New York Habitat Blog

A few years ago, you may not have heard of Hackney. Nowadays, it’s one of London’s most up and coming neighborhoods, thanks to an influx of spectacularly inexpensive and eclectic restaurants, a thriving art scene, and popular event nights at area clubs. With a New York Habitat rental, you can stay in the first place that many locals head to on their days off and the last place a lot of tourists think to look.

Shoreditch, London: Hackney apartments

What makes Hackney a great neighborhood is its sense of community and shared spaces. In Hoxton Square, the heart of the area, you can run into students, moms with strollers, practitioners of yoga and tai chi, artists with sketchpads, international travelers, young Londoners taking it easy after a night out and old-timers enjoying these ever-shifting scenes. There’s no better place in the city to strike up a conversation.

In the streets directly surrounding the square, you can discover a great tapas café, fresh sushi, a stylish, subterranean restaurant, a traditional pub, a chill cinema/lounge, a small shop selling graffiti-inspired graphic tees, an independent music store, and the always worthwhile White Cube art gallery. That’s four blocks filled with the type of funky (counter-) cultural places that London is so famous for. Now you know where to find it! Do yourself a huge favor and, after booking your New York Habitat accommodation, check out local city guides or websites that will tell you what’s happening around London in any given week of any given season. You don’t want to miss anything that’s going on in Hackney! There are sure to be festivals, art fairs, musical celebrations, retro street parties and any number of community-oriented events when you’re there.

In the fall and winter, you can already look forward to the Sutton House Craft Fair, the Ogle Everything holiday shopping stalls, various ghost walks (great for Halloween), Mother Goose children’s theatre, and Bonfire Night (Nov. 5) in Hackney’s Victoria Park, which marks an historic failed attempt to blow up Parliament by celebrating with—what else?—fireworks! Anything going on in Hackney is a guaranteed good time. Some amazing places to stay in the neighborhood are:

London Accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment rental in Hoxton (LN-573)

A fun and funky 2-bedroom vacation rental in Hackney, Shoreditch (LN-573) that has a balcony, laundry and eclectic décor. This second-floor loft near Hoxton Square sleeps six comfortably, with an additional double bed in its light, airy attic.

A 1-bedroom accommodation in City-Islington (LN-436) on Hackney Road in Shoreditch. This rental comes with a terrace, parking space, laundry, garden and deck, stylish mod interiors…and three goldfish! It’s on a quiet street closed to the main artery but within short walking distance of all the hippest clubs and bars.

A stunning 1-bedroom furnished rental in Shoreditch, Hackney (LN-603), located on a cobblestone street in a quiet industrial conversion on the ground, first, second and fourth floors. This rental has a terrace, laundry, arched ceilings, wooden floors and amazing exposed brick walls.

A stay in a New York Habitat rental in Hackney will show you another side of London. Welcome to the neighborhood!

Let us know some of your favorite London festivals and can’t-miss community events in Hoxton by leaving a comment below.

Mention the name Cannes to anyone and he or she will immediately think of the world famous film festival. But there’s much more to this seaside town than the glitz and glamour that the celebrities bring once a year.  In fact, the best time to visit Cannes may be the fall, when most of the tourists have gone home, and you can truly explore the city and all that is has to offer.  A vacation rental apartment from New York Habitat is a wonderful way to get the real feel of the city.

Cannes, South of France

Of course, one of the top attractions in Cannes is the beach, which can be enjoyed year-round, thank to the region’s mild climate.  Set up camp in a lounge chair under a large umbrella and enjoy the views of the Mediterranean while relaxing the day away.  If you’d like a little more action, walk up and down the picturesque La Croisette, Cannes’ version of a boardwalk, lined with high-end shops, cafés, and restaurants.

Make sure to take a ferry out to visit the small islands off the coast, known as the Iles de Lérins.  The smaller one, Ile Saint Honorat, is home to a monastery that dates back to the middle ages, and many other medieval relics.  The larger one, Ile Sainte Marguerite, is a large forested island that was home to the infamous ‘Man in the Iron Mask’ for eleven years.  Visit the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea) on the island which features this mysterious man and his life, among other diverse exhibits.  The city of Cannes itself has numerous museums as well, including the Musée de la Parfumerie, dedicated to the history and making of perfume.

