Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Unveils $65M Upgrade with More Slots, Return of Buffett

^{It was a festive occasion to open the massive new slots area at one of the largest casinos in Florida. Casino President Steve Bonner did the giant scissors honor. (Image: courtesy of Seminole Hard Rock Tampa)}

Kicking off 2025 the right way, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa, Florida, cut the ribbon Thursday to celebrate the completion of over $65 million in refurbishments to the property.

The upgrade included a new slot area featuring 350 new machines and renovations of the 240-room 12-story West Tower. 

Fresh Harvest Buffet Back After Six Years

Not only did the Seminoles create another 200 new jobs for the Tampa Bay area (the Hard Rock Tampa employs 4,293 people and is the largest employer in the area), but they also expanded the options for diners. 

After a six-year absence, one of the favorite dining locations for patrons of the Hard Rock Tampa returned in style on Thursday. The Fresh Harvest Buffet was closed in 2019, at the time meant to be a short-term refitting for the restaurant. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic made that shutdown last for much longer than it originally was planned. 

Buffets are back! And the Tampa Hard Rock is ready to serve a growing demand for every casino player’s favorite communal dining option. (Image: courtesy of Seminole Hard Rock Tampa)

With people beginning to reassimilate a “buffet-style” dining option into their routines, the Hard Rock decided it was time to bring back the restaurant. 

There are now six dining options in the Fresh Harvest Buffet, including Italian, American (think chicken and ribs), and a new International Station, with kebabs and sushi. Along with a raw seafood bar, salad bar, a full dessert station, and seating for 340 customers, the Fresh Harvest Buffet should reestablish its position as a favorite among Hard Rock Tampa visitors. 

More Ways to Win

With the arrival of the refurbished Fresh Harvest Buffet, another dining option disappeared. The Food Court for the Hard Rock Tampa was closed eight weeks ago, and the space did not go to waste. In just 56 days, the Hard Rock Tampa converted the former food court area into a new slots area, fitting almost 350 new machines. 

One of the most lucrative playing options was the focal point of the new slot area.

Aristocrat’s Dragon Link slot machines at the Hard Rock Tampa were responsible for 10 of the million-dollar jackpots handed out in 2024 on the property, so those machines were given prominent floor space in the new arena. 

Two other Aristocrat options, Phoenix Link and Lightning Dollar Link, are available, as are Light & Wonder’s Huff N’Even More Puff Hard Hat Edition, Money Mansion, Journey to Planet Moolah, Coin Trio Royal and Big Hot Flaming Pots. These popular machines are joined by IGT’s Money Mania and Sega’s Sammy’s Railroad Riches to round out the new assets. 

The new slot area is stocked with some of the most popular machines. (Image: courtesy of Seminole Hard Rock Tampa)

President Steve Bonner of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was on hand to cut the ribbon and usher in the players for their first crack at the new machines. 

“After introducing live craps, roulette, and sports betting just over a year ago, we believe the new slots area just adds to the fully integrated casino experience for our guests,” said Bonner after the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Last month, we celebrated $2 billion in jackpots for 2024, so clearly this is the luckiest place to be.”

West Tower Gets First Refurbishing in 20 Years

For those who might stay on the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel property, the biggest news was the complete refurbishment of the West Tower. Built as the original hotel for the Hard Rock Tampa in 2004, the West Tower was beginning to show some wear. Thus, the new features for the West Tower enable the Hard Rock Tampa to maintain its AAA Four-Diamond rating. 

Almost a third of all the rooms on property got upgraded with a more rockin’ vibe. (Image: courtesy of Seminole Hard Rock Tampa)

Every one of the 240 rooms was renovated in the West Tower, which is now smoke-free. Five different options ranging from a two-bed Deluxe Queen suite to a two-room Gold Suite are available for visitors to choose from, with special extras like a “Vinyl Experience” (a turntable and select vinyl albums that can be used by the customer) offered. 

Each floor celebrates an iconic musician in its design and styling, including Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Ray Charles. Along with the 562-room East Tower, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa now features 802 rooms between its two towers.