ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: In town for an event, my overnight stay at Hard Rock Hotel New York came on the heels of the hotel’s spring 2022 opening. You can sense the buzz of excitement at the hotel, which could be attributed to its newness; to its Times Square location; to its musical roots; and to its abundance of memorabilia at every turn, always offering visitors something new and unique to stop and take in. Unfortunately, my visit in the Big Apple was busy, so I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked to pause and ogle all that was on display — a great excuse to plan a return visit — but I was pleased to see New York City seemed to once again be humming post-pandemic. Upon my late-afternoon arrival, I was pleasantly surprised to learn I’d been upgraded to a suite. After a quick check-in, it was into the elevator and up to my suite. I had to quickly get ready for that evening’s reception, but I couldn’t miss the opportunity to first explore my generously sized guestroom. Music greeted me, playing from the TV, as soon as I entered the room.
GUEST QUARTERS: Hotel room space is usually at a premium, especially in New York City, but my suite at Hard Rock Hotel New York defied the norm. Upon entry I found myself in a small foyer with a half bathroom to the right. A short hallway, with a minibar area to the right, led into the dining/living area. A large dining table with a wraparound, attached bench and several chairs could seat eight comfortably. This room led into the living area, with a sleeper sofa across from a mounted flat-screen TV and a corner of floor-to-ceiling windows boasting views of the lights and bustle of Times Square.
The bedroom felt huge, with a king-sized bed flanked by two nightstands, another large flat-screen TV, a closet and another wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. The full bathroom, off the bedroom, was stunning with white marble and gold accents. The newness of the hotel really shone through here, and I yearned for more time at the hotel to soak in the gorgeous stand-alone tub. A separate water closet, an ample shower with rainfall showerhead, two sinks and a spacious vanity completed the space.
SERVICES/AMENITIES: My colleagues and I enjoyed breakfast at on-site Sessions Restaurant, just off the lobby. We opted to eat outside on the terrace, but, inside, diners enjoy meals surrounded by art and music memorabilia. Sessions also serves lunch and light bites. Unfortunately, RT60 Rooftop Bar & Lounge was closed for a private event the night of my stay, so I did not have the chance to check it out. It offers two outdoor terraces with city views alongside a menu of cocktails and appetizers. NYY Steak, with a signature wall boasting autographs from 86 iconic Yankees players, screams New York, serving lunch and dinner daily. Constant Grind, open daily 7 a.m.–7 p.m., and in-room dining round out the property’s culinary offerings.
At a Hard Rock hotel, music is, of course, a way of life, and the amenities match. Guests can listen to tunes on a Crosley record player with Wax, listen to music with Tracks’ playlists, request a Fender guitar in their room and more. In-room Rock Om sessions combine yoga and music, with Manduka yoga mats offered. Body Rock features Technogym equipment. Various meeting and event spaces await to host any type of function.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
- Hard Rock Hotel New York is dog- friendly, and the hotel offers pet amenities like sWAG bags and velvet memory foam beds.
- At the on-site Rock Shop, travelers can peruse clothing, accessories and music- inspired items.
- Thanks to my suite upgrade, a colleague was able to also stay overnight rather than head back to Pennsylvania after the late-night event. She slept on the sleeper sofa in the living room and used the half bathroom, and it was basically like we had our own guestrooms.
HARD ROCK HOTEL NEW YORK
159W.48thSt.
New York, NY 10036
tel 212 970 1200
hardrockhotels.com
Read This Next
Review: Air France
January/February 2023
Feb 27, 2023
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Apr 18, 2025Grand Hyatt Atlanta Buckhead Completes Renovation
Grand Hyatt Atlanta Buckhead unveils the completion of its multiphased renovation. With help from leading design firm DLR Group and architectural experts at designONE studio, the renovation features thoughtfully curated upgrades such as improved accommodations and new dining, socializing and relaxation spaces.
Sponsored Content
Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive
Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.
April 2025
Apr 18, 2025Wellness Comes Naturally in Greenville, South Carolina
Strolling through downtown Greenville, South Carolina, it’s easy to see why the city ranks high among the best places to live in the United States: Shops, restaurants and coffee bars line the streets; there are also performance venues, hotels and outdoor plazas. But what really sets this upstate city of just more than 78,000 residents apart are the easily accessible parks and walking trails encouraging both residents and visitors to explore the city by foot or cycle (both handcycles and adaptive bikes are available to rent). Even better, as Greenville continues to grow, city planners and major employers work together to expand these opportunities. When Greenville’s Swamp Rabbit Trail, for instance, opened in 2009, the paved, multiuse pathway ran about 9 miles from the heart of Greenville to the town of Traveler’s Rest.
Daily
Apr 18, 2025California’s Pebble Beach Company to Renovate The Links at Spanish Bay
California’s Pebble Beach Company unveiled the timeline for its highly anticipated renovation of The Links at Spanish Bay. The golf course will close March 18, 2026, and reopen in spring 2027, a few months before the U.S. Open will be played at Pebble Beach Golf Links for the seventh time.
Sponsored Content
A Summer Sojourn Along Europe’s Rivers with AmaWaterways
This summer, elevate your vacation experience with award-winning AmaWaterways. Offering a seamless blend of unparalleled luxury, authentic cultural experiences and unrivaled service, AmaWaterways cruises are the perfect way to uncover the heart of Europe during the sunniest season with itineraries that glide along the continent’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Douro.
Daily
Apr 18, 2025Azamara Cruises Announces Shore Excursions for Maiden Voyage to Greenland
Azamara Cruises has unveiled its new shore programming for its Greenland sailings, which start this July. The cruise line is known for its Destination Immersion experiences and Extended Destination Days; all the immersive shore excursions for Greenland sailings have been created in collaboration with local communities to showcase Greenland’s natural beauty. Due to Azamara’s commitment to locally driven experiences, guests will engage with the destination’s unique culture while supporting the local people.
Exclusive St. Barts Hotel Offers for 2025
Daily
Apr 17, 2025eFlyer Reviews
Apr 16, 2025Grand Hotel Des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz Review
Switzerland’s most storied ski town (the one, in fact, credited with pioneering the very concept of Alpine tourism), St. Moritz legendarily attracts the rich, the famous, celebutantes and the wannabes. Yet, there’s something compellingly earthy about the place, a town on a lake rich with natural environs, where winter sports and summer activities draw athletes and mountain lovers aplenty. As at the mountain restaurants (where some arrive by chairlift rather than muscle movement, and all types of diners and imbibers convene), Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz straddles the old and new, the lavish and the understated. The hotel, one of St. Moritz’s oldest, opened as a spa haven in 1864, set atop a healing mineral spring.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Introduces Groundbreaking Safety Video: A Captivating Invitation to Discover Moroccan Heritage
Royal Air Maroc continues to elevate the passenger experience with the launch of its new in-flight safety video — a cinematic journey that seamlessly blends essential safety instructions with a celebration of Moroccan cultural heritage.
eFlyer News
Apr 16, 2025Aranui Announces Expansion with Second Ship
Aranui Cruises, the original cruise company in French Polynesia, just announced a second luxury ship set to sail the South Pacific in 2027. The new ship, Aranoa, expands the cruise line and will journey across the Austral Islands.
ShareThis