London is getting a Hard Rock hotel – London, Ontario, that is, putting the burg that’s about two hours southwest of Toronto, half way to Detroit, into the lofty company of some of the stylish hotel brand’s other exotic homes, such as Cancun, Las Vegas, Singapore and London, UK.
The 353-room property will be the ultra cool music-themed brand’s first in Canada, joining a casino location in Vancouver, and another “coming soon” to Ottawa.
Alas, the hotel, which will open its first phase (163 rooms) in late 2022, is not likely to follow the lead of Hard Rock’s signature Seminole Hard Rock hotel in South Florida, which is shaped like a guitar. (How great would that be to amuse passersby on the 401?)
Instead, Hard Rock will embrace the historical elements of its location at 100 Kellogg Lane, a former cereal factory for Kellogg’s Canada and London landmark that is being developed into a multi-million entertainment complex that landlords boast will be the largest in Canada.
When fully complete in 2025, the Hard Rock promises to add a little more snap, crackle and pop to a site that already features a host of bars and restaurants, a brewery, distillery, and attractions for guests of all ages, including the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, and the Factory entertainment zone, which claims to be the highest indoor ropes course in North America with 45-m. of ziplines, a 23-m. freefall, and a 1,860-sq.-m. trampoline park. It will also be the future home of London Children’s Museum.
Hard Rock says the hotel’s design will embody luxury industrial elements that preserve the site’s original atmosphere and charm, including an original courtyard that is highlighted by a building developed by Albert Khan, widely acknowledged as the foremost industrial architect of his time and the “Architect of Detroit.”
Once, inside, however, guests will be immersed in the brand’s thoroughly contemporary rock and rock ethos, which Hard Rock says is “rooted in the spirit of music that all began with a guitar donated by rock legend Eric Clapton to London (UK)’s original Hard Rock Café.”
This includes the signature ‘The Sound of Your Stay’ program, a three-part offering that includes an in-room Crosley vinyl player delivered to guests’ room, a Heritage guitar delivery complete with amp and headphones for jam sessions, and a choice of carefully curated playlists that are available for guests to stream or download.
Hard Rock hotels and resorts are also known for their authentic rock and roll décor and artifacts, bars, restaurants, and entertainment options, including music performances.
Other hotel amenities include Body Rock Fitness, a cutting-edge workout with innovative training systems and The Rock Spa.
Tim Dora, president of The Dora Hotel Company, which is a partner, calls the project “a game changer for Canadians and those travelling from around the globe to Ontario…” with Hard Rock adding that the officially designated Hard Rock Hotel London, Ontario will “greatly complement existing tourist activities in the region and create a wide variety of educational, cultural and historical experiences for guests of all ages to enjoy.”
Hard Rock currently operates 33 hotels and resorts around the world, plus a multitude of cafés, restaurants, and casinos.