Coolly contemporary, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is probably the hippest spot in Vegas. Although located less than a mile from the Strip, the Hard Rock's concert venue, nightclubs and popular restaurants are big draws. With its rock-n-roll theme and contemporary flair, the Hard Rock takes a different road than the Strip hotels. The entire premises is adorned with more than 600 pieces of rock-n-roll memorabilia.

The Hard Rock features a 30,000-square-foot, circular casino. The Las Vegas hotel's three-acre pool area is tropically landscaped and designed with a sand beach. The Beach Club features a unique swimming pool with music piped underwater and three swim-up blackjack tables. A wood gazebo contains blackjack and craps tables. Thatch-roof cabanas come with TVs, phones and ceiling fans.

The Hard Rock's 1,100-seat concert venue, The Joynt, hosts major recording acts, such as Ozzy Osbourne, Carlos Santana and Sammy Hagar. Guests can dance the night way at Baby's, the subterranean nightclub featuring a retro industrial ceiling, glowing violet tables, green vinyl booths, purple masonry and paper lanterns. When not rocking or gambling, guests can pamper themselves at The RockSpa's steam rooms, spas, Vichy showers and fitness center.

The rock-n-roll motif continues in the guest accommodations, which feature sea-green carpeting, velour furnishings, deep- purple drapes and functional French doors that substitute for windows, an unusual feature in Vegas.

In addition to 24-hour room service, the Hard Rock features five restaurants, including Simon, which dishes up new American cuisine; and Nobu's sushi bar, which specializes in shrimp and lobster in spicy lemon sauce, and multi-course omakase dinners.

This Las Vegas hotel whisk guests to The Strip without charge. For the rockers coming to Vegas or those simply wanting an alternative scene, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is a perfect bet.