It is hard to believe that Hard Rock Hotel & Casino brand is now 50 years old. Although the brand is centered on music and nostalgia, the vibe at Hard Rock properties is eternally young and an evergreen celebrity magnet.
When Hard Rock Hotel New York opens in April 2022, it will draw on a rich legacy of experience and memory that has been a touchstone of cool for half a century. The Hard Rock brand, like many other hotels and restaurants, was forced to close some of its properties temporarily during the first wave of Covid-19. The hotels have been reopening since Covid- 19 restrictions eased and will continue their comeback with a vengeance with the opening of this flagship property.
Hard Rock Hotel New York
New York’s “Music Row” will be the new home to the 446-guest-room Hard Rock Hotel New York, set to open in April 2022.
The property is located on Midtown Manhattan’s 48th street where music studios and stores once thrived. The hotel is set to host live music across all its public spaces and will also feature a dedicated entertainment venue for live concerts and celeb/media interviews. The RT60 Rooftop bar and lounge is the star of this hotel’s food and beverage operation, with views from the 33rd floor cheek-by-jowl to Rockefeller Center. Other food fare includes the upscale dining venue NYY Steak and seasonal cuisine with a music theme at Sessions.
The hotel is designed by Jeffrey Beers International with the brand-infused blend of music and memorabilia which has been Hard Rock signature for 50 years.
Meeting Here Means: Booking an event in the hotel’s Venue on Music Row, a flexible entertainment space that holds up to 400 guests. Hard Rock venues are also celebrity draws so meeting participants may find themselves rubbing shoulders with visiting music world and other celebs.
Guests can also access the vibe through on-request Crosley record players and Fender guitars to play in their rooms.
Book the C-Suite: The Rock Star Suite on the 34 floor is a bi-level, glass-enclosed penthouse with 360-degree NYC skyline views, one-of-a-kind pieces of music history and one of the largest terraces for entertaining in New York City.
Downtime With: The Hard Rock’s signature Rock Om program fusing the practice of yoga with the rhythm of a custom DJ-curated soundtrack for on-demand in-room sessions. Building on the existing offering, Hard Rock Hotel New York will introduce a series of unique-to-property transformative experiences, including rooftop moonlight yoga sessions.
A Walk Away: The hotel is within walking distance of Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, the famed Today Show street-level viewing area, Times Square and Broadway.
Conrad Nashville Opens with Indoor/Outdoor Options
In Nashville, another music mecca, Conrad Nashville debuts this spring. Located in the heart of the country music capital’s downtown in the Broadwest development area, the hotel is close to restaurants, shopping and, of course, Grand Ole Opry.
The 234-guest-room property features 11,422 sq. ft. of event space with 6,370 sq. ft. as the largest meeting room for a total of nine meeting rooms, a 500-guest ballroom and the Adagio, Opus and Area breakout/boardrooms available for meeting planners. Outdoor space includes the event terrace, close to the indoor ballroom and a good choice for Covid-safe meetings.
Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina Debuts Upgrades with Hybrid-Friendly Options
On the west coast, Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, a waterfront resort at San Diego harbor, just completed the first phase of a $88-million renovation, upgrading and refurbishing 97,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. This comprises two main ballrooms, a new outdoor pavilion, a lower-level ballroom/foyer and multiple breakout rooms.
The hotel is facilitating hybrid meetings by partnering with local AV integrator, Fluid Sound, creating a Zoom Broadcast Room which allows users to join a meeting by typing in a meeting code. There will also be an 85-inch Samsung Flip screen (doubles as a whiteboard), and AV equipment for remote collaboration. Other meeting rooms also feature this hybrid-friendly technology.
Covid-19 fixes include outdoor space in a new 20,000-square-foot pavilion with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the harbor and downtown San Diego. There will also be a new bipolar ionization filtration system, water bottle filling and hand sanitizer stations.
A River Runs Through It: Montage Big Sky Montana Opens
In Big Sky country, the 139-guest-room Montage Big Sky Montana recently opened with over 12,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. The nature-grounded space features a large boardroom, multiple executive rooms and a 5,080-square-foot ballroom with signature double fireplaces. Outdoor spaces include the Gallery Terrace which has views of the nearby Spanish Peaks and a s’more-friendly crackling fire pit. Other outdoor spaces include two large event lawns, promenades, breakout-friendly terraces and a well-appointed foyer.
The property was concepted by Hart Howerton with interiors designed by BraxtonHuges Design Studios. The feel is American West meets casual luxury.
Expansive food and beverage options include six dining venues with the signature Backcast Bar & Grille opening in Summer 2022 with classic BBQ and smokehouse cooking options for outdoor-inspired dining.
Take advantage of the location to access nearby Big Sky Resort, three world-class Blue Ribbon fly-fishing rivers (A River Runs Through It was filmed in Montana’s world class fly-fishing rivers) and a private 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf.
Featured image: RT60 Rooftop bar and lounge at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
