Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAn integrated casino resort in Hollywood, Florida, combining Seminole gaming operations with Hard Rock hotels, entertainment, dining and music-themed hospitality.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is a large integrated resort operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in Hollywood, Broward County. The property occupies approximately 100 acres of the Hollywood Reservation and combines casino gaming, hotel accommodation, concerts, restaurants, nightlife, retail, meetings, wellness and resort-style pools under the Hard Rock brand. It is one of the principal gaming and entertainment destinations in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area. The resort grew out of a development partnership formed around 2000 between Seminole tribal leadership and Baltimore-based The Cordish Companies. Cordish and its affiliates helped structure and develop the Hollywood and Tampa projects, while the Seminole Tribe retained responsibility for casino operations. Hard Rock supplied the music-oriented brand environment, restaurants, retail concepts and memorabilia program. Groundbreaking took place in January 2001, and financing for construction included revenue bonds issued by the Seminole Tribe in 2002. The Hollywood resort opened on May 11, 2004, with a casino, hotel, restaurants, conference facilities, a pool complex and the Hard Rock Live entertainment venue. The original resort initially operated with Class II electronic bingo-based gaming because Florida had not yet approved a conventional tribal table-game framework. Its gaming offer later expanded as state and tribal agreements changed. The casino now includes slot-style gaming, poker and numerous table-game formats, while subsequent compacts have authorized additional offerings including craps, roulette and sports betting. The resort’s gaming business is complemented by entertainment, accommodation and food-and-beverage operations rather than being positioned solely as a traditional hotel. A major transformation was announced during the 2010s. A 2014 anniversary investment program upgraded rooms, entrances, pools and public areas and added Kuro Japanese Craft Kitchen. In 2016 the Seminole Tribe proposed a much larger expansion centered on a guitar-shaped hotel. The revised project included the 35-story Guitar Hotel, the Oasis Tower, a rebuilt Hard Rock Live, new restaurants and retail, a spa, upgraded pools and additional meeting and entertainment space. The Guitar Hotel was designed to resemble a pair of giant Gibson Les Paul-style guitars, with illuminated strings represented by LED lighting and laser effects. The expansion opened in October 2019 and elevated the property from a regional casino hotel to a highly recognizable destination resort. The resort’s current facilities include multiple hotel towers, more than 1,200 rooms and suites following the 2019 expansion, a casino of roughly 140,000 square feet, a large poker room, lagoon-style pools, cabanas, the Rock Spa & Salon, restaurants, bars, retail outlets, meeting facilities and a 7,000-seat Hard Rock Live venue. The property also markets large-scale events and conventions, and its visual identity is strongly associated with the illuminated Guitar Hotel. The resort temporarily closed on March 20, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened on June 12, 2020, with the Safe + Sound program and related distancing, sanitation and operational controls. It marked its twentieth anniversary in 2024 with commemorative local artwork. The Seminole Tribe remains the owner and gaming operator, while Hard Rock International provides the global brand platform. The property’s business model is therefore a tribal casino-resort operation expressed through an internationally recognized music and entertainment brand.
History
Planning began in 2000 when Seminole Tribe of Florida chairman James E. Billie and Cordish Companies chief executive David S. Cordish pursued casino-hotel developments in Hollywood and Tampa. Their development structure included Power Plant Entertainment, while Hard Rock’s then-owner, The Rank Group, participated through the brand and hospitality side of the projects. The intended complex would replace or supersede lower-scale gaming facilities with a large integrated resort containing a casino, hotel, restaurants, conference space, pools and a concert venue. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on January 8, 2001. Tribal political changes temporarily slowed the project, and the development timetable was revised. Construction financing was supported by approximately $315 million in revenue bonds issued in 2002. Tutor Perini Building Corp. managed construction and Klai Juba Architects designed the original complex. The Hollywood resort opened on May 11, 2004, shortly after the Tampa sister property began operating. Its initial offer centered on Class II electronic bingo machines because Florida’s tribal gaming framework had not yet permitted the full range of table games later introduced. The resort became involved in significant contractual litigation during its early years. In 2004 Donald Trump’s company sued Cordish, alleging that proprietary development plans had been misappropriated and that he had been excluded from the Florida project. The litigation was later dismissed with prejudice in 2010. Separately, in 