Hard Rock Hotel Question

[MissionMouse]

We have been to a HRC before outside of Orlando and found the music to be so loud we were not even able to carry on a conversation at our table. Our ears actually had a low level rining in them once we exited the restaurant.

So we are wondering if this overwhelming ambience is also found in the HRH? We like what we have read about the HRH, but have concerns based upon our cafe experience. We are looking for a family experience with our 4 and 7yo girls and are looking for one of the three resorts that allows a break away from the sensory overload of the parks.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I didn't see your post before I posted my own (thought-provoking ) thread on where does the HRH get its reputation for loud music? Based on your experience, I can see that it in part comes from the HRC.

No, the HRH does not play music that is deafening. I don't think as many people would love it so much if it did. Who wants loud music 24x7? The music is there, but it is not loud or overwhelming. Personally, we were impressed that we never heard a repeat of a song. The RPR also plays music at the pool.

This is a popular question. Perhaps it should be a sticky?

 

[MissionMouse]

I think a "sticky" would be good, since I think most information on the HRH does not talk about the music and the decibal level at which it is played in the resort. It leaves a first time guest wondering...so if you have never stayed there you reflect back to your HRC experience(s).

 

[bg4]

Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Hotel are two separate entities owned by different companies. Cafe is a restaurant and bar and music can get loud. We were there last week on a Monday night and the music did get loud.

On the other side is HRH which is a hotel. They also play music but it is not as bad and hardly noticeable.

Don't get me wrong. Both places do play music constantly but you cannot compare one to the other decibel-wise.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

Maybe the portafino or royal pacific would be better for you since your children are so young.They are all in the same area with the porafino being on the other side of the street with the Royal pacific just outside the park.It has rooms with a view of the park if your lucky.The Hard Rock is a little more active with music or bands playing in the lobby.The royal pacific has the cheaper rates and more for younger kids.The portafino is more upscale and the resort away from the parks.You use the boat to get downtown and the parks.it's very nice.

tiggerguy

 

[MissionMouse]

Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Hotel are two separate entities owned by different companies. ....Don't get me wrong. Both places do play music constantly but you cannot compare one to the other decibel-wise.

The logo of the hotel derives from the Hard Rock Café, since the Hotel and Casino establishment were initially an expansion of the Café business. Over time the owners elected to sell off the hotel and casino components, so the reputation of loudness lingers for the hotel chain due to its past relationship, especially since their still using the same, similar, logo too. Glad to hear they play the music a lot lower but I'm not sure about continually encountering an array of sounds…everywhere we would go. Thanks for the information.

Maybe the portafino or royal pacific would be better for you since your children are so young. ..
tiggerguy

I am glad you mention this since my thoughts are also along this line too. My impression is the HRH might be a great hotel for older kids and there could be an older crowd moving to fast around my little ones...along with possible other things. Thanks for sharing your experience and insight.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I am glad you mention this since my thoughts are also along this line too. My impression is the HRH might be a great hotel for older kids and there could be an older crowd moving to fast around my little ones... along with possible other things. Thanks for sharing your experience and insight.

Again, another common misconception of the HRH. All 3 Loews Orlando hotels are family friendly, and many families with kids your age stay there happily. It is no more "adult" than the the RPR or PBH. Some could argue that the HRH is MORE family friendly than the RPR, due to more room choices, like Deluxe rooms and kid suites which are both lacking at the RPR. It also has a pool slide, where RPR does not. It is not just a place for childfree adults and families with teens. Some would argue that the PBH is the adult-friendly hotel because it is the most upscale and most quiet. That would not be true either.

The ONLY time you may run into "adult" time at the HRH is during Velvet Sessions, which is only held the last Thursday night of the month. It is held in the lobby, but if you've been to a wedding reception that served cocktails and had a band, then this really isn't much worse than anything you'd see at a wedding. People even end to dress up for the occasion.

I am just curious as to what you meant when you said "and possible other things."

I am not trying to talk you into the HRH. It almost sounds at this point that you shouldn't stay at HRH. You seem to have some mis-perceptions which you may go looking for which may make you regret your stay there.

 

[bg4]

missed the possibly other things reference and that is unfair. What are these other things? Seems quite short-sighted.

Except for music (and that is the theme of the hotel) nothing goes on. People who seem to favor the disney side always talk about hotel theming. Isn't that what disney hotels also do? Universal did the same thing with their three hotels.

If you don't like music being played and rock and roll memorabilia being displayed everywhere perhaps its not for you. But nothing goes on (or doesn't go on) there that does or doesn't happen at the other two hotels or anywhere else.

Another misconception is that the HRH Orlando is similar to the HRH hotels elsewhere I guess Las Vegas would be near the top. Sorry to disappoint but HRH is a family hotel.

 

[MissionMouse]

It is clear you both love the HRH and Universal and that is great. As parents we are the ones who raise, protect and teach our children.

Do I think Lowe is responsible in communicating better in regard to what the HRH is all about and what it offers? without a doubt. In this day and age I fail to understand why firms do not provide video tours, etc.

While we both love all types of music we want our quiet space, two little girls can fill the air with all sort of sounds on an on going basis, so we want a place where we have a chance or option of just having a little peace and quiet. Add a little music by our choice...if we want. We also want an option to break away from the parks, since young children can get to a point in a day where their in sensory overload, so a resort with quiet areas is a plus for us. Based upon what everyone has shared it sounds like the PBR or RPR may be a better fit in meeting our current needs.

