Vacation like a rock star at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel. This hotel is located just steps from Universal Studios at Universal Orlando Resort. The Universal Orlando Resorts are run by Loews Hotels. If you love music, this hotel is perfect for your family vacation. From the rock and roll memorabilia throughout the resort to the underwater sound system at the pool, this is an epic resort for your rock royalty.
What’s New for COVID-19
Things have changed how we look at travel due to Coronavirus. Universal Orlando Resorts reopened with some changes to keep us all safe. Some of the changes include daily temperature checks for hotel guests, social distancing following CDC guidelines, and masks for guests and team members.
Here is a video showing some of the changes at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando.
Universal Orlando Resort Perks
Universal Orlando Resort Hotels include a lot of amazing perks, just for you. Here are a few of the perks.
Early Park Admission
With Early Park Admission, you get access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure. During Covid-19, you get Early Park Admission at Universal Studios Florida.
We love this perk! You get a head start at the Universal Orlando theme parks to ride your favorite rides and attractions, before park opening.
Package Delivery
As you are visiting Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, or Universal CityWalk; you may find some fun souvenirs. You can take advantage of a free service called package pick up. Universal will deliver your souvenirs to your resort for you to pick up later.
Charge Purchases to your Room
You can use your room key at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando to charge any meals, souvenirs, spa treatments, or snacks to your room from anywhere at Universal Orlando Resort. You can then pay for your incidentals when you check out.
Stay & Play at Other Universal Hotels
When you stay at one Universal Orlando Resort, you can play at any of the other resorts. The other Universal Orlando Hotels include Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Royal Pacific Resort, Sapphire Falls Hotel, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Aventura Hotel, and Endless Summer Hotel.
We love these perks, just for Universal Orlando Resort guests.
Transportation
We love the location of the Hard Rock Hotel Orlando. You are literally steps from Universal Parks and Universal CityWalk. There is a path to get to the front entrance to Universal Studios and CityWalk. You can also take a water taxi to Universal CityWalk if you would like a leisure boat ride.
Universal Express Unlimited
Imagine getting VIP access to every ride and attraction at both Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. As a guest at the Hard Rock Hotel, you get Universal Express for FREE. This is a huge savings!
Hard Rock Hotel Amenities
Swimming Pool & Cabanas
One of our favorite outdoor pools at the Universal Orlando hotels is at Hard Rock Orlando. This tropical pool has sandy beaches, water slide, lounge chairs, and poolside bar. The pool area is over 12,000 square feet, so a lot of water fun for the whole family.
They also have lots of music and entertainment at the pool area. Don’t forget to go under the water! They even have a sound system under the water. The kids will love this one!
You can also share your favorite family pics by the pool with the free wifi. The wifi is available by the pool and other public locations at Hard Rock.
The Sound of Your Stay
One of our kids favorite parts of a Hard Rock vacation is the Sound of Your Stay. Hard Rock Orlando offers three options including Wax, Tracks, or Picks. For Wax, you can enjoy music in your room with a turntable and records. For Tracks, you can download a playlists that you can enjoy during your Hard Rock vacation.
Our favorite is Picks! You can reserve a guitar, picks, and amps during your stay. These are delivered right to your Hard Rock Orlando room to enjoy a day or your entire vacation. My daughter plays guitar and this is one of the coolest free perks at the Hard Rock Hotels. You can reserve Picks if you play guitar or just want to get a selfie rocking out on one. I have an epic picture of our grandpa playing the guitar!
Camp Lil’ Rock
We love hotels that offer kids clubs. Hard Rock Orlando offers Camp Lil’ Rock for kids ages 4 through 14. There are tons of activities for all of the kids. They have arts and crafts, stories, computers, video games, movies, board games, and other activities. Your kids young and older will have a blast with the counselors.
This gives you an opportunity to enjoy dinner at Hard Rock or walk over to CityWalk for evening entertainment. There is an additional fee for Camp Lil’ Rock.
Rock Shop
If you are looking for t-shirts, picks, guitars, or just a Universal Orlando postcard; you can find them all at the Rock Shop. In the lobby of Hard Rock Orlando, you can find the Rock Shop. This is the perfect spot to find your favorite Hard Rock swag.
bodyrock Fitness Center
After eating all of the yummy Universal Orlando treats, you may want to fit in a workout or two. Hard Rock Orlando has a fitness center called bodyrock. This fitness center includes treadmills, bicycles, elliptical cross trainers, a free weight area with dumbbells and bench, Cardio Theater, Stairmaster, steam and sauna rooms and locker facilities. Anytime you may need for a workout during your vacation.
Hard Rock Hotel Dining
The Kitchen
When guests at the Hard Rock Hotel® feel the urge to “raid the ‘fridge,” they head to The Kitchen for a variety of tantalizing rock star cuisine, and comfort food with a rock ‘n’ roll attitude. The Kitchen’s walls are adorned with culinary-themed memorabilia from the Hard Rock Hotel’s many celebrity guests.
Palm Restaurant
Bringing the legacy of its famous New York steakhouse to Universal Orlando® Resort, the Palm’s legendary menu offers a variety of American fare, Italian specialties, and it’s prime cuts of beef and jumbo lobster.
