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India’s First Hard Rock Hotel Opens in Goa

The music-inspired property houses memorabilia by George Harrison, Van Halen, Tony Iommi and Lady Gaga; to also launch the first ‘rock spa’ in the country

Jan 14, 2016
HRH Goa

Hard Rock Hotel, Goa

While India boasts of eight Hard Rock Cafes across metros, the first hotel in the country by the international chain opened in Goa recently. Located at a walking distance from the bustling Calangute beach, Hard Rock Hotel Goa is the 22nd such music-inspired property in the world.

Upon visiting, we realized that the atmosphere at HRH Goa is not very different from that at familiar HRCs. There’s memorabilia by music icons at every nook — from a  drum kit belonging to Van Halen drummer Alex Van Halen hanging from a wall in a passageway to a glittering costume owned by Lady Gaga which is housed in the merch store, not to mention a summer dress that Shakira wore in her 2001 video “Underneath Your Clothes also on display. The four walls of in-house restaurant Sessions are adorned with an array of apparel and accessories. They include a pair of George Harrison’s sunglasses which he wore on his 1976 tour to promote his solo album, 33 and 1/3. Black Sabbath axeman Tony Iommi’s leather jacket [which I am told still carried a whiff of Iommi’s perspiration when it arrived here] shares space with veteran guitarist Eric Clapton’s white jacket from his Cream days. Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards’ bullet-proof vest with his autograph is quite the show stealer in the eatery.

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Alex Van Halen’s drum kit on display at the hotel

Although Goa seems to be an ideal place for HRH to set up shop, the local indie music scene isn’t too thriving as it is dominated by wedding bands and hotel performers that play covers. Ask general manager Vikas Sharma about how they plan to program indie artists consistently and he says, “We will ensure that the Hard Rock sensibility is maintained in terms of the quality of artists that feature at our gigs/events. We kicked off the hotel opening with an open audition, inviting all performing artists to come on over and perform to a panel of experienced judges. The artists that will get selected will come on board as musicians who will perform at the hotel all year round.”

HRH Goa has also appointed popular local musician and RJ Mark Rocha as the hotel’s resident Vibe Manager [Yes! That’s his official designation; probably the first such profile in the Indian hospitality industry]. It is Rocha’s job to ensure that the property has a welcoming ambience and the music at every section of the hotel is suited to the time of day and has its own mini vibe. So while the lobby plays commercial pop and rock, the poolside and adjacent lounge play more relaxed music. On the other hand, at Sessions, you can hear rock & roll hits from back in the day. Rocha also told us about the ”˜Sound Your Stay’ music amenity program as part of which guests can download curated playlists as well as request for a Fender guitar at their room and even professional DJ equipment. One of the highlights at HRH Goa will be the ”˜rock spa’, where, apart from the usual therapy services, on offer will be the unique ”˜Rhythm & Motion’ massage, which uses music beats and pulses to relax the body.

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Guests can request for a Fender guitar to their rooms should they wish to try their hand at playing the instrument

 

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