Wondering where to stay in Tampa, Florida? Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa offers beautifully renovated rooms, an abundance of entertainment and delicious food.
Seminole Hard Rock Tampa – Overview
If you read my tips on taking photos at hotels, you might remember the trip I took to beautiful Tampa, Florida to check out the newly renovated Seminole Hard Rock Tampa hotel and casino.
I’d never stayed at a Hard Rock hotel before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. But my previous stays in Florida hotels and resorts had me thinking of the usual – laidback beach-style accommodations. Boy was I in for a surprise!
Just walk into the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa and you can instantly feel the energy. With a larger-than-life hotel lobby boasting a giant glittering Art Deco chandelier and Elvis Presley’s gold piano, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Tampa makes a grand first impression.
Keep walking and the buzzing neon lights and chatter from the gaming floor will fill your senses. With tons of delicious dining options, endless entertainment and an incredible new outdoor pool area, Florida’s largest casino just got bigger and better.
Keep reading to hear about my favorite highlights from my stay at the Seminole Hard Rock hotel and casino in Tampa, Florida.
Where is the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Located?
Much to my surprise, the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa is a Florida hotel that’s not located on or even near the ocean. And to be honest, it was a nice surprise! For once, I didn’t have to worry about sand in the sheets!
The Hard Rock hotel has so much to do, you wouldn’t have time for the beach anyway. The hotel is located in Tampa, Florida, just about a 20 minute drive from the Tampa International Airport. It’s just a short drive away from sports attractions like the Raymond James arena where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play and the Amalie Arena.
You can find the Hard Rock Hotel in Tampa here:
5223 Orient Rd, Tampa, FL 33610
Dining Options in the Hotel
When it comes to dining, there are endless options at the Seminole Hard Rock hotel. With its recent renovation, the hotel also opened up a few new dining concepts. We got to try a variety of the dining options offered, including the new Rez Grill.
I have to say, I was totally impressed with each and every one of these spots. Both the food and the service was absolutely amazing! Here’s some of my favorite restaurants at the Hard Rock Hotel in Tampa.
The Rez Grill
The recently opened Rez Grill restaurant may have been my favorite of all the restaurants we tried. With absolutely beautiful interiors and a curated menu featuring comfort food favorites with an elevated twist, the restaurant is the perfect take on casual-meets-fine dining.
We ordered lots of appetizers to share, including my favorite – the soy-glazed brussel sprouts. Then I enjoyed a seafood fettuccine with king crab, shrimp, scallops and clams – YUM! The restaurant also boasts a 100 bottle wine list and 4 micro-breweries on tap.
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood
I was feeling quite spoiled when our group enjoyed our first meal of the trip at the amazing Council Oak Steaks and Seafood. With a menu that features the finest 100% U.S.D.A. prime steaks, melt-in-your-mouth locally sourced seafood and an award-wining wine selection, you simply can’t go wrong at Council Oak.
First, we got to meet with the Chefs behind the “Butcher Shop”, a climate-controlled environment featuring dry-age coolers and pink Himalayan salt brick walls where the cuts are aged between 21-28 days. I loved that the restaurant features a window where guests can see the meat being prepared and aged.
This restaurant takes meat seriously! And that’s evident in every bite! But don’t worry, if you’re a vegetarian, the sides like their creamed corn are absolutely to-die-for.
Hard Rock Cafe
For one of our lunches, we got to eat at the brand classic favorite, Hard Rock Cafe. I love the rock and roll meets 1950’s diner vibe of this fun restaurant!
Featuring classic American fare and a rockin’ atmosphere, complete with a live stage, this is a great spot to grab lunch or enjoy a fun dinner before a night out. We especially loved the beautifully-prepared milkshakes we enjoyed for dessert.
Newly Renovated Rooms
There’s nothing like coming back to a beautiful, relaxing space and a big comfy bed at a the end of the day. The brand new hotel rooms in the 14-story East Tower at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa have a contemporary feel with a touch of the brand’s signature rock and roll look.
I stayed in a standard Deluxe King room and I loved how big my room felt! There was plenty of space for storing my things and for lounging around too. I especially loved the built-in seating and table in the room that added an extra space to lounge and eat breakfast or room service. Plus, the bathroom was super spacious with a larger vanity featuring two sinks and a shower and a tub.
Best of all, the bed was extra comfortable, and I loved the guitar chocolates the staff put on my pillow during the turn down service at the end of each day.
Hotel Highlights
There is so much to see and do at the Seminole Hard Rock hotel and casino in Tampa. Some of the new renovations weren’t quite finished when we stayed (but they are now!), but we got a really good idea of how the new spaces would look.
Outdoor Pool Area
During my next stay at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa, you can find me at the outdoor pool area. This space was just a few weeks away from its grand opening when we visited, and I absolutely loved it! With three enormous pools, over 500 daybeds and loungers to relax and a bar serving up signature drinks, this is the perfect spot to soak up some sun and relax.
I loved the new modern design of the pools and the beautiful features of the bar area. There are also two DJ booths set up for weekend pool parties and 19 private cabanas available to rent.
Rock Spa & Salon
We also got a behind-the-scenes tour of the brand new Rock Spa and Salon at the Hard Rock hotel in Tampa, which is now open. With hair salons for both men and women, a nail salon, an aqua lounge, 13 treatment rooms and more, I was blown away by huge the space is.
I loved all of the beautiful modern design choices. I left the space feeling inspired to do some renovations around our house!
Larger Casino Floor
I’ll be completely honest, I’m not really a big gambler. But I actually had a blast learning how to play Black Jack and participating in a few rounds myself during our Black Jack tournament at the Hard Rock in Tampa.
Whether slot machines or Black Jack is more your thing, there is more than 245,000 square feet of gaming featured at the Hard Rock hotel and casino in Tampa, so you have to at least try your hand at something.
And even if gambling isn’t your thing, there’s something about a casino floor that just electrifies a hotel with excitement. So even if you just want to order a couple of drinks and observe, you’re bound to find fun on the gaming floors.
What to Do Nearby?
While there’s plenty to keep you occupied at the Seminole Hard Rock, the hotel is also close to local spots and nearby attractions, whether you’re a sports fanatic or you’re looking for a little family fun.
Buccaneers Game
On one of our evenings in Tampa, we got to go watch a Buccaneers game from a suite inside Raymond James arena. It was just a 15 minute drive from the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa.
But if it’s not football season and you’d like to see some local sports, you can also check out what’s going on at the Amalie Area, home to the Tampa Bay Lightening of the National Hockey League and many other local sports games.
Disney World
You may be surprised to hear that Disney World is just an hour and a half drive from Tampa. I actually ended up taking an Uber from the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa to Disney World after our media trip was over and it took about an hour since it was Sunday.
If you’re planning a family trip to Tampa, definitely consider a day trip to the most magical day on earth!
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa – Takeaway
Whether you’re looking for a Florida getaway that offers more than just ocean views or you need a place to stay in Tampa Bay while on a business trip, the Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa is an easy choice. Incredible food, endless entertainment options and amazing hotel room accommodations await you in this newly renovated hotel and casino.
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Fair-well xx,
Cris A Santos
February 14, 2020 at 5:17 pmThe hotel looks incredible in every aspect and you are rocking these looks Love this post xoxo Cris
Gerry
February 17, 2020 at 6:11 amWhat a beautiful write – up. Thank you so much for spreading the word about the shop! 🙂
horace sher
September 10, 2021 at 10:02 pmDoes the Hardrock casino have roulette table games or roulette on a slot machine.