Universal's Hard Rock Hotel
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5800 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32819
Chain: Universal Orlando Suites
Customer Reviews for Universal's Hard Rock Hotel
Hard Rock Orlando - posted on 06/04/2007
We enjoyed our stay at Hard Rock (family of 5). The express pass is a must when going to Universal Parks. We didn't really care for the restaurants and room service charges 22% gratuities and $3.00 service fee.
Perfect! - posted on 05/06/2007
This hotel was the best I have ever stayed in. The staff is there to help, and you are always entertained. There is never a dull moment. The location is amazing, as in 3 minutes walking distance to Universal Studios. You may see the price and get scared, but it is all worth it!
Hard Rock Hotel - posted on 04/18/2007
loved how the hotel was within walking distance of Universal Studios. Great idea to have the express pass to get onto rides without waiting in lines. Beautiful pool area. Would definetly go back again!!
Pleasantly Surprised!! - posted on 03/11/2007
I was very hesitant to stay at the Hard Rock after reading the negative reviews, but was pleasantly surprised. Our 15 year old has learned to appreciate old fashion rock and roll and he actually selected our lodging. The hotel was wonderful....great staff...wonderful location...express passes were great...clean rooms...great atmosphere but you must like rock and roll. There were only 2 negatives encountered...we didn't receive the 2 extra pillows requested of the bellman and the meals were expensive. A great time and definitely recommended. We had a great time!!!!
Hard Rock Hotel is great - posted on 02/26/2007
everyone treated us like we were special guests. The hotel is very clean and the grounds are beautiful.
had a great time - posted on 01/20/2007
Shuttle svc to parks was great, short walking distance. can't wait to stay again.My reservation clear noted taxes and NO Add'l charges at ck in they wanted to charge me 12$/day to park. I showed them all my paperwork, and and they were happy to waive the parking fee. When I was unable to self-park, and only valet was available that was at no charge - very cool. Food and drinks were WAY expensive.. after a day we went off property to get provisions. a bottle of water or soda was going to run 2$ +
Great Hotel, Recommend to Anyone - posted on 01/07/2007
This is the best family vacation we have had. We took our 18 year old daughters and they loved everything!! We can't imagine staying anywhere else...the speed pass was worth it's weight in gold at the parks and the hotel was excellent...we will be back!
Yuk! Club level is Dirty! - posted on 12/28/2006
Wow! Club level lounge is filthy dirty! Rooms are SO small for the price...and the hotel seems like it's run by teenagers. If it weren't for the express pass, I'd pass on this hotel. It's overpriced for what you get--except for the express pass. Can't believe people who've ever stayed at an expensive/decent hotel would even like it.
NOT WORTH THE MONEY - posted on 12/07/2006
It was once a nice hotel because we've stayed 4 times, but has really gone downhill. Room ready right at 4 and not a minute before. Each day, bed was not made until LATE and one day the room was never checked on, no towels left, etc. Had to hunt them down to get clean towels. Location to the park is the best, other than that, it really needs refurbishing.
family vacation - posted on 12/02/2006
The location is unbelievable and the express pass is great to have. The hotel staff was very friendly and helpful. The only negative is the price of the internet.But, overall, we would definitelly stay here again. :)
hotel service poor - posted on 11/01/2006
We had a roll a way bed reserved with the room, I remined them at check in and had to call 3 more times just to get it delivered, finally came. Then there was no bedding, called again 3 times , finally got bedding at like 11:00 pm !!! Poor service ! Couldnt make calling card calls from the room, didnt work, when I called down they were not very helpful. Service was not this bad a couple years ago when I stayed here. But the Club level floor perks were great !
Had a blast! - posted on 10/17/2006
My daughter, grandson(6yrold), and I stayed at Hard Rock Hotel for 4 nights during fall break. Hotel was nice, clean, great pool, check-in easy, friendly staff, and fun activities for kids(pizza making,pool games). The only downside was restaurant selection at hotel was expensive for menu. There are better restaurants at city walk.
