As a brand and a franchise, there is none quite like Hard Rock Hotel. What started out as a chain of restaurants known as the Hard Rock Cafe has since expanded to include other businesses, particular in the hospitality and tourism spectrum. With Penang already being the home of the first ever Hard Rock Hotel, Desaru is the latest to carry the international chain.
The Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast is located in the quaint coastal town of Desaru in Johor where it resides towards the east of the capital. Desaru is known for its pristine and mostly untouched beaches, attracting a fair deal of attention over the last couple of years. This has also catapulted the vicinity into the limelight with many property developers making their way into Desaru.
Design
From the first glance, the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast features plenty of open spaces, allowing for natural lighting to flow in many different aspects. As it is just a stone throw’s away from the beach, a constant cool breeze is all but assured. The hotel is also riddled with plenty of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, which is expected of the Hard Rock property.
This includes outfits and accessories from popular celebrities like Rihanna, Beyonce, and Madonna to name a few. The hotel also features plenty of local touches in the form of large scale murals. These were done by various street artists from Johor Bahru and can be found all around the hotel as well as the hotel rooms.
Rooms
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast has plenty to offer its guests. The room types range from Superior and Deluxe rooms that come with great in-room features to begin with. If you decide to upgrade to a Rock Royalty room, the choices are endless. You can opt for a Rock Royalty Deluxe room or if you have your family with you, a Studio Suite Gold, which is a duplex.
However, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast does save the very best for last and that is its Rockstar Suite. At 226sqm, the room comes with its very own walk-in closet, a large en-suite bathroom with a plunge pool, a pool table, a personal butler, and two separate balconies with day beds.
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast also ensures that each and every room is tastefully designed while keeping its rockstar feel intact. Private balconies are one of the main features of the hotel as every room will have one while comfort is all to be expected. Signature Hard Rock bedding is available and to further sweeten the deal, you can opt to have a Fender electric guitar sent to your room if you ever felt like jamming out. If you’re more into vinyl, the staff can also prepare a turntable for you to spin some records.
Dining
It’s worth noting that this will be the only Hard Rock Hotel that doesn’t carry a Hard Rock Cafe outlet. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing as many of the Hard Rock Cafe dishes are available in the in-room dining menu. As far as hotel dining establishments go, many would be quick to point out that the reputation to hotel food precedes itself.
Most times, guests would rather dine elsewhere rather than eating in the hotel. However, the past couple of years have seen hotels paying more attention to their in-house restaurants in terms of service and quality of food. Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast is one of it with its own fair share of restaurants available for guests.
Sessions is the hotel’s very own flagship restaurant where guests can dine all day. It’s spacious and wide, which is perfect for buffet breakfasts and dinners while lunch is strictly à la carte. The menu itself has a wide variety of options, ranging from local delicacies to international dishes.
If you’re looking for something different, be sure to check out The Elephant & The Butterfly, the hotel’s very own Mexican poolside bar and grill. Inspired from two of Mexico’s greatest artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, the restaurant boasts an impressive view with its open air concept that overlooks the hotel’s infinity pool. Expect hand-crafted margaritas and artisanal tequila while you tuck in to authentic Mexican cuisine with plenty of local ingredients.
Coffee is also a big thing at the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast as Constant Grind is the hotel’s very own cafe that specialises in personalised latte art as well as desserts. If you’re looking to kick back with a cocktail while being serenaded by a live band, do check out the lobby bar known as GMT +8.
Amenities
As with every Hard Rock Hotel around the world, you will be able to find the Rock Shop on the premises. The Rock Shop carries its very own exclusive collection of pins, shot glasses, and other memorabilia that you can take home with you for a price. If you’re looking to get in a quick workout, you can check out the 24-hour Body Rock gym that comes with the latest in gymming equipment to help you pump that iron.
A spa is available within the hotel and it’s called Rock Spa, but it’s more than just that. Deemed as an escape from the world where you can retune yourself, Rock Spa aims to release the tension from your body through its wide range of signature treatments and services, ensuring that you leave a new man/woman.
The Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast is also open to all Hard Rock Hotel guests with direct access from the Sessions restaurant. Simply purchase a one- or two-day ticket and you can chill out by the man-made beach, scream your lungs out at one of the 20 wet and dry rides, or even take a dip at one of the world’s largest wave pools.
Verdict
The Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast offers more than just what one can expect from a family-friendly resort. From the moment you enter through the lobby to when you’re checking out, you will be treated like the King of Rock, and rightfully so. Hard Rock Hotels around the world all strive with the same idea in mind — all of its guests are rockstars.
Wi-Liam Teh
Senior Writer
Wi-Liam is a geek at heart with a penchant for tattoos. Never without a drink in hand (preferably whisky, gin, or Guinness), he is also a writer by day and a keyboard warrior by night. On his day off, he masquerades as a streetwear and sneakerhead enthusiast while his bank account says otherwise.
