A truly accessible hotel in Texas, Hilton’s 'Lion King' Suite on Broadway and other hotel news you might have missed
Don't ask me how, but August is leaving and September is knocking — and while there are technically still a few weeks of summer left, I'm already dreading its end. This summer has been a good one for me, full of travel, friends and family. This month has been full of hotel news, too, including a few exciting things you might have missed.
Late in August, Hyatt announced its plans to buy the hip Standard International hotel brand for a cool $335 million. Marriott also made waves with the announcement the company will be rolling out a partnership with Sonder, a short-term rental company that offers apartment-style stays in major cities.
We also saw the opening of two different hotels on our list of the most exciting hotel openings of 2024: the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort in Florida and the Graduate Princeton in New Jersey.
Marriott lands in South Australia
Folks heading to Australia — the state of South Australia, specifically — can finally cash in Marriott Bonvoy points for a hotel stay, as the first Marriott in the state has opened in Adelaide. Set in the 150-year-old Adelaide General Post Office building (along with a shiny new tower), the hotel has 285 rooms, including 12 suites, plus a restaurant and bar and even an indoor swimming pool. The hotel marks the 600th Marriott International property in Asia-Pacific (excluding China), with another 400 in the pipeline.
'The Lion King' is taking over the Hilton New York Times Square
"The Lion King" has long been one of the most loved shows on Broadway. Now, fans of the musical can spend the night in an immersive suite decked out from top to bottom in a "Lion King"-themed design and memorabilia from the show, like fabrics used on stage and drawings of various costumes.
Designed by Devin Sparkles Design, "The Lion King's" Royal Suite is part of a larger package that also includes two drinks (either a Hakuna Manhattan or a Serengeti Sunrise mocktail), a wake-up call from Rafiki (played by Tshidi Manye), Simba-themed s'mores, gifts inspired by the show, breakfast at the hotel and access to special rates for premium seating at "The Lion King" on Broadway.
Rates for the suite start from $500 per night and can be booked online by emailing NYCTS-SALESADM@hilton.com or by calling (212) 913-9488.
Orlando's getting a luxe IHG property
Good news for IHG loyalists who love the thrills and entertainment of Orlando! The city is getting an InterContinental hotel. Set to open in 2028, the InterContinental Orlando will have 700 rooms, five restaurants and bars, a 15,000-square-foot wellness area and a Club InterContinental Lounge, all found on International Drive and near the major theme parks.
Orlando has a lot to look forward to over the next few years, starting with the opening of the new Epic Universe theme park and the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which will have a dedicated entrance into the park. Over at Walt Disney World, new upcoming attractions include new lands at various parks centered around "Monsters, Inc.," "Cars," Disney's famous villains, "Zootopia" and more.
A beloved European escape transforms into a Four Seasons
Over 100 rooms spread across a 100-acre resort on the Spanish island of Mallorca make up Four Seasons' latest trick: Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor. Set beside a working wine vineyard on a property that dates back to 1929, this Four Seasons combines the natural beauty of the island with the brand's legendary service to create a seasonal holiday experience that encompasses a temporary pop-up spa, multiple bars and restaurants and days spent lounging by the pool, snorkeling or hiking up to catch scenic views. Open through the end of October, guests can currently get 15% off stays of two nights or longer.
Next year, the resort will reopen in March.
A new Texas hotel will be 'ultra-accommodating' for guests with all kinds of needs
As someone who travels often with a family member who uses a wheelchair, I can tell you firsthand how frustrating hotel stays can be. Morgan's Wonderland, a San Antonio theme park created to give guests with and without disabilities a place to go for fun, is opening a new hotel tailored to accessibility needs. The property will have staff who specialize in disability assistance and are trained in disability etiquette, offering special accommodations for people with specific hearing, visual and physical needs and even catering to aging populations.
Gordon Hartman, the founder of the theme park, which is named after and inspired by his daughter and set to open in 2026, said, "This will certainly be a hotel for everyone, including those with special needs who, going forward, will feel more included, valued, and fulfilled."
And to make the hotel even sweeter, it looks like Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott are all vying to get their respective names on the property, meaning that once Morgan's Hotel is open, points-and-miles enthusiasts will have an ultra-accommodating property at which to earn or burn points.
In other news...
- Six Senses Telluride slated to open in 2028
- Park Hyatt plans to open its fourth hotel in Japan — but don't rush to book your trip
- Park Hyatt New York plans multimillion-dollar suite upgrades
- First look: Inside the new Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto
- The best no-annual-fee hotel credit cards
Reviews to inspire you
- What it's like staying at The Londoner, a massive 'boutique' hotel in central London
- Timeless elegance, sumptuous suites and a new spa: A review of Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC
- Where luxury and wellness meet: A review of Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
- Mango House Seychelles: A tropical luxury hotel where Hilton points come in handy
- Disney perks and Marriott Bonvoy points: My stay at the Walt Disney World Swan
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.