What a great trip! - posted on 09/04/2006
Staying at the Hard Rock Hotel is something I would do again. On check in they learned it was my birthday and every place we went in the hotel had a card, signed by all of the staff, and a small token to mark my special day. I have never been to any hotel where to staff is so friendly. They really do treat you like you are a star. The food in the Kitchen and the Palm was great. The pool is clean and a pleasure to be at.
Hard Rock Heaven - posted on 08/29/2006
I carried my daughter and her best friend to the Hard Rock as a graduation present. We had a wonderful time. The Express Park feature using your room key was priceless. Two suggestions: Cover the area where you wait for the boat transportation. And make the rooms earlier. We came back around 2 to nap each day and the room was not made. The pool was GREAT. Loved the underwater sound system. The Rock memorabilia was very interesting. We loved our visit and would not hesitate to go back. Long live Rock....the Hard Rock that is.
front of the line - posted on 08/28/2006
express pass for rides the best. never had to wait. hotel card is gold. rooms need major work pool great. food very expensive at hotel. service poor. location great. very expensive for what you get.
Great Hotel - posted on 08/12/2006
Grounds and pool area were beautiful. Rooms were nice. Check in lady was rude. My confirmation email said parking was $10 ...when I checked in, it was $12. No notice of a change or anything. Eventually after a complaint I was credited the difference. It wasnt about the $$ it was the principal of it. We never waited for the boat more than 5 minutes each day. The walk back at night took about 15 minutes. I would stay here again in a heartbeat.
Met Expectations - posted on 08/10/2006
Concierge service was fantastic. Assisted me in making it a very enjoyable weekend for my husband's birthday. Couple minor things wrong in the room when we checked in but they were taken care of immediately after I reported them. All the staff were just great - very friendly, helpful and professional. Only "complaint" was kids running up and down the hallways during early morning and late evening. Overall, we had a terrific stay and would return should the opportunity present itself.
family fun - posted on 08/02/2006
great place for kid's. they loved sea world and island's of adventure. if you're in for a big splash, wet n wild is the place to visit (a courtesy bus takes you there). hospitable personel. be prepared to spend some money though, the tab can get quite high!
Surprised - posted on 07/25/2006
Unfortunately, we experienced the death of my mother in law while we were on vacation. We had to visit the business office to receive and send a 2-page fax to the coroner's office for the release of my husband's mother's body in California. The person there was really nice and assisted us; however, after she faxed back a 2-page documenta & as we were leaving she asked if we were going to pay cash for or charge the fax to our room. The charge was $8.95. We were kind of surprised by the lack of sympathy.
Terrible Service - posted on 07/12/2006
We've stayed here on three occassions, 3 nights each, and this was the worst. Housekeeping is non-existent except when you ask for it, and even then we asked for it 3 times before they showed at 7 p.m. All three days, housekeeping was terrible. We ended up fixing our own bed and cleaning the bathroom - fortunately, they were nice enough to give us bath towels. Don't bother with luggage handling - I asked for help 4 times and they didn't respond and after an hour I just carried mine own down. Not worth the price.
Hard Rock On! - posted on 06/20/2006
Overall, stay was terrific! Staff and pool were awesome. Rooms are average but adequate. Carpets are very worn and stained, not what I expected from a Loews 5* hotel. Also, you can here your neighbors conversation (in their rooms!) because the walls are very thin. Ate at the Kitchen several times and food was better than we expected. Express pass was worth its weight in gold. By far, the best perk of staying on the property. We had a blast!
IT ROCKS - posted on 06/02/2006
STAYED THERE OVER THE LONG MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. THE PERKS OF THE HOTEL ARE WORTH IT--DID BOTH PARKS IN 2 DAYS WITH THE UNIVERSAL PASS(ROOM KEY) YOU CAN WALK TO THE PARKS IF NOT TO HOT. WATER TAXI IS AVAILABLE TOO. THE STAFF WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE HAVING A GREAT TIME. WOULD STAY THERE AGAIN
Needs improvement! - posted on 05/07/2006
The theme is great but not worth the money! Extra for the club room is not worth it... way below standards. The carpets could stand some cleaning. Pool area is nice, great for kids. Over all, not worth the money. The Portofino is much nicer. Would never go again.
