Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas

Arguably even more so than the Palms, Hard Rock is one of the most unapologetically hedonistic hotels in Las Vegas. It's a place where wannabe rock stars and, well, real rock stars can come to party, gamble, and trash their hotel rooms (of course doing so will cost you, or your record company, a fortune).

The glam factor is significantly greater here than at the other Hard Rock Hotel and Casinos around the country and the hundred or so Hard Rock Cafe franchises the world over (where you can eat an overpriced burger beside one of the many B.B. King-autographed guitars). Instead, this Hard Rock features chic restaurants (like Nobu and Culinary Dropout), an A-list nightclub, live music, and a famous on-site tattoo parlor. It previously was home to one of the craziest pool parties in Vegas, Rehab, but it shuttered in 2018. Perhaps because of such an extensive amenities list, the Hard Rock also has a rather intense dedication to upkeep; while usually a good thing, guests have remarked that construction and constant changes can be distracting and bothersome.

That said, the Las Vegas Hard Rock is a fun franchise at heart, not a luxury hotel. Don't miss out on the iconic and rare memorabilia -- estimated to be worth more than $4 million -- like Prince's "Purple Rain" suit, Keith Richards' guitar, or an elaborate tribute to Michael Jackson at the entrance. And with fun also comes stylish, whimsical decor: Guest rooms in each of the three towers are outfitted in bold, sexy, usually monochromatic decor.

The Hard Rock occupies 16.7 acres just outside the Strip on the less popular four-lane highway called Paradise Road, which is mostly filled with strip malls, fast-food joints, and traffic. There are popular restaurants within a five- to 15-minute walk of the hotel, such as a P.F. Chang's and a number of steakhouses -- Del Frisco's, Ruth's Chris, Gordon Biersch, and Morton's. In addition, there's a CVS pharmacy across the street (a three-minute walk from the hotel). But if you choose to walk, know that you're probably going to be the only person on the sidewalk.

The Hard Rock runs a free hourly shuttle to Fashion Mall Show, which is on the densely packed three-and-a-half mile long stretch of hotel-casinos known as the Strip. Many visitors like to explore all the hotels and attractions along the Strip and once there, it's easy to find a taxi at virtually any time of day or night. A generally less expensive option for getting around the area is also the Deuce, a double-decker bus that runs up and down the strip 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There's also a monorail system, which stops at MGM Grand, Bally's/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrah's/The LINQ, the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Westgate, and the SLS. Note, however, that the monorail stations are far from one another so it can be a long walk from the station to where you actually want to go. A single-ride ticket or one day passes are available. If you're traveling along the Strip with at least one other person, a cab is often the least expensive and most convenient option. Ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft also operate in Las Vegas.

Virtually every hotel near the Vegas Strip is a 10- to 15-minute cab ride from McCarran International Airport.

The hotel's 1,504 rooms occupy three towers: the 11-floor Casino Tower (640 rooms and suites), the 17-floor Paradise Tower (490 rooms and suites), and the 15-floor HRH Tower (366 suites and eight spa villas).

Casino Tower rooms are mostly black and white, with bold carpeting and modern vase-print wallpaper. Unlike the rooms at many of the larger hotels on the Strip, rooms here come with a set of French doors that open to a protective railing (not a balcony). Rooms in this original tower start at 460 square feet and go up to 4,950 square feet (that would be the Real World Penthouse). Base-level rooms would be big for any other city in the world, but they're pretty typical for a standard room in Las Vegas -- comparatively, the rooms are about the same size as those at the Bellagio, but almost half the size of the base-level rooms at the Palazzo or Encore hotels. Bathrooms in Casino Tower standard rooms are small by any standard.

Rooms in the Paradise Tower range from the 476-square-foot King Room to the 3,436-square-foot Platinum Penthouse. They have a sleeker, sultrier look with gothic damask walls and carpets and black and gray furnishings. Still, even these rooms don't really compare (in both features and style) to the swanky rooms in the Encore, Wynn, Venetian, Palazzo, or Bellagio hotels.

Every room in the HRH Tower is a suite with a large bathroom, and the decor is more tame and traditionally luxurious than in the Casino and Paradise Towers. This tower has a separate lobby from the main hotel, as well as its own spa.

All rooms feature vintage rock 'n' roll photos -- a fitting design touch -- as well as 40-inch TVs, irons/ironing boards, hairdryers, minibars, and beds with Elite 2100 Serta mattresses and featherbeds. Suites add perks such as living spaces and jetted tubs. But it won't take long for wear and tear to start to show (chipped paint, nicked furniture), thanks to the hard-partying clientele.

The five-acre grotto pool complex is the highlight here, with artificial beaches, daybeds and cabanas, hot tubs, and even waterfall features. It was previously the host of the notorious Rehab pool party, which was so popular it has locals and hotel guests alike lining up early in the morning and forking over some serious cash to get inside. However, due to hotel changes, Rehab officially closed at the Hard Rock in 2018. Most of the pools are closed in winter.

The hotel has two live-music venues, the 4,255-seat the Joint, and the much more intimate Vinyl, which features near-nightly music and stand-up. Vanity Nightclub, in the HRH Tower, is one of Vegas' hottest nightspots. Be forewarned: It's also one of its hardest doors.

Reliquary Spa in HRH Tower features a co-ed Roman bathhouse, separate relaxation rooms for men and women, steam rooms, saunas, hot tubs, and a pole-dancing studio (yep, pole dancing). A juice bar is just outside of the spa. Guests not getting a treatment can access the facilities for a fee. Kelly Cardenas Salon offers various hair treatments and makeup services. There's a fitness center with elliptical machines, bikes, treadmills, strength-training machines, and free weights, though many guests point out that it lacks its own bathrooms. Also on the downside, it closes a bit early -- 8 p.m. during our visit.

Hard Rock has 80,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The daily resort fee (typical for Vegas hotels) covers Wi-Fi and parking.

The large casino has table games, slots, a race and sports book, and a high-limit gaming lounge.

On-site eateries cover fine-dining and casual eats, but there’s no buffet restaurant here like at many Las Vegas hotels. Top options include the ever-cool Nobu and the Day of the Dead-decorated Pink Taco, plus MB Steak and Culinary Dropout gastropub. Mr. Lucky’s serves diner fare 24/7, while Fu Asian Kitchen has Chinese cuisine. A coffee shop, oyster bar, pub, pizza joint, and Dunkin’ Donuts round out options. Room service is also available 24/7.