Tag: Hard Rock

Best Rocking Exotic Holiday For You

Post author By Downtown Magazine
Post date May 22, 2020

One of the world’s greatest exotic places is The Caribbean. However, The Caribbean has many islands and each of them has its own characteristic. In this article, we will talk about one rocking exotic place that offers many amenities and its name is also popular, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana.

This venue can be found in Bavaro, Punta Cana, The Dominican Republic where guests are welcomed by friendly valet attendants. Here the guests will feel a warm welcome even inside their rooms where they can open the door and see a big comfortable bed, and a balcony that overlooks the ocean with a courtyard.

The Hotel

Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana like any Hard Rock hotel it goes around music-theme. In addition, there is no lack of A-list appeals too, which are a huge casino, a first-rate spa, and a room service menu. The whole hotel is all about VIP treatment and the place offers rockstar suites that have big whirlpool tubs and minibars as standard. The cherry on the top is the white-sand beach right at your doorstep.

The hotel has such a long list of activities that it needs more than two days in order to get the rocking experience you seek. In addition, besides the long strolling beach the resort has 11 whopping pools. There is a saying that if you spend your time near the sea, you get hungrier. When you need to refuel, you can choose from nine restaurants and 15 bars, or you can choose the 24/7 room service. Each restaurant seems to have its own theme, from the Caribbean culinary to Brazilian dishes, and from pizzeria to a steakhouse.

The Cherry On The Top

Besides sunbathing and relaxing, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana is like a piece of Las Vegas on Caribbean soil. The lobby is a massive atrium-style which leads to everything the hotel can offer, from a giant casino to a classy spa that gives musical therapies. Other activities you can enjoy are tennis, football and golf.

You will notice that the suites you choose to stay in have royalty rocking names, like Rock Royalty Caribbean Junior Suite that come with a balcony or a terrace, depending on your preferences. Each of these suites come with a Whirlpool Bath where you can get a whole load of extras. These suites come with VIP check-in where you have your own personal VIP Beach, an assistant, ironing service, full-size bath products, and others. Not to forget that one of the best parts of these suites is that you can have access to a 24-hour digital service while you’re away.

Besides, when it comes to entertainment Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana has maybe the hottest casino in the Caribbean. It is also home to the best action in the Dominican Republic with its 45.000-square-foot size. The casino features more than 40 unique tables and more than 450 slot machines. In addition, the casino is known for its Poker Room with Texas Hold’em. Other games that can be played are blackjack, craps, roulette, and many more known table games titles.

Last Words

In other words, this 1770 room hotel will delight you with its beach on pristine white sands that stretch for 121-acres along the Macao Beach. The hotel is all about Hard Rock all-inclusive with a Vegas-style casino, which is the largest in the Dominican Republic. The lavish hotel also features a nightclub, the Oro nightclub where you can have the party of your dreams. Guests will be delighted to be welcomed by 11 expansive pools, four swim-up bars, and a lazy river. And let’s not forget about the resort’s nine restaurants that have gourmet dining options. The whole property features more than 65.000 square feet and it also has a meeting space for flexible events.

Tags Bavaro, Beaches, Best Rocking, Casino Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, exotic, Hard Rock, holiday, hotel, Punta Cana, resort, service, travel, vip

Dining Featured Hotels Living NYC Travel

A Rocking Good Time at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa

Post author By Dan Metz
Post date January 6, 2020

They say that Rock n Roll is a lifestyle–a way of life. You can build cities out of it. And while Tampa, Florida wasn’t built on Rock n Roll, Tampa’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is. And with the completion of their expansion, Tampa, Florida, is finally ready for you to rock and roll all night and party every day.

So what would you need to live the rock star life? Glitz, glamour, and opulence. And Hard Rock is filled with it. Bright lights fill the gambling floors, offering every kind of game for every price point. Swim through the sea of lights, and you’ll find a restaurant, a venue, or recreational experience. Want a stack of pancakes? Fresh sashimi? A perfectly marbled steak? Or maybe you want to grab a drink and watch live music? It’s all there.

