Disney World - The Online Guide

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2003
(UK customers)

Hard Rock Hotel rocks resort experience to new level.

It is one of a few "real" things in a city of make-believe. Not only will guests have to see it to believe it, they'll have to "hear" it as well. Indeed, since the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando was unveiled in the heart of the world's most popular tourist destination, it bears a most unique trait in this Florida mecca of themed entertainment. Everything about it is genuine. The real article for the eyes and ears.

From the world's most valuable collection of rock memorabilia, to original paintings by famed performers, to the seamless aural experience by the music world's most popular artists throughout the grounds - The Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando is like no other hotel experience anywhere.

The Hard Rock Hotel - it's where Matchbox Twenty, Blink 182 and U2 would stay in Orlando. Where guests are immersed in the music of their favorite performers. The Hard Rock joins another Loews Hotels-managed property, The Portofino Bay Hotel, to create the hospitality hub of Universal Orlando, which includes the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks and the CityWalk entertainment complex.

The Hard Rock Hotel showcases the mission style of a true "Hotel California," where "you can check out, but you can never leave." As in all Hard Rock Cafes and Hotels, the public areas are decorated with the newest pieces from the Hard Rock's unsurpassed $31 million collection of rock 'n' roll memorabilia.

Original paintings and drawings, including portraits of famous "rockers" by Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood, also adorn the walls. The world-famous Hard Rock themes of "Love All Serve All," "All is One" and "Save the Planet" echo throughout the property, as well. "It has always been our belief at Loews Hotels that the hotel business mirrors the entertainment industry-people want an experience they can remember, that exceeds their expectations, and makes them go 'Wow, this is cool!'" said Jonathan Tisch, chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels. "The new Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando truly delivers a one-of-a-kind travel experience-a seamless combination of great hospitality and terrific entertainment that makes for unbelievable amounts of fun with every stay." The Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando features 650 thematically appointed rooms, including guest rooms, suites (including the Graceland Suite - it's fit for "The King") and Loews famous Kid's Suites; several cocktail venues -- the Lobby Lounge, elegant Velvet Bar and the poolside Hard Rock Beach Club; two restaurants - The Sunset Grill (featuring an open exhibition kitchen) and an Orlando version of the world-famous Palm Restaurant; a massive zero-entry pool with a 260-foot water slide and 12-speaker underwater sound system; adjacent "Little Rock" pool for youngsters; fitness center and business center and 6,000 square feet of meeting space. Located on a 14-acre site, the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando provides guests with a comfortable, casually elegant atmosphere that is as relaxing as it is fun. Approaching from the gatehouse, guests "hear" the hotel before they actually see the property. Three-chord rock n' roll from a series of hidden speakers jangles "welcome." As the car approaches the porte cochere, the first visual is a magnificent fountain of 42 bronze guitars - Gibsons and Fenders all - swirling skyward in a double helix -- the DNA that binds all musicians.

The Hard Rock Hotel was designed as if it was formerly the estate of a flamboyant rock star, who, through decades of touring, amassed a remarkable collection of one-of-a-kind items. His deep pockets and evolving taste greatly influenced his passion for collecting. Far-flung locales, from Bali, Indonesia, South America, India and Africa are all represented in the architectural motif. Spain holds an especially dear place in his heart - perhaps due to his infatuation with an exotic beauty from the Costa del Sol - hence the choice of the Mediterranean styled building. The central feature of the entry floor is a large mosaic of the Hard Rock logo. From the ceiling above, shafts of light beam down, forming moving clock hands on the tile. After checking in, guests are drawn to the Lobby Lounge and adjacent wrap-around terrace, offering a 180-degree view of the cabanas, pool deck and Hard Rock Beach Club, where rocky Malibu-esque cliffs overlook a sand beach and Pacific blue water. Just beyond the cliffs are CityWalk's Hard Rock Cafe, the world's largest, and Hard Rock Live concert venue, creating a "rockin" campus on the grounds of the Universal Orlando Resort. In fact, the three Hard Rock properties make up a museum-quality attraction themselves as their combined displays give Universal Orlando the largest and most valuable public exhibition of rock memorabilia in the world.

The hotel and grounds provide guests with a seamless aural experience, as classic rock, pop, rhythm & blues and popular music of all genres emanate from hundreds of speakers located in all public areas and throughout the grounds. All of the hotels at Universal Orlando are connected to each other and to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk by a chain of scenic waterways. In addition to more traditional forms of transportation, guests board water-taxis from their hotel to their exciting Universal destinations and back again. Convenient and leisurely, this picturesque ferry system takes the worry of travel from the guests and allows them an even more carefree Universal Orlando experience.

Hard Rock Collection on show at the Hard Rock Hotel

It started in London in 1971. Legendary guitar virtuoso Eric Clapton asked the management at the original Hard Rock Cafe to mark a favorite bar stool by hanging one of his guitars on the wall above the spot. Days later, Pete Townsend of The Who sent another six-string with a note that said "Mine's as good as his! Love Pete" and a collection was born.

Today, thirty years later, Hard Rock International owns the largest collection of rock memorabilia in the world - valued at over $31 million and housed at Hard Rock Cafes and Hotels around the globe. With the opening of the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando, a remarkable selection of new items from the company's permanent collection is now on display. These include:

A military-style vest, peach floral drawstring shirt and black silk pants worn by guitar hero and Woodstock legend, Jimi Hendrix in the summer of 1968.

One of Elton John's most outlandish stage costumes worn on his 1984 world tour - a faithful replication of the outfit worn in painter Thomas Gainsborough's "Blue Boy" - complete with blue satin breeches, gold-filigreed accents, rhinestones, ostrich-plumed hat and knee hose.

A "Vegas Elvis" rhinestone encrusted bell-bottom jumpsuit (complete with cape) worn by "The King" during one of his many engagements on the Strip.

A boot display including boots worn by Elton John, Baby Spice, Mick Jagger and June Pointer of the Pointer Sisters.

Britney Spear's leather pants.

Mariah Carey's two-piece black outfit.

The exhibits at the Hard Rock Hotel, combined with the existing displays at the adjacent Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Live performance venue give Universal Orlando the largest public display of rock memorabilia in the world.

The hotel is full of one-of-a-kind memorabilia and display items including the brown slip dress and wrought iron votive candle holder used in Madonna's 1989 "Like a Prayer" video, Stevie Nicks' velvet drape shawl worn during one of her solo tours, a display of some of Elton John's most extravagant hats worn during his tours, a stage costume and guitar from Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and stage backdrops from the Rolling Stones' "Beggar's Banquet" world tour in 1968.

Other displays include original psychadelic poster art for concerts presented by legendary rock impresario Bill Graham at San Francisco's legendary Fillmore Ballroom, Jimi Hendrix's childhood hobbyhorse, and lithographs drawn by Rolling Stones guitarist (and accomplished artist) Ron Wood including a color screenprint of Jim Morrison signed in pencil by Ron Wood. Each piece is presented in a museum-quality display accompanied by appropriate notes and annotations.

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