Hilton Worldwide unveiled a new Broadway-themed royal suite at the Hilton New York Times Square hotel in Manhattan’s Theatre District.
The Lion King’s Royal Suite is designed to transport guests to the peace and beauty of the Pride Lands, Hilton said. It reflects the unique style and personality of the hit musical’s setting.
“The Lion King” is a musical with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, based on the movie of the same name. It tells the story of the young lion prince, Simba who avenges his father’s murder by his treacherous uncle, Scar, as he ventures out into the veldt, discovering new and eccentric friends, Timon and Pumbaa; true love, with Nala; and his own strength and destiny.
The musical opened in 1997 at the Orpheum Theatre and moved to the Minskoff Theater in 2006. “The Lion King” is Broadway’s third longest running show, with almost 11,000 performances, after “Phantom of the Opera” and the 1996 revival of “Chicago,” The show won six Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical and was also the top-earning title in box-office history, as of September 2014.
Notably, the German production has been playing in Hamburg at the Theater im Hafen since December 2, 2001 and the show passed the $1 billion in cumulative gross in 2014.
Upon arrival to the suite, guests become immersed in the Serengeti starting with a framed Rafiki sketch print at the suite’s entrance, bird puppets that fly from the ceiling, plants that draw inspiration from the sweeping grass found across Africa’s plains, Pan-Asian style woven-basket art on the walls, and furnishings that incorporate hand-painted Rafiki-inspired patterns.
To take it all in, guests can relax in hand-painted patterned chairs before checking out the W.C., where a lush jungle oasis waits to greet them.
The suite was created by Devin Sparkles Design and special packages are available that include Hakuna Manhattan cocktails, a wake-up call from the actor who plays Rafiki, a Lion King-themed sleeping mask and other show merch, Simba S’mores desserts, breakfast, parking, and access to premium seats for the show itself.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)