Hard Rock Las Vegas

Arguably one of the hippest joints in town, the Hard Rock Hotel houses some of Vegas' hottest entertainment, restaurants and nightspots.

It's all about the music. And the world's first "rock 'n' roll hotel and casino" knows it. From light fixtures created out of drum cymbals and Fender guitar-shaped door handles to a saxophone chandelier and the leather-and-steel walls of the parking garage elevator, every aspect of the Hard Rock worships at the altar of rock.

The Hard Rock keeps on rollin’ with massive expansions and renovations that more than tripled its size, including its newest additions, the classy HRH Tower and the 18-story Paradise Tower.

Forget Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso, the artwork decorating the Hard Rock leans more toward painted leather, denim suits and feathered boas. Leather jackets from Aerosmith, the Ramones, U2 and many more are enshrined in cases lining the casino's walls. Motorcycles once owned by Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe and Matt Sorum of Guns N' Roses guard the entrance to the casino pit, autographed guitars stretch down the main hallway and outrageous costumes and memorabilia (Madonna's underwear! Beatles' talcum powder!) can be found in every nook and cranny.

All the memorabilia just scratches the surface of the Hard Rock's devotion to the spirit of rock 'n' roll. The entire resort has a hedonistic atmosphere reminiscent of a backstage bacchanal. At night, the casino's Center Bar is ground zero for the parade of beautiful people. Vanity nightclub opened in the HRH Tower on the eve of 2009, in order to cater to your every whim.

The resort's crowning achievement, The Joint, is credited with helping reinvigorate live music performances in Las Vegas hotels. Steely Dan, the Ramones, Sting, Green Day, Ringo Starr, Duran Duran, Ozzy Osbourne, the Rolling Stones, The Who and many more smoked the original Joint. A brand new, larger state-of-the-art concert facility by the same name has since opened to carry the torch.

Outside, the pool area is lush beyond belief with sandy beaches, tropical palms, private cabanas and swim-up blackjack, all catering to the bronzed bodies who have made it the place to see and be seen during the sultry Vegas summers.

Indoors, it's not unusual to spot rock musicians, models and NBA players elbow to elbow with Vegas tourists at the blackjack and craps tables. Private iPod docks allow players to listen to their own personal rock concert while playing in the trend-setting poker lounge.