Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi

There’s no mistaking the dominant “rock on” party theme of this casino resort. It starts with the huge suspended guitar outside and the rock lyrics, “Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends,” over the front entrance. The multi-story lobby is full of memorabilia encased in glass and illuminated with red, green, and blue neon. Guitars, rock-star outfits, records, and photos are displayed as if in a museum. Portraits of Elvis, Jagger, and Springsteen hang behind the wood-and-marble front desk. More rock-themed displays appear throughout the colorful hotel, including the casino and Hard Rock Live concert hall, where an impressive lineup of national touring acts performs. This resort has a fun vibe intended to appeal to couples and groups who want to gamble a bit and party a lot. The spacious pool with a swim-up bar and private cabanas overlooking the Gulf is especially enticing in warm weather.

The Hard Rock is situated along the Gulf of Mexico next to the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino (a six-minute walk). Public beach access is about a 10-minute walk away, and some restaurants are within a three- to five-minute walk. The Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, Jefferson Davis Presidential Library, Keesler Air Force Base, and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College are within a 10- to 15-minute drive. Gulfport is about a 20-minute car trip, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is a 25-minute drive. Driving times to Mobile (east) and New Orleans (west) are 55 minutes and 90 minutes, respectively on Interstate 10, which is only a few minutes' drive from the hotel.

Rooms at this Hard Rock Hotel are split between two sections -- the 325-room Royal Tower and the newer, 154-room Platinum Tower that opened in early 2014 -- and decor varies between these. Standard Rooms in both towers are spacious (400 square feet) with distinct, modern designs. Royal King Rooms have dark wood furniture, including long, narrow desks with two high-back chairs placed below wall-mounted, 42-inch flat-screen TVs facing the beds. Light gray carpeting and white walls soften the look. Twin granite vanities are part of semi-circle “bars” that act as room dividers separating bedroom and bathroom areas. Walk-in showers are spacious and high-end with brown-and-beige tile, rainfall showerheads, and clear glass doors that are partially visible from the bedrooms. Platinum Queen Rooms have similar walk-in showers setup, but granite vanities are replaced by brown marble twin vanities that face windows (as do the showers). Decor is also punched up a notch with bold orange accents, and brown sofas provide seating under floor-to-ceiling windows. Standard amenities in all rooms include electronic safes, minibars, magnifying mirrors, robes, and iHome docking stations. In-room Wi-Fi comes with a fee. Seventy-five suites are available as well, ranging from 900 to 1,400 square feet; these include soaking tubs, ample lounge space, and more flamboyant design such as photo murals of leather corsets. Views vary by tower and location, but generally include gulf, city, or pool views. Rooms are generally quiet but noise can be heard from partiers in neighboring rooms at times. Only the Platinum Tower is no smoking. The Royal Tower has designated smoking rooms.

This resort is packed with amenities for guests who come to gamble and those seeking a place to relax and have fun. The Hard Rock’s casino spans 50,000 square feet and includes 1,300 slots and 50 table games. Hard Rock Live seats 1,500 for concerts and is one of five entertainment venues that also include a weekend disco. There are nine dining choices on-site, including a Ruth’s Chris Steak House, a seafood restaurant, pizza, a 24-hour cafe, Starbucks, and Ben & Jerry’s. Another space built for revelry is the 60,000-gallon outdoor pool with a swim-up bar, three whirlpools, and private cabanas for rent that have TVs, phones, and fridges. For pampering, the full-service spa features an Aveda Salon and offers various massages, as well as facial and body treatments. And the Body Rock Gym is open 24 hours and includes sauna and steam rooms, whirlpool, lockers, and cardio and weight-training equipment. Meeting rooms are available, and the concert venue and other nightclubs can be rented for private events. The business center has computer stations with Internet access, and free Wi-Fi is available in all public areas. The gift shop sells various Hard Rock apparel and other souvenirs. Same-day valet laundry and dry cleaning services are available, as are concierge services. Both valet and self-parking are free. Pets are welcome in select rooms with certain restrictions and a surcharge. Smoking is allowed in the casino and other public areas, as well as in select rooms in the Royal Tower.