“Do you know who this is?” asks Paula Palladino, the VIBE manager at Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach. She’s giving me a tour of the property, walking me down a hallway adorned with black-and-white photos of famous musicians on motorcycles.
I lean in close and guess, “Lenny Kravitz?” I’m right—probably scoring around a 70 percent on my rock ‘n’ roll trivia as we walk through the hotel.
Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach sticks to its music theme at every corner and in every little detail, perfectly in tune with who it is. I took a trip to Daytona Beach for a weekend to see what all the noise was about.
On Beat
My first thought upon walking into the lobby of Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach was, “Wow, this is all very on-brand.” Upon entering, I was greeted by two live musicians playing classic rock songs from the ’70s. As I checked in, I glanced up at the hotel’s “Wall of Rock,” which showcases signatures on the wall and guitars from famous and up-and-coming performers who have performed at the hotel.
The hotel, which opened in the spring of 2018, has an ambiance that revolves around music, from over 20 curated playlists in guests’ rooms and around the hotel, to memorabilia like Elvis’ jacket from “Speedway” and an original contract between The Beach Boys and Columbia Records. I recommend setting up a property tour when you check-in, so that you can truly admire each piece of music history showcased at the Hard Rock.
Guests are even able to rent their own Fender guitars (for free) from the concierge’s 20 options to jam out in their rooms during their stay, part of the hotel’s The Sound of Your Stay® program. No need to worry about your novice guitar-playing neighbor being too loud—the guitars and amps come with headphones.
If you prefer to listen to music rather than play an instrument, then check out a vinyl record player from the concierge’s desk (also free). The record player comes with a curated selection of records, showcasing a wide range of artists, including AC/DC, The Clash, Johnny Cash, Miles Davis, Beyoncé and more.
Sleepy Melody
Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach offers a multitude of rooms to choose from, but the best is the Rock Suite Platinum, complete with a living room, large bathroom and a furnished oceanfront balcony that overlooks the pool area, as well.
All rooms are designed with classic Hard Rock memorabilia, coastal-inspired décor and balconies or open-air patios. Deluxe rooms are available in single or connecting rooms, and studio suites each include a living room.
Take Five
You’ve had massages before, but I bet you’ve never had one infused with music—and no, I’m not just talking about the soft sounds that usually play in the speakers of a spa’s corners. The Rhythm & Motion Synchronicity Massage, offered at the Rock Spa & Salon, is a must-try. The service is the world’s first fully immersive music spa treatment, utilizing the amplified vibrations, pressures and patterns from songs as a foundation of the massage.
You choose your soundtrack—I went with a playlist featuring a mix of traditional spa music with some rock and R&B thrown in—and then feel the bass vibrations ripple through the massage table as treble beats play directly above your head.
The experience sends pulses through your body, and as I felt them softly tingle my skin, I lost myself in the playlist, my mind only concentrating on the lyrics and soft notes as my masseuse worked out the knots that always seem to be in my shoulders.
The treatment also incorporates a food scrub and a scalp massage, mixed in with traditional back, neck and shoulder work.
Rock Spa & Salon offers facials, body wraps, scrubs, nail services, haircuts and blowouts, couples treatments and more.
Brought the kids along on your trip? Don’t sacrifice your much-needed “me time” at the spa just because you didn’t pack a babysitter in your suitcase. Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach offers childcare services at the Hard Rock Roxity Youth Club for children between the ages of 5 to 15. Kids take center stage here, where they can play games, watch movies, listen to music and more, all under the care of certified employees.
Eat in Harmony
Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach has three dining options on location: Sessions, its signature fine-dining restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; the coffee shop Constant Grind for your caffeine fix and snack breaks; and Wave Terrace, featuring local beer.
My dinner at Sessions was full of wine, tuna tartare, seafood linguine and a massive red velvet cheesecake that didn’t even look like I put a dent in once I called it quits. It all tasted amazing. Other guest favorites include Firecracker Mac & Cheese, with cavatappi pasta, grilled chicken, three-cheese sauce and red pepper flakes; the Sessions Burger, an 8-ounce Angus with aged cheddar, tomato, applewood bacon and onion rings on a sesame seed bun; and the Artisan Charcuterie & Cheese Board.
Click here for a full list of menus offered at Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach.
Beach Music
Whatever your plans are for your trip to Daytona Beach, make sure to dedicate some R&R time at the hotel’s pool, as well as its patio deck, which both overlook the beach with uninterrupted views of the tides. An insider’s tip: take a dip in the pool and immerse yourself all the way into the water. Don’t worry about your hair; going below the surface is the only way you’ll hear the underwater beats playing in the pool’s speakers.
For more information, or to book your stay, visit hardrockhoteldaytonabeach.com.
918 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach; 386.947.7300; hardrockhoteldaytonabeach.com
Photos courtesy of Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach
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