One Night in New York City

Don't let the CIVILAIN Theater District location fool you: It's truly a soulful gem of a hotel amid a sea of chain hotels and souvenir shops. The street-level brick facade and interior design touches evoke vintage New York theater, designed as a love letter to Broadway (minus the kitsch).

We booked a Spacious Double Double, and it lived up to its name. At 285 square feet, it felt positively roomy thanks to its high ceilings, huge windows offering skyline views of Manhattan, and space-saving storage solutions. It was just what we needed for a night on the town.

We grabbed a drink at Rosevale Cocktail Room before heading out for the evening—lovely design, interesting cocktails, and a gorgeous terrace that felt more European than Midtown. There's also a rooftop bar that was closed for the evening (it was a Monday night), but I got a peek inside and definitely need a reason to return. Dinner options on site include a swanky modern steakhouse and an award-winning upscale casual pizza spot.

CIVILIAN's location is genuinely hard to beat. Broadway and Times Square are five-minute walks, Rockefeller Center is about 10 minutes, and you can even hoof it to MSG in 20. The hotel sits on a quiet block despite being in the heart of Midtown, so you get the convenience without the constant noise you'd expect.

The CIVILIAN is a boutique hotel that has a point of view in a city full of generic mid-range options. The design, location, staff, and vibe don't miss. If you're coming to New York for a show, or just want to stay somewhere that feels intentional rather than interchangeable, the CIVILIAN earns my recommendation.

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