Fanshawe students help London Ontario’s Hard Rock Hotel get ready for grand opening

Hard Rock Hotel London Ontario will make London and Canadian history when the franchise opens its first Canadian location with the help of Fanshawe students.

Currently, 160 students from the College’s Hotel and Resort Management and the Hospitality and Tourism Operations Management programs are helping the hotel get ready for guests.

As part of their programs, students complete one shift per week for seven weeks, preparing guest rooms with essential items such as phones, coffee makers, hair dryers, pillows and bedding. Additionally, they help bring the hotel to life by cleaning rooms and setting up brand new equipment, including tableware, silverware and bar essentials.

“We're ecstatic to join forces with Dora Hotel Company to unveil Canada's first Hard Rock Hotel. This partnership provides our students with an extraordinary chance to gain practical experience in hotel management,” said Kathy Butler, professor and program coordinator at the School of Tourism, Hospitality and Culinary Arts. “In this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, our students are witnessing first-hand the intricacies involved in opening a hotel.”

Students are also gaining valuable insights into inventory management, the flexibility that’s needed to launch a hotel, understanding brand standards and honing their teamwork skills.

“Working on the Hard Rock Hotel London Ontario project has been a fantastic learning experience. From setting up rooms and assisting the pre-opening staff to understanding the fundamentals of opening a hotel, it has been exhilarating to witness the level of work that’s involved in opening a new property,” said post-graduate certificate student, Ashwini Pradeep Parte. “I'm looking forward to the rest of this journey and learning even more along the way as we move toward opening and building a great guest experience.”

Since May 2024, Fanshawe has been working with Dora Hotel Company to plan for students to assist with the hotel’s opening.  

The Hard Rock Hotel London Ontario will also be the first Canadian hotel for Dora Hotel Company.