HOLLYWOOD, FL— The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino exploded onto the south Florida resort hotel and casino scene with a grand opening which included the brand’s traditional smashing of an acoustic guitar, as well as a painting-to-music performance from artist Michael Israel. The all day celebration is set to be capped this evening with a performance from legendary rock group Huey Lewis & The News, along with a poolside fireworks show against the backdrop of the hotel. The 12-story hotel tower— located on 100 acres of the Hollywood Reservation of the Seminole Tribe of Florida— includes 500 luxury guestrooms and suites, as well as Florida’s largest casino at 130,000 square feet. The new property, which encircles a 4.5-acre lagoon-style pool, is marked by a 50-foot tall signature Hard Rock guitar and fountains at the entrance. According to leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida— which owns and operates the property through a licensing agreement with Hard Rock Café International— the resort hotel and casino is expected to generate some 6,000 jobs and infuse over $1 billion into the local economy. Under construction since mid-2002, the projected cost for the fifth Hard Rock Hotel is projected to be more than $250 million. The other Hard Rock hotels are located Orlando, Chicago, Bali, and Thailand. With rates beginning at $110 per night for the summer, the guestrooms are designed to meet 4-star, 4-diamond standards. They include extras like Tivoli stereo and CD systems, as well as ultra-luxury beds with Egyptian cotton linen and European duvets. Typical guestrooms have natural daylight to the bathrooms, separate enclosures for tub and shower and fully-stocked mini bars, as well as hair dryers, personal safes, coffeemakers, three telephones, T1 direct Internet access, bath robes, and an iron and ironing board. The resort is also home to a 22,000 square-foot full-service, luxury European-style Contour Spa. The twin focal points for dining and entertainment are the Hard Rock Café Hollywood and the Council Oak, a steak and seafood restaurant named for the old oak tree where early members of the Seminole Tribe Council regularly met. Meanwhile, the Casino Center Bar is elevated and surrounds a metal “Tower of Power” multi-media center, with 75 plasma screen monitors broadcasting music videos. More than 100,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space is available, including a 6,000 square foot grand ballroom divisible into eight sections and several smaller rooms for breakouts or board meeting. The complex also includes a multi-purpose space suitable for exhibitions, concerts and sporting events. Guests will also have access to shopping opportunities throughout the resort and at an adjacent 300,000 sq. ft. outdoor entertainment center that includes restaurants, nightclubs, and retail shops.
The newly opened Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino features 500 luxury guestrooms and suites.