Just back from Hard Rock.

[JessicaR]

Had a sister's trip to the Hard Rock for 5 days. I have to say the service was exceptional! After too many visits to count - this one fell into the top 3. Just terrific! I just love seeing so many that are still working there after so many years. They seem to very happy to be working there.

The weather was beautiful and that never hurts either. Had a cabana day that was so relaxing. Ate at The Kitchen, had room service, and also ate at the Beach Club so any questions - just ask!

They were trying sorta kinda to deter the short cut - seems to be working for some. New signs and some foliage. It does seem like this is no longer the dog walk area. Wood chips all over where the ground is worn.

We watched the new fireworks tested every night - it is gonna be a great show!

 

[macraven]

welcome back!


but i bet you would rather still be there..


thanx for sharing.

 

[islands]

I plan on going to the Hard Rock next time. What I love is that it's literally steps away from USF. Also the Hard Rock Channel is pretty good.

 

[cbsnyber1]

Had a sister's trip to the Hard Rock for 5 days. I have to say the service was exceptional! After too many visits to count - this one fell into the top 3. Just terrific! I just love seeing so many that are still working there after so many years. They seem to very happy to be working there.

The weather was beautiful and that never hurts either. Had a cabana day that was so relaxing. Ate at The Kitchen, had room service, and also ate at the Beach Club so any questions - just ask!

They were trying sorta kinda to deter the short cut - seems to be working for some. New signs and some foliage. It does seem like this is no longer the dog walk area. Wood chips all over where the ground is worn.

We watched the new fireworks tested every night - it is gonna be a great show!

Did you reserve the cabana before you got there, or after you arrived? How much is a rental these days - is it only for a full day, or are they available for a half day?

 

[macraven]

cabana rentals are for full days only.

if you stay club level, you get a discount off the cabana rental.

 

[JessicaR]

I rented it before we got there and they were booked, all of them every day we were there. So,very glad we did it prior to arriving. You can cancel 48 hours prior w/o penalty. It was $230 + tax for any on the beach-side and I think $180-190 of the other side.

The price varies depending on the time of the year, busy season, like now is most expensive. The rate actually drops for our return end of August.

We were in #10 - great location.

There was a $50.00 discount staying club level last time we were there.

 

[JessicaR]

welcome back!


but i bet you would rather still be there..


thanx for sharing.

Thanks! and yes sure do wish I was still there.

 

[jedi jen]

Thanks for the report. Glad you had a great trip. We are staying at RPR for a few days in July and are considering visiting Hard Rock. How did you like the Kitchen? Also, I am curious about the pool. Can you tell us more about it? Do you have an opinion on it? I read that it has music above and below water. Sounds cool (for the kids). Thanks!

 

[JessicaR]

Thanks for the report. Glad you had a great trip. We are staying at RPR for a few days in July and are considering visiting Hard Rock. How did you like the Kitchen? Also, I am curious about the pool. Can you tell us more about it? Do you have an opinion on it? I read that it has music above and below water. Sounds cool (for the kids). Thanks!

Oh yes I would definitely visit Hard Rock and Portofino if you can fit it in. You never know where a return trip will lead you.

Love The Kitchen. Their breakfast buffet is just outstanding and pretty reasonable at $19 pp plus a discount with an All Access card. If the weather permits grab a table outside. Service, food and ambiance all great in my book.

The pool has such an amazing fun vibe. Depending on time of year visiting there is tons of entertainment. We had a dive-in movie nightly, dj and games poolside daily.

The Beach Bar has AMAZING nachos. There is lounge chair as well as cabana service. Music can be heard above and below water - so cool! The pool was open till midnight while we were there and that is a HUGE draw for my kids.

Hope you have a great vacation!

 

[heidijanesmith]

So glad to hear you had a good time. We are staying at HRH Aug 4-7, and are waiting for an AP discount

We stayed at PBH last time and liked it ok, but are excited about staying at HRH this time.

Have some questions for you:
1-how long does it take to walk to US from HRH? How is the boat service? Did you use the rick-shaws, or is HRH to close to US?
2-location of your room. What location would you suggest to be closest to transportation and the pool. I have heard that pool views can be too noisy, any experience with noise problems? Do rooms at HRH have balconies?
3-Parking at HRH? We will have a rental car, if you drove there did you use the self parking lot and how far was it from the lobby?
4-fridge in room, do they come filled with stuff like the PBH rooms do?
5-Laundry, we always have to do some laundry on our summer trips. Did you do any? if so do you remember how much it is for washer and drier? Where is the laundry located?
6-Are they still charging for the internet in the rooms? I am hoping that it's free as WDW has changed their internet policy.

