New York Habitat Blog

New York Habitat’s prime vacation rentals in Pimlico are a few steps away from Causton Street, where the Clash practiced tracks for London Calling in the long-gone Vanilla Studios, and a scenic walk to Ebury Street, where Mozart wrote his very first symphony. But these two at-odds distinctions are not why Pimlico earned its place at Number Three on our list of Must-See Musical Sights in London—and it’s certainly not because “Pimlico” is in a famous song. (It doesn’t rhyme with anything. Go on, we dare you to try!)

Pimlico made our list simply because of its excellent location exactly three short stops away on the Victoria Line from Brixton—so, in the words of Eddy Grant’s 1983 hit, you can “rock down to Electric Avenue” anytime you want. And staying in New York Habitat’s vacation rentals will certainly help you “take it higher.”

Brixton is, excuse the pun, one of the most electrifying areas of London. It has a huge marketplace that sells Trinidadian and Guyanese rotis (wraps with spiced fillings), among a million other things you shouldn’t live without. In fact, the avenue got its name from this famous, sprawling marketplace, which was the first shopping area in London to have electricity.

London Vacation Rental: 1 bedroom rental in Pimlico (LN-482) picture

It is also worth forcing yourself out of your fabulous Pimlico rental accommodations and taking the Tube three stops to check out: Bookmongers, a secondhand bookstore whose wares reach up to the ceiling; Photofusion, one of the most cutting-edge art galleries in London—or any other city; the retro Ritzy cinema playing arthouse and independent films; the reggae and dub music stores abounding; and the Duke of Edinburgh pub that hosts a backyard barbecue on summer Sundays.

Although Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” was a skating rink smash in ‘80s America, it was considered social commentary in London, where its reggae influences reflect Brixton’s vibrancy and diversity, as well as the population’s predominantly Caribbean, African and Indian roots.

New York Habitat’s rentals in nearby Pimlico not only make this don’t-miss area accessible, they also happen to reflect the absolute best in mod accommodations. The design factor in these flats is absolutely through the roof. Not only do you have to see it to believe it—but you’ve got to stay in one of our furnished vacation rentals to truly get a sense of what Swingin’ London was all about.

Check out this one-bedroom apartment rental apartment in Westminster (LN-223) on Willow Place between Vauxhall Bridge Road and Rochester Row. It puts the Design Museum to shame—and Terence Conran created that! In addition to its contemporary style, this vacation accommodation has a flat-screen TV, a gas fire—and comes with a warning: You may not ever want to leave. No worries! Nearby Tachbrook Street has a food market during the week so you can buy provisions to bring back to your pad.

London Apartment: 1 bedroom rental in Westminster (LN-223) photo

Another sleek, chic place to stay is this one-bedroom vacation rental accommodation in Pimlico - Westminster (LN-482) on tucked-away Aylesford St. It’s accented with shocks of red and artwork adorning the walls. If that isn’t enough aesthetics, the Tate Britain is only a ten-minute walk away with its foremost collection of British art and Late at Tate gatherings the first Friday of each month, featuring live music, film screenings and a cash bar. The testimonial from a recent client who stayed in this accommodation raved, “Everything was simply perfect.” It may be mod, but there’s nothing ‘modest’ about it.

New York Habitat also offers an accommodation on quiet, cobbled St. George’s Mews. Behind its calm exterior is a deluxe duplex with an absolutely swingin’ staircase. This one-bedroom vacation rental in Pimlico - Westminster (LN-499) is right by the banks of the beautiful Thames River and the trendy, mod-ish Millbank Lounge.

Pimlico’s proximity to Electric Avenue—just a Tube ride and the Thames away—makes it our Number Three Must-See Musical Sight in London. Pimlico’s super-stylish accommodations make it a must-stay.

