When you’re dealt cards adding up to 11 in blackjack, you should double down. When you’re the Hard Rock Hotel, you double down by upping the ante in the pool area. The new HRH Beach Club nearly doubles the pool area to five acres. The upgrade is all part of a $750 million expansion the resort completed in December.
Sandy beaches surround the pool, along with 17 daybeds and 24 luxury cabanas. Chill out at the island pool, kept a cool 20 degrees chillier than the main pool and a perfect respite from the triple-digit heat. Or practice your blackjack skills at a swim-up table (we’re not sure where you stash your chips when you win). The entire complex sits below the new Skybar, which you can view through peek-a-boo cut-outs in the pool above.
The Bar & Grill features specialty cocktails including the Beach Club Blue Hawaiian, Tropical (Crime of) Passion, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Mai Tai One On and the usual array of imported and domestic beer and fresh fruit smoothies. You can order breakfast from 10 a.m. to noon, and nosh on treats such as a breakfast burrito, granola parfaits or pastries. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. you can order hummus, chicken quesadillas, loaded nachos and even dishes from Mr. Lucky’s such as pizza.
Eight luxurious Spa Villas give you private access to the beach club. They have the feel of a city loft. The two-story villas are adorned with sleek interior furniture and organic finishes. The industrial staircase and 30-foot floor-to-ceiling glass façade give you views of the pool, while the floor is a polished concrete tile with white Venetian plaster wall finishes. A private attendant can perform in-room spa treatments and mani/pedi services. Outside, you can relax in the tranquil sanctuary of a private plunge pool with direct access to the beach club.
Even if you don’t choose a villa, you can get poolside massage treatments from Reliquary Spa & Water Sanctuary. Services include the signature Ancient Cane Massage, Deep Tissue, Swedish and Reflexology Massages.
HRH Beach Club is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.hardrockhotel.com.