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As a passionate and dedicated sports fan my entire life, there are certain sports-related experiences I’d like to enjoy someday. You know, things like go to a Super Bowl, see a World Series game in person, watch Texas A&M win a national championship (football, of course)…
The list could go on and on (Rugby World Cup final), but sadly, I know I will never check many of the best ones off. Why not? Because I could never justify to myself let alone my wife paying the ridiculous amount of money it would take to go to the Super Bowl.
But that doesn’t mean life must be devoid of awesome sports experiences. I was fortunate enough to enjoy one back in March during the 2024 NCAA Basketball Tournament—otherwise known as March Madness.
It all began one cold, cold day (March 21, 2024, to be exact) in my little corner of the world in Noblesville, Indiana.
When I woke up that morning, it was 35 degrees outside (felt like 29). So, when got dressed to head to the airport for this event in Florida, I put on a sweatshirt and long pants. I had a slight cold, and this native Texan could not have been happier just to be headed somewhere warm.
But as icing on the cake, I wasn’t just going to Florida to escape the cold. No, I had a higher purpose—to check out the Seminole Hard Rock Resort and Casino in Hollywood, FL, during the opening weekend for March Madness.
I’ve never been to a retail sportsbook, but I’ve heard there is nothing quite like watching the NCAA Tournament from inside one. The games are already intense, but adding the thrill of winning money and the intensity of the emotional spectrum resulting from a great college basketball game can reach new heights.
But there is more to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino than just the sportsbook. Let me tell you about it.
Location
When my plane touched down, I expected to be in for a 45-minute drive to the hotel. But the hotel sent a car that had me there within minutes. By the time we pulled up to the front of the hotel, I barely had enough time to finish a small bottle of water and check my fantasy baseball roster.
Was that the exception to the rule? Not at all. My ride to the airport when it came time to head back home to Indianapolis was just as quick.
Room
Checking in was as smooth and easy as I expected, giving me time to enjoy my room before meeting up with some associates. But I quickly realized it would take more than a moment to appreciate what this room offered.
First, I was on the 11th floor of the guitar (you’ll see what I mean in a moment), overlooking the pool area. The sun was getting ready to go to sleep, so the view was, in a word, spectacular. As I enjoyed the view, I snacked on bonbons and drank nice, cold Icelandic water.
After traveling all day, that hit the spot.
But I couldn’t focus on the view for too long, though. Why not? Because I had to check out the record (yes, record, you know—vinyl) collection and guitar.
Yes, my hotel room came with a guitar I could plug in and play (with headphones, of course).
I’m more of a ukulele guy, but I had to do my best Van Halen imitation. It was the right thing to do.
My king-size bed was quite comfortable (I almost dozed off before dinner), but the bathroom! Well, it was more the shower that impressed me. In my younger days I would have thrown a party in this thing! As for the water pressure, it was perfect.
Casino
I was there for the sportsbook, but I took a few walks around the casino throughout the weekend to check it out (great people-watching at all hours). Now, I could give you a bunch of numbers and tell you the square footage of the casino and how many slots and other gaming machines it had, but that wouldn’t sound authentic.
But believe me when I say the casino is plenty big and has hundreds of slots and other video gaming machines. Live crapsand roulette were added to the floor in December 2023. After a tutorial provided to our group by the hotel, I tried my hand at roulette.
Intoxicating (yes, I won).
There were more than enough blackjack tables, a poker room, and a high-limit slot room. If you are looking to spend some time in a casino, the Seminoles Hard Rock has everything you could want.
Sportsbook
As a sports betting writer, this was the most interesting place in the resort. I had never placed a bet in person before, but the people at the counter walked me through the process to ensure I didn’t mess anything up.
I know what you’re thinking. How hard can it be? Well, it’s not hard to place a bet. But do you want to find out later that you didn’t win or even lost because you made a mistake?
Do what I did and listen to what they have to say.
But I didn’t need to bet at the counter, anyway. Plenty of betting kiosks were along the wall; every time I looked, at least one was free. I just downloaded the app, opened an account, and never had to leave my seat.
Before discussing the app, let me tell you about the sports bar behind the betting windows. We were surrounded by giant, big-screen TVs with a row of smaller televisions underneath them. No matter where I looked, I could see one of the many NCAA games playing (I must come back and watch college football…).