Any other tips someone staying at HRH for the 1st time?

thanks so much!

 

[JessicaR]

So glad to hear you had a good time. We are staying at HRH Aug 4-7, and are waiting for an AP discount

We stayed at PBH last time and liked it ok, but are excited about staying at HRH this time.

Have some questions for you:
1-how long does it take to walk to US from HRH? How is the boat service? Did you use the rick-shaws, or is HRH to close to US?
2-location of your room. What location would you suggest to be closest to transportation and the pool. I have heard that pool views can be too noisy, any experience with noise problems? Do rooms at HRH have balconies?
3-Parking at HRH? We will have a rental car, if you drove there did you use the self parking lot and how far was it from the lobby?
4-fridge in room, do they come filled with stuff like the PBH rooms do?
5-Laundry, we always have to do some laundry on our summer trips. Did you do any? if so do you remember how much it is for washer and drier? Where is the laundry located?
6-Are they still charging for the internet in the rooms? I am hoping that it's free as WDW has changed their internet policy.

Any other tips someone staying at HRH for the 1st time?

thanks so much!

1. It takes us under 10 minutes - we walk briskly. When we stay at HRH we never take the boats its just so quick to walk it. We also dont take the bikes either when at HRH.

2. Location at HRH is tricky - I stay way at the end of the halls usually away from the elevators. Have stayed on many of the floors and prefer the 6&7 floor and views. I love a pool-view dead center and the noise doesn't bother me at all from the top floors. Yes, you can hear it though! This past trip we were in room 6124 - amazing view, beautiful room.

3. Cant help with parking we always take car service but I did hear it just went up a few more $'s.

4.The fridge is the same as at PBH - you cant use it for your stuff. We stop grab a Styrofoam cooler and keep LOTS of water on ice during the trip unless we're in CL. We also grab some snacks.

5.I have done laundry there in the past just not this last trip. There are facilities on the 2nd and 4th floors.

6. I don't know for sure about the rooms but I know we used it at the pool. I'm almost positive my sister used it in the room as well and there was no charge on the bill.

Enjoy the staff they are the BEST and so much fun, they make that place what it is.

 

[JessicaR]

Oh, wanted to add that the parks opened at 7:30A for hotel guests every day we showed up that early!

 

[Aggie89]

We stayed there in 2006 and LOVED it. We're going back this August. Kids are 14 and 10 now so I think it will be even better. Do they still have ipod docks and bathrobes in the rooms? How far is the commute to the other resorts to pool hop? Thanks for sharing

 

[JessicaR]

We stayed there in 2006 and LOVED it. We're going back this August. Kids are 14 and 10 now so I think it will be even better. Do they still have ipod docks and bathrobes in the rooms? How far is the commute to the other resorts to pool hop? Thanks for sharing

Ipod docks were there. Robes if requested or there already on CL and in DLX rooms. Same as Turn Down. Pool Hopping I would walk to CW and take the boat. We walk it but really just take the boat.

 

[heidijanesmith]

1. It takes us under 10 minutes - we walk briskly. When we stay at HRH we never take the boats its just so quick to walk it. We also dont take the bikes either when at HRH.

2. Location at HRH is tricky - I stay way at the end of the halls usually away from the elevators. Have stayed on many of the floors and prefer the 6&7 floor and views. I love a pool-view dead center and the noise doesn't bother me at all from the top floors. Yes, you can hear it though! This past trip we were in room 6124 - amazing view, beautiful room.

3. Cant help with parking we always take car service but I did hear it just went up a few more $'s.

4.The fridge is the same as at PBH - you cant use it for your stuff. We stop grab a Styrofoam cooler and keep LOTS of water on ice during the trip unless we're in CL. We also grab some snacks.

5.I have done laundry there in the past just not this last trip. There are facilities on the 2nd and 4th floors.

6. I don't know for sure about the rooms but I know we used it at the pool. I'm almost positive my sister used it in the room as well and there was no charge on the bill.

Enjoy the staff they are the BEST and so much fun, they make that place what it is.

Thank you so much for all the info!

 

[buckeev]

Glad y'all had a great trip JR!
We LOVE the HRH!!! I've been doin' some heavy math this week trying to work up a possible summer Orlando trip...probably with Hard Rock as home base. Hopefully I can get it put together.