And live music is everywhere. Hard Rock Tampa features multiple stages, ranging in size from hundreds to more than a thousand. Their largest stage holds 1500 people and hosts internationally-renowned singers, comedians, and performers. Between all of their locations, you are guaranteed a show, with more as you get closer to the weekends.

If you are just there to relax, you’re also covered there. A beautiful pool ringed with cabanas, and a long poolside bar forms the center of the hotel and casino. Stop by for a swim, or a full day lounging in the sun. Finished with your tan? Hang out at the bar and watch a game over drinks. Just to the side of the pool, explore Hard Rock’s ‘Rock Spa & Salon,’ where you can treat your body and spirit with their brand new 26,000 sq ft facility. Enjoy a massage, a therapeutic facial, or a workout class in Hard Rock’s state-of-the-art fitness center. Hey–even rock stars need time to relax.

And the food. I mentioned it earlier, but it is worth mentioning again. Restaurants range from casual and cool, like the Hard Rock Cafe, to the stately, with Council Oak Steaks & Seafood. Both, by the way, feature live music. Whatever food you want, they’ve got it. A special shout-out to Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, and their supreme cuts of meat–I even follow their Executive Butcher on Instagram just to see the latest cuts. But don’t miss out on your chance to try out all 13 of their dining locations.

Council Oak Hard Rock — Council Oak Steaks & Seafood

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa takes its Rock n Roll soul to heart. Its vast collection of memorabilia, its multiple venues, its delicious food, is all a celebration of our urge to cut loose, indulge, and treat yourself in ways that you can’t at home. If you want to rock and roll all night, Hard Rock is always open.

If you’re interested, check out www.seminolehardrocktampa.com and subscribe to Downtown Magazine to read more in-depth coverage in our Spring issue.

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Tags Casino, Dan Metz, delicious, dining, Florida, gamble, gambling, Hard Rock, hotel, meat, Party, poker, Pool, resort, Rock & Roll, rock n roll, seminole, slots, snow bird, spa, tampa, vacation

Architecture Hotels Music

Seminole Hard Rock Goes Big On Hollywood Guitar Expansion

Post author By Dan Metz
Post date May 29, 2019

By Dan Metz, Associate Editor

This fall, Hard Rock Cafe, Inc. is looking to change the shape of their franchise–and the size of their Rock ‘n Roll–with what CEO Jim Allen calls “the world’s biggest guitar.” This 400 ft tall guitar-shaped hotel is part of an expansion to Hard Rock’s Hollywood, FL hotel and casino, part of a $2.2 billion dollar expansion encompassing the Hollywood and Tampa facilities.

The expansion comes after record growth around the world, especially in their home state of Florida. According to Allen, these facilities have been operating at 98% occupancy since their opening, limiting their ability to expand and advertise. The move would add more than 2000 new rooms, as well as introducing some new features to the Hollywood location befitting a facility made, in part, into a giant guitar.

At “The Guitar-Shaped Hotel”, the pool is less of a place you go than a place you’re already at. The “Bora Bora Experience” is a tropical waterscape out of a Bond movie, stretching out from the hotel like a beachfront. If you don’t like walking, the “lakeside” Oasis Tower features swim suites: rooms with a porch that backs up to an exclusive pool for easy swimming. If that’s too far from the water, guests can rent full-service tipis built into the waterscape.

Of course, the heart of The Guitar-Shaped Hotel’s rock n roll spirit is the new, state-of-the-art Hard Rock Live, a 6500-seat entertainment venue capable of hosting A-list performing artists, major award shows, and anything in between. Designed to keep thousands of attendees as close as possible to the action, its farthest seat is only 165 ft away from the stage.

The Tampa and Hollywood facilities are both scheduled to open in October of 2019, only a few weeks apart. Booking for Tampa’s new facility, which opens on the 3rd, will start accepting bookings on June 5th. Hollywood’s Guitar-Shaped Hotel opens the 24th and will start accepting bookings on July 24th.

