Hard Rock Cafe Genting Highlands – 500 Milestone Visit and Counting

Today’s blog post is a special one, dedicated to my amazing friend and travel buddy Kay Kalkbrenner, who recently hit his 500th milestone visit — and what better place to celebrate it than in the vibrant and misty hills of Genting Highlands, Malaysia. From bustling cities to hidden gems, Kay has explored the world with curiosity and passion, and this milestone marks not just a number, but a journey filled with unforgettable memories.

In his own words, here’s how he experienced this special moment:

Kay Kalkbrenner’s Genting Highlands Review

On Saturday June 28th my Asia tour started with a train ride from Frankfurt to Memmingen followed by a flight to Bucharest to visit the new City Rock Shop. After that I was flying via Istanbul and Abu Dhabi to Dubai as my initial flight got cancelled due to the crisis in Middle East. In Dubai I had the opportunity to meet my long time local friend Alex again which is always a great time. We even drove all the way South to the Coming Soon Cafe in Dubai Sports City. After that I flew to Kathmandu for another new Rock Shop before I took another flight to Osaka with a short stopover in Bangkok. From Osaka I went to Kyoto and Tokyo to catch another flight Nonstop to Clark, Philippines for another new Hard Rock Cafe. Next was an easy bus ride to Manila to catch a flight to Bali for the latest Rock Shop in Nusa Dua before heading to Kuala Lumpur where the highlight of the trip should follow in Genting Highlands (Malaysia), my official visit No. 500.

How to get to Genting Highlands

It’s Friday, July 4th – a nice morning when I woke up in my Hotel next to Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station. It was the time to catch a Bus from KL Sentral to Awana Station to reach Genting Highlands. The Bus ride takes around 90 minutes and ends at Awana Bus Station, that’s also where the Genting Highlands Premium Outlet and the Cable Car to Genting Highlands is located. After arriving at Awana Bus Station you simply follow the signs a few levels up by the escalator to reach the cable car station. There are vending machines to get your Ticket which is very simple and rather cheap. The ride up to Genting Hills takes around 10 minutes and you’ll end up right inside another Mall as well as the small indoor amusement park.

How to reach Hard Rock Cafe Genting Highlands

From Upper Station Genting Highlands you go all the way to the basement to the Crockford Hotel as this is the place where Grab drivers will pick you up. It’s an easy 10 minute drive Northwest from Crockford Hotel to the Hard Rock Cafe Genting Highlands.

Hard Rock Cafe Genting Highlands

In Genting Highlands there are 2 visit credits to get, one is for the Genting Highlands Rock Shop that opened 14 January 2025. This Rock Shop is located in the Lobby of the Wyndham Ion Majestic Hotel, you immediately see that one once you enter the Hotel.
The other visit credit is for the actual Hard Rock Cafe Genting Highlands Restaurant which opened 30 April 2025. The Café is located on the 50th floor in the same Hotel tower complex. There are actually two Hotels in this tower, the Wyndham Ion Majestic Hotel and the other one is the 1001 Nights by Wyndham Hotel.
Actually as of now the better Hotel option would be the 1001 Nights Hotel as the elevators in this part of the tower lead all the way to the 50th floor on a height of 6500 feet where the Hard Rock Cafe is located.

Rock Shop Genting Highlands (Located in the Lobby of Wyndham Ion Majestic Hotel)

The elevators at the Wyndham Ion Majestic don´t lead to the Hard Rock Cafe. The 8421 sq. ft. Cafe that can host over 400 guests is a stunner. Once you enter the Cafe you get into the Rock Shop where you can find all usual merchandise. Just after the Shop you enter the Restaurant. You’ll stand in front of the bar and above your head is a beautiful guitar saying Genting Highlands. If you make a right you enter the Pool and stage area. On two spots within the Cafe you can also find a glass bottom window + panoramic views to the Mountains from almost everywhere within the Cafe.

Welcome to Hard Rock Cafe Genting Highlands!

