Tampa Hard Rock to Charge for Parking

My next visit to my local will probably be my last. A friend told me that starting soon, they will begin charging $5 to self-park. This is the comment from their FB page:

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa Thank you for your comment. In response to your question about parking, yes it is true. We are upgrading security features at our parking garages, including the implementation of paid parking. At this time parking is still complimentary and an exact start date will be announced in the future. This update is being done to align ourselves with other 4 star, 4 diamond hotels in the nation and entertainment venues in the Tampa Bay area. Complimentary parking will be offered to Elite guests, hotel guests and guests who dine at Council Oak or Grey Salt while visiting our establishment. We hope that you'll visit us again soon.



I have some FP to use and then I'll save my money for Coushatta and other destinations. @Jeani are you still planning on going this weekend?

Darlene, that blows big time! First the slots won't let you play, now this. SMH

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That totally sucks just on principle! The only casinos I have ever paid to park at were in AC, and parking is at a premium there because of the beaches so I can almost understand it. Neither of my CT locals nor Rhode Island charge, and I don't think people would stand for it. Tell them to SUCK IT @Darlene.

Seems casinos are intent on biting the hand that feeds them.

Seems like an admission charge

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Originally Posted by Darlene

My next visit to my local will probably be my last. A friend told me that starting soon, they will begin charging $5 to self-park. This is the comment from their FB page:

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa Thank you for your comment. In response to your question about parking, yes it is true. We are upgrading security features at our parking garages, including the implementation of paid parking. At this time parking is still complimentary and an exact start date will be announced in the future. This update is being done to align ourselves with other 4 star, 4 diamond hotels in the nation and entertainment venues in the Tampa Bay area. Complimentary parking will be offered to Elite guests, hotel guests and guests who dine at Council Oak or Grey Salt while visiting our establishment. We hope that you'll visit us again soon.



I have some FP to use and then I'll save my money for Coushatta and other destinations. @Jeani are you still planning on going this weekend?

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@Darlene I hadn't heard that about the parking garages. That's pretty lame on their part but I guess if you want to go play you will pay the $5. We use the parking garage when there is more than one of us going but if it is just me I usually valet park for safety reasons. One time I parked in the garage and I stayed later than I wanted to (it was dark out) and I asked security to walk me out and they did and were actually glad I asked being by myself.

Yes we are still coming over on Saturday. I'm not sure when we will get there yet as I'm waiting to hear when my friends think they might be able to leave the east coast and get to my house. I'm thinking we won't leave here until 3ish maybe but I will send you a private message with my phone number so you can text me back and we can communicate. My friend who got the room also got one for Sunday night in case we decide to stay another night but I'm not sure we will or not..$$$$....if you know what I mean .....HHH

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Originally Posted by Jeani

@Darlene I hadn't heard that about the parking garages. That's pretty lame on their part but I guess if you want to go play you will pay the $5. We use the parking garage when there is more than one of us going but if it is just me I usually valet park for safety reasons. One time I parked in the garage and I stayed later than I wanted to (it was dark out) and I asked security to walk me out and they did and were actually glad I asked being by myself.

Yes we are still coming over on Saturday. I'm not sure when we will get there yet as I'm waiting to hear when my friends think they might be able to leave the east coast and get to my house. I'm thinking we won't leave here until 3ish maybe but I will send you a private message with my phone number so you can text me back and we can communicate. My friend who got the room also got one for Sunday night in case we decide to stay another night but I'm not sure we will or not..$$$$....if you know what I mean .....HHH

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I just texted you, looking forward to finally meeting you.

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Originally Posted by Jeani

@Darlene I hadn't heard that about the parking garages. That's pretty lame on their part but I guess if you want to go play you will pay the $5. We use the parking garage when there is more than one of us going but if it is just me I usually valet park for safety reasons. One time I parked in the garage and I stayed later than I wanted to (it was dark out) and I asked security to walk me out and they did and were actually glad I asked being by myself.

Yes we are still coming over on Saturday. I'm not sure when we will get there yet as I'm waiting to hear when my friends think they might be able to leave the east coast and get to my house. I'm thinking we won't leave here until 3ish maybe but I will send you a private message with my phone number so you can text me back and we can communicate. My friend who got the room also got one for Sunday night in case we decide to stay another night but I'm not sure we will or not..$$$$....if you know what I mean .....HHH

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Originally Posted by Darlene

I just texted you, looking forward to finally meeting you.

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Is there a meetup at THR this Saturday? I just got back from Vegas, but I think I might want to say goodbye too as there's absolutely no way that I'm going to pay for parking there.

@noleman come on down, this will be my farewell to them also as I have no plans to pay for parking.

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Originally Posted by Darlene

@noleman come on down, this will be my farewell to them also as I have no plans to pay for parking.

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Thanks. I'll likely come by late afternoon/early evening. It's only 15 minutes from my house. Look forward to meeting you and @Jeani finally. (I can't believe I'm going to another casino less than a week out of Vegas, especially after a pretty blistering loss Monday evening at South Point, but there is no frickin' way I am ever paying for parking at THR and this is going to be my last chance for a while to stop by as I'm heading out of town for work next week and will be gone for most of the next month.

Casinos are getting too damn greedy! Wish I didn't like playing.