Hard Rock Rocks! - posted on 04/23/2006
Very nice place, esp. with kids. Lots to do and see...Rooms could have been vacuumed once in awhile!
Great Place - posted on 04/20/2006
My family of 4 stays here every other year. The express pass feature is the main reason. It is worth the extra price you pay for the room. Food is fair and very expensive. Location to the parks is wonderful. Staff is excellent, very attentive.
Just Okay - posted on 04/15/2006
I ordered a 2 double bed room, got "upgraded to a king bed, so my daughter slept on a couch, and I got a cot for my son, which they charged me 25. a night! The hot tub was luke warm and the jets were weak. Also, alot of sand from the "beach". I'd give this hotel 3 stars max.
Hard Rock Rocks - posted on 04/14/2006
Great hotel. Staff friendly and helpful. Music is played throughout, the hallways, elevators, pool, everywhere. Its great! We got upgraded to club level. What a way to go. Complimentary Happy Hour daily, snacks, drinks, all day long. The bedding in the rooms is superb. Very comfy:-) Can't wait to go back.
the hard rock hotel rocks - posted on 04/02/2006
if you are taking children with you, your best bet is to eat at universal city walk.the hotel restaurants are too expensive.i paid $3.50 for 1 bagrel with creme cheese.the nba restaurant has greatfood,also nascar restaurant and the latin quarter restaurant.shuttle buses were available to take us to sea world and wet and wild,and were very promt. drivers were funny and friendly,
Beautiful hotel, bad service and food. - posted on 03/27/2006
The entrance to the hotel is an amazing one. You feel like nothing can or will go wrong with your stay. But once you are there for a while, you can't help but notice there is some-thing lacking with the service. I don't even know where to begin with the horrible food. All I can say is, we should have just ate at their ice cream shop for all of our meals!!!!
Hard Rock Hotel - posted on 03/19/2006
The amenities were great,the room very good, the Club lever was good. My son loved the pool with the big water slide and didn't want to go to the amusement park. I really enjoyed the stay and would go bacik for sure. All of the employees were courteous and worked very hard.
WONDERFUL STAY HERE! - posted on 03/06/2006
This hotel was absolutely wonderful. The staff was nice and room service came quickly when needed. The pool/lagoon was amazing and the atmosphere was terrific!
Not what they make it out to be. - posted on 03/05/2006
Did not tell us when we booked or when we checked in that the pool was going to be shut down for resurfacing. Did not take any off the room rate for this inconvenience because mgt said it effected the entire guest. They offered a shuttle to another hotel for you to use their pool - who wants that. Since they knew this before now they should of told us when we booked or when we checked in. We found out the evening before. At * a nite = I find this unacceptable. Rooms are dirty and dingy.Mgt. could care less.
too loud - posted on 03/05/2006
The location is the only thing that saves hotel. The rooms are small and extremly loud. I could hear a dog barking that was in a romm on the next hall! Rooms are very far from elevator. and did not like to pay for self parking
Very desireable. - posted on 02/08/2006
If you want to maximize your Universal vacation, stay at the Hard Rock.Great location,Huge deluxe rooms, walk anywhere in the complex in a matter of minutes and, the staff at the Hard Rock are second to none.
Great place to stay - posted on 01/27/2006
The hotel is super convenient to the parks at Universal. Hotel staff of all kinds are exceptionally courteous and helpful. Rooms are roomy, beds comfortable, water pressure perfect. Only the low-quality toileries marred the room experience. "The Kitchen" restaurant was good. Service at "The Palm" was simply terrible and the food there was disappointing for the price. Pool is great for little kids, but never gets deep enough for an actual swim by anyone over 12..
