The first to open its doors was the one in Las Vegas in 1995. It couldn't be more fitting for a city like this to have a luxury hotel specialized in music, entertainment, and having a good time. In other words, a full-fledged Hard Rock, the legendary international chain that started with the famous cafes more than 20 years earlier, in 1971, when they opened that pioneering 'offspring' in the Mayfair neighborhood of London.
The culprits were a couple of Americans, Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton, who couldn't find a place to eat a good American burger in the British capital, where they lived, so they decided to set up their own diner in a half-deserted car dealership.
They named it Hard Rock Cafe in homage to the A-side of The Doors' Morrison Hotel album, as music was present in the venue from the beginning, both in the decoration and in the offering of concerts, parties, and events. To the extent that Eric Clapton, a regular at the place, donated one of his guitars, a Fender Player Lead II, to hang it right above his favorite table and mark it as his own forever.
It was the first item in the chain's collection, the world's largest dedicated to pieces from international artists (over 88,000) acquired through donations, auctions, or direct purchases and distributed in all the group's establishments, which total more than 300 in 75 countries including hotels, casinos, cafes, shops, and concert halls.
If we focus on the hotels, the number is reduced to about thirty, with three of them located in Spain: in Tenerife, Madrid, and Marbella. This one, located a stone's throw from the beach in Nueva Andalucía, in the famous and exclusive Puerto Banús, has been the latest to arrive, and with it, we discover firsthand the brand's personal philosophy, now that their hotels are turning 30 years old.
The motto of the Malaga complex, managed by Palladium Hotel Group in Spain, is the same as the rest of the Hard Rock accommodations: music, luxury, and fun. The rhythmic essence is evident as soon as you step in, as there is always a soundtrack playing, whether through the background music heard in every room, from the reception to the hall, the breakfast buffet, the pool, or the hallways leading to the rooms.
The majority of the artistic memorabilia collection is concentrated in the latter, with authentic original relics such as Gibson guitars from Elvis Presley, Lenny Kravitz, or Alejandro Sanz, one of the jackets worn by Michael Jackson during his time with The Jackson 5, another from Prince worn during his Purple Rain tour, a leather jacket signed by the members of Depeche Mode, complete outfits from Madonna and Lady Gaga, a scarf from Rihanna, fishnet pants from Jennifer Lopez, and another pair from Juanes.
Also on display are handwritten letters from Janis Joplin, an autograph from Jim Morrison, and colorful murals of characters like David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Tom Jones, Celia Cruz, Adele, or Rosalía adorning the facilities, from the hall to some of the suites. As a curiosity, most of the chain's items are stored in an industrial warehouse in Orlando and rotate among the different hotels every six months.
Music fills the daily agenda throughout the year, as it is a hotel to enjoy in any season given Marbella's privileged climate from January to December (with an average annual temperature of around 20º) and 325 days of sun. "We can't talk about low season here because it's always a good time, and we always organize something special," says Cristina Belmonte, the hotel's Marketing Manager, as they offer thematic activities suitable for each moment: carnivals (and their costumes), Easter (and their Easter eggs), summer (with endless pool sessions), Halloween (and its thematic family party), Christmas (keep reading until the end...), and so on. All always linked, of course, to music.
There is a variety of events, from live concerts to jam sessions, parties like Rockmania by the main pool or in the hall itself, tributes to artists (from Julio Iglesias to Rihanna), instrumental sessions (like Akustico), DJ or techno sessions in the afternoon, and jazz or flamenco fusion nights. Most events take place in the hall or at the main pool, the Eden Pool, with a DJ table set under a glass dome design. There is another outdoor pool, infinite, on the second floor. Note that even underwater, you can listen to great music through a modern technological system.
Guests also come across drums, pianos, and guitars among the facilities. It is even possible to borrow one of these guitars and play in the room. "Thanks to the Sound of your stay program, you can request a Fender with state-of-the-art headphones to not disturb anyone," adds Belmonte. Or a Crosley turntable with a selection of vinyl chosen by the team of music experts. The guest can also download a personalized playlist or follow a water circuit or enjoy a massage at the Rock Spa with different melodies as the common thread of the experiences.
The gastronomy chapter deserves a separate mention. From the showcooking at the Sessions restaurant, available as a generous buffet where breakfast is also served, to the Suena Chido taqueria located next to the aforementioned infinity pool. Not to mention the terrace of the Eden Pool Club, with its menu of salads, tapas, sandwiches, fish and chips, or grilled fish. We must also mention the successful Saturday brunch, which is a hit during the cooler months with a variety of cold and savory dishes (from cheese and charcuterie boards to ceviches or freshly made pizzas and burgers in front of the customers) and where children's workshops are offered. Background music is also provided.
However, the jewel in the crown is Noyane, considered one of the best Asian restaurants in the area. It is led by the renowned Mexican chef Richard Sandoval, trained at the Culinary Institute of America in New York and head of the restaurant group that bears his name, with more than 60 restaurants in 13 different countries. Here, in Marbella, he offers a journey from dish to dish through Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Singaporean, or Korean cuisines, with some Latin touch. In each proposal, the chef imparts his particular style in which he "retrieves traditions from the past, giving them a twist with current techniques and innovation."
Must-tries include his tuna ceviche with coconut tiger milk and mango reduction, his lobster or salmon maki rolls, his curry chicken with peas and chestnuts, his rib bao with chipotle aioli and pickled vegetables, his tempura prawns, his noodle wok with sirloin, bok choy, chives, and furikake, and his wagyu A5 ishayaki style. The space is also delightful with a tropical terrace and an open kitchen where diners can watch the chefs at work.
All that remains is to mention the upcoming Christmas celebrations, as the hotel celebrates them in style with a full program of events. To kick things off, the season began on November 28 with a concert by the band Efecto Pasillo. Then comes Ugly Christmas Sweater Day on Friday, December 19, a full-blown afternoon party where it is mandatory to wear one of those "horrible" sweaters decorated with reindeer, elves, teddy bears, and giant tassels. The uglier, the better.
On December 24, enjoy Tardebuena with live music starting at 3:00 p.m. at GMT+1, the circular bar in the lobby, a prelude to that night's special dinner at the Sessions restaurant, also the setting for the Santa Brunch on December 25 and the special New Year's Eve dinner, followed by a big party with an open bar in true Hard Rock style. Finally, on January 5, the Three Kings will visit the hotel so that the children can greet them in person before their majesties go to their homes.