Palm Springs, CA, Oct. 4, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The new Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs celebrated its arrival in Southern California with a private ceremony and reception held this evening at the new resort. Hard Rock's signature purple and white lights flashed as hundreds of invited guests toured the property, mingled over food and drinks and enjoyed a surprise performance by The Bicycle Thief with lead vocalist Bob Forrest formerly of Tholonious Monster, and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer from Red Hot Chili Peppers.
To kick-off the night, Owner Andy Carpiac of Kittridge Hotels & Resorts, flipped a switch to launch a chain-reaction lighting ceremony that culminated with the illumination of the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs logo and signage atop the newly remodeled 163-room luxury hotel. The ceremony included remarks by Michael Shindler, Executive Vice President Hotels & Casinos for Hard Rock International, as well as a warm welcome from Palm Springs Mayor Steven Pougnet. Guests included a who's-who of music and hotel industry movers and shakers including Paul Tollett and Skip Paige of Goldenvoice.
"This is an exciting time for us," said Carpiac. "We're thankful to the City of Palm Springs and to all the people who worked hard to make the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs a reality. We're officially open for business and we're looking forward to becoming a distinctive and vibrant hotel and entertainment destination on the West Coast."
The opening ceremony was followed by a private reception inside the hotel, where guests toured guest rooms, viewed the star-studded memorabilia gallery, and experienced the new pool area which will undoubtedly become the epicenter of sizzling desert entertainment in coming months. The resort's recent partnership with Goldenvoice, owners of the world-famous Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals, will help the Hard Rock Hotel become the premier pool and music scene in the desert. Guests also sampled entrees from Sessions, the resort's edgy, yet sophisticated restaurant which will be open to guests on Friday, October 4, along with the rest of the resort.
Photos available at http://imagineimagery.zenfolio.com/hardrockvipselects, including:
Exterior/Interior of hotel
Memorabilia
Andy Carpiac, Owner, Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs
Hector Moreno, Vice President & General Manager, Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs
Michael Shindler, Executive Vice President Hotels & Casinos, Hard Rock International
Mayor Steven Pougnet, City of Palm Springs
Paul Tollet, President, Goldenvoice
Skip Paige, Vice President, Goldenvoice
The Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs boasts 163 luxury guest rooms, a lively pool scene, excellent dining, and world-class entertainment and events. The resort also offers a groundbreaking, interactive amenity "The Sound Of Your Stay®," where guests can rock out with hands-on music experiences. Other music-inspired amenities include a VIP Rock Star Suite, Rock Spa®, Body Rock® workout facility, and the world-famous Rock Shop® featuring Hard Rock's iconic, collectible merchandise.
One of the most popular elements of the Hard Rock brand is the memorabilia that adorns the walls at every property. The memorabilia is carefully chosen from the coveted "Rock Vault," Hard Rock International's famed warehouse in Orlando, Florida that stores more than 74,000 prized possessions gathered from music legends. The collection chosen for the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs was inspired by the city's history and nearby music festivals and will include autographed guitars, costumes from world tours, rare photographs, original contracts and more from almost every genre of music--from Frank Sinatra and Elvis to Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake.
"We can't wait to show off our amazing collection," says Hector Moreno, Vice President and General Manager for the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs. "Our guests will get to see items from the biggest legends in musical history, as well as memorabilia from contemporary superstars like Maroon 5, Gwen Stefani, Rihanna, and so many other incredible performers."
A few highlights from the extensive collection includes:
- Rolling Stones' Keith Richards signed Danelectro guitar, considered a collector's item in itself
- A unique Vera Thordardottir outfit worn by Lady Gaga during her performance at Sir Elton John's "White Tie and Tiara Ball" in 2010
- A stylish William Rast tuxedo jacket worn by Justin Timberlake in a 2008 "Fashion Rocks" photo shoot
- Original photos used in the artwork for the Who's epic 1973 album, Quadrophenia
- A corduroy jacket owned and worn by the late, great Johnny Cash
- A fringed outfit worn by Barbados-born pop sensation Rihanna in the video for her 2010 smash single "Only Girl (In the World)"
- A wool jacket worn by Frank Sinatra, as well as a signed supplement to his Capitol Records contract stipulating he would receive top billing on all record labels
- A leather biker jacket once owned by Elvis, along with a badge given to the King by the Palm Springs Police Department making him an honorary Captain
- A meticulously hand-crafted First Act guitar made especially for, and with the input of, Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine who used it on stage
- A fringed jacket from the 1960's belonging to electic guitar legend Jimi Hendrix
- A Yamaha CB70 electric grand piano that Chris Martin of Coldplayused live as a composition tool and in the video for "Shiver"
- A custom suit tailored for Sammy Davis, Jr. who once owned a home in Palm Springs Bruce Springsteen's lyrics to "Hearts of Stone" - never released - with his handwritten annotations
- Eric Clapton's vintage National Studio 66 guitar
- A leather shirt from the personal wardrobe of Sly Stone, leader of Sly and the Family Stone
- A fringed vest worn by the first lady of country music, Loretta Lynn
The Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs will also feature a unique lobby sculpture made of 500 recycled loud speakers and assorted electronic parts including amplifiers, radios, tuners and more. The interactive display was designed by popular Berlin-based artist Benoît Maubrey and will allow guests to "communicate" with music.
About Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs
Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs is a luxury 163-room resort located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, California. This beautiful, music-inspired hotel offers comfort, style, and sophistication in an atmosphere that is anything but uptight. Its location just two hours from Los Angeles makes it the perfect getaway, with year-round sunshine, a Rock Spa, shimmering pool with cabanas, plus fine dining and entertainment served up with a cool, laid back vibe. Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs is owned by Kittridge Hotels & Resorts, LLC. For more information visit www.HRHPalmSprings.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Hard Rock International
With a total of 174 venues in 54 countries, including 138 cafes, 17 hotels and 7 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies. 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. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands. The company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Destinations include the company's two most successful Hotel and Casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, Fl., both owned and operated by HRI parent company The Seminole Tribe of Florida., as well as other exciting locations including Bali, Biloxi, Chicago, Cancun, Las Vegas, San Diego and Singapore. Upcoming new Hard Rock Cafe locations include Johannesburg, San José, Chennai, Istanbul and Tenerife. New Hard Rock Hotel projects include Ibiza, Daytona Beach, Palm Springs, Aruba, Riviera Maya, Abu Dhabi and Shenzhen and Haikou in China. New Hard Rock Casino projects in development include Hungary and Northfield, OH. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.