 

[AlexandNessa]

There are virtual tours of all the Loews Orlando resorts.

Yes, I love the HRH. I love the RPR too. The PBH? Only MHO, but it's our least favorite. Others differ in that opinion, and I respect that. I have no problems with anyone who doesn't like the HRH, but you are making judgments against the hotel and, by extension, the people who stay there, and you haven't even stayed there yourself.

If you want your quiet space, know that the RPR rooms are quite small, and you may feel crowded with 2 adults and 2 little ones. Know that all 3 pools have music and activities, and I think the RPR has music in the lobby and the club lounge, and I don't remember if it's in the hallways or not. The PBH often has music in the harbor area. The PBH does have a quiet pool though, so that may be the best option for you.

 

[dsmom]

I really do not know how HRH got this reputation? We have been to Universal 5 times this year and have stayed at RPR and PB. We have yet to stay at HRH so we headed over to tour it last trip. I saw more families and older couples there than any of the three resorts. The common areas inside are beautiful and the ice cream place was incredible! The grounds outside are GEORGOUS!! One of the most peaceful beautifully landscaped resorts I have ever seen.

 

[MissionMouse]

The tours on the Loews site that I reviewed are just pictures under the menu label of 'tour.' No videos or 360 view type photos that are commonly associated with a tour. Nice photos though.

Any resort decision process involves making judgement calls and when anyone makes a decision it is never a negative reflection upon others who decide differently. There is no right or wrong, but rather a level of fit and comfort. It is a matter of choice and I perceive we are all very happy we have this option and the abundance of resort choices.

Universal is a great situation, since they offer three great resorts. Room sizes vary from resort to resort along with club locations. Our decision would have been very straight forward if the RPR had larger rooms or the PBH Club was not in the lobby.

Thanks for your information and advice.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Here is a 360 tour of the HRH by Liberty Travel:

http://www.iceportal.com/brochures/...g=en&video=1&info=0&location=0&general=0&rr=0


I am trying to find the other 2 hotels for you.

 

[AlexandNessa]

PBH:

http://www.libertytravel.com/Hotels/Preview/HotelPreview.asp?hotelcode=FLCPOR

On the right hand side, you will see "Take Virtual Tour." Allow pop-ups.

RPR:

http://www.libertytravel.com/Hotels/Preview/HotelPreview.asp?hotelcode=FLCPOR

Virtual Tour is in the same section.

 

[JawsCPA]

Just wanted to say we stayed at Hard Rock in June 2006 and loved it and will return (hopefully in 2008).

We are a conservative family of 3 (son was 11) and not into the "party scene". We loved Hard Rock and were not uncomfortable at all.

The rooms are quiet and you cannot hear any music in your room. I don't remember music playing in the hallways either.

They did have music in the elevator and at the pool. I thought the volume level was fine and was not too loud. Most of the music we heard was classic rock.

We saw many young children in the pool and in the common areas.

We saw NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING that was inappropriate.

 

[dsmom]

thanks for the virtual tours Jodie. OMG - that king suite at HRH is beautiful! We might have to pass up PB for one visit to try it!

 

[AlexandNessa]

We loved the King Suite! However, you may like the Portofino Suite better since that has 2 bathrooms.

I just tried to click on the link for the RPR, and it came up for the Portofino. So, here is their home page for Universal, and then you click on the hotels at the bottom:

http://www.libertytravel.com/partners/general/hotelChain/universal/universal.asp

OP, if you do decide to stay RPR Club, we have done so many, many, many times, and would be happy to help you with room selections, etc. However, I do have to say that we have been bothered by parents who have left their kids unattended while they played cards and drank during the 5-7 cocktail hour in the club lounge on more than one occasion. I am talking the kids were hootin and hollerin and running the length of the club lounge while the parents ignored them. I think my point is that you're going to find rowdy behavior no matter the resort, Universal Orlando or not. I've seen the same behavior at the RPC at the Grand Floridian and in the BWI Inn Keepers Club. I think it's a total crap shoot.

 

[dsmom]

Thanks for the RPR link Jodie! We are definately heading back there- the king suite looks beautiful! And what in the world is the hospitality suite?? That thing looks HUGE! My husband says he still likes the RPR best. If you get the king suite upgrade you still have to pay extra for club, right? And it will be on a separate floor also?

 

[AlexandNessa]

Yes, unfortunately, none of the suites at the Loews Orlando hotels automatically come with club privileges. Now, there are 2 King suites on the Club floor at RPR, but they are really hard to book, and many of my attempts at booking them directly have failed. There are plenty of suites in Tower 3, which is where Club Level is, just not on the 7th floor where club level is. However, we were once assigned a standard room on the 6th floor with Club access. Let me just say that was a major inconvenience, because you had to detour up to the 7th floor to use the club facilities. It also required carrying a 2nd room key so that you could access the 7th floor via the elevator. We were pretty PO'd, but waited one night and then were reassigned to our rightful home on the 7th floor. Thankfully, the club staff was totally on our side and got us reassigned fairly quickly. I actually heard one staff member say "these are VIP guests. they should not have been assigned to the 6th floor in the first place."

 

[dsmom]

Our one stay at RPR was in room 3712 and we loved it! I don't blame you for being PO'd - I would have been too. That stinks that you have to decide between the club floor or the extra room of the suite- they should definately fix that! My husband says he does not want to stay at RPR again unless it is on the club floor. Decisions, decisions....