2005 the Seminole Tribe sued Power Plant Entertainment, challenging the original developer compensation structure as unlawful and unconscionable. The dispute was resolved in 2007 through a financial settlement under which the tribe continued payments to Power Plant Entertainment. The settlement cleared the way for the Seminole Tribe’s acquisition of Hard Rock International from The Rank Group, consolidating the tribal gaming business and the Hard Rock brand relationship. The property underwent a first major upgrade cycle around its tenth anniversary. Announced in 2014, the program improved guest arrival areas, rooms, suites and pools and introduced Kuro Japanese Craft Kitchen. The resort also developed a stronger poker identity, rebranding its summer tournament series as the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open in 2013. In 2016 the tribe announced an ambitious expansion based on a guitar-shaped hotel. The plan was subsequently revised to include the 450-foot Guitar Hotel, an Oasis Tower, expanded retail and restaurants, a larger spa, upgraded pools and a rebuilt Hard Rock Live. The Guitar Hotel and Oasis Tower opened in October 2019. The Guitar Hotel’s illuminated architectural strings and nightly light show became the property’s signature visual feature. Hard Rock Live was enlarged to a 7,000-seat venue, replacing the earlier 5,500-seat arena, while The Shoppes at The Guitar Hotel replaced Seminole Paradise. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary closure beginning March 20, 2020. The resort reopened June 12 under Safe + Sound procedures that addressed sanitation, distancing and guest-flow controls. In 2021 the property reported that more than $615 million in jackpots had been awarded over its operating history. Later Florida gaming compacts expanded the legal framework for sports betting and additional table games. In 2023 the Guitar Hotel design received federal trademark protection, although protection for the unattached light-string effects was not granted. The resort celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 2024 and remains an active Seminole-owned destination resort.
- 2024
Twentieth anniversary
[1]The resort marked twenty years of operation with commemorative work by local artists.
- 2023
Gaming permissions and design trademark
[1]A Florida compact authorized additional gaming activities, while the Guitar Hotel design received trademark protection.
- 2020
Pandemic closure and reopening
[1]The resort closed temporarily in March and reopened in June with Safe + Sound protocols.
- 2019
Guitar Hotel expansion debuts
[1]The Guitar Hotel, Oasis Tower, enlarged Hard Rock Live and new hospitality facilities opened in October.
- 2016
Guitar Hotel concept announced
[1]The Seminole Tribe announced a guitar-shaped hotel as the centerpiece of a large resort expansion.
- 2014
Tenth-anniversary renovation announced
[1]The tribe announced a major upgrade program focused on the Hollywood property’s guest rooms, pools, entrances and dining.
- 2013
Poker Open brand introduced
[1]The resort’s summer poker tournament series was rebranded as the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open.
- 2004
Resort opens
[1]Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood opened to the public on May 11.
- 2002
Construction financing secured
[1]The Seminole Tribe issued revenue bonds to support construction of the Hollywood and Tampa developments.
- 2001
Hollywood project breaks ground
[1]A groundbreaking ceremony launched construction planning for the integrated Hollywood resort.
Products and positioning
A destination casino and entertainment resort that combines Seminole tribal gaming with Hard Rock’s music-centered hospitality, concerts, nightlife, dining and highly distinctive guitar-shaped architecture.
Casino gaming · 2004
Hard Rock Casino Hollywood
The casino is the core gaming operation of the resort. It occupies approximately 140,000 square feet and offers electronic gaming, poker and multiple table-game formats, including blackjack, baccarat, Pai Gow poker, Let It Ride and Three Card Poker. Subsequent Florida gaming compacts expanded the permitted range to include live craps, roulette and sports betting.
Hotel · 2019
The Guitar Hotel
Opened in 2019, the Guitar Hotel is the resort’s architectural landmark. Its tall paired-guitar form, illuminated string effects and programmed nighttime light shows create a visual identity closely associated with the property. It provides hundreds of rooms and suites alongside restaurants, bars, retail and entertainment spaces.
Hotel · 2019
Oasis Tower
The Oasis Tower is a seven-story hotel addition overlooking the pool complex. It added approximately 168 rooms, including suites with access-oriented resort features and views of the property’s pool and cabana areas.
Live entertainment · 2004
Hard Rock Live
Hard Rock Live is the resort’s principal concert and events venue. The 2019 expansion replaced the earlier arena with a larger venue seating approximately 7,000 people, allowing the property to host major concerts, comedy, entertainment events and other large performances.
Spa and wellness · 2019
Rock Spa & Salon
The Rock Spa & Salon is a large wellness facility introduced as part of the 2019 expansion. It complements the casino and entertainment offer with spa treatments, salon services and resort-oriented wellness amenities.