While it was awesome in so many ways, it was a little challenging to focus on one game. As for the app, it was clean and easy to navigate, operated without a hitch, and made betting on Texas A&M to win ATS vs. Houston easy.
Spa
I was fortunate to get a spa tour before enjoying a massage. My first impression— they had a robe that actually fit. I am a rather large man, and the few spas I’ve been to over the years did not have robes that fit, so I was impressed when the Hard Rock Spa did.
Then, I got to enjoy a Thai Muscle Melt massage from Rosemarie. Words cannot express how tranquil, peaceful, and relaxed I felt afterward. Many of the standard aches and pains my overweight 50-year-old body has every day were gone!
It was magical. While I could have stayed in the atrium and tried out the sauna and hot tub, taken a steam, etc., there was too much at the hotel I wanted to see and do.
Pool
It rained a lot while I was there, so I did not enjoy the pool how I wanted to, but I did get to check it out. Rather than try to describe it, let me show you some pictures.
Food
Like any resort, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has several restaurants (16) scattered throughout the property. I had breakfast each morning at the Constant Grind. The line was always long, but the good people behind the counter kept it moving.
My egg white breakfast burrito and caramel latte were delicious! After having the burrito the first morning, I didn’t want to try anywhere else.
As for dinner, I was fortunate enough to go to:
- Council Oak Steak & Seafood: your classic American steakhouse
- Kuro: Japanese restaurant
- Cipresso: a contemporary twist on Italian American fare
All three were excellent! I could go on at length here to describe the food to you, but it would be easier to just say this: imagine the best meal you have ever had. Take the pleasure from that meal and multiply it by 100, and you might come close.
Again, allow me to let the pictures do the talking.
Entertainment
When you want to do something other than gamble, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has options. On my group’s first night, we attended Shakira’s album drop party at Hard Rock Live, their state-of-the-art entertainment venue.
They often have concerts, but no one was scheduled for that weekend. One night, there was a boxing event, and the Impractical Jokers performed a show on another (it’s a television show where these guys do horrible things to each other for laughs).
Then there’s the Oculus Bar in the central lobby (where people go to see and be seen). I passed on heading to the nightclub, DAER, but from the way people in our group looked the next day, it must have been fun. This is my drink from the Oculus, the Anderson. It was like drinking a key lime pie.
Memorabilia
You do not have to be a fan of any particular artist or genre of music to appreciate the different pieces of music memorabilia on display at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
Now, I didn’t say ‘rock’ memorabilia for a reason—because the Hard Rock appreciates all genres and has pieces from all sorts of artists. Throughout the resort, you can find items of music history like an autographed Keith Urban guitar and outfits worn by Beyonce, Jay-Z, Prince, Rihanna, Shakira, and Peanut (one of comedian Jeff Dunham’s characters).
My group was fortunate enough to tour the vault, where they keep over 40,000 items commemorating artists from many genres (rock, pop, country, rap, classical, etc.) dating back decades.
I’m talking hundreds of autographed guitars.
Cars like this one featured in a Metallica video.
And the bus the Beatles used in their “Magical Mystery Tour” movie.
Jerry Garcia’s ponytail.
Service
Everyone I talked to and interacted with who was associated with the hotel was fantastic. The entire staff was polite, professional, and personable, a credit to the company. Resorts can look amazing and come with all sorts of amenities, but the people behind the scenes make your time memorable.
Overall Opinion
It was a long weekend I’ll never forget, but would I go back? Sure, but they aren’t part of any credit card points programs unfortunately. You could however charge the bill to your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, or Capital One Venture X Business and then erase the purchase with your miles at one cent per mile. I’ll have to wait until I hit that 10-leg parlay or win the lottery because it is not cheap (but it is a luxury hotel and casino, so I wouldn’t expect it to be).
But when I do hit that parlay and plan my next trip, it will be in the middle of summer. Why? Because the weather will probably cooperate, and the kids can enjoy the pool. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, I’ll be in trouble. The pool is the only kid-friendly thing at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
I get it. It’s a casino, and kids don’t gamble. But Mom and Dad may send Junior to a private school if they win big at the roulette table…
*Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