New York Habitat has some wonderful vacation apartment rentals for your time in Cannes, whether you want a view of the beach and the Mediterranean or prefer to stay in the center of town.  Some of their offerings include:

South of France Vacation Rental: 1-bedroom apartment in Cannes (PR-709)

•    This 1 bedroom rental in Cannes (PR-709) located near the beach.  The big feature of this bright apartment is the view from the terrace.  You’ll enjoy eating outside within sight of the Mediterranean and Lérin islands.

•    Or you might prefer this 1 bedroom rental in Cannes (PR-767), located in town, but also near the shore.  This charming penthouse apartment, with its exposed ceiling beams and two working fireplaces, is the perfect home away from home.

•    If you need some more space, you might want to check out this 3 bedroom vacation rental in Cannes (PR-887), located in the center of town, but still within walking distance of the beach.  This spacious apartment gets plenty of light thanks to its many windows.  It also features a large eat-in kitchen, modernized bathroom and magnificent views of Cannes and the sea.

Those who think that the annual film festival is the only thing that Cannes has to offer are mistaken.  On your next vacation, take the time to explore the town and its surroundings for what it truly is, a fabulous French Riviera town.  And with the help of a vacation apartment rental from New York Habitat, you’ll really feel like a local, and not just another tourist!

Please share your own Cannes experiences with us in our comments section.

Chocolate has been thought of in many different ways. Over the years it has been seen as a guilty pleasure, an aphrodisiac and a delicacy; all things that just so happen to have been used to describe the great French capitale. Anytime of year Paris has its share of patisseries shelling out home-made cocoa creations, but fall is the one time of the year when the scents of chocolate waft through the streets of Paris (at least by the doors of the Paris Expo center). Fall, you see, is when the Salon du Chocolat officially opens its doors to the public. We here at New York Habitat have been known to indulge from time to time, and we’ve got dozens of accommodations available for guests to indulge in the city and the chocolates in town for a five-day sejour.

Paris apartment: Vacation rental in Les Halles (PA-602)

The cocoa bean is undoubtedly the star of the show at the annual Salon du Chocolat. Known more for just the treat wrapped in a Hershey label, cocoa is also a major ingredient in all types of products, including beauty treatments. This year’s show will feature around 140 master chocolate makers and a full program of festive events including a fashion parade, many demonstrations and children’s workshops. The two countries of honor will be Italy and of course, Switzerland. Visitors will learn more than they ever thought imaginable about chocolate and will get the opportunity to indulge a bit too.

The Chocolate Show runs from October 29th to November 2nd, a wonderful time to come to Paris. New York Habitat has dozens of accommodations available where guests can rest up after a day of indulgence. Here are just a few worth considering:

-This studio in Place des Vosges, Marais – Les Halles (PA-2833) features a lot of natural light and a charming patio.
-This 1-bedroom rental accommodation in Bastille, Marais – Les Halles (PA-602) is situated in a classic Parisian pre-war building and was recently renovated in 2003.
-This 3-bedroom rental apartment in Champs Elysees (PA-791) will give guests the feeling of royalty in this chateau-like flat.

What’s the greater indulgence, a week in Paris or a week spent eating chocolate?

Ask any tourists what their favorite places in London are and they’ll probably list Harrod’s, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and Madame Toussaud’s. Ask any Londoners about their favorite spots in the city and you’re sure to hear less familiar choices like Kew Gardens, Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common, all near Richmond-Wandsworth. While visitors don’t mind queuing up to get their chance to see the famous sights, locals often opt to spend their free time off the beaten path. If you want to stay where Londoners make their weekend getaways, New York Habitat has accommodations in the insiders’ favorite sections of the city.  

London accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment Richmond-Wandsworth LN-595

Look on any area map and you’ll notice that Richmond-Wandsworth is literally awash in greenery, with ample parklands and golf courses. Near the much-loved Kew Gardens and Richmond Park are the Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club, the Richmond Golf Club, the Strawberry Hill Golf Club, the London-Scottish Golf Club and so many others that you can feel your score decreasing with each day you stay in your New York Habitat rental. For golf fans, it’s possible to book a tee time at a different course every day of your visit.

For tennis lovers, however, there is always the famed Wimbledon Stadium, where tours will take you onto the grass and clay courts, as well as inside the building to areas usually restricted to the public. Like the old joke goes, another way to get to Wimbledon is through practice, practice, practice, and you can do that by playing in any of the local parks with plenty of tennis courts. 

If you’re not particularly a sports fan, there are many other ways to spend your time. Kew Gardens is a day-destination spot all its own (actually, more like two or three leisurely visits), with amazing botanical and ecological delights abounding. You can see the sculptural, 18th century Queen’s Garden, the tropical and ornamental Waterlily House, the iconic Palm House Paterre, Kew Palace, and the new, exciting Treetop Walkway, which takes visitors about sixty feet up in the air and allows them access to unprecedented views from above.

There are also fun and educational exhibits for the kids, including the Badger Sett, which lets children explore the real-life living conditions of those underground creatures; in the park sleepovers; and the fall through winter ice skating rink, set outside the gorgeously lit, glass Temperate House.

London Accommodation 2-bedroom apartment in Richmond-Wandsworth (LN-595)

Lest all this sumptuous greenery makes you feel too removed from the concrete splendors of central London, be assured that a fifteen-minute ride on the Underground or National Rail will bring you to the heart and hustle of the city, then back to your greater London retreat to retire for a peaceful night’s sleep. Our recommendations in Richmond-Wandsworth include

• A chic and streamlined 2-bedroom vacation accommodation in Richmond-Wandsworth-Battersea (LN-595) with modern design and conveniences such as a gym, laundry and sparkling, chrome kitchen. This riverside apartment is on the fourth floor and has a balcony with spectacular Thames views, as well as a corner reception room, hardwood floors and two bathrooms. It’s only ten minutes from Clapham Junction station and right across the river from Cheyne Walk in Kensington-Chelsea.

• A funky and inviting 2-bedroom townhouse in Richmond-Wandsworth (LN-534) that has a garden, terrace and bunkbeds for the kids. This ground- and first-floor accommodation is only a three-minute walk from the nearest National Railway station.

• A bright and spacious 1-bedroom furnished rental in Putney, Richmond-Wandsworth (LN-186) that comes with a laundry/dryer and a terrace suitable for barbecues and al fresco dining. This ground-floor apartment, available to rent for one month or longer, is just a few minutes’ walk from the Thames and from Putney Bridge station, with direct routes to central London.

Go “green” with a stay in a New York Habitat accommodation in London’s lush Richmond-Wandsworth area—and let us know which park or golf course is your favorite with a comment below. 

As the summer crowds disperse and the scorching heat fades away, what better time is there to vacation in New York City? The onset of autumn in the Big Apple brings mild temperatures and an old tradition of street festivals and parades.  And on Sunday October 5th, the borough of Brooklyn proudly hosts its 34th annual Atlantic Antic Street Festival.

New York Accommodation: 2-bedroom rental in Crown Heights (NY-12779)

Often referred to as the ‘mother’ of all street fairs in New York, the Atlantic Antic spans 10 blocks from 4th Avenue to Hicks Street and three neighborhoods, passing through Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill and Cobble Hill. Fortunately, New York Habitat has several convenient rental accommodations in this area for all who wish to partake in the festivities.

One of New York City’s most culturally diverse affairs; vendors of the Atlantic Antic Street Festival showcase cuisine and merchandise from all over world, bringing Italian, Moroccan, and Indian (to name a few) cultures to the streets of Brooklyn.  The fair also includes live music and performances which are just as diverse, ranging from country and jazz to belly dancing and rock and roll. While enjoying all that the festival has to offer, shoppers may also peruse the vintage and trendy boutiques that line Atlantic Avenue.

