complimentary water taxi to get to the parks and Universal CityWalk. There is also a walking path, and it takes about 10-15 minutes to walk to either park entrance.
Theme: The resort has a great theme, especially for any music lovers! Around every corner, look for memorabilia and photos of all your favorite musicians from the past and present. There is always music playing by these artists as well. You can even hear music when you’re swimming underwater at the pool!
Amenities: The amenities at the Hard Rock are a huge perk. Specifically, for guests who stay at this hotel, the Universal Express Pass Unlimited is included for the length of their stay. This includes the check-in and check-out days. Plus, the resort celebrates the music! There is often live music in the lobby and guests can even rent records or guitars to play!
Amenities:
- Wi-Fi Service (complimentary wi-fi access in guest rooms, main lobbies, and main pools)
- Dining Options (table service, quick service, and poolside service)
- Business Center (computer services, print services, shipping services, office supplies)
- Designated Smoking Area
- Luggage Service (luggage assistance, valet parking assistance, dry cleaning)
- Housekeeping Services
- Valet and Self-Parking
- Rental Car Service – Avis Desk
- Front Desk Service (banking and mail)
- Merchandise Delivery and Pickup
- Grocery Orders
- Meetings & Event Space
- Vacation Planning Desk (purchase tickets, upgrade tickets, special requests)
- Wake-up Call Service
- Disability Service (mobility, hearing, visual, and service animal accommodations)
- Universal Express Pass Unlimited Benefit
- Early Park Admission
- Priority Seating at Restaurants
A Full Range of Accommodations
The hotel features 650 guest rooms, including 29 suites. There are a few room types available to choose from, with different views such as the gardens or the pool. Each guest room features amenities including a flat-screen TV, plenty of storage space with a dresser and closet, a mini-refrigerator with coffee maker, a hairdryer, and a desk area.
Room Types
Garden View
- Sleeps up to 5 guests (with a rollaway)
- Views of the Garden or Courtyard area
Pool View
- Sleeps up to 5 guests (with a rollaway)
- Views of the Pool
- 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
Deluxe Room
- Sleeps up to 5 guests
- 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
Future Rock Star Suite
- Sleeps up to 5 guests (with a rollaway)
- 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds
- Features attached kids’ room, perfect for future rock stars, opening only to the adults’ room
King Suite
- Sleeps up to 4 guests
- 1 King Bed and 1 Sleeper Sofa
- Open Floor Plan with entertainment area, including 2 flat-panel TVs and a mini-refrigerator
2-Bedroom King Suite
- Sleeps up to 9 guests (with a rollaway)
- 1 King Bed and 1 Sleeper Sofa, Connecting room with 2 Queen Beds
3-Bedroom King Suite
- Sleeps up to 14 guests (with a rollaway)
- 1 King Bed and 1 Sleeper Sofa, 2 Connecting rooms with 2 Queen Beds each
Club Level Rooms
For an upgraded experience, the Rock Royalty rooms offer guests a bit of extra luxury with added amenities. The hotel’s seventh floor is reserved exclusively for guests looking for added amenities and luxury. Standard guest rooms and suites are available with club-level access. The added amenities include:
- access to the Rock Royalty Lounge throughout the day, offering a continental breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, and cocktail hour with desserts.
- separate TV viewing areas in the lounge
- personal concierge service
- reduced prices on cabanas at the pool
Dining Information
There are several dining options available at the resort. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. In addition, Universal CityWalk is a short walk or water taxi ride away and has additional options.
All Dining & Lounges
The Kitchen
This restaurant is known for American favorites with a twist. Enjoy mimosas at breakfast, tacos for lunch, or the famous mac and cheese for dinner. The desserts can’t be missed either!
**Please note, this restaurant is temporarily closed for renovations. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the Velvet Bar or Avalon Ballroom.
The Palm
This well-known New York steakhouse features a classy atmosphere and an Italian-inspired menu including steaks, lobster, and more.
Emack & Bolio’s Marketplace
With beautiful views of the resort and a rich menu, this restaurant is the perfect tropical retreat. Featuring a variety of options from sushi to sashimi, Japanese whiskey, and sake, the experience is sure to please.
Velvet Bar
This lounge is the perfect place to catch up with friends while enjoying cocktails and appetizers.
beachclub
This poolside bar and grill offer a restaurant and poolside service. Enjoy frozen cocktails, appetizers and more served right to your lounge chair!
Room Service
There is a wide variety of menu options available 24 hours a day.
Pools, Grounds, & Recreation
Underwater Tunes
Not only is there a 12,000-square-foot pool with a water slide and two hot tubs for guests to enjoy, but there is also an underwater sound system! As you enjoy your pool time, be sure to dive in and listen to the tunes!
Poolside Activities
There is plenty of fun waiting for guests who want to hang out poolside! Enjoy ping pong tournaments, water balloon tosses, pool basketball, hula hoop contests, and more. The concierge will have a full schedule of events available.
Velvet Sessions
This separately ticketed event offers an up-close-and-personal concert experience for guests age 21 and over. Enjoy light appetizers and fun cocktails as you jam to popular tunes! Past performers have included Bret Michaels, Foreigner, and more.
Game Room
Find the latest video games here at the arcade located next to the pool. The game room is open daily from 8:00 am to midnight.
The Sound of Your Stay™ program
Guests can rock out to the music right in their hotel room with this unique program. Choose from a variety of playlists to jam and sing along with tracks.®. WIth picks®, choose from a menu of 20 different Fender® guitars to be delivered to your room, and wax® offers a Crosley turntable and your choice of 10 different records from iconic artists to play and enjoy. Please note that a down payment and loan agreement is required for guitar rental.
Sound Body
With the Sound Body program, guests can enjoy one-of-a-kind amenities designed to keep your mind, body, and spirit refreshed throughout your stay. Guests can enjoy a complimentary Rock Om yoga kit, available upon request, and then use the kit around the hotel or in the comfort of their hotel room. There are even three on-demand yoga videos available on the TV. In addition, the bodyrock® fitness center features a variety of exercise equipment.
Walking & Jogging Paths
Several paths are available around the resort to enjoy a peaceful walk or jog. With landscaped grounds and a butterfly garden to enjoy, there is plenty to see along the way!
Hard Rock Hotel Orlando Transportation
Are you wondering how you will get to where you want to go during your vacation? The Universal Orlando Resort is easy to navigate and there is complimentary transportation provided to help you get where you want to go throughout your vacation.
We have it broken down for you:
- Universal Studios: The water taxi runs approximately every 20 minutes and takes guests to Universal CityWalk, just a few minutes away from the park entrance. Alternatively, there is a walking path from the hotel. It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to walk.
- Universal Islands of Adventure: The water taxi will take guests to Universal CityWalk where guests can walk to the park entrance. Alternatively, there is a walking path and it takes approximately 15-20 minutes to walk.
- Universal CityWalk: The water taxi is available to take guests to Universal CityWalk, running approximately every 20 minutes. It is also a short walk, approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Universal’s Volcano Bay: Buses run approximately every 20 minutes to Volcano Bay.
Parking
*Guests who drive either their own vehicle or a rental car to Walt Disney World should know that a standard overnight self-parking fee of $28 plus tax per night will be applied to the guest hotel folio upon check-out. Valet parking is available for $37 plus tax per night. Parking is also available for day guests, with self-parking starting at $10 plus tax and valet parking at $42 plus tax.
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