KCR XMAS WINTER FINAL print adjusted Dec 28. lower res - Flipbook - Page 39
Rock On
Budapest’s new addition to the Hard Rock brand proves that somewhere between a Rock and
a Hard place is the best place to be.
Even without the stardust sprinkled through the foyer by way of music
memorabilia, The Hard Rock Hotel is no stranger to the limelight. Since
the Hard Rock Café made its 昀rst appearance in London, in 1971, the
Hard Rock brand has always been associated with star-studded
glamour. It has only gone from strength to strength since then; indeed,
since the launch of the Hotels in Las Vegas in 1995, there are now 23
Hard Rock Hotels and eleven casinos scattered across the globe.
The Budapest iteration opened in 2022 and its musical credentials are
enhanced by its position, on the famously buzzy Nagymezö utca, a few
minutes9 walk from the Hungarian State Opera House, and within easy
reach of the Jewish Quarter and its lively Ruin Bar scene (in fact, this
property itself was previously a ruin bar). Entering the foyer, we9re
struck, 昀rst, by the music that envelops us as we cross the threshold
(carefully curated by the hotel9s very own Vibe Manager) and secondly,
by the plectrum-shaped badges that all sta昀 members wear pinned to
their lapels. A closer squint reveals that each one has the name of a band
or recording artist emblazoned on it, with sta昀 given the almost
impossible task of singling out one musical act as their favourite.
After a welcome drink at the bar (and a heated debate about the names
our own badges would display) we embark on a tour of the lobby, during
which we view a purple faux fur coat worn by Prince; body-con out昀ts
slithered into by the likes of Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, and
canary yellow shoes worn by Elton John. There9s also a bright-yellow,
self-playing piano at the back, where you can act out your very own
Elton, even in the absence of the ability to play a single note. Local stars
are celebrated too 3 there are items from Hungarian names such as
János Bródy and Róbert Szikora, as well as an artwork celebrating Freddie Mercury -a tribute to Queen9s 1986 performance in the Hungarian
capital.
No opportunity to celebrate music, and musical history, is overlooked
here. Step into one of the three elevators, look to your feet and you9ll see,
depending on the one you board, either the words