You’re planning your next Universal Orlando vacation. You’ve got your tickets, your wizarding robes, and your plans ready to go. But now you’re debating which hotel you want to stay in (because they’re all just that awesome)!

Trust us — we know that there are plenty Universal hotels on property to visit with tiers similar to Disney World’s Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resort pricing. But while we love to save some money by staying at one of the lower-tier hotels, we think the Hard Rock Hotel — in the most expensive premier tier along with Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort — is worth the money. While that price tag may be steep, you actually might want to opt to stay at this hot spot over the other Universal Resorts.

We’re breaking down all the details you need to know about the Hard Rock Hotel!

Universal Park Benefits

Extra time in the parks and shorter lines? Count us in! When you stay at the Hard Rock Hotel, you’ll be given FREE Universal Express Unlimited ride access at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure! You will need your own purchased ticket that will allow for entry into the parks, though.

But once you have theme park admission, you can also enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay an hour before other guests with Early Park Admission! You don’t have to do anything other than stay at the Hard Rock Hotel.

If you bring your room key along with you, you can show it to your hostess at select restaurants around the Universal Resort for priority seating as well. Your room key also has the ability to include resort-wide charging privileges. When you make purchases, you can receive complimentary delivery of merchandise purchased all around Universal Orlando directly to your hotel.

However, everything is within walking distance to the Hard Rock Hotel. The parks, other hotels, and Universal’s CityWalk are all connected by paths, so there’s easy access to everything. If you don’t want to walk, though, you can take the water taxis or shuttles for free as well!

When you’re visiting CityWalk, you can also use your room key to take advantage of complimentary club-to-club access at select venues for your length of stay.

Amenities and Features

But you don’t have to go to the parks to have a good time! As you’re chilling in your room, you can take advantage of free WiFi during your stay and room service all day long. You’ll even find specialty menus that are available during events like Halloween Horror Nights! Guests staying in their rooms can also enjoy an exclusive Universal character wake-up call each morning.

When you’re chilling in your room, you can take advantage of the Sounds of Stay programs usually for free. They’re suspended at the moment as a health and safety precaution, however, when they’re open, guests usually would be able to reserve a turn table with curated records or a Fender guitar and headphones. Guests can play the guitar in their room and follow tutorials on the TV, if they aren’t sure how to play.

The Hard Rock Hotel itself is decked out in rock ‘n roll memorabilia with outfits, instruments, and more from singers, bands, and musicians throughout the decades. The themed decor has details like the heights of artists on the mirrors in the rooms, as well as drumstick collages and album covers, among other details.

There are also all sorts of active features at the Hard Rock Hotel with underwater speakers in the pool, the Body Rock Fitness Center, and walking paths in the Butterfly Garden.

There are quite a few restaurants and lounges in the area too, including sit down locations like The Kitchen and the Palm Restaurant. If you’re looking to grab-and-go a few snacks, you can stop by Emack and Bolio’s. Or you can chill out by the pool with eats and drinks from the Beach Club.

As you visit with your friends and family, you can also stop by the Velvet Bar for a night cap. The Hard Rock Cafe isn’t attached to the Hard Rock Hotel, but it’s only a short walk from the resort over on CityWalk.

All of that may sound AMAZING (it is), but you’ll also want to consider the fact that Hard Rock’s rooms can range anywhere from $400 and up per night. Florida residents can receive a huge discount, though, as their rates start at $244 and up. The price is definitely considerably more expensive compared to other Universal resorts, so it may not be a place you stay every time you visit.

But those perks can really add up when it comes to your visits to the parks. The Unlimited Express Passes on their own cost $100 for the two-park version that’s included with your stay, along with the benefit of the Early Park Admission. If you factor all those features in with the existing amenities at the Hard Rock Hotel, then the cost may totally be worth it for your visit.

Depending on who you’re going with, the Hard Rock Hotel would be a great trip for individuals without kids or a parents’ getaway. Florida residents could easily enjoy a staycation at the resort, too! As we continue to make our way around the Universal Orlando Resort, we’ll be sure to give you a look at everything new and exciting you can find soon. Stay tuned with All Ears for the latest Universal news!

This Universal hotel is SO MUCH better than we thought it would be!

What’s your favorite hotel to visit in Universal Orlando? Let us know in the comments below!

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