The 420-room Hard Rock, located in the hip Gaslamp Quarter, hosts wild parties on weekends at its popular rooftop pool and bar. It's a haven for twenty- and thirty-somethings (including celebrities), and trendy rooms have big flat-screen TVs and high-thread-count sheets. But it's not particularly kid-friendly (420 rooms and a restaurant called Maryjane's where happy hour starts at 4:20...you get the idea), so families should consider the nearby Hotel Solamar.
The Hard Rock is right on the border of San Diego's exciting Gaslamp Quarter, a block from Petco Park and a five-minute drive from the San Diego Convention Center.
The historical Gaslamp Quarter, located between 4th and 6th avenues, and between Broadway to the north and Harbor Drive to the south, is a hip, young neighborhood that’s home to some of downtown San Diego's best restaurants, shopping, nightlife, boutiques, and art galleries. It’s also where some of the city’s most popular outdoor celebrations -- Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, and the Street Scene music festival -- take place.
6-minute walk to Petco Park, home to the San Diego Padres
7-minute walk or 4-minute drive to The San Diego Convention Center
6-minute drive to Seaport Village
8-minute drive to Balboa Park
9-minute drive to the Maritime Museum of San Diego
11-minute drive to the San Diego Zoo
12-minute drive to Old Town
13-minute drive to the San Diego International Airport
14-minute drive to Sea World
Rooms
420 rooms and suites with stylish, contemporary decor
Queen Studio
Trendy rooms have dark wood furniture and plush white beds, and small but sleek bathrooms have rain showerheads and above-counter sinks. Only some rooms have iPod docks, but all of the 42-inch flat-screen TVs have iPod hookups.
All rooms include:
Halo-illuminated headboards
Bathroom with rain showerhead and hairdryer
42-inch flat screen TVs with 44 channels and plug ins for iPods, computers, and cameras
300-thread-count linens
Minibar
Bathrobes and slippers
Wi-Fi is covered in resort fee
Free newspaper delivery
Turndown service
Room types:
Studio: 325 to 350 square feet; king or two queen beds
Float Studio: 325 to 350 square feet; king bed, patio with view of open-air Woodstock Terrace amphitheater
Hard Rock Suite: 450 to 515 square feet; king or two queen beds (rooms with two queens are corner suites); sitting area; two 42-inch TVs
Black-Eyed Peas Suite: 610 square feet; king bed; view of open-air Woodstock Terrace amphitheater; 60-square-foot terrace; large bathroom with double vanity; living room with seating for six; two TVs; bar with sink; VIP access
Diamond Suite: 1,200 square feet; 490-square-foot terrace; Jacuzzi; great views; two bedrooms; two and a half bathrooms with dual vanities (in master baths); two TVs; living room with leather couch; dining area for six; bar with sink; VIP service (including access to the hotel's bars)
Multi-Platinum Suite: 984 to 1,070 square feet; king bed; 835-square-foot terrace (but only in one of the two suites); living room with seating for six; bar with sink; 1.5 bathrooms; VIP service (including access to the hotel's bars)
Platinum Suite: 670 to 850 square feet; king bed; 270 to 300-square-foot terrace; living room with seating for six; bar with sink; 1.5 bathrooms; fireplace (in one of two Platinum Suites); VIP service (including access to the hotel's bars)
Gold: 655 to 740 square feet; king bed; floor-to-ceiling windows; living room with seating for six; bar with sink; VIP service (including access to the hotel's bars)
Silver Suite: 610 to 665 square feet; king bed; floor-to-ceiling windows; living room with seating for six; dual vanities; VIP service (including access to the hotel's bars)
Features
A popular rooftop bar and decent feebies (free Wi-Fi, free iTunes voucher, free business services) -- but a steep resort fee
Rock Spa Gym
Wi-Fi is covered in the resort fee
24-hour room service
24-hour concierge
24-hour staffed front desk
24-hour fitness center with TVs, cardio equipment, and free weights; must be 18 to use
iTunes voucher to download one of three pre-selected playlists with 10 songs each
Rock shop selling T-shirts designed by rock stars and lots of other goodies
Rock Spa with five treatment rooms
Three meeting rooms
24-hour business center with free fax, copy, and printing services
Valet parking for a daily fee, valet only
Food
A renowned (and pricey) Japanese restaurant, a casual American restaurant, and two popular bars
Maryjane's
The Hard Rock has two restaurants and two bars on site, but there are plenty more food and drink options in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Nobu: Japanese cuisine and sushi
Maryjane's: American cuisine served daily for breakfast lunch, and dinner; kids menu available (if you are inclined to take your child to a restaurant named Maryjane's, where happy hour starts at 4:20)
Float: Rooftop bar with fire pits known for its parties and DJs
207: Bar on the ground floor with lots of TVs tuned to sports games; local DJs Thursday to Sunday nights
Pinkberry: Frozen yogurt
Bottom Line
The 420-room Hard Rock, located in the hip Gaslamp Quarter, hosts wild parties on weekends at its popular rooftop pool and bar. It's a haven for twenty- and thirty-somethings (including celebrities), and trendy rooms have big flat-screen TVs and high-thread-count sheets. But it's not particularly kid-friendly (420 rooms and a restaurant called Maryjane's where happy hour starts at 4:20...you get the idea), so families should consider the nearby Hotel Solamar.
Things You Should Know About Hard Rock Hotel San Diego