I love going to Las Vegas. We have a whole page on this website about my trips there. The problem is that I have to fly to get there, and that costs both time and money. If you live in Houston or Atlanta, however, you are only a six hour drive from Biloxi, Mississippi. Millions of us live even closer than that. Biloxi is trying to build itself up as Gulf Coast Vegas, and they have a point. I just spent a night at the Hard Rock Biloxi hotel and casino, and it is a great option if you need a quick getaway.
If you want to see video of what the property is like, we have a couple on the Dine Drink Vegas YouTube channel. One video is a quick Hard Rock Biloxi room review where I toured the room. I then came back the next morning to talk about the experience. The longer video is my 24 hour recap of the grounds, casino, restaurant, spa, pool, and all of the other amenities. Of course, if you would like to read about it I will just describe all of those things right here.
The first thing to know is that this hotel is totally dedicated to the theme of rock and roll. I have seen several themed properties who are only halfway committed. Not these guys. There is rock memorabilia in the lobby as you walk in. More memorabilia in the casino. I saw a truly… impressive costume that Shakira once wore in the elevator lobby on my floor. There is constant rock music in public venues, and it was blaring from the TV when I got to my room. The Hard Rock Biloxi is absolutely dedicated to the theme.
What is the room like at the Hard Rock Biloxi?
I just had a basic guest room in the Royal Tower, and I did not pay for any upgrades. The room did have a lovely view. When I first checked in, I thought the room was a little tired and dated. That impression held, but there was also a lot I grew to really like about the room the longer I was in it.
I do hope you will watch the video of the room, because that gives you a much better sense of the space. The first standout feature was the rainfall shower. It was a little tough to operate, and I think I tool all of the curse words out of the video. I hope I did, anyway. However, once it worked it was fantastic. Biloxi gets sticky in the Summer, and I can imagine a situation where someone at this hotel over-celebrates. In either situation, that fancy shower with a steam bench would feel great.
The bed in my room was incredibly comfortable. I think my favorite feature of the room was the free coffee in the morning. There was even a small refrigerator and plenty of bottles of water for free. There were a few small problems, such as bathroom lights that will definitely project into the main room. Was this the fanciest hotel room in which I have ever stayed? No. Would I go back? Definitely. It was clean, provided plenty of amenities, and I never once heard another guest nor any street noise.
What amenities does the hotel have?
Before I talk about hotel amenities, let me talk about the overall vibe of the hotel. It is loud, and it is totally dedicated to the theme. They do it well, and that is the environment a lot of folks want. If you want a quiet getaway, however, this is not the space for you.
Check out the spa if you are looking for quiet. The spa is small, but it is well appointed. The men’s side (and I assume the women’s side) has a hot tub, steam room, dry sauna, and more excellent showers. There is also a co-ed area with a cold plunge pool and another hot tub. The treatment I received was great, and this was a nice oasis from the rest of the hotel.
It was cold, so I did not go swimming. However, the swimming pool looked great. They have a swim-up bar, plenty of chairs, and cabanas you can rent. I am confident that this is a great party scene in the Summer. If you are in to water things, there is also a marina, a beach, and number of other options immediately outside the hotel.
I ate dinner at the Half Shell Oyster House in the Hard Rock Biloxi. This was the second time I had been there. Please know that there is another location of the same restaurant two blocks away. The first time I was there was amazing. This time, my appetizer was amazing. However, they took an hour to deliver my ribeye. I think they used the extra time for cooking, because my medium steak came out well done. It was still quite flavorful, and the comped it without me asking. That was a great touch. I later had a cocktail at Ruth’s Chris.
The gambling in the hotel was fine. I lost a couple of hundred dollars, but that is a thing which happens. I won several hundred more at the Beau Rivage next door, and I will talk about that in a week or two. The slot machines had plenty of options for a few quarters. My challenge is that I like blackjack, and I don’t think I actually played any. Generally, I couldn’t find a table for less than $100 a hand on a Sunday night. Those tables existed, but only a couple, and they were crowded. I don’t make the kind of money to play what they had, so I didn’t except for a brief session at a cheaper table.
Final Judgment on the Hard Rock Biloxi
I always ask myself if I would go back. The answer here is a definite yes. This is a nice property with great restaurant and generous casino comps. Before you go, however, make sure you know the vibe. It is rock and roll. To be fair, they are incredibly clear about that. If you want loud and a party, go hear. When you want quiet and relaxed, make a different choice. If you want a place to stay with the kids… honestly, this kind of works out. There is plenty of stuff for kids to do with the beach and the pool. Look for our review of the Beau Rivage in a week or two, and happy travels!
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