Once I arrived on the 50th floor at the Cafe I said “hi” to Operations Manager Chris to inform them I’ve made it to Genting Highlands as today will be my 500th visit and the Cafe might be informed by Hard Rock International. While walking around and having a closer look on the Cafe itself Retail Manager Alice showed up to say “hi” as well. She was super friendly, nice and showed me all around. When I noticed people standing on the roof of the Hotel I was wondering how to get there and Alice invited me to show me that place. I didn´t know yet she was that scared of heights so it must have been such a hard time for her on some certain points, I´m so sorry for that Alice. So we went all the way down to the Lobby to get a visitor pass and had to use a different elevator up to the roof. Once we got there some friendly staff showed us all around and took many pictures. They have a couple of beautiful spots to take beautiful pictures like on a piano, a mirror wall or just the panoramic views over the Mountains or to the Genting Highlands Park. And man, their staff really know how to take pictures. If you like the thrill you may even walk on the edge of the Hotel tower. I suggest you go up there at least for the pictures. That part of the Hotel is called Hoverland, you may find the details on their website Online or see the counter in the Lobby of the Wyndham Ion Majestic Hotel.
Once back down I sat down with General Manager Jimmy and had a great chat. It was great to see him again after we first met when I visited Hard Rock Cafe Melaka back in November 2014.

My 500th Milestone Visit

Pool area inside HRC Genting Highlands

Around 7pm I was told to show up at the Cafe for my Milestone celebration. I had no idea what to expect. The only expectation was to receive my #500 Milestone Pin as Hard Rock International had been aware about this visit.
I sat down by the bar and had a drink while a lovely lady was taking care of me. In a little while why trying to go to the Pool area I was told I may not enter that area yet so I knew something is going to happen soon.
Around 7:30pm I was told to come to the Pool area where the Live Band was already playing their set. I was told to come to the stage where the celebration started.

I was greeted by the Band and General Manager Jimmy handed over a unique guitar that was signed by all staff on the back of the guitar. The Band asked me to tell them a song name they will play next, only for me. Since I love Bon Jovi my request was of course for Bon Jovi´s hit Living on a Prayer. While the band was playing Bon Jovi I was told by the Management Team that I’ll have a special place next to the Pool for the entire evening. Since I knew I should bring speedos I was prepared and took off my shoes just in time as a moment later Jimmy came over and threw me into the Pool where several staff took a couple videos and pictures.

Done: 500th Milestone Visit

Rocking in the pool

My Milestone Gift: A Fender Guitar

Once I got out of the pool I was given a beautiful white branded towel saying Hard Rock Cafe Genting Highlands. We took a couple pictures with me and the guitar before I had to go to the room for a bit to warm up and change some clothes. Once I got back a few minutes later they were really taking good care of me throughout the entire evening, staff proudly showed up every now and then to take a picture. Later that evening I had a great dinner, their BBQ spare ribs probably have been the best I ever had…and man, I already had many of those.

The music that evening was a mix of Live Band and a DJ for mainstream music, I really liked that mix and had a wonderful time so I stayed until after Midnight when the Live Band was done for the night.

Thank You To The Whole Band

It’s been a few days now since that Milestone and I’m still beyond words. This really has been one of the best visits I ever had and Genting Highlands is definitely in my top 3 locations worldwide along with the Hard Rock Cafe Montego Bay and the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives.

I’m so happy I’ve chosen this wonderful unique Cafe for this great Milestone visit. The only negative part was that Customer Care didn´t send the 500 visit Pin to Genting Highlands in time although they had around 8 weeks, but OK. This can happen.
I´d like to say thank you to the entire Hard Rock Cafe Genting Highlands Team, you really rock! Especially Chris, Alice and Jimmy as well as Jan Nova – without you guys this Milestone visit wouldn’t be that special as it was. I’m so thankful for everything you organized for that day and did during my visit.
Genting Highlands will be in my heart forever and I can guarantee I’ll be back to that Café. Genting Highlands will be always a special Cafe and visit.
I may only recommend this outstanding Cafe to each and everyone. Go up North of Kuala Lumpur and up the hill to the Mountains to visit this unique Cafe location – you won’t be disappointed as long as their staff act as of now. Jan Nova, you may be very proud to have such an amazing Management Team as well as staff in Genting Highlands, it couldn’t be better over there.

Keep on Rocking Genting Highlands and see you next time!

Some More Pictures From My Stay In Genting Highlands

Rocking Genting Highlands Staff

HRC Kuala Lumpur General Manager Jimmy with Kay

Retail Manager Alice with Kay

Piano Rhythm at the Sky (Hoverland Genting Highlands)

View to the First World Hotel, which is part of the “Resorts World Genting Highlands”. By the way, did you know that this Hotel is the biggest in the world? It has 7351 rooms. Just amazing!

The view to the Hard Rock Cafe