Hanging Out at the Hard Rock - posted on 12/22/2005
After taking finals, my mom booked a room for me at the Hard Rock & I loved it. I had a garden view room which was nice & clean, but the pool view is better. Room service was great except that they charge you $3.00 to deliver the food and add the tip in the bill. I think the delivery fee & the fee for self parking are unneccesary in my opinion. Customers shouldn't be charged $7.00 a day to self park. The water taxi that took you to City Walk was very nice and convenient. All in all, I enjoyed my stay very much & would go back to the Hard Rock despite the few things that could be improved on.
Very Impressed - posted on 09/26/2005
This is one of the best hotels I've stayed on while at a conference. I checked in after midnight yet the staff was attentive. Was upgraded to the club floorand had a very clean room. Hallways tend to branch off so best to pay attention to your route or you'll find yourself at a dead end. I was totally satisfied. Great pool with waterslide also. The music in public areas is not overwhelming.
Great place to stay if you have a discount rate - posted on 09/08/2005
My husband and I liked the hotel. We loved the added bonus of the free water taxi and front of the line access at all the rides @ Universal and Islands. The pool was nice when it wasn't over run with kids. We thought the room was average but clean. We didn't like having to pay for parking and use of the fitness room. We would only revisit if we got a cheap rate again.
fantastic stay - posted on 09/03/2005
club level is awesome. rooms clean and room service is excellent. Beds turned down every night they treat you like a rock star. Awesome hotel
Love the Hardrock Hotel - posted on 08/28/2005
We have stayed at the Hardrock at least 10 times, and the Royal Pacific at least 8 times. We love both hotels, but choose the Hardrock when we take family with kids because of the wonderful pool area with slide. We are going back in November. Also, nothing can beat the express pass....makes every penny we pay for the hotel worth it.
Hard Rock has Hard heads! - posted on 08/24/2005
Watch out for the Vallet parking, $14/day versus $7/day self park. On arrival I was checked into a smoking room (wanted non-smoking) had to switch rooms. A/C is on motion sensors, the temp in room goes up to 75 when sleeping or out of room, you have to call front desk to remove this. Also had to call front desk twice for a rollaway bed and bar key. Has the worlds largest baby pool, deepest point is 4 feet and this is only a small corner of the pool. Most of the pool is only 2 feet deep. Food is way over-priced but good at the kitchen, $80 plus for breakfast for 5 with 1 child.
toe nails! - posted on 08/21/2005
we stayed at a disney hotel the day before and had a far more elegant room for a cheaper price, told to check in at 4:00.at 5:00 still had no room. upon entry to a room, had toenails on carpet. waiting for staff another couple had also been given our room. got money back
Cooool - posted on 06/21/2005
After a Cruise in the Carribean we came to this cooool hotel. Had never heard of it, but the image was great, and the staff helped us with everything in the world we wanted. Both adults and the boys (aged 6,8and 13) loved the athmosphere in and around this hotel. (Even music under water in the pool =).) Very clean and nice.
Wonderful stay - posted on 06/01/2005
One of the more beautiful hotels I've stayed in. Rooms and facilities exquisitely maintained, no signs of dirt/wear. Very friendly and helpful service. Only drawback is price, but the Fast Pass access to the parks made it worth every penny; rides were virtually walk ons for us. Parks a mere five minute walk away along beautifully landscaped paths. Pool is large, does get crowded, but has a wonderful, long water slide. Get the bed and breakfast deal for a wonderful buffet at the kitchen for a third of what you'd pay a la carte. Will return.
HardRock OverCrowded - posted on 04/06/2005
The Hotel was booked to capacity. I wish I would have checked out one of the other hotels on the Universal Properties. The pool and Hot-tubs were so crowded with small children and babies that I wouldn't want to step in that water. The bar/restaurant by the pool was aweful. It took 2 hours for us to get our food and it was not good and expensive. The only positive comments I have is my teenagers like the cd you get when you first check in and the Universal Fast Passes were well worth staying onsite.
Fantastic Hotel - posted on 02/19/2005
get the bed and breakfast deal.You get Express pass by staying here.When you pass 200 people and get right on a ride (unbelievable). Pool is shallow and closes early. Beautiful rooms and grounds. Very efficient water taxis to the parks(every 15 minutes).
