World’s first guitar-shaped hotel opens in Hollywood

The world’s first guitar-shaped hotel has officially opened its doors, bringing a distinct silhouette to the city skyline of Hollywood, Florida.

The $1.5 billion Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood hosted a glitzy launch party to fete its long-awaited opening last week, with a guest list that included Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman and Khloe Kardashian.

Soaring 450 feet (137 metres) in the air, the innovative design pays homage to the brand’s musical heritage and is meant to convey back-to-back guitars. The Guitar Hotel features 638 guest rooms and suites that are outfitted with floor-to-ceiling glass panes.

Picture: Hard Rock

The integrated resort also showed off the new Hard Rock Live performance venue with a seating capacity for 7,000 spectators, which will be used to host awards shows, concerts, sporting events and nationally televised programs.

Musical bookings at the venue this winter include Andrea Bocelli, Sting, Tony Bennett, Billy Joel and Alicia Keys, while comedians Jerry Seinfeld and George Lopez are slated to hit the stage as well.

The property’s casino has been expanded and updated with 195,000 square feet of gaming space.

Picture: Hard Rock Facebook

The resort also unveiled a new 13.5-acre pool and lagoon where guests can swim, kayak and paddle board, a retail promenade, new dining options as well as a sprawling nightclub and dayclub.

The Guitar Hotel has also been designed to dazzle passersby in a flashy light show that can be orchestrated to outdoor music, thanks to LED lights built into the hotel façade and high-powered beams that can project 20,000 feet (6,000 metres) into the night sky. The beams are designed to mimic guitar strings.

The resort is located 15 minutes from Fort Lauderdale’s beaches and 30 minutes from Miami.

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