DEL.ICIO.USCASINOS SPECIAL SECTION
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/17/04
Tampa
he Florida sun was shining brightly at the new Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, but Lady Luck had ducked behind a cloud. At least for Marie and Bob Ridner.
 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casin | |||
| Dramatic lighting washes over the art deco-inspired, 12-story hotel tower just 10 miles east of downtown Tampa. | |||
 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | |||
| A 50-foot guitar greets visitors outside the $100 million Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino gaming resort, while a 90,000-square-foot gaming floor (above left) awaits inside. | |||
 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | |||
| Need even more music? Stop by the Tower of Power at the center bar of the casino and check out the music videos. | |||
 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | |||
| A separate wading pool complements the main swimming pool, which features a sand-bottom beach entry at one end. | |||
 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | |||
| The Green Room Restaurant, open 24 hours, features casual dining and a breakfast menu available 'round the clock. | |||
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MOST POPULARThe couple — both educators, on summer break from school — were cutting their losses, catching some rays by the palm-lined pool before hitting the casino again.
They made the 25-mile trip from Lakeland for a late May getaway at the gaming resort that opened in March with the smashing of a guitar, Flying Elvi skydivers parachuting from 10,000 feet and a concert by Hootie & the Blowfish. The Ridners and visitors like them, many coming from a few hours away specifically to gamble and others coming seven hours from Atlanta for casual gambling while seeing Busch Gardens and other attractions, are expected to make the $100 million, 250-room hotel and casino a success.
The resort, covering 37 acres on the Seminole Indian reservation 10 miles east of downtown Tampa, is owned and operated by the 3,000-member Seminole Tribe of Florida. A sister property, the 500-room Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, opened May 11 on the Hollywood reservation near Fort Lauderdale. Gaming at the casinos, and two others the Seminoles own in South Florida, is limited by the 1988 federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to electronic gaming machines, bingo and poker.
The Ridners had a little luck before they set out for their gambling getaway. "Before we came, we were going to take some money out of our account," says Marie, "then we got a $380 tax refund in the mail from Uncle Sam, and I said 'Whoopee!!' "
Arriving at the hotel at 11 a.m., too early to check in, they headed straight to the 90,000-square-foot casino to gamble with their found money. Playing $20 at a time on the Pentowrguin Pays nickel slot game, they were up as much as $100 at one point and cashed out. But then they decided to seek their fortune with the Life of Luxury slot machine.
"We didn't do anything on that," says Marie, "so we left."
But the Ridners would be back feeding bills to the hungry machines before nightfall.
The Ridners — who've gambled in Biloxi and Tunica, Miss.; Cherokee, N.C.; Atlantic City, N.J.; and Las Vegas — are happy to live so close to a major casino, though Bob misses playing craps and blackjack, and Marie thinks the casino is pretty stingy for not serving free cocktails to players on the gaming floor.
"They've got a nice location here," Bob says. And he loves the Friday night seafood buffet at the upscale Floyd's, which he grants is "as good as anyplace in Biloxi."
As we discovered on a recent visit, there's plenty to like.
A 50-foot guitar modeled after the one played by Paul McCartney greets visitors at the entrance. In front of the hotel's porte cochere is a multilevel fountain flanked by a pair of oversize guitars. Inside the lobby are huge framed portraits of rock music legends such as Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, the Doors' Jim Morrison and Peter Townshend of the Who.
The Hard Rock imprint is unmistakable.
Music blares day and night in the public areas — even through underwater speakers in the pool. After a while, you get used to the nonstop rock soundtrack, but the peace and quiet of our room was a welcome respite. And fanciful phrases from rock songs are sprinkled throughout the resort.
"Hello, I love you, won't you tell me your name?" from the Doors is above the reception desk. (As you depart, you'll see these words from the Eagles above the doors: "You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave!") Each elevator has lyrics involving ups and downs such as Aerosmith's "Livin' It Up When I'm Going Down."
Room key cards are slipped into a lime green CD folder holding a disc with eight rocking tunes, from Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" and the Troggs' "Wild Thing" to Joe Jackson's "Steppin' Out" and Rare Earth's "I Just Want to Celebrate."
Rock memorabilia throughout the lobby and gaming area include dozens of signed guitars from the likes of Don and Phil Everly, Willie Nelson and Richie Havens, as well as costumes worn by members of Kiss, Stevie Nicks and Brian Setzer.
Off the lobby is the Body Rock, a full-service spa in a serene setting, with steam rooms and indoor Jacuzzis next to a soothing water wall; a fitness center; and the Green Room Restaurant. The hotel's hip dining room, Floyd's (named for Pink Floyd), off the gaming floor, wowed us with dishes like wild mushroom ravioli in walnut sauce and tender filet mignon. Floyd's signature mango martini is served in a specially designed orange-hued glass set atop a clear ball pedestal.
Rooms are large, with contemporary blond wood furnishings with chrome accents, tan interiors with a blue-gray accent wall and neutral fabrics. Bathrooms have separate soaking tubs and marble showers. The ultra-comfy beds are dressed in Egyptian cotton linens and down comforters. After turndown service, you'll find a molded chocolate guitar on your pillow.
Tivoli stereo and CD systems and big-screen TVs add a high-tech vibe. Extras include bathrobes, hair dryers, T1 direct Internet access, mini bars, personal safes and coffee makers.
Jolts of lime, purple and fuchsia add color here and there, and the room directories are covered in leopard fur. A black-and-white photograph of Kurt Cobain was in our entrance hall, Janis Joplin in the water closet.
The elevators are lined in a snakeskin-like material and the rails are inspired by guitar fretboards. Very cool.
"The best way to put it is, it is a chic and sleek atmosphere," says Linda Belickis. "I think it's a lot of fun." The New Yorker, staying at the 12-story art deco-inspired hotel while visiting Tampa for her niece's high school graduation, says she likes to check out "new and interesting places" when she travels. "And I will check out the casino," she says.
Open 24 hours every day of the year, the casino is packed with 1,850 gaming machines, including Double Diamond; Red, White & Blue; Double Wild Cherry and Five Times Pay; 32 tables of Live Action Poker, with everything from Seven-Card Stud to Texas Hold 'em to Omaha; and a high-stakes bingo gallery.
In the center of the casino is a bar with a Tower of Power audiovisual experience featuring TV monitors playing music videos simultaneously. At one side of the casino is Big Joe's Sports Bar, with sporting events playing on more than a dozen giant screens. On the other side is a Food Marketplace, with selections including Shake 'n Burger, Sirrico's Pizza, Vico's Burritos and Asian Palace.
I budgeted $25 for the casino slots and was soon nickeled and dimed out of business. I played the Penguin Pays nickel game. Nothing. Then a game called Wild Africa. Both the nickel and dime versions. My $5 bill was gone in 60 seconds. I threaded three $1 bills into the dime Super Sixties game. Not so groovy results. I decided to go for broke on Magic Garden, which has a minimum of 20 credits at a nickel a pop. I slid in five dollar bills; nothing came out. I'm busted.
Hmm, guess my $25 would have been better spent on another filet mignon at Floyd's. Or a couple of mango martinis.
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