| Hard Rock Hotel and Casino | |
|---|---|
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| Location | Paradise, Nevada 89169 |
| Address | 4455 Paradise Road |
| Opening date | March 10, 1995 |
| Closing date | February 3, 2020 |
| Theme | Rock and roll |
| No. of rooms | 339 (1995) 670 (1999) 1,506 (after 2009) |
| Total gaming space | 61,704 square feet (5,732.5 m2) |
| Permanent shows | Magic Mike Live |
| Signature attractions | The Joint Rehab |
| Notable restaurants | Culinary Dropout Dunkin' Mr. Lucky 24/7 Nobu Oyster Bar Pink Taco Simon Kitchen & Bar MB Steak |
| Casino type | Land-based |
| Owner | List
|
| Operating license holder | List
|
| Renovated in | 1998–99, 2000–01, 2007–2010, 2012, 2015–16 |
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was a resort located near the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, United States. It now operates as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The resort is located on 16.7 acres (6.8 ha)[1] on the corner of Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road, about a mile east of the Las Vegas Strip.[2] At the time of its closure, the Hard Rock included 1,506 rooms across several hotel towers, a 61,704-square-foot (5,732.5 m2) casino, and a music venue known as The Joint. It had also hosted a weekly pool party event known as Rehab.
Plans for a Hard Rock hotel were announced in 1991, and the resort opened on March 10, 1995, as the world's first rock and roll-themed hotel. The Hard Rock Hotel began as a joint venture between Hard Rock Cafe founder Peter Morton and Harveys. Following disagreements, Morton bought out Harveys' share of the resort in 1997. A new 11-story hotel tower was added in 1999, as part of a $100 million renovation.
The Hard Rock was featured in various media, including television shows and music videos. It was also a frequent source of controversy and legal problems. In the 2000s, drugs and sexual conduct were common issues at the resort's nightclubs and pool area. The Hard Rock was also criticized for its advertising. The resort catered to a younger demographic, and it began using risqué advertising to compete against the Palms resort, which opened in 2001. However, such advertising led to a complaint from the Nevada Gaming Control Board in 2004. The board alleged that the Hard Rock ads promoted casino cheating and drug use, and a battle ensued over the resort's free-speech rights. The complaint was eventually settled.
In 2004, Morton announced plans to add a $1 billion condo hotel, but this was canceled after he received purchase offers on the Hard Rock. Morgans Hotel Group and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners bought the resort in 2007, and Morgans handled operations. A $750 million renovation and expansion project began in 2007, and was completed three years later. The project added two additional hotel towers, as well as new restaurants and nightclubs.
Morgans ended its involvement with the resort in 2011, when it was sold to Brookfield Asset Management with Warner Gaming as the operator. Virgin Hotels and a group of investors purchased the Hard Rock in 2018 and announced plans to renovate and rebrand it as a Virgin hotel. The Hard Rock closed on February 3, 2020, for renovations. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas opened on March 25, 2021.