A ‘rocking’ hotel in Singapore

There’s a hotel in Singapore that “rocks” — well, in a way.

It’s the Hard Rock Hotel (No. 7) located at the heart of Resorts World Sentosa, touted as “The Home to Asia’s No. 1 Amusement Park” (referring to the Universal Studios), sprawled over 49 hectares that cost S$7 billion to build.

That’s where our group (my companions were Inquirer’s Rito Asilo and Bulletin’s Rowena Tan) was billeted for three nights during the Hollywood junket for The Huntsman: Winter’s War.

If memory serves, the only other hotel that is “very showbiz” is Beverly Hilton which features vintage photos of Hollywood greats on its walls. It’s also the choice venue for Hollywood events like the annual Golden Globe Awards.

Even non-“rockers” will feel right at home at the Hard Rock Hotel.

“This is it,” the polite taxi driver smiles at you at the end of the winding driveway lined on both sides by trees. “Nice, isn’t it?”

The twin giant guitars in front are too unique to pass so you request the driver to please take your pictures beside them. Click, click, click!!! Twin giant guitars stored for posterity in your celfone camera.

Blown-up photos of rock icons adorn the wide wall behind the Reception Counter (No. 9). Click! On walls along the corridors are more such pictures that make you long for the good old days when the likes of Elvis Presley was rocking and rolling with his sexy hips swaying. There they are, smiling back at you from bigger-than-life pictures: Jimi Hendrix, Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, et al.

On display inside glass cases are collector’s items: Eminem’s black suit, Elvis’ famous white outfit and other memorabilia (Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11).

You slump into bed for a power nap, resting assured that Jimi Hendrix (No. 5) in various moods are watching over you from the headboard, as if wishing you “sweet dreams.”

You wake up a bit hungry and you want to order Room Service snacks and, voila, you see the cover of the menu card (No. 8) adorned with a picture of a white guitar.

While waiting for your Grilled Cheese Sandwich to be delivered, you freshen up (preparatory to the six o’clock screening of The Huntsman) and what do you find? Yes, the towels are kept inside guitar-shaped boxes and the dispensers for the soap, shampoo and conditioner are marked RockSpa (No.6).

As you take a quick shower, you expect the in-house player to play rock music. No such player, but rock music starts playing in your mind.

Next time you find yourself in Singapore, check in at this hotel. It rocks!

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