There is nothing like strolling through the city and admiring the buildings around you, especially those that catch your eye—like the five-star Lotte New York Palace, famously known as the residence of Gossip Girl’s Serena van der Woodsen.
On January 8, 2026, River Dell’s hospitality students visited the hotel to learn how a luxury hotel operates and how it fits into the hospitality industry. Students explored the academic side of hotel management, including what different departments do, how the hotel functions as a business, and how everything works together behind the scenes. This experience allowed students to see that hotel operations involve far more than simply checking in guests. They learned about accounting, sales, and even toured the back-of-house areas.
“The hotel was so nice and really big, so it was interesting to see how people managed such a huge building,” said sophomore Hibba Azim.
Students not only observed how the hotel operates, but also met the people who make it run. They spoke with marketing and sales managers, as well as coordinators, who guided them through the hotel and showcased its unique features. The Lotte New York Palace is 55 stories tall and contains 909 rooms and suites. It also hosts weddings, large events, and has accommodated many celebrities over the years.
This field trip was not just an enjoyable experience, but also an opportunity to inspire students to consider careers in the hospitality industry. “We have had students go into the industry,” said Mrs. Lenihan. “Some even go on to get internships.” Field trips like this allow students to explore potential career paths, discover what interests them most, and learn firsthand from real-world experiences.
