REVIEW FROM A LOCAL - Just stayed at this resort yesterday. Had tickets to see a concert and got the room comp'd by a friend. The hotel is terrific - yes, it is not on the beach, but note that legal gambling in S. FL is only located on reservations. We didn't gamble - decided to make a night out of it with dinner/concert/room as this complex is 20 min. from home. How many places can you park for free, see major concerts (we saw Chris Rock), have your choice of a ton of restaurants & bars, gamble if you want, and then go up to your room all by walking? The surrounding neighborhood is what it is - a RESERVATION off a main road. The beach is just 30 min. directly east if you want to go. This hotel DOES have a REALLY nice, heated pool though.
The lobby has a ton of rock & roll memorabilia (hence, Hard Rock), and yes, there is the stench of smoke (not that bad though as they have a state-of-the art air vent system) and the usual gaggle of older persons. IT'S A CASINO first and foremost and I don't recommend it for families. The promenade is excellent as there is nothing like it in the area - beach included. As for the room....it was really nice. And I've been to nearly all the nearby, nicer hotels on the beach - please see my other reviews. The room was spacious as was the giant bathroom. Double vanity, soaking tub AND a giant shower. Do you need more? The mood-lighting and sound-system was terrific. HINT: Bring your own CDs if you like. Had 4 chairs and a table that wasn't used. Guess some people come up there to continue a poker game? The closet is free-standing and very spacious plus it lights up when opened. The view was of the roof of the casino, but honestly, there's not a lot to see of the area, anyhow. I do have one complaint, though. If anyone from management reads this: please oh please fix the service door near our room. That door must have opened and slammed shut every 3-5 min. ALL NIGHT LONG. I had dreams of what I was going to do to the person making all the noise once I woke up. We went to bed at 1am, and I kid you not, the opening and subsequent slamming NEVER CEASED. Like I said, the room was comp'd, so I really don't know who to complain to. MANAGEMENT - Please put an air-compressed thingy on the top of the door so that it doesn't rattle the crap out of all the adjoining rooms and advise your staff that it is not necessary to yell to one another every single time they leave the area and enter the hallway. Some people DO like to sleep! Other than that, we had a great time and hope to do it again soon.