New York accommodation: 2-bedroom rental in Crown Heights, Brooklyn (NY-12823)

If you’re planning to vacation in New York City during the first week of October, consider the following New York Habitat rental accommodations: a newly renovated spacious 2- bedroom rental in Crown Heights, Brooklyn (NY-12779).  This rental is minutes from the festival and is within walking distance of the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.

This cozy 2-bedroom vacation rental also in Crown Heights, Brooklyn (NY-12823) has a terrace and is located near a variety of shops and international restaurants.

If you can’t make it to New York City for the Atlantic Antic Street Festival, don’t fret for there are plenty of great activities in the city during the fall, like:

• The New York City Marathon
• The legendary Halloween parade in Greenwich Village
• The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Have you ever been to a festival in New York City? New York Habitat would love for you to share your experience in the comments below.

One of the most scenic and unique ways to see London is on the water—not from one of the ubiquitous tourist boats that take you up and down the Thames but from a colorful narrowboat cruising leisurely along Regents Canal, offering views of the city that cannot be seen from anywhere else. Fortunately, there are a few services in northern London that afford you this chance—and, of course, there are more than a few New York Habitat accommodations in the area to make your stay even more spectacular.

Lon

London Accommodation: 1-bedroom apartment in Williston (LN-586)

don’s waterways used to be the highways of the city, allowing transportation to some of the most famous and frequently visited sights. Boatmen would row passengers on long, narrow boats and “leg it” through tight tunnels, using their feet to propel off of low ceilings. Nowadays, these trips continue to take visitors past stunning views in style, including Lords’ Cricket Grounds, the London Zoo and Lord Snowdon’s aviary in Regent’s Park, the gardens in St. John’s Woods, the beauty and serenity of Maida Vale and celebrated Camden Locks.

As you relax, friendly tour guides/boat owners give interesting accounts of tunnels and decorative bridges in some of the oldest parts of London, tying up frequently for unrushed on-land excursions and onboard meals complete with afternoon tea and aperitifs. Cruising through the city’s center, you can scoff at automotive traffic, gaze up at the foot traffic comprised of London’s legions of international visitors and gain unparalleled access to and angles of landmarks that take on a whole new character when seen from the canal. In addition, boating through rural places like Regent’s Park, Browning’s Island and an original Victorian cemetery will give you a taste of the English countryside and all of its resplendent greenery without leaving the city limits. With the romance of the waterways, London takes on the feel of Venice while its own history seems even more alive and immediate.

London Accommodation: 1-bedroom apartment rental in Hempstead (LN-29)

Once the excursion is over, you can get your land legs back while enjoying dinner at a canal-side café in Maida Vale, a dockside pub in Camden or a pagoda-style restaurant in Cumberland Basin to continue the seafaring theme—plus all of these locations are close to your New York Habitat apartment in Camden-Brent.
To complement a canal cruise, we suggest staying in one of the following New York Habitat accommodations:

•    A classic and quiet one-bedroom rental in Hampstead, Camden-Brent (LN-29) located in a calm residential neighborhood near Finchley Road station. This sun-drenched, ground floor retreat comes with thoughtful, personal touches such as a patio, piano, small study and gas-operated fireplace.

•    A private and outdoorsy furnished studio in Willesden, Camden-Brent (LN-24) minutes from Willesden Green station. This ground floor rental comes complete with a queen-sized sofa bed, a terrace with outdoor seating, a garden and backyard, all near the extensive parklands of northern London. Client testimonials rave, “I would highly recommend this apartment” and “It was a great apartment and I would consider staying there again as well as recommending it to others who might be visiting London.”

•    A funky one-bedroom rental in Willesden, Camden-Brent (LN-586) that manages to recreate the colorful, bohemian feel of a houseboat or gypsy caravan. This lower ground floor apartment near Bakerloo station has a queen-sized bed, terrace and private garden, along with fabulous and fun decorative flourishes.

