Rockin’ Staycation at Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach

If you asked me 5 years ago where I would go for a beach staycation, my hometown of Daytona Beach would NOT be on that list. But that all changed when the Hard Rock Hotel opened. This amazing hotel was just what my hometown beach needed!

The first time I visited was 4 years ago, so I was more than ready for a repeat visit. Last year I had the opportunity to stay at the HRH Daytona for a few days with a friend for a little staycation. We both needed a couple of days at the beach to recharge and relax. Plus, the HRH Daytona did a MAJOR refresh that year in celebration of their 5th birthday. I was super excited to see all the new changes.

Check-in is always a big thing for me when I visit a hotel or resort. That first interaction with the hotel and it’s staff can really set the tone for your visit. Thankfully, check-in was a breeze once again at the HRH Daytona. We lucked out when we arrived about an hour before check-in and there was no line AND our room was ready. Score! I was ready to drop my bags and get that first glimpse of the beach.

Before heading up to our room (on the top floor!) we had a chance to check out one of the BIG changes to the hotel lobby – Madonna’s limo that is now parked there! The one-and-only Madonna’s limousine featured in the 2001 43rd Grammy Awards greets you in its full shimmer and glitter. Madonna’s really knows how to arrive in style.

This is just one of the new legendary music icon mementos and memorabilia adorning the resort among the modern luxuries and panoramic views. Additional highlights include Elvis Presley’s fringed vest from his 1955 performance at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, and a decades of music display to include hip-hop pioneer MC Hammer’s sequined outfit during his Club MTV Spring Break performances in 1990 and 1994. Did you know that Elvis and MC Hammer both performed in Daytona before??

When we got to our room the first thing we did was throw open the curtains to get our first views of the beach. The beach behind the hotel is closed to cars, so you get an unobstructed view of the ocean. It was perfect! Our room had a balcony that we spent a lot of time on. We would drink our coffee there in the morning and usually ended up there again after the sun went down with a glass of wine. One night we were even treated to a live concert!

The concert was down on the Wave Terrace on the 3rd floor, but we had a perfect view. It was so nice to just relax on our balcony with a bottle of wine and listen to the live music and the ocean. By the way, the rooms have mini fridges AND you can ask for wine glasses at the Sessions bar so that you can enjoy any wine you may have brought with you.

We went to the Sessions restaurant on our last visit and were excited to eat and drink there again. Of all Daytona Beach restaurants on the beach, Sessions is most well-known for its rock-star style and panoramic Atlantic Ocean views. As the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach restaurant, meals here will exceed your expectations, from an unforgettable breakfast, lunch, or dinner to craft cocktails and libations at the indoor/outdoor bar.

The restaurant has a fairly big bar that is both inside and out, along with a large patio where you can eat as well. It was always great to end the day there was a cold drink and views of the ocean. And the staff there is FABULOUS. One of the bartenders from our first visit four years ago was working on our first night there and remembered us. It was awesome!

We spent the weekend visiting some of our favorite spots around Daytona Beach to eat and drink, but spent plenty of time at the hotel. We even had a poolside cabana one day – which is the way to go! We lucked out with some AMAZING weather, especially considering how freaking hot it has been in Florida lately, but it was so great to have a place out of the sun to sit and relax.

The cabana is yours from 10 am until 11 pm and there is bar and food service from 10 am until around 5 pm. It comes with bottled water and they make sure to keep it coming all day. That was a GREAT perk that we really enjoyed and took advantage of.

Ordering drinks and food was super easy because our server was always around and checking on us. The drinks are always great and the food was pretty amazing for poolside food. I’ve had my fair share of poolside snacks at some SUPER posh resorts that left a lot to be desired, so I was excited that HRH was doing it right.

All in all, this is one of my favorite places for a beach staycation. Who would have thought right?

*Disclosure: Although the cabana was provided to us, we paid for the rest of our visit. As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

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