I’ve been to Universal Orlando dozens of times. I live out of state, so this means I’ve stayed at one of Loews’ fine establishments pretty much every time I’ve been at the theme parks. I’ve tried many different tiers, too, from the cute, fresh, and semi-new Endless Summer: Dockside Inn and suites all the way to the massive, relaxing, and Express Pass-oriented Portofino Bay. But I need to be honest with you, I’d never checked out the Hard Rock Hotel. I admit I honestly thought it wasn’t for me, but am happy to report that I have now gotten over myself.
If you are around the theme park space at all, the general consensus is that The Hard Rock Hotel is an amped up hotel experience. Music is pumped out near the pool by giant speakers, and the sound even reaches underwater for the guests. With this in mind, I really didn’t think the hotel would be for me, until I actually bothered visiting. I must say, this is one book you should never judge by its cover.
The A-Tier Staff: Yeah, This Hotel Has A Literal Vibe Manager
During my recent trip to the hotel, I got the chance to speak with Molly Ford, the literal Vibe Manager for Hard Rock Hotel Orlando. I obviously had to know what that meant, and mostly it means she curates and updates the experiences that make the hotel such a unique offering among the Loews portfolio. She told CinemaBlend:
I get the privilege to really set the vibe of the hotel. I get to play DJ. Basically there are zones to the hotel, so what you hear in the lobby is not what you’re going to hear at the pool. It’s not what you get to hear at the restaurant or even our fitness center. Even in the morning vs. afternoon versus at night, the music changes a bit because everyone’s mood changes.
I had to ask her how she got the title Vibe Manager, and she said she lucked her way into it by being stellar at her job, and doing a bunch of tasks that lended to the theming before the Hard Rock powers that be bestowed it on her. She’s not the cool staff member at the hotel, either. I encountered some bartenders and servers at The Velvet Bar who really knew their stuff and walked me through the menu. And the chefs curate a menu at its on property restaurants that is truly elevated compared to most theme park fare (and even hotel offerings). Think: Lobster rolls and caviar.
The Wax And Picks Program: Even The Amenities Are Cooler Than Other Hotels
Obviously, most people who think about the Hard Rock think about memorabilia first, and it’s true the hotel has a lot of rock stuff on display, including Slash’s top hat (which he apparently doesn’t rock as much in real life). There are also two additional amenities that are cool for music lovers called the Wax and Picks programs
- Picks: The Hard Rock Hotel has a Fender program. Vibe Manager Molly keeps everything organized on an app, and if there’s a guitar you want to try, it will be delivered to your room with an amp and headphones.
- Wax: This is for people who want to unwind by listening to records. A record player will be delivered to your room, along with a box of records to choose from. It’s like a home away from home for audiophiles.
The Hard Rock also has some of the other A+ amenities the higher tier hotels at Universal Orlando offer, including the aforementioned Portofino Bay, and Loews Royal Pacific. You get the Express Pass just for staying, and the theming feels more elevated than almost any other hotel, perhaps excepting the brand new Grand Helios Hotel, which is almost an Epic Universe attraction in and of itself.
There are two full service restaurants, the aforementioned Velvet Bar, a quick service food spot and a place for food and drinks by the pool. The hotel also gives you a QR code that you can scan to hear the “the sound of your stay.” The songs at Universal ared different than every other Hard Rock Hotel. Plus, while all Universal Resorts also have a fitness center, this one has its own playlist.
The Food And Ambiance Are Great
While I’m a strong proponent of Sapphire Falls and its popular Strong Water establishment, I was obsessed with the offerings from The Kitchen, The Velvet Bar, and The Palm (the latter of which also has a swanky location I’ve been to in Las Vegas). While the steak and sauce offerings at The Kitchen were a hidden gem I hadn’t known about, there is one true foodie secret at this hotel: The Kitchen Sink.
What is it, you may ask? It’s a seven-layer cake made to share with friends. You’ve got Brownie, you’ve got peanut butter creme, you’ve got chocolate chunk cookie, you’ve got red velvet cake, then some vanilla cheesecake, an additional layer of devil's food chocolate cake, and vanilla chiffon. Wrap it up with some chocolate sauce and ice cream and you’ve got a dessert date. It’s so yummy, even people I know who work at the theme park have told me they pop over there to eat it on occasion.
I could highlight a lot of other food, but we’d be here all day. The moral of this story, though, is never judge a book by its rock star cover. This hotel’s a big softie at heart --just one easily capable of shifting from ‘90s soft rock hits to Glass Animals, Portugal. The Man, or Johnny Cash. It’s a hard balance to achieve, but that’s what you get when you have a vibe manager.
