It's been said music is a universal language that connects us all, and this may be true. Minutes from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport on my first visit to Mexico, and my hotel courtesy driver is humming to the tunes of a local radio song while I tap my foot to the beat. We're both smiling despite the humidity and traffic. It's a fitting opener to my stay at the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta, and we arrive sooner than I think.
Named Hard Rock's Best Hotel of the Year in 2017, the all-inclusive resort is in Nuevo Vallarta in Riviera Nayarit, about a 20-minute drive from the airport. Upon arrival, I'm immediately greeted by a couple of incredibly warm and welcoming resort staff members. One of my favorite Beatles' songs is playing in the background and, before I know it, I'm sporting a black Hard Rock wristband that's my VIP pass and room key. A simple scan of the bracelet near the sensored door handle unlocks it (so my tendency to lose room keys is no concern!).
Inside, the room décor is colonial-styled Mexican with an impressive hydro spa tub next to a King-sized (so you can crawl from bath to bed in seconds), and a balcony view that's hard to resist. Just beyond two large outdoor pools is a gorgeous view of Banderas Bay-and the sound of music. The poolside playlist echoes and changes from classic to rock, to local tunes with catchy beats.
For now the water can wait. First, I'm headed back down to the lobby where you can't miss the dresses on display from Katy Perry and Shakira, or lyrics from Christina Aguilera's Beautiful: "And everywhere we go, the sun will always shine." I'm signed up for the resort's Memorabilia Tour about its collection of instruments and music-related paraphernalia. The tour is available at no cost to guests on Wednesdays at 5pm or on request for VIPs, and Oliver (the tour guide) is fabulous.
You'll get to check out the extravagant Rock Star Suite and gain insight on some of the unique items on display around the hotel. For example, there's a signed copy of Prince's customized "cloud guitar," a framed royalty statement payable to Paul McCartney for the song "It's Only Love," a pair of corduroy's (think late 60s or early 70s) from Cher's personal wardrobe, and even a broken bass that was once destroyed on stage courtesy of Mötley Crüe.
There are some 186 pieces at Hard Rock Vallarta, but if you want to see the entire Hard Rock collection, you can do that, too. Just past the resort's check-in counter is an interactive display that lets guests view up-close photos of items and learn about each one.
If jamming is more your thing, the resort will hand-deliver a Fender guitar and amp directly to your room. If you're old-school (or just romantic), you can request a few vinyls to play via turntable while enjoying that hydro tub or all-day room service. Currently, I'm downloading the resort's playlist to my iPad, thanks to its Sound of Your Stay program that lets you take music home with you.
The 362-room resort with outdoor amphitheater is certainly a music-lovers paradise, but also a place to connect with family, friends, or even yourself - which is exactly my plan for tomorrow at morning Rock Om yoga by the beach followed by an afternoon massage at the signature Rock Spa. My guess is I'll be humming a tune myself during my entire Hard Rock Vallarta stay.
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