Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

Located a long block east of the Strip on Tropicana Avenue, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is a bit removed from the most intense action in Vegas. Yet the place generates a tremendous energy and excitement all its own.

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

Opened in 1995, the Hard Rock has managed to remain one of the trendiest spots in all of Vegas every since, especially with the rock crowd. With the expansion and remodeling of its famous music venue, The Joint, the Hard Rock remains at the forefront of the Vegas music scene, bringing in a who’s who of rock legends both to the venue as performers and to the hotel as guests.

The Joint reopened bigger and better in 2009 and the renovations and an increase to a 4,000 seat capacity have helped it remain a music hot spot, hosting performances by everybody from Paul Mc Cartney to David Bowie to the Rolling Stones.

The hotel itself is not huge, and with only 670 rooms and a moderately sized but cool casino, it has more the feel of a trendy boutique hotel than a mega resort.

Hard Rock pool area photo: Matt Haggerty

Yet you are just as likely to run into celebrities here as at any other spot in Las Vegas. From musicians to film and TV stars, this place can still attract the A-list crowd and then some.

While the Joint is the biggest and most famous musical venue at the hotel, it is by no means the only night spot. The Vanity nightclub, designed by Mr. Important, opened in 1999 and draws in the celebrity crowds. Rehab is the hotel’s pool party and was the first such venue in Vegas. It still packs in the hot bodies every Sunday during the warm season.

The pool area itself is also quite beautiful and large for a hotel of this size, decorated with tropical plants and trendy lounge chairs and cabanas. The pools are populated more by a younger crowd that can get a bit frat-party like at times. But after all, this is a rock hotel, so you can’t expect it to be too tame.

All in all, this is a great place for younger people and rock lovers who want to stay at a smaller place that still retains a sense of excitement and chic.