Tags Casino, entertainment, Family, Florida, Hard Rock, hotel, Music, Pool, relax, resort, travel, vacation

Culture Entertainment Music

Saxon’s Biff Byford on his Mar. 29 & 30 gigs with UFO, 40 years of rock & more

Post author By Downtown Magazine
Post date February 7, 2017

Formed in England 40 years ago, Saxon was one of the leaders of the new wave of British heavy metal. In the 1980s alone, Saxon had eight Top 40 albums in the U.K., four of which hitting the Top 10, two of which reaching the Top 5. In turn, Saxon has sold over 15 million albums. Metallica, Mötley Crüe, and Pantera are among the major artists that have called Saxon a major influence. Even Elton John was a fan, having played piano on a few Saxon tracks.

Unlike most of its hard rock peers, Saxon never broke up or went on hiatus. 2015 brought the release of the group’s 21st studio album, Battering Ram, as produced by Andy Sneap. Vocalist Biff Byford and guitarist Paul Quinn — both original members — remain in the Saxon fold, as rounded out by guitarist Doug Scarratt, bassist Timothy “Nibbs” Carter and drummer Nigel Glockler; Doug is “the new guy,” having only joined Saxon 21 years ago in 1996.

On the eve of band’s 2017 studio release, Saxon will be touring the United States with UFO. The two iconic British groups — who last toured together in the 1980s — will be playing at B.B. King’s on Mar. 29 and 30 with support from Jared James Nichols and DJ Alex Kayne. Downtown spoke with Biff in late 2016 about what’s coming up for Saxon and plenty more. Saxon can be visited online at www.saxon747.com. Biff is on Twitter as @Biff_Byford, while the quintet keeps an account as @SaxonOfficial.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3ARKxGplvU

What do you wish more people knew about Saxon?

Biff Byford: I wish they knew that we’re really good at what we do.

How would you describe your latest album Battering Ram to a long-time Saxon fan that hasn’t yet heard it? Is there also a new album in the works?

BB: It’s a mixture of old and new. We hate to be predictable and I don’t think any of our albums are. Neither is the new album we are recording now.

Saxon songs are generally renowned for having memorable guitar riffs and sing-along choruses. When writing a song, does the music usually come first? Or does the vocal hook?

BB: There aren’t any rules. At the moment, my writing partner is Nibbs so if I have a specific melody we write to that or I may write within an idea.

In your song “Play It Loud,” you mention listening to Deep Purple. Was that the first hard rock band that inspired you?

BB: I think I liked the early Purple stuff, it moved me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=551z5RxDn40

The villain in the first two Back To The Future movies is named Biff and the primary villain in the third Back To The Future movie is named Buford. Is that a coincidence, or do you think there was a Saxon fan involved with the movies?

BB: In the U.S.A., people called Biff are quite preppy, but there could be a connection. Maybe the director was a fan in the 80s?

Was the experience of writing your autobiography Never Surrender enjoyable? What inspired you to write a book?

BB: I liked writing the book. It’s a great way to put things in perspective.

What do you remember about your first-ever gig in New York?

BB: I think it was L’Amours, maybe? I loved New York — a crazy and wild place!

Your voice has held up remarkably well over the years. What do you do to take such great care of your voice?

BB: I don’t really do anything but just try not to strain too much.

Next year marks Saxon’s 40th anniversary. Are there any plans to celebrate that accomplishment?

BB: No, but we will be celebrating in 2019 from when our first album came out and we changed our name to Saxon.

What’s the latest on the movement to make heavy metal a recognized religion?

BB: It is a recognized religion in the U.K.

When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?

BB: Just chilling with my family.

Do you have a favorite album of 2016?

BB: Motörhead.

Finally, Biff, any last words for the kids?

BB: Yes! Keep the faith. We’re on our way.