Hotel Review: Hard Rock Hotel - Orlando, FL

Upon receiving our income tax refund, I decided to plan a little getaway for my boyfriend and I. I wanted to go off for a weekend and stay in a fabulous hotel. Every time I visited Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure in Orlando, I would see the Hard Rock and wonder what it would be like to stay in a place like that. Our room was booked for 1 night in the lowest grade room possible. It still ran us approximately $400.00!! Days went by and I got the confirmation for the hotel room and an e-mail telling me what was included in the cost of the room. I thought for sure there would be some complimentary continental breakfast (like every other hotel in Orlando) or at least a mini fridge in the room, but NO. No breakfast and you had to RENT the fridge. What a bummer! On the other hand, the key to the room provided you with "Express" access to all of the attractions at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

The lobby and guest rooms are filled with rock and roll memorabilia and were actually quite awesome! I think I wasted 2 rolls of film on the hotel itself. However, I wasn't all that impressed with the room we stayed in. All through the hotel, they played rock and roll music which was great. The pool area consisted of a "beach" on one side with sand and lounge chairs and the other side was just your typical pool deck. There were two hot tubs (one adults only) and a bar right next to the deck area. The hotel also had a Hard Rock Store and an inside bar with another restaurant as well.

Getting to the parks from the hotel was a breeze. They offered a few options. The first option was the shuttle bus. Second, a man on a bicycle with trailer-like seat could drive you over, for a tip of course. You could walk or ride the water taxi. We opted for the water taxi. It was a nice little boat ride from the hotel to the entrance of the parks. It was great after a long day of walking around or a night of a little drinking. The best part: not having to pay for parking at the parks.

I would say that I enjoyed my experience overall. I'm not made of money and I don't think anyone else is. For this reason, I would say that I wouldn't stay there again unless it was for a special occasion like a honeymoon. I felt that I could a better value for my money elsewhere.