Poker tournament · 2013
Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open
The Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open is the resort’s branded poker tournament series. It developed from the property’s summer poker program and supports the casino’s identity as a destination for organized poker competition as well as everyday gaming.
Restaurant · 2015
Kuro Japanese Craft Kitchen
Kuro Japanese Craft Kitchen was introduced during the resort’s tenth-anniversary upgrade cycle. It expanded the property’s dining portfolio with a Japanese-focused restaurant concept emphasizing craft-oriented food and beverage service.
Controversies
2005
Seminole–Power Plant contract dispute
The Seminole Tribe sued Power Plant Entertainment, challenging the original developer compensation arrangement and arguing that its payment obligations were excessive and unlawful. The dispute was settled in 2007, with the parties withdrawing their claims.
2004
Trump–Cordish development litigation
Trump Entertainment Resorts sued Cordish in Broward County, alleging that proprietary plans had been taken and that Trump had been excluded from the Florida casino development. The litigation continued through the late 2000s and was dismissed with prejudice in 2010.
Marketing campaigns
- 2024Twentieth-anniversary commemoration
United States
The resort marked its twentieth anniversary with commemorative artwork created by local artists.
Outcome. The anniversary program connected the resort’s milestone with the surrounding South Florida community.
- 2020Safe + Sound reopening program
United States
After the COVID-19 closure, the resort reopened under Safe + Sound procedures covering sanitation, distancing and operational controls.
Outcome. The program enabled the property to resume hospitality, gaming and entertainment operations under pandemic-era conditions.
- 2019Guitar Hotel opening celebration
United States
The opening of the Guitar Hotel expansion was promoted through a large public celebration featuring a guitar-smashing ceremony, fireworks, celebrity appearances and the launch of the hotel’s synchronized light show.
Outcome. The campaign introduced the expanded resort and established the Guitar Hotel’s illuminated architecture as its principal marketing symbol.
Brand decisions
2023
Expanded Florida gaming compact implementedOtherBackground
The Seminole Tribe and Florida established a revised gaming framework for tribal operations.
Action taken
The compact authorized live craps, roulette and sports betting and permitted additional expansion of two Hollywood-area properties.
Aftermath
The resort gained a broader potential gaming and wagering offer, subject to applicable implementation and regulation.
2020
Temporary COVID-19 closure and controlled reopeningOtherBackground
Public-health restrictions and the COVID-19 pandemic required the resort to suspend normal operations.
Action taken
The property closed on March 20 and reopened on June 12 under Safe + Sound protocols.
Aftermath
Gaming, lodging and entertainment operations resumed with enhanced health and distancing procedures.
2019
Guitar Hotel and resort expansion openedProduct launchBackground
The resort completed its largest physical transformation since its 2004 opening.
Action taken
The property opened the Guitar Hotel, Oasis Tower, expanded Hard Rock Live, Rock Spa & Salon, new dining and retail venues and upgraded pools.
Aftermath
The Hollywood property became a large-scale destination resort with more than 1,200 rooms and a globally recognizable architectural landmark.
2016
Guitar Hotel expansion approvedStrategyBackground
The original resort required additional rooms, entertainment capacity and destination amenities to compete as a major regional resort.
Action taken
The Seminole Tribe announced a large expansion centered on a guitar-shaped hotel, later revised to include the Guitar Hotel, Oasis Tower, new restaurants, retail, spa facilities and a rebuilt arena.
Aftermath
The expansion opened in 2019 and substantially increased the property’s rooms, attractions and national visibility.
Initially announced expansion investment. 1.5 billion US dollars (2016 announcement)
2013
Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open rebrandStrategyBackground
The property sought to strengthen its identity as a destination for tournament poker.
Action taken
The existing summer poker tournament series was renamed the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open.
Aftermath
The rebrand gave the tournament program a distinct property-linked identity within the Hard Rock gaming portfolio.
2007
Seminole Tribe acquires Hard Rock InternationalM&ABackground
The Seminole Tribe sought to acquire Hard Rock Cafe International from The Rank Group while its contractual dispute with Cordish remained active.
Action taken
The tribe completed the acquisition after reaching a settlement involving Power Plant Entertainment and Hard Rock-related claims.
Aftermath
The transaction placed the Hard Rock brand under a unified Seminole-related umbrella and strengthened the relationship between the tribal gaming operations and the Hollywood resort.
Acquisition price. 965 million US dollars (Announced December 2006; completed after the 2007 settlement)
Sources1 sources
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