Rock On With Universal's Hard Rock Hotel

By: Rebecca Jones7.24.18The Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort is a great location to stay for your Universal vacation. Located about a 5-minute walk from the entrance to Universal Studios Florida theme park, you can’t stay any closer to the action.The Hard Rock Hotel’s standard rooms feature two queen beds, a desk, small refrigerator, coffee maker, and flat-screen tv. There are two views – Garden and Pool. You can’t go wrong with either one. There are also kid’s suites and club level rooms.When you stay at the Hard Rock, you receive many benefits. The most important is a free Universal Express Pass Unlimited. The Express Pass allows you to skip the regular line at many of the most popular attractions at both of Universal’s dry theme parks. When you are visiting during a busy season, or have people in your party who hate waiting in line, this can be a lifesaver! On one trip, this pass saved my family over 45 minutes in the Kong: Skull Island line alone.You also get into the theme parks one hour before the general public, every day. The theme park can change each day, but it will be either Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure. You’ll get in early to Volcano Bay water park every day. This is a huge benefit when you are trying to squeeze in a couple rides in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter before that area of the park gets too crowded.Some of the other benefits you receive by staying at Hard Rock Hotel include priority seating at select restaurants in CityWalk and package delivery of any purchases you make in the parks. Universal will transport them to the hotel for you so you don’t have to carry them around all day. Lastly, you will have free transportation to the parks via water taxi, or a bus to Volcano Bay or the other hotels onsite for dinner.When my daughter and I stayed at Hard Rock Hotel for the Celebration of Harry Potter, we took advantage of the amenities the hotel offers. The dining locations are varied, with great food. You have a casual dining location by the pool – beachclub – as well as a grab-n-go location called Emack and Bolio’s Marketplace. For a nicer option, check out The Kitchen or The Palm. The Velvet Lounge offers live music a few nights a month, and is a great option for a drink and some nightlife after the parks close.The pool is huge, with its own sound system under the water. There is a slide, real sand beach, hot tubs, and a few cabanas to rent for an additional fee. Although it was too cold in January for me to get in the water, my teenage daughter spent plenty of time in the pool. I can definitely see us making a day just for pool time if we stayed during the warmer months.The most unique aspect of staying at Hard Rock Hotel is all the music memorabilia, though. From dresses worn by famous singers like Lady Gaga and Rihanna, to Paul McCartney’s guitar, you will find a lot of history during your time at the Hard Rock.The Hard Rock Hotel is the first hotel I suggest to people who want to stay on property at Universal Orlando Resort. I’d love to answer any questions you have about the Hard Rock and your Universal vacation. If you don’t already have a Wishes agent, please contact me at Rebecca@WishesFamilyTravel.com.