NEW YORK – August 26, 2024 – Today, Hilton New York Times Square announced the continuation of their magical partnership with Disney Theatrical Group with the debut of THE LION KING's Royal Suite. Thoughtfully curated by Broadway's top dressing room designer for its most legendary stars, Devin Sparkles Design, the immersive suite draws inspiration from Disney's award-winning THE LION KING on Broadway.

Guests who just can't wait to be king will feel atop Pride Rock from the comfort of THE LION KING's Royal Suite at Hilton New York Times Square, conveniently located three blocks away from Minskoff Theatre where guests can see the magic come to life on Broadway.

“Each detail of THE LION KING's Royal Suite has been meticulously curated to create a truly one-of-a-kind experience completely inspired by Disney Theatrical Group's iconic musical,” said Thomas Caska, general manager, Hilton New York Times Square. “At Hilton New York Times Square, we're committed to providing guests and families with an innovative stay from check-in to check-out. Whether guests are staying with us to experience either of our two Disney on Broadway suites, witness the magic of the theatre or simply take in all that Times Square has to offer, our property offers a memorable home away from home in the heart of the Big Apple.”

THE LION KING's Royal Suite

The awe-inspiring spacious one-king one-bedroom deluxe suite allows guests to experience the peace and beauty of the Pride Lands. Upon arrival to the suite, guests are immediately transported to the Serengeti with details paying homage to Disney's THE LION KING on Broadway, including large woven basket art, plants nodding to the sweeping grass that spreads across Africa's plains, hand-painted Rafiki-inspired patterns that embellish the room's furnishings and a large Rafiki sketch print framing the suite's entryway. Guests will also encounter fabrics used in the musical displayed on soft goods including rugs, pillows and bedding, with wood touches decorating the space.

Throughout the suite, Pan-Asian-inspired woven baskets adorn the walls, bird puppets fly from the ceiling and hand-painted patterned chairs provide a soft place for guests to land while taking in framed costume sketches from the musical throughout the suite. In the bathroom, guests will find a lush, vibrant jungle oasis with artificial plants, contrasted by the warm Serengeti elements in the room.

THE LION KING's Royal Suite experience package includes:

• One round of two Hakuna Manhattan cocktails or two Serengeti Sunrise mocktails
• A wake-up call from the Broadway musical's own Rafiki, Tshidi Manye
• A thematic sleep mask, specialty memento item – a one-of-a-kind autographed costume rendering from one of the musical's actors, and complimentary Disney's THE LION KING on Broadway merchandise
• Thematic Simba S'mores dessert amenity
• Daily full breakfast buffet for two people
• Daily parking
• Available for purchase, guests staying in the suite will receive access to a special rate exclusive to guests of this suite for Premium Seats for Disney's THE LION KING on Broadway.

Available now, guests can visit the hotel's website, contact NYCTS-SALESADM@hilton.com or call (212) 913-9488 to reserve the suite. Rates for THE LION KING's Royal Suite start from $500 per night. Terms and conditions apply.

During their stay, guests can also experience the hotel's reimagined lobby and food and beverage offerings. Designed by Chicago-based firm, The Gettys Group, the interior public space design is inspired by old and new NYC – The Gilded Age meets MoMA in the heart of Times Square. Upon arrival to the hotel, the transformed ground and sky lobbies feature seasonal art installations curated by Celine Mo of Dinner Gallery, a contemporary gallery dedicated to developing and presenting emerging artists.

As guests take the journey to the sky lobby 15 floors above Times Square, they will be welcomed into a brand-new bar and lounge, 42nd & Sky, which overlooks Times Square and features craft cocktails and an elevated bar menu from Executive Chef Jason Routzahn. Here, guests can also indulge in the Hakuna Manhattan and Serengeti Sunrise. Additionally, the hotel has introduced Long Acre Market, an expansive gourmet market with a barista bar featuring La Colombe products, as well as freshly made and made-to-order breakfast, lunch and dinner items.

For fans of Disney's THE LION KING on Broadway, all guests of Hilton New York Times Square can celebrate the magic of the show and enjoy the musical-inspired thematic cocktails, a Rafiki wake-up call upon request and purchase special merchandise from the show at Long Acre Market.

THE LION KING's Royal Suite complements the hotel's Aladdin's Times Square Palace Suite celebrating Disney's Aladdin the Musical. The suite launched last July also in partnership with Disney Theatrical Group and is designed by Devin Sparkles Design. Hilton offers several themed suites across its properties globally, and these two showcase why it matters where guests stay when visiting The Crossroads of the World.

Hilton New York Times Square participates in Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton's 24 world-class brands. The hotel is located at 234 West 42nd Street, New York, New York 10036. For reservations, please visit Hilton.com or call (212) 913-9488.

For more information about Hilton Hotels & Resorts, visit Stories.Hilton.com.

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About Hilton Hotels & Resorts

For over a century, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has set the benchmark for hospitality around the world, providing new product innovations and services to meet guests' evolving needs. With more than 600 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties are located in the world's most sought-after destinations for guests who know that where they stay matters. Experience a positive stay at Hilton Hotels & Resorts by booking at hiltonhotels.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Hilton Hotels & Resorts at stories.hilton.com/hhr, and follow the brand on Facebook, X and Instagram.   

About Hilton 

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising nearly 7,800 properties and more than 1.2 million rooms, in 126 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World's Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for seven consecutive years. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 195 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.  

About THE LION KING on Broadway (Playing at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway)

Celebrating 26 landmark years on Broadway, The Lion King continues ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world.  Produced by Disney Theatrical Group, under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart and Thomas Schumacher, The Lion King has made theatrical history with three productions worldwide running 20 or more years and two others running 25 or more years. 

Performed over its lifetime in nine different languages (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese), there are currently seven productions of The Lion King around the world: Broadway, London, Paris, Hamburg, Madrid, Tokyo, and on tour across North America. The Lion King has played over 100 cities in 24 countries on every continent except Antarctica; its worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.     

The Lion King won six 1998 Tony Awards®:  Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical.  The Lion King has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design. 

Director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor, the first woman to win a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical, remains actively involved in the show, launching new productions and maintaining the flagship Broadway production. 

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice's songs from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer.  The resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to Lebo M's rich choral numbers.

Elton John, Lebo M and Hans Zimmer all collaborated on the 2019 version of the film, executive produced by Julie Taymor and Thomas Schumacher, which has gone onto extraordinary worldwide success.

The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated The Lion King feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film's screenplay.  Other members of the creative team include:  Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), Anthony Lyn (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor), Lisa Dawn Cave (production supervisor), Thomas Schlenk (general manager) and ARC / Mark Brandon, CSA (casting). Anne Quart serves as executive producer.

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com, Facebook and Instagram.