If you have missed the previous top musical must sees in London look back at:

• #4 Belgravia, London
• #5 World’s End, London

Now, let us know how long it takes to get that Eddy Grant song out of your head leave your comments below…and remember to check back next week for #2 in the count down of top must see musical sights in London.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day Shamrock Picture

The Irish have a long history in New York City dating back to the first waves of mass immigration in the 19th century. Today, the Irish influence is ubiquitous–pubs are named after Irishmen, Catholic churches play important roles in many neighborhoods and men and women with Irish last names hold positions in politics, public service, entertainment and just about everywhere else. Every year on March 17th thousands of New Yorkers take to the streets to celebrate the Irish heritage of New York City.

On St. Patrick’s Day everyone in New York is Irish, those hailing from the Emerald Isle as well as those from Mexico, Africa, Eastern Europe and Queens. The main festivities take place in central Manhattan with a massive parade making its way through the city. New York Habitat has dozens of accommodations close enough to the parade to hear the beating drums and piping bagpipes.

Starting at about 11 a.m., the parade runs along 5th avenue, from 44th to 86th streets. If you’d like to catch a spot on the front row of the route plan on arriving a few hours before the start of the parade. The St.Patrick’s Day parade features over 100,000 marchers from all over the metropolitan area including local marching bands, Irish culture societies and members of the city’s police and fire departments. The parade route can become severely overcrowded in the 50s where a lot of the rowdier spectators seem to congregate, for a more spacious and family-friendly experience head uptown, above 80th street. The crowds are smaller up here and the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art might be the best place in the city to watch the festivities.

New York Vaction Rental midtown west 12498

Just about every bar in the city is jam packed on St. Patrick’s Day, many feature live music or free giveaways. Beware Irish pubs along the parade route–they’re overcrowded and patrons have been drinking in these joints since early in the morning. If you still want to get a pint of Guinness take the train downtown where many Irish pubs have traditional bands and the same ambiance as the places up town, just without the inebriated crowds.

Just north of the parade route is this 1-bedroom rental accommodation on the Upper East Side (NY-12551). The apartment has great views and a spacious 1,100 square feet. Just a few blocks to the east of the parade are the hardwood floors and red accents of this 1-bedroom vacation rental apartment on the Upper East Side (NY-12411). This elegant 2-bedroom rental apartment in Midtown East (NY-12498) is steps from the parade route on 56th street and dozens of Irish bars and restaurants.

Every nationality comes out in force to watch New York’s St. Patrick’s parade, and for one day a year they all wear green and speak with an Irish brogue. Join us in New York for Saint Patrick’s day and comment below on the expirence!

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious Formula One races. Part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport (along with the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans), this race differs from them by one very compelling trait: the cars race through the city streets of Monaco, past the luxury casinos and alongside the beautiful Mediterranean beaches. If you are a racing or car enthusiast, this is one race you have to see in person and you can make your experience complete by staying a furnished vacation rental from New York Habitat.

Monoco, France

This year, the Monoco racing festivities will take place from May 22nd to May 25th, the day of the race itself. The preceding days are full of practices and parades that only add to the spectacle of the weekend. Race day is the most exciting day of course. The narrow streets of Monaco, full of tight turns and changing elevations, challenge the drivers like no other course and lead to a slow race. The average speed of the 78 lap race, (which totals 260.52 km or almost 162 miles), is usually around 150 km/hr or approximately 93 mph, compared with conventional track speeds well in excess of 100 mph. However, these slower speeds do not detract from the excitement of being at the race yourself.

When you go to the Monaco, stay with New York Habitat in one of our furnished vacation rentals in Beausoleil, France. Literally meaning ‘beautiful sun’ this town on the border of Monaco and France will be shining brightly from all the sun brought on by the wonderful May weather. And you’ll be able to take in as much sun as you want from this one bedroom rental in Beausoleil, French Riviera (PR 751). This apartment is tastefully decorated and can accommodate up to four people. The kitchen and bathroom are modern and well-equipped. The best features of this apartment are the remarkable views from the living room and the 10 minute walk to the casinos or 15 minute walk to the beach, both of which are on the race course!

French Riviera accommodation: Studio in Eze sur Mer