...becoming the most popular place to play for twentysomethings,
professional athletes and celebrities looking to spend
some of their inflated salaries. The casino is still
small by Las Vegas standards, though the hotel doubled
its room capacity in 1998. This was a case where less
is more; it would have been a shame to alter the casino's
elegant circular layout, with its elevated bar in the
center and hardwood walkway around the perimeter. All
the familiar slots and table games are available, though
many have a unique Hard Rock twist; the Sid Vicious
slot machines are particularly popular.
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If you've ever dreamed of becoming a rock star -- or
at least living like one -- Hard Rock's ready to make
that dream come true, if only for a night. The 5,000-square-foot
penthouse suite features the world's first bowling alley
inside a hotel room, complete with a closet of bowling
shoes in every size. If that weren't enough, there's
an Olfhausen pool table, 24-hour butler service and
two plasma screens on either side of the six-person
hot tub, on which guests can watch live performances
at The Joint. The steam shower in the master bath comes
with 12-inch "orgee" showerheads, and a fashion
mini-bar is stocked with male and female couture.
Arguably one of the hippest joints in town, the Hard
Rock Hotel houses some of Vegas' hottest entertainment
and restaurants.
The "world's first rock 'n' roll hotel and casino"
is many things, but one you would never expect: tasteful.
Sure, the main attraction is the memorabilia -- signed
guitars, full outfits of clothing and other items directly
from the closets of rock's biggest and brightest. But
even without those items, the Hard Rock boasts dozens
of things that make it unique.
The Hard Rock's concept may be new, but the medium-size
tower, hardwood floors and lush pool area evoke Vegas
past -- back when Sin City was a place for young hipsters
(we don't mean preschoolers) to stay and play. The circular
casino feels more like a large, spacious lounge than
a cavernous gambling warehouse. Dining runs the gamut
-- from cosmopolitan (Simon, Nobu) to loud and fast
(Mr. Lucky's 24/7, The Pink Taco) -- with restaurants
having little in common from one menu to the next save
great food and service.
Rooms are spacious and handsomely decorated. A pair
of lounges host a succession of pretty people, internationalists
and genuine rock stars nightly. A 1,200-capacity showroom,
The Joint, has seen everyone from Steely Dan to The
Ramones take the stage. The pool area is lush beyond
belief. And no other casino in the world could boast
slot machines bearing the likenesses of Jimi Hendrix
and Sid Vicious.
Truly a Vegas original, the Hard Rock must be seen --
and heard -- to be believed.