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Originally Posted by Cyndyga

Casinos are getting too damn greedy! Wish I didn't like playing.

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ok. this place is super crowded and I am already taking a beating.

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I am too. Where are you, would love to say hello

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Best hit of the day so far.

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Met @Jeani and her friends, forgot to take any pics. Hope the machines are treating them better than thay did me. Using up my comp dollars, ordering dinner and taking it home.

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We made it home yesterday after spending 2 nights at Tampa Hard Rock. We didn't come home any richer than when we went but we had a blast!! Got to meet up with @Darlene and we got to play slots together for a while. She is so very nice and I hope to meet up with her again in the future. Saturday night I hit $594 on Sun and Moon in HL but over the two days ended up giving it back. I played slots off and on but mainly played Spanish 21 or Blackjack and stayed fairly even in play. I asked the Pit Boss to get me Food & Beverage credits at the new Marc Murphy restaurant, Grey/Salt (a Mediterranean style restaurant) and he came back and said $120 had been added to my comps. The three of us were able to eat a terrific meal for $118. Sorry forgot pics :( Overall a great time celebrating my friends upcoming birthdays.

I found out what some of the construction starting at THR will include. The area in front where you valet park is being closed off and the pond in the front and the large guitars are being taken out. They are enclosing that area and adding a second floor. The area will become a larger poker room, another new high limit area, retail shops and 4 plus new restaurants. The valet parking for the next year will be near the parking garages until a new area is constructed. Some of the dealers told me that after the new hotel tower is finished on the back side of the pool they are going to start targeting international tourists (South America and Europe) and are gearing toward High Limit style play. It looks like if I want to gamble I may have to save my money and go south to Hollywood area or north to Biloxi because Tampa will probably be out of my league $$$$ wise.

Go To Louisiana free parking there .

Thanks for the info Jeani - glad you had a good time and able to meet up with Darlene.


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When I first read Hard Rock Casino I thought it´s the one we had been gambling / loosing at in April. And we even didn´t have fun :uncomfortableness: beside the point that it´s never fun when you´re loosing.
We had been at Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, FL, not Tampa. :confused: My mistake :cower:

My recommendation for the Ft Lauderdale area : The Casino @ Dania Beach http://www.casinodaniabeach.com/
which just opened at that time (a non-smoker casino). We were lucky at the slots and they even had one Money Man Big Cash slot machine !

In time I think all casinos will jump on the band wagon and charge for parking

They are charging for Valet now at Choctaw Durant

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I haven't been on the forum for awhile due to family health issues so reading this was quite the surprise. THR is my "local" even though it is 2 hours away. Bummer, it's not like there isn't enough parking available. Instead of doing things to make you feel welcome they are doing the opposite. Same feeling I had when they changed their comp system a few years ago. Oh well.

Our local casino has started charging a resort fee so I'm sure parking is coming next.

The parking fee goes into effect at THR on 8/1 and will be $10. Imagine the outrage when people have to pay $10 to park to be able to pickup their free gift or mystery free play that usually starts at $5.

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THR is getting hammered on their Facebook page over this. Has any been there since the fee started? How are the crowds?

Wtf ,$10 to park in a casino that has its own garage wtf..

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Originally Posted by nighthawk66

They are charging for Valet now at Choctaw Durant

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Valet is a luxury not a necessity

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Originally Posted by dvandentop

Valet is a luxury not a necessity

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Couple of updates on THR -- I've been there since the $10 parking went into effect:

-There is no noticeable changes in security presence. I suspect the "upgraded" features though include the cost of the gates and payment terminals and not actual increased patrols (disappointing because there was a mugging in one of the garages last year) (lots of new people manning the garage entryway and pay terminals though).

-There are lines to get into the garage -- particularly at peak times. This is inevitable as people have to slow down to take a ticket. Wait was less than 5 minutes.

-The surface lot is now completely closed (they are building an addition). I'm sure the $10 charge was intended to alleviate some parking pressures anticipated from the loss of a couple thousand spaces.

-I have been going to THR since before it was a 'Hard rock' (sometime in 2005). I have never had to park on the top floor of the parking garage before, but I did on Saturday night. There was no promo going on that night and no concert and the casino floor did not seem jammed.

-I have an Elite parking pass, but could not use it because "Elite Parking is Full".

-Overall, a shitty experience. Paying for parking at the THR or any casino sucks -- the biggest piss off for me was having to wait to park. No one likes to wait for anything of course, but it's supposed to be a "privilege" of losing a lot of money at a casino that you have to wait less than casual gamblers who do not have a high tier level.

Pictures follow.

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When I go by myself I valet park *$20. I feel safer and hopefully my car won't get dinged. People in the garage park crazy close. I have had to let my friends out of the car before I pull in a spot due to the small spaces. I've heard the lines for the elevators have been crazy. I heard someone say they waited 15 minutes to get on and in the 90 degree heat. Ughhhh...... If any of y'all play at the tables the pit boss will add the $10 parking fee to your card and you just go to the players club to get the ticket.

Thanks Noleman. You answered my other question about if the surface remained free. I doubt you'll see any changes before the construction is completed. I think it will piss people off more if there were no parking spaces available. Driving customers away is an interesting solution to that problem.

Even for Elite Members? Man, that sucks!