HardRockFAM2014 Archives - Jen is on a Journey

Hard Rock Hotel, Cancun Part of my recent press trip to the Hard Rock Hotel in Mexico’s gorgeous Riviera Maya included a day trip to the resort’s sister property in Cancun along Zona Hotelera. -photo courtesy of Hard Rock Hotel.

A little over an hour’s bus trip each way will have you driving down the guitar shaped entrance to Hard Rock Hotel, Cancun that is only slightly different from Riviera Maya but overall still the same rock star experience.

Both locations will still have you oohing and ahhing around the property checking out famous rock memorabilia from your favorite artists!All-inclusive bonuses include the following at both hotels:

Fine dining at any of the resorts many establishments
24-hour room service
Top shelf liquor cabinet, drinks and mini bar
Daily and nightly activities and entertainment

Cancun has this amazing spot, the Sunset Terrace where you can host a meeting or party here for NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE with your stay, it includes food and alcohol! Really! When they say all-inclusive..they mean it! With no cost overruns for food, snacks, beverages including alcohol, meetings, parties, banquets, receptions, room service, phone calls or even Wi-Fi, planning a meeting, incentive trip, conference or event at the Hard Rock all-inclusive is so easy! All guest rooms include a hydro spa tub and turquoise colored ocean and white sand views start at the Deluxe Platinum level. I could sit out on the balcony of my room for hours!Rather than spread wide, the Cancun location stands taller like a high-rise.

Two swim up bars at each end of the expansive lagoon-style pool features also includes a kid-friendly wading pool, thrilling water sports, and three outdoor hydro spa tubs including an adults-only tub to for the ultimate in relaxation. The kid’s club also has a pool with kid-sized slides!-photo courtesy of Hard Rock Hotel.

Restaurants like Zen, Ciao, Ipanema, Frida, Pizzeto, and the Market are found at both locations.

Overall, I found the differences to be minimal, it’s like staying at an amazing resort in the city or staying at an amazing resort in the ‘country.’ Either experience will knock your socks off and you’ll be begging to go back like I am!

For more information, visit http://www.hrhcancun.com/.

My visit and lunch was part of my media visit, all opinions are my own.

If you like to rock and roll all night and party every day…and well eat unlimited food from around the globe until your heart’s content, then read on about my recent stay in Mexico! The Hard Rock Hotel, Riviera Maya is a rock music lover’s dream and I only wish I could have shared the experience with my husband! Think about it, tunes from your favorite artists playing all around the resort, rock memorabilia and quotes everywhere you look, restaurants and entertainment around every corner, and VIP treatment 24 hours a day, it’s truly (and literally) Heaven!

No really, I even stayed in Heaven the adult only section of the Hard Rock Hotel! It’s where your wedding party, your best girlfriends, or you and your spouse can sneak away to and enjoy an area sans kids and sans the guilt. I don’t know about you but I often take trips with my husband and hanging out by the pool with families kinda makes me want to phone home and check on the little ones. It’s a normal mothering instinct but I also want to take the time to relax and take a break and be treated like the rock star I think I am (sure laugh at me)!

From jumping into the shuttle from the airport, my rock star vacation started. At first I thought, well played Hard Rock because the driver had the Scorpions, AC/DC, and Chuck Berry tunes coming from his iPod and it sure got me in the mood for the hour trip to the hotel. Later I learned it was mere coincidence but I think it’s a great marketing idea!

Checking in was a breeze, I couldn’t stop looking around at the amazing decor and memorabilia. Did you know you could check out a Fender guitar during your stay to rock out in your room! I stared in awe of all the displays of icons like Elvis Presley, rockers like Judas Priest and Eddie Van Halen’s instruments, and could list the family members who’d love this place as much as I already did! I was given my room key and an all-inclusive bracelet that allows me entry to restaurants, clubs, bars, and pools around the property. Remember, keep it on until they cut it off at check-out, they appreciate that.

Rock Star Vacation, Mexico's Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya {Review}, #HardRockFam2014, #Mexico, #HardRockHotel, #allinclusive I walked into my room and I fell in love with it! The design of the head board, the female rocker art, the little details like the guitars in the duvet and on the pillow cases, the TUB, the hammock on the balcony…I could have stayed in there the whole 4 days if I could and would have been blissfully content! The views from my hammock were lovely as well!And, just to show you that even just the littlest hint like these are why Hard Rock goes the distance with their vacation theme!

The greatest perk for an all-inclusive resort (whether you are traveling alone like me or with a family) is the food and drink! Right in your own personal cabinet there are spirits and mixers for your favorite drink. When you run low or run out, it’s refilled for you during your stay, free! 24-hour room service is fit for a rock star as well as all the delicious options on the property! Room service is fast with lots of great options, when I first arrived I needed Mexican food of course and these fajitas fit the bill.Dining about the property is amazing as well. Toro Steak House had great beef of course, plus amazing deserts and a fabulous Mayan Coffee Ritual that will knock your socks off! Zen offers Asian cuisine and I had some great melon Sake with a spicy fried shrimp, almond chicken that was hearty like a pot pie, and sweet banana tempura sundae for dessert!Enjoyed a room service breakfast one morning and a buffet breakfast at Ciao, which serves Italian food in the evening. We were treated to a Mexican fiesta on our last evening that was incredible, I’m sure I went back for seconds and thirds that night!

I caught the sunrise one morning and that was about the last of we saw of it due to overcast skies and then pretty consistent rain. A friend and I did take on one of the lagoons on property for a swim despite the rain, since both the temperature out was still in the 80’s and the crystal clear Caribbean water was warm. It was spectacular watching the beautiful white fish swim around us. I’ve got to get me a Go Pro camera (waterproof) to capture those sights next time!There are pools and hot tubs all around the Hard Rock Hotel with swim up bars, and even a fun waterslide on the Hacienda side! Plenty of seating to relax and enjoy the sights, the weather, or a cocktail overlooking the Caribbean sea!

Nightlife is pretty exciting and fun at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. The Heaven Bar and Disco is gorgeous with working hot tubs, banquet seating, a bar downstairs from the DJ and plenty of great music. Upstairs another fabulous bar and lounge area decorated with chandeliers and rock murals, my favorite was of the late Amy Winehouse. There we were entertained by an amazing acoustic group and enjoyed cocktails like the Bob Marley (one of my favorites).

On our second night, we headed over to See the Show on the Hacienda side of the resort. Performing for us was Guns 4 Roses, a cover band for Guns & Roses and they rocked hard! I’m a product of the 80’s hair bands and let me tell you they did a phenomenal job on all of their great hits, starting off with Mr. Brownstone, my favorite of theirs!

I don’t know if this all-inclusive vacation can be topped, it’s truly a rock and roll fantasy! It was such an amazing time and it’s evident that even the employees of the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya love being there! If you want to learn more, visit http://www.hrhrivieramaya.com/and plan your next Mexican vacation at the Hard Rock!

My stay was hosted via the #HardRockFam2014, all opinions are completely my own.