Romer’s Hell Kitchen or Civilian Hotel?

I’m visiting soon and both hotels have great rates. I was just wondering who has stayed at either Romers Hells Kitchen or Civilan and what your thoughts are? Would you pick one over the other. Thank you.

I'll counter the above poster with an absolute RAVE for Civilian! We've stayed there 3 of our last 4 Bway trips. Negatives: There's no lobby at all, just a single bench stolen from one of David Rockwell's sets to sit on. There's no walking space around the queen beds that plug the end of each guest room. And the smaller rooms have zero storage space (--ask for a larger room to get a freestanding closet-rack). BUT...

Positives: those rooms are designed with high style from end to end. Beautiful bronze fittings in the bathroom, velour swags around the super-comfy bed, elegant stencils on the ceiling. Behind the entry on the ground floor is a lovely breakfast room, perfect for coffee and continental snacks (but no breakfast). One floor up is a super-comfy lounging room with a dozen or more 1/2" models of current and past Broadway set designs on display-- just spectacular if you're a design fan like me. There are multiple sketches of set designs for one show, "COMPANY", as seen in countless revivals plus Aronson's OBC design. Scattered around the public areas are many more original sketches by Boris Aronson, Tony Walton, et al. There's also a small nook on the 2nd floor with display cases featuring props and costume pieces of several smash shows (Phantom, Into the Woods, and MJ were featured last time we were there). Even the elevator wallpaper is a nod to great costume sketches in Bway history.

Anyone who's a fan of this site will be on cloud nine with a stay at Civilian (and believe me, I have no financial stake in the place, tho I wish I did.)

Haven't been to Civilian but I've heard the rooms and decor are cool.

Can confirm Romer's rooms are very spacious, especially for the location. Haven't stayed there, but got a tour last year and the rooms are very nicely updated. Romer's speakeasy cabaret on 53rd (So & Sos) is also pretty cool and has been having a lot of Broadway performers. Though beware the 'obstructed view' seats in the back.

I stayed at the Civillian, back in November. Yes, the rooms are very small, but it had everything i needed. It had a nice spacious bathroom & great shower, a wondrful view from the 22nd floor and the bed and pillows were some of the comfiest I have ever had in a hotel. Honestly, the bed and pillows will get me to stay there again on my next trip.

I booked pretty early and got a grat price, but it got really expensive nearer the date and it wasn't worth paying that much for.