I would not advise walking from the Hard Rock to the Strip. It's a pretty long way and the neighborhoods aren't the greatest. Spring for a cab ride.
The Hard Rock pool is Douchebag Central -- I think there's a dress code for guys that requires hair gel, body spray and armband tattoos -- but, you're right, bigbet, the female scenery is unbelievable. It's where a lot of commuter-strippers stay. The girls fly in from San Diego, Los Angeles, Phoenix, work the Vegas titty bars on weekends then go home with more money for two days than I make in a week.