To see London in a whole new way, visit London Canal Cruises—and to make your time spent on dry land as enjoyable, stay in a scenic New York Habitat vacation accommodation in lovely Camden-Brent.

Please let us know the adventures you’ve had on any of London’s historic waterways by leaving a comment below.

London is loaded with “high streets,” which are main avenues full of shops, restaurants and cafés. In New York, high streets would be the equivalent of Broadway, Fifth Ave and even 8th Street. In Paris, they would be Avenue Montaigne and the Rue de Bac. In London, there is, of course, High Street Kensington; there is also Oxford Street, Marylebone High Street, King’s Road, Regent’s Street…the list goes on. However, there are also some smaller thoroughfares that have the same conveniences and appeal as proper high streets, but with certain charms all their own and without the obligatory traffic—human and automotive. Gloucester Road is one of these. What makes Gloucester Road even more of a find is that New York Habitat has some amazing rental accommodations there that will ensure your stay is hassle-free and even more pleasurable. That means Gloucester Road isn’t just a hidden high street, but an “easy street” as well.

London Accommodation 2-bedroom apartment in South Kensington (LN-527)

Located in fashionable South Kensington, a ten-minute walk from some of London’s major museums (The Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert, The Science Museum) and most frequented stores (Harrod’s, Harvey Nichols, H&M), Gloucester Road couldn’t be better situated. To the north, it’s nestled by Hyde Park a few blocks away; to the south, about twenty minutes on foot, there’s King’s Road and a fantastic view across the Thames; to the west is colorful, café-laden Earl’s Court (which also has some cheap eats); and to the east is every attraction that makes up the famous area known as Knightsbridge. Central London is only about five stops away from the Gloucester Road Tube station, which is served by the Piccadilly and Central & District Lines, major routes that lead all across London.

However, once you see what Gloucester Road itself has to offer, you may hold off on heading to the underground. Within a few blocks, there are three hair salons, including the hip Toni and Guy’s, which can give you the latest “London look.” You can also find the sleek, French-inspired Café Deco, which sells some of the city’s best almond croissants, as well as the open-air café directly across from the station that always draws an international crowd. As far as restaurants are concerned, Gloucester Road gives you a top-tier variety, from French and Mediterranean to Southwest barbecue, award-winning Indian and a well-loved fish and chips shop, all within a five-minute stroll—so there’s something new to try every night of the week. Better yet, since Gloucester Road is not officially a “high street,” you won’t be paying those high prices!

London Accommodation: 2-bedroom rental in South Kensington (LN-578)

Gloucester Road also has some interesting shops, including a gourmet food store where you can stock up the kitchen of your New York Habitat rental accommodation; a discount wine shop with a good selection; an Oxfam charity store where you can score some vintage finds and feel good doing it; and a secondhand/antiquarian bookstore, the likes of which are essential to life in London. Of course, for some marathon shopping, a ten-minute walk in almost any direction will put you in reach of all the high street stores, as well as must-have London and European labels like Paul Smith, Joseph’s and Chanel.

To live the “high life” on this hidden high street, consider staying in one of these New York Habitat vacation accommodations:

•    A supremely stylish 2-bedroom duplex in South Kensington, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-76) on Cromwell Road off Gloucester Road. This vacation rental is on the third floor of a modern high-rise with elevator and 24-hour doorman. A bedroom and bathroom are located on each floor of the duplex and the upper floor has a balcony.

•    A quiet and comfortable 2-bedroom vacation rental in South Kensington, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-527) on Gloucester Road between Cromwell Road and Hyde Park. This first floor flat has been recently refurbished and comes complete with armchairs, wooden floors and a power showerhead.

•    A magnificent accommodation with marble fireplace, this second floor 2-bedroom rental in South Kensington, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-578) is on Cromwell Gardens between Cromwell and Gloucester Roads, overlooking the garden square.

A stay in a New York Habitat accommodation on Gloucester Road puts all of London at your doorstep—without all of the noise and crowds of the city right outside your door.

Know another “hidden” street in London that you love to explore? Let us in on it by leaving a comment below.