Living in New York, I often wondered, "What is the largest hotel in New York?"

With so many skyscrapers, it can be hard to tell which buildings are hotels and which are offices just by looking from the outside.

To get straight to the point, one of the iconic large hotels representing New York is the New York Hilton Midtown. Located on 6th Avenue in Manhattan, this hotel boasts an incredible scale with over 1,900 rooms. When I first entered the lobby, my immediate thought was, "This feels more like an airport than a hotel." Despite the constant flow of people checking in, travelers, and business clients, there was an oddly maintained order.

This hotel, which opened in 1963, has a history of over 60 years. I initially imagined an old hotel would have a worn-out image, but the interior has been consistently renovated and has a surprisingly modern atmosphere.

Above all, the location is fantastic. You can walk to Rockefeller Center in just a few minutes, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the southern part of Central Park, and the shopping district on 5th Avenue are all within walking distance. The subway lines are also diverse, making it easy to get anywhere in New York.

While the number of rooms is impressive, the facilities are almost at the level of a small city. There are large ballrooms and convention spaces that can accommodate thousands of people at once, making it a frequent venue for international conferences, corporate events, and various exhibitions. So, during the weekdays, there are many business clients in suits, while on weekends, the proportion of tourists increases significantly, which I found interesting.

Just a short walk away, you can find other large hotels. The Sheraton New York Times Square and the New York Marriott Marquis are also large hotels with around 1,900 rooms. Especially the Marriott Marquis, located right in the middle of Times Square, offers a stunning view of Broadway's dazzling billboards from the window.

My room had a famous revolving restaurant (The View) in New York, which is also very popular among travelers looking to enjoy the view.

Of course, there are downsides. The prices are definitely not cheap. Even in expensive New York, the accommodation rates are extremely high.

During regular times, you should expect to pay around $300 to $500 per night, and during peak seasons or the end of the year, it's common for rates to exceed $600 to $800.

In September, when the UN General Assembly is held, in November during the New York Marathon, and during Christmas and New Year's season, prices often rise significantly. So, if you plan to travel to New York, it's much better to book at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance, or even a month ahead during popular seasons.

Interestingly, among Koreans who frequently visit New York, many choose areas other than Manhattan. Flushing in Queens has a concentration of Korean restaurants and markets, so you don't have to worry about meals, and you can easily find hotels at relatively reasonable prices. Fort Lee and Hackensack in New Jersey are also good alternatives. Crossing the George Washington Bridge allows for quick access to Manhattan, but accommodation costs are often much cheaper than in Manhattan.

While exploring various hotels this time, what impressed me the most was the scale of the city of New York. It was astonishing to realize that one hotel has nearly 2,000 rooms, but even more fascinating was that such large hotels are clustered within just a few blocks.

In the morning, tourists from around the world set out for sightseeing, during the day international conferences are held, and in the evening, people gather back at the hotel to see Broadway shows, making me think that the nickname 'Capital of the World' is well-deserved.

The New York hotel was not just a place to sleep. It was another small city where people from all over the world meet, business takes place, and travel memories begin. The next time I visit New York, I think it would be quite an interesting experience to sit in the lobby of one of these large hotels and watch the people go by.