Over Hyped and Over Priced

I stayed at the hotel for a girlfriend's 30th birthday party. We reserved a large suite, and were terribly disappointed at check-in when we were told that there was a 'mistake' in the booking and we were only going to be able to have 2 small ajoining rooms. But even before that happened - I couldn't even park at the hotel...I was arriving late and thus hadn't received my key yet. After waiting 10 minutes in line to valet I was told that I was not able unless I had my key (hello! can't get my key until I parked). Later in the evening we planned on going to the newly opened lounge. More empty promises - we repeatedly talked to hotel staff prior to our visit to make sure we could get into the lounge. We were told no problem. Not so the night we were there - our group was turned away unless we wanted to fork out $1,500 for bottle service in a cabana. What a huge let down. As a San Diego local, I am truly dissapointed in this over priced, over hyped 'it' place. I expect this kind of thing from Las Vegas, not San Diego.

First Class!

Hard Rock - San Diego is unbelievable! From the minute valet greets you at the curb this place rocks! Valet whisked our car away, bell service took our bags directly to our room and we were greeted by an employee who walked us through the check-in process. The lobby is amazing and the atmosphere was full of energy. I was already amazed, but when we walked into our "Rock Star Suite" (unit 701) all my wife could say was, "Oh my God!" The room was beautiful and overlooked Randee Gerber's Moonstone Lounge and the outdoor rock stage. A day earlier we could have watched Fergie right from our room while the Black Eyed Peas played a concert for the owners and VIP's. The view from this room was nothing but first class! The shower was out of this world, but I will leave those details out ...

My wife and I ate at Nobu which was located in the lobby. This was our first experience with Nobu and our waitress was extremely helpful and friendly. The food was some of the best Japanese cuisine that we have ever had and we would have to recommend Nobu during your stay at the Hard Rock.

After, we went up to the 4th floor pool deck and partied a little at the Moonstone Lounge. We have never been to a Randee Gerber bar, but read about them online prior to our trip and this one did not disappoint. The staff was very friendly and the atmosphere fit perfectly with the Hard Rock experience.

Overall, our stay at the Hard Rock was awesome and we will definitely be back. The staff was always friendly and the accommodations were one of a kind.

Loved The Service

The Hard Rock lives up to its branding. First class the whole way. Yes, minor glitches during the first month, but based on everything else being 5 star...who cares!

The rooms were ultra hip and modern. Rain head shower head and overhead in the shower, 2 plasma TV, personal hook ups for MP3, video, memory cards. A great bar set up with Patron and champagne, newspaper delivered every morning. Now this is not even mentioning Nobu downstairs or the fact this is the absolutely best location in the Gaslamp Quarter.

The Gerber bar with the live music was great, and the pool area swanky, comfortable and upscale.

Definitely worth a few nites for anyone visiting the San Diego area. Room 952 was up high enough to get a view, no street noise and close enough to elevators.

High recommend this hotel!!!

Great location - unique offerings

Arrived late evening for a four night stay and was greeted by friendly HR staffers at the entrance (valet parking only with unltmtd in/out) Booked a good price on Orbitz ($228) which was lower per night than similar surrounding hotels ($300-325) and rec'd a suite. Greetings from smiling staffers continued in the lobby and with luggage assistance - very friendly and welcoming the whole time. What a nice surprise to see that the room was on the top floor with a great city view - rm 1260. GREAT BEDS! Two large TVs and a nice sitting area so you can have separate activities.

Don't plan on showering or toileting with anyone in the room you are not really close with - the opaque glass shower(next to living area) and toilet door would make for an awkward situation.

Agree with other posters about the need for coffee/tea making in room. Room service was good and prompt and breakfast was offered in ample quantities (try the fresh fruit!)

Workers were still finishing up in the hallways and around the pool area but they got the pool area done on the last day we were there and it was blocked for a private party. (Could only see it from the balcony so can't comment on its appeal up close...it looked nice)

Overall, a nice stay in a new hotel. Slept great, friendly staff, mostly good food, but little touches like in room coffee/tea with a kettle would be nice for those of us expect them.

This is a great location and you can walk to any one of a dozen great restaurants and bars. (Nobu on property, Bondi's - great Aussie restaurant - try the fish and chips!, endless Italian restaurants...)

Spectactular, One of a kind!

Although brand new, the Hard Rock is setting the standard for all hotels in San Diego. From the time you are greeted by the valet you know you are at a great hotel. The rooms are great with all of the modern electronic connections. My room had a great view of the 4th floor pool deck and downtown. The location is the best in downtown San Diego. It is right next to the trolley station, a block from the ballpark, across the street from the convention center and in the gaslamp district. The Sweetwater bar and the MaryJane resturant are one of a kinds. The Hard Rock is not the cheapest hotel downtown, but I found that you get what you pay for. Our one night stay was great and it will not be our last.

Very nice, with a few niggles

I have stayed at this hotel for four nights, finding that the rate was cheaper than the Marriott which I usually stay at.

