An usher opens the stage curtains of a Broadway show.

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It’s rare for a hotel room to prepare you for an event you’re about to attend. But Room 309, usually known as the Shanti Suite, at The Chatwal, New York does exactly that.

The Chatwal, New York’s Outsiders Experience

The Stay Gold Suite at The Chatwal, New York

Angela Conners Treimer

Guests who stay there as part of this luxury Theater District hotel’s Stay Gold Suite Experience will get two tickets to The Outsiders, the Tony Award winner for Best Musical on Broadway last year and still standing room only. But first in this renamed, redecorated suite created by Broadway veteran and designer Krysta Rodriguez, currently in SMASH, they’ll be surrounded by themes of the show. Signature lines from the production adorn the entry wall, a remote control signals a projector to show films from the 1960’s, the musical’s era, including Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid starring the main character’s idol Paul Newman. A vintage record player has albums from the decade (plus the musical’s cast album), popcorn and glass bottles of Coke are set out as movie watching snacks and in the closet: a jean jacket to help a guest look like part of the cast’s gang.

A movie from the 1960s projected on the wall of the Stay Gold Suite at The Chatwal, New York

Angela Conners Treimer

Why Broadway Is Booming

Broadway has had a booming season as it heads to this year’s Tony Awards on June 8 and hotels around the city’s Theater District are linking in special offers with productions. “2025 is currently projected to be the first year that 2019 sales records are broken for both Broadway and NYC tourism as a whole,”explains Nathaniel Hill, Founder & CEO of Broadway Plus which works with hotels on their offerings. “It’s great to have finally recovered and see New York thriving,”

A jean jacket in the Stay Gold Suite closet.

Angela Conners Treimer

That’s due, he says, to a couple of reasons. “The success of the Wicked film brought Broadway back into the forefront of the public conversation, and has been great for sales of many shows, not just Wicked on Broadway. Any time Broadway is in the national media, people are reminded about what a unique and incredible opportunity it is to see a show, and we see an increase in web traffic and requests. This especially happens every year around Tony Award nominations and the Awards ceremony.”

Broadway theaters along West 44th Street.

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Another reason is the unusually large number of A list Hollywood stars such as George Clooney, Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal taking to the stage.The increase can also be traced to current events. “In such trying times, a bumper crop of hilarious new shows that bring joy and put a smile on people’s faces has been great for business,“ he says. “Oh, Mary!, Death Becomes Her, SMASH, and BOOP! The Musical all offer a wonderful evening in the theater that takes your mind off what’s going on in the world.”

Mandarin Oriental, New York Takes Guests Behind The Scenes

The MO Lounge at Mandarin Oriental, New York, the site of its Meet and Greet with a Broadway performer.

Shawn Talbot Photography

The Chatwal may have made the most effort in fashioning a room experience around a show but other hotels also feature unique experiences. In its Broadway VIP Experience, the Mandarin Oriental, New York offers a Meet and Greet with a Broadway performer accompanied by champagne and light fare in the MO Lounge; two orchestra seats to new and long running hits such as Death Becomes Her, SUNSET BLVD., SMASH, Hamilton, Cabaret, Hadestown and Wicked are included as well. Other add ons (subject to availability and additional fees) include a Black car Mercedes S-Class sedan transportation to and from the hotel’s Columbus Circle location and the theater, a private concert with Broadway artists and for those with theatrical aspirations, a private coaching session in acting, singing, and dancing led by a Broadway actor.

Baccarat Hotel New York’s Broadway Experience

The Petit Salon at Baccarat Hotel New York, site of that hotel’s Meet and Greet with a Broadway performer.

ERIC LAIGNEL

The Baccarat Hotel New York also offers a Meet and Greet with a Broadway performer over champagne and light bites in the crystal filled Petit Salon as part of the Exclusive Curtain Call experience. Premium orchestra seats to shows such as Wicked, MJ The Musical and The Lion King are a guaranteed part of the offer; other shows can be attached if available.

Pre-Theater Dining In The Neighborhood

Spring Lamb Ravioli at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens at the Times Square EDITION.

The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens at the Times Square EDITION

On the culinary front, apart from the fare offered in the meet and greets, there are other options for a quick pre-theater meal in the neighborhood. Guests of The Chatwal can take advantage of the $100 Stay Gold Suite site credit for either the pre-theater menu in The Lambs Club featuring dishes such as Rouget Tagliatelle and Roasted Lamb Saddle with Merguez, Asparagus and Morels or the more casual menu a floor above in the Lambs Bar. The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens at the Times Square EDITION also has a three course Broadway Express menu with options such as Oysters Rockefeller, Loch Duart Salmon with grilled asparagus, marinated feta and mint and Tiramisu but if diners order dishes off the regular menu, recently revised for spring, such as Pasta Primavera and Parmesan Crusted Lamb Chops, the servers are adept at getting customers out before curtain.

A selection of hand rolls at Akoya at The Knickerbocker.

Briana Balducci

Another choice for a light, delicious and very quick meal: hand rolls such as Yuzu Cured Scallops or Australian Wagyu Tataki at the recently opened Akoya at the Knickerbocker Hotel. Much more substantial are the offerings of the new GUI Steakhouse blending Korean and American techniques in prime Ribeyes, Prime Rib, Japanese A5 Wagyu and other top cuts either pre or post theater (the kitchen is open until 10.) Or for those heading to a Wednesday matinee, there are two very affordable for a steakhouse weekday lunch menus: charcoal grilled steak au poivre, market salad and fries ($23) or a three course menu with choices such as Tuna Tartare, Steak Frites or Chicken with Mushrooms and Diane Sauce and Devil’s Food Cake with Jang Caramel and Vanilla Ganache. ($37) It’s a good thing to know about even on non-matinee days.

The $23 charcoal grilled Steak au Poivre at GUI Steakhouse.

GUI Steakhouse

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