Velvet Bar
In the lobby of the Hard Rock Orlando you will find Velvet Bar. This stylish bar is the perfect spot to get an evening drink or appetizer. You can enjoy a drink in the bar or in the outdoor seating overlooking the pool area.
The Velvet Bar hosts Velvet Sessions throughout the year. This is a huge cocktail party with live music that runs out into the lobby. This even is usually held the last Thursday of every month. Some of the past musicians for Velvet Sessions include Brett Michaels, Cheap Trick,Joan Jett, and Eddie Money.
Beachclub
You can grab a lunch or just a drink by the pool while you are enjoying your day at Hard Rock Orlando. This is a casual dining spot, so perfect if you are just enjoying a day at the pool.
Emack & Boilo’s Marketplace
Downstairs from the lobby is the Emack & Boilo’s Marketplace. This is a great spot to grab a morning coffee, something quick to eat, or an ice cream after swimming in the pool.
Room Service
If you want to enjoy a relaxing morning, you can order room service at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando. The room service is open 24 hours a day.
Hard Rock Hotel Accommodations
Even if you can’t sing a note, you can still live like a rock ‘n’ roll superstar at the exciting Hard Rock Hotel®. Each of the hotel’s 650 guest rooms and suites offers the perfect mix of funk, functionality, and just plain fun. You’ll find stylish furnishings and rock ‘n’ roll artwork in every guest room, plus all the amenities you’ll need to get away from your adoring fans.
- Spacious rooms that range from 375-500 square feet
- King or 2 Queen bed options available
- Flat-screen TV
- Keurig Coffee Makers with individual coffee and assorted teas
- Complimentary* wireless internet access in each guest room and most common areas of the hotel
- Dual sinks, available in most guest rooms, hair dryer and make-up mirror
- Rock Spa skin and body care products
- Standard Rooms, Garden View, and Pool views available (upgrades to Deluxe, Club Level (Concierge), and Suites are available)
- Air conditioning
- Dry cleaning is available for an additional fee
- Rollaways are available for an additional fee
- And much more
Hard Rock Hotel Extra Information
- Check-in time: 4:00 PM and check-out time: 11:00 AM
- Hard Rock is pet friendly. There is an extra fee, but pets are allowed.
- Safety deposit box is available at the front desk on a complimentary basis
- Address is 5800 Universal Blvd.
- Walking distance from Universal’s Volcano Bay
- Photo ID is required at check in, along with a credit card for any additional charges like souvenirs or parking
- Self parking and valet parking is available for an additional fee
- All of the rooms are non-smoking
Hard Rock Hotel FAQ
Can you walk from Hard Rock Hotel to Universal Studios? Yes! It is a quick walk from the hotel to the main entrance to Universal Studios and Universal CityWalk.
Is the pool at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando heated? Yes, most Orlando hotels do have heated pools including the Hard Rock Hotel Orlando.
What time is check in at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando? Check in at Hard Rock is 4 PM and check out is 11 AM. Universal Orlando has express check out. If you leave a credit card on file at check in, you do not even need to stop by the front desk. Your incidentals will just be charged to your credit card on file and you will receive an email with the charges.
How far is Hard Rock Orlando from Disney? These two resort areas are very close, about 15 miles.
We love creating split vacations and spending a few days at Disney World and then hopping over to Universal Orlando and spending a few days at Universal Orlando Resort (and Harry Potter). Universal even adds a transportation option in their packages that will pick you up at your Disney Resort and take you to Universal Orlando, so you do not even have to worry about our crazy Orlando traffic. You can contact Destinations in Florida for more information about booking your Universal Orlando Package with transfers.
How do I get from Hard Rock to Volcano Bay? The Hard Rock Orlando offers a free shuttle that goes to Volcano Bay Water Park.
How far is Hard Rock Hotel from Orlando Airport? The Hard Rock Hotel Orlando is about 10 miles from the Orlando International Airport. You can take a taxi, Uber, private towncar, rental car, or even a shuttle transfer. Our friends at Destinations in Florida can help you book a shuttle transfer. You can even add a shuttle transfer right into your Universal Orlando package at Hard Rock.
Which Universal Hotel is closest to the Universal Parks? The Hard Rock Orlando is the closest hotel, just steps away from the entrance to Universal Studios.
Does Hard Rock Orlando charge for parking? Yes, they do charge for self parking and valet.
Which Universal hotels include Fast Passes? Universal Orlando calls their Fast Passes, Universal Express. It is actually better than Disney FastPass+ reservations because you use your room key to get on all of the rides and attractions at the Universal Orlando Parks. You do not get just 3 FastPass+ reservations like Disney per day. The Universal Express is all of the rides and attractions.
The hotels that offer Universal Express are Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Orlando, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort.
We wanted to leave you with one final tip. This one is EPIC!
Before you check out of your Hard Rock Orlando vacation, be sure you stop by the check-in (front desk) to turn your room key into a guitar pick. This is a fun souvenir from Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel.
Our family loves the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando. Have you been before? What did you think?
