I responded the other day, but was typing quickly. Generally, we enjoy staying CL at resorts. The convenience, especially when it comes to getting coffee (with milk) in the morning, can't be beat.
We've non many non CL vacations, and will again, but it always amazes me how much of a hassle it often is to get a simple cup of halfway decent coffee.
Royal Pacific is one hotel where I could easily go either way. In the morning, there wasn't a huge difference between going to the lounge, and going to the lobby grab and go for coffee/breakfast items. The lounge is fairly nice, but the lobby seating is nicer. Of all the WDW lounges, Poly has the best view. The view at RP isn't great: part of IoA, but also a rooftops and highway. The lobby on the other hand, has lots of greenery, orchids and a courtyard fountain ( though it is a smoking area).
One last important thing...the fun of the Hard Rock is Rock music and memorabilia. Most of the day I love it. First thing in the morning though, loud music isn't my first choice. For that matter, most the lounges feel a need to broadcast semi-loud noise of some sort: GF had loud footage of protests last summer, BC had HGTV/Disney bulletin board/cartoons, RP had SpongeBob/infomercials/local news, most WDW are similar to BC but often play local news. The noise is often repetitive, disturbing/annoying and inescapable. We found it comical at RP: an infomercial on wrinkles and aging. Really?
I'd love a quiet corner in the morning before all the cacophony of the parks.