Open Jaw got a backstage pass to the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in MAY, getting an inside look at new developments (hint: the stage is set for something big) and finding out exactly why the brand resonates with Canadians.
“It’s such a unique hotel, you really have to experience it to be able to sell it,” said Jasmine Grant, Business Development Manager for AIC Hotel Group in Canada.
Music and entertainment take centre stage at the Hard Rock Hotels, with a curated environment at every location that blends the creativity of rock 'n' roll culture without compromising comfort. From the moment a guest steps foot into a Hard Rock Hotel, they are enveloped in a world where rhythm and melody resonate in every corner.
Every detail, from the collection of music memorabilia paying homage to iconic moments in music history, right down to curated playlists offered in every room, ensures an immersive experience throughout a guest’s entire stay.
This combination of a luxurious, music-infused ambiance, and attention to detail distinguishes the hotels as an attractive destination for Canadians seeking an all-inclusive, high-end getaway. But Grant said it’s harder for advisors to understand if they haven’t had a front-row ticket to the show.
The problem, Grant said, is that Canadians clients have a misconception about the Hard Rock, confusing it with Hard Rock Cafés located around the world.
But the hotels are far from, she said.
“Forget about everything you know about Hard Rock, and let’s start fresh,” she said. “Keep the entertainment factor in mind, then add luxury, add in amazing food, and add in the hospitality factor, the fact that the service is just so good.”
Advisors who have experienced it for themselves, like those who attended the Annual Showstopper Awards at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya on 16-19MAY, have garnered an appreciation for the attention to musical detail that permeates the properties, and they keep coming back for more.
“If you like music, you’ll like the Hard Rock,” said Ash Tembe, Vice President of Global Field Sales at AIC Hotel Group, which oversees all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel properties.
According to Tembe, the hotel’s commitment to music has contributed to the penetration of the Hard Rock Hotels in the Canadian market, making it comparable to the U.S. relative to population size. From his point of view, the brand doesn’t have a border.
“When it comes to music, there is no difference between the two countries,” he said. “These hotels offer a vacation with energy.”
Additionally, as a family business, the Hard Rock Hotels are increasingly passing the torch onto their children, and the younger generation is breathing new life into the brand’s image.
“We are no longer showing photos of fire eaters or snake charmers by the pool. They love design, and follow trends in decoration, gastronomy and music. We find ourselves offering a refined and chic decor, with entertainment at the forefront of everything we do," said Tembe.
Upgrades to the all-inclusive properties aren’t the only ‘rising star to watch’ at the AIC Hotel Group this year, with Tembe alluding to an even bigger expansion on the horizon. While specific details are under wraps, both Grant and Tembe said advisors should keep their eye out for an exciting announcement later this year.
Knocking on Heaven’s Door
A new development at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is the recent expansion of its adults-only section, Heaven. The adults-only haven has added three new specialty restaurants, deluxe swim-up rooms on the ground floor, poolside cabanas and a new pool.
The new restaurants include Umo, a Mexican Yucatan-inspired restaurant serving Mayan-style dishes, and Wai, which welcomes Thai food enthusiasts with handmade noodles in a chic atmosphere. The third new dining concept is Faro, a food hall inspired by farmers markets with nine food and beverage stations.
“We have always had Heaven, but we never really put any muscle behind it,” said Tembe. “The improvements were designed to make the Heaven section, 'the resort within the resort', more intimate and exclusive.”
The new Eden Pool features a swim-up bar and snack station. Guests seeking exclusivity can indulge in the newly built poolside cabanas, which feature seating areas for groups and private pool loungers. Cabana guests also have full access to snack menus and wait service.
New ground-floor deluxe swim up rooms have their own private plunge pools directly outside.
Also located within the Heaven concept at Hard Rock Riviera Maya is the Rock Spa. With 75 treatment rooms and steam rooms, hydrotherapy pools, a personal spa butler and Yoga Temple, adult guests can treat themselves to a variety of treatments with both ancient wisdom and modern science in mind, such as Hard Rock's exclusive Rhythm & Motion treatment menu, which uses music, vibrations and patterns as its main elements.
The 1,264-room Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is actually two hotels in one, and guests of all ages really can live like a rock star. From the carefully curated Tracks playlists following guests around their room to the jam sessions they can have with their very own Fender guitar, the Hard Rock Hotels make musical memories on the daily.