The hotel is excellent and has a number of good ideas. Lifts alway return to the ground floor, etc... (I could not get my iPod to work with the stereo though and did not have the normal jack lead to plug my iPod into the AV system)

There is an extra daily fee for "free internet" which is a bit odd and should just be included in the price. I had a meal at their "posh" restaurant "Nobu"one evening and found the food to be expensive and not very good, also the portions were extremely small.

The lack of coffee making facilities in the room is very odd and I found myself cursing this whilst waiting for the coffee shop to open at 7:00am. I was not prepared to pay room service for something that should already be in the room.

The staff are fantastic though and clearly rightly proud of their hotel. The hotel bar is also excellent as are the people serving.

I will be staying here again, but will also be bringing a travel kettle!

Trendy, fun hotel

We got a great intro price on the hotel's website so decided to try it out. The hotel is very trendy and modern. If you've stayed at the Ivy, it is very similar. The shower is very nice with a dual showerhead. We had the King Suite, and there were two large LCD TV's along with a vinyl couch and two bar stools.

The Sweetwater Saloon at the hotel is fun, definitely not your typical "saloon." It is more of a club. Other than that, we had room service which was pretty good, and then breakfast at MaryJane's coffee shop which was a standard good breakfast.

One thing we were not aware of that I would watch for. There is an "IN Charge" on your bill for $15.00. They do not inform you of this until you ask at checkout (if you even do ask). This charge includes all the VOSS water in the room, the copy of Rolling Stone Magazine, some CD I never could find, use of the gym, long distance and local calling, and turndown service at night, which we did ask for, but never got... It would have been nice to know this stuff at check-in, but I guess if they don't tell you, you probably won't use the items, but they can still get their $15 from you. Interesting to say the least...

Other than that, we had a good stay and would stay there again - as long as they don't rack their prices up too much after grand opening.

Growing pains

I stayed at the Hard Rock recently and was disappointed. The rooms were modern and stylish. Even on the 7th floor, street and hallway noise was noticeable. The bed linens were terrific, but the towels were those strange cotton towels that feel nice to the touch, but just seem to move the water around. The bathroom and halls smelled of rotten eggs---seems to be a ventilation problem. One elevator was out of service and there was no lighting in the spa/workout room one morning. Be aware that there is a $15 "activity fee" charged---not sure what for, but at least they tell you when you check in. The vibe is a combination of modern cool, and old-time rock and roll. If the scene is what you seek, its a good place to stay and the price is on the high end of the nearby Gaslamp District hotels. The location is a quick walk to the Convention center and baseball stadium.

Totally different, very good, couple of niggles

I learn from the 1st review that the official opening of the hotel is not until December. That would explain the maintenance guys running around doing stuff and finishing off the pool area.

The previous reviewer described the hotel well. Its modern, state of the art, and happening. Lots of young people dressed from head to toe in black are helping people out of cabs, checking you in, generally looking cool and so on.

I'd had a long trip and was very tired so 1st impressions were not great as the noise (people talking, rock music playing and a fairly Spartan look with hard surfaces make it a noisy place) in the foyer meant the receptionist had to almost shout so I could hear. However, it does show that you shouldn't judge stuff on 1st impressions especially when you are tired.

The hotel is brand new, the rooms are brand new and very well appointed. On booking I had been asked my musical preferences so that the music would be playing as a walked into the room - a nice touch.

I hate hotels where they see everything as a money making exercise. So I was delighted to find that the internet and gym are free. The room was great with a large lcd TV, a spacious shower (although I not so keen on the glass shower walls and mirrors everywhere - but I suppose it was designed for 'beautiful young things' and not middle aged men), and everything says quality.

The gym boasted state of the art kit (3 cross trainers, 3 joggers, 4 cycles and other kit) was spacious. Its open 24 hours another good thing. I used the automated business center which is also a 24 hour facility. Printing was 50c a sheet which i thought toppy but the important thing is I was able to print.

So what are the niggles:

1. No coffee making facilities in the room. Strange decision as, presumably lots of people who stay here will be from the East Coast and up early. Certainly the guy I met in the gym at 5:30am felt the same.

2. Not clear what in the room was free and what was pay for. So was the mineral water free or not - it didn't say.

3. Some minor indications that the room cleaning staff haven't established a pattern yet.

However, these are minor niggles. I was on a conference rate which compared very favorably with other hotels in the downtown San Diego area. Given the choice and assuming the rates were broadly the same, I'd chose to stay here again over nearby properties simply because it is different.

Incredible New Boutique Hotel

I just returned to Hollywood after a weekend "sneak-preview" of the New Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego.

So many details of thought are immediately apparent in the design of this hotel. It is clearly a state-of-art building, showcasing the best in the industry.

The hotel is very modern, truly a contempary design dream come true! The place is likely destined to become a jet-set getaway in sunny San Diego.

I have personally stayed in a lot of hotels, and I enjoy the boutique experience - and this one has pure potential if they can deliver service to match the stylish design.

When checking into my room one of the friendliest bell men I have have ever met informed me that the offical grand opening of the hotel is not until December 12th, although if you call you can book a room now.

My advise: if you like style, and the boutique experience, and you are familar with The W, or Ian Schrager Hotels, book a stay at the Hard Rock today, because this place will be THE destination to be at while in California.