Last updated on September 28th, 2021 at 12:54 pm
A Hollywood, Florida hotel shaped like a guitar? Sign us up! Today’s review is about our experience at the most magical place in Hollywood, Florida- The Guitar Hotel at Seminole Hardrock and the attached Seminole Hardrock Hotel and Casino.
In early 2020, we had the privilege of traveling to Hollywood, Florida for what would be our last vacation before the pandemic-driven lockdown. Although leisure travel is currently on hold for the foreseeable future, we thought to share our experience in anticipation of your future travel plans once we’re on the other side of this pandemic. Enjoy!
Off to Hollywood we went- Hollywood, Florida that is! It’s a city in between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, and it is quite a hidden gem to behold. We had the golden opportunity to stay at one of the city’s finest locations: the Seminole Hardrock Hotel and Casino, and specifically the recently opened Guitar Hotel. Ours would be a fun-filled, awe-inspiring travel experience befitting of a “story for the future grandkids” title. Let’s just say that it was a weekend chock-full of resort grandeur and wonder. Hop on board the virtual travel train and experience the hotel vicariously through us!
Rooms
We stayed in a Deluxe Queen room at the Guitar Hotel. We had an unobstructed view of the magnificent pools below, thanks to the room’s floor to ceiling windows. We loved the ample space and light and airy milieu, offering a welcoming sanctuary. It was the perfect home away from home setting that we yearned for.
Dining
There are quite a number of on-site dining options guaranteed to awaken your taste buds. These range from contemporary dining, fine dining as well as the option of quick bites. Specific to fine dining, we had the privilege of enjoying dinner on two consecutive nights at Abiaka Wood Fire and Kuro respectively. Abiaka is a Wood Fire Grill strategically perched, ensuring stunning aerial views of the property’s pools and iconic Guitar Hotel. The menu boasts delectable choices including the finger-licking good lobster and the cedar roasted salmon which we enjoyed during our dining experience. The restaurant is also known for its wine list, which boasts dozens of labels, as well as a unique cocktail menu. At the Japanese-style restaurant Kuro, we equally enjoyed the menu options, designed to be shareable. True to our love for land and sea, we enjoyed the lobster shiso and ribeye miso. The food was absolutely delicious!
Specific to contemporary dining, Fresh Harvest and Rise Kitchen & Deli are on-site options we patronized for breakfast and lunch respectively. Fresh Harvest’s buffet setup offers a broad selection of food options as well as the customized cook to order options. We devoured a lavish spread fit for royalty! At Rise Kitchen and Deli, besides being open 24-7 and offering classic menu options, the relaxing atmosphere is amplified by the fine finishings and furnishings, and scenic views of the stunning lagoon pool outside.
Other restaurants onsite are Cipresso, Council Oak Steak and Seafood, Marky’s Caviar Lounge, Bae Korean Grill Bar & Lounge, Hard Rock Café, Beach Club Bar & Grill, The Bol Asian Cuisine and Pool Bar & Grill. For quick bites on the go, Constant Grind and The Food Court have you covered.
Bars and Lounges
The resort has an impressive lineup of bars and lounges, including Oculus Bar and L Bar. We experienced happy hour at both, and we honestly can’t decide which one we loved more- they are both pretty amazing! Oculus Bar is conveniently located in the hotel’s lobby and is known for its laidback ambiance and award-worthy beer, wine, and cocktail menu. While there, a DJ kept our moods uplifted, and the happy-go-lucky vibe going with her mix of upbeat music topped up with her own live drum performance. Sip beverages and bop our heads to funky music? Don’t mind if we do! It was our happiest happy hour yet! At L Bar, the drinks menu selection is just as impressive as that of its counterpart Oculus. Here we enjoyed their meticulously curated selection of wines and cocktails as we hummed and danced along to the live band belting out popular tunes.
Pools
The hotel has several pools to choose from, as well as a lagoon where you can enjoy the Bora Bora experience. Here you can rent a cabana on the water and enjoy butler service, in an exclusive secluded haven for optimum rest and relaxation. All this while enjoying breathtaking views of the water and other surrounding amenities on site. Also available at the property are paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats for rent. Water activities for the win!
Spa
The whole 3rd floor of the Guitar Hotel is dedicated to taking care of your mind, body, and soul. This is where the resort’s full-service Rock Spa® & Salon, as well as the fitness center are located. So whether you would like to get a massage, take a dip in the spa pool, lounge in the sauna, get a facial, enjoy a workout session, and so much more, your options are limitless. We enjoyed the VIP experience which consisted of Swedish and Hot Stone massages, followed by a dip in the jacuzzi, all while enjoying a spread of light bites and champagne. Did we hear someone say “This is the Life”? You’re right about that! It is just what we needed to unwind after weeks of hectic schedules. We left the spa feeling renewed and rejuvenated.
Note: Other amenities on the property include the 24-hour casino, available for your entertainment needs, golfing, shopping.
Some Useful Tips
- The property is approximately 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale- Hollywood International Airport and 35 minutes from Miami International Airport
- Check-in is at 4 pm and check-out is at 11 am
- Free Wi-Fi for guests in lobby and rooms
- 24-hour room service available
- Concierge services and 24-hour front desk available
In summary, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is a one-stop entertainment destination that we highly recommend you to consider for your next vacation or staycation, depending on where you’re based. We enjoyed our stay there immensely, so it goes without saying that we are looking forward to our next visit! You can check out more details of the hotel here.
Until next time, folks. Now, stay home safe until it’s safe for us all to go forth and explore!