New Hard Rock Hotel to Open in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter

New Hard Rock Hotel to Open in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter

Hip New Condo-Hotel to Feature Luxury Units for Sale

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Downtown will soon have a hot new scene, and place to be seen, with the addition of the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. Under construction and slated to open Spring 2007, the new Hard Rock Hotel will be the city's first branded condo-hotel, with 420 luxury rooms and suites -- all for sale to individual buyers.

Located in the Gaslamp Quarter at the corner of 5th Avenue and L Street, arguably one of the best locations in the city's dining and entertainment district, the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego will have the same trademark rock-n-roll attitude, cutting-edge design, 24-7 service and high-octane nightlife for which Hard Rock hotels are famous. The difference here: You can own it.

"San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter is a natural choice for a Hard Rock Hotel; this area has already become one of the nation's most desirable hot spots," said Greg Casserly, president of Tarsadia Hotels, the operator. "It's also the ideal place for a condo-hotel given the thousands of people who visit San Diego regularly and want to own a place but don't want the hassles of a second home that will sit empty for most of the year. And they want to own something cool. Hard Rock is cool."

The new Hard Rock Hotel San Diego will define modern standards of luxury and cool and will be the ultimate option for buyers seeking the hottest address in San Diego. The condo-hotel suites will range from 320 square foot studios to 1,500 square foot Rock Star suites, with prices starting in the $400s. Designed for buyers with a jet set lifestyle and rock star taste, each will feature sleek, modern furniture, the finest state-of-the-art lighting, an ultra-tech entertainment center featuring a LCD television, CD/DVD and iPod connections, a martini bar, plush feather-top bedding, an oversized work station, WiFi Internet access and a laptop safe.

To the guest, the 12-story, 315,000 square foot hotel will be the antidote to the plain vanilla hotel experience. Hard Rock Hotel San Diego will feature 24-hour concierge, a world-class spa and fitness center, a state-of-the-art screening room, a landscaped outdoor pool deck with private cabanas, a 7,000 square foot live music venue, retail boutiques and 40,000 square feet of unique indoor/outdoor banquet and meeting space.

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego will not only be the coolest place to sleep, but to eat, drink and party as well. Nobu will be the hotel's signature restaurant. This acclaimed establishment was created by super chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa -- a pioneer in nouveau Japanese cuisine. Matsuhisa partnered with Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro to introduce the tastes of Nobu to diners around the globe and has built a reputation with discerning diners and A-list celebrities. Nobu now has chosen Hard Rock Hotel as the next must be place in San Diego. Hard Rock Hotel San Diego will also soon elevate the pulse of San Diego's life after dark. Rande Gerber, of Whiskey Bar fame, has partnered with brother Scott Gerber to create After Midnight, a company whose bars have served as a beacon of all that is cool and hip for the past decade. The preeminent tastemakers' vision for the Hard Rock Hotel's ultra lounge, Depot bar and pool bar is unparalleled.

"We are thrilled to bring Hard Rock Hotels to San Diego," said Trevor Horwell, Chief Hotels Officer of Hard Rock Hotels. "The project will epitomize the ideal of urban luxury and is guaranteed to deliver to the guests and owners an exclusive and dynamic experience ... designed for those individuals looking for more than just a room."

Condo-hotel sales will begin in December 2005. For more information, contact 877-503-ROCK (7625) or visit www.hardrockcondos.com.

ABOUT TARSADIA HOTELS

Based in Newport Beach, California, privately held Tarsadia Hotels is a national hotel development and management company. Over the past 30 years, Tarsadia has been involved in the acquisition, development and operation of more than 200 hotels.

ABOUT HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL

With 120 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes and 13 Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in more than 40 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally-recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by The Rank Group Plc. For more information on Hard Rock, visit www.hardrock.com.

About After Midnight Company

Rande and Scott Gerber are the founders and operators of After Midnight Company. The company, an evolution of their trademark brand, The Whiskey, was created to develop innovative nightlife, hotel, restaurant and lifestyle concepts. Rande Gerber founded The Whiskey nearly 15 years ago, and he has since become one of the most influential nightlife proprietors in the country. His extraordinary success with The Whiskey Bars has established Gerber as the preeminent tastemaker, with an uncanny ability to create chic, elegant bars that reflect the times and national moods. Since then, the Gerbers have expanded this nightlife brand and vision, developing hotel bars with W Hotels and Ian Schrager. The Gerbers were also tapped by Giorgio Armani to redevelop his Armani Cafes nationwide and by Donald Trump to transform Trump Parc on Central Park, now Whiskey Park. The Gerbers newest ventures include Stone Rose, located in Manhattan's Time Warner Center, and a partnership with Maxim Magazine to develop Maxim Lounges. For additional information, visit www.amcbars.com .

Media contact: TARA, Ink.
Zora Huculak / zora@taraink.com
310.278.1777, ext. 240
Beth Greenblatt / beth@taraink.com
305.864.3434, ext. 110

Source: Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

CONTACT: Zora Huculak, +1-310-278-1777, ext. 240, zora@taraink.com, or
Beth Greenblatt +1-305-864-3434, ext. 110, beth@taraink.com, both for Hard
Rock Hotel San Diego

Web site: http://www.hardrock.com/
http://www.hardrockcondos.com/
http://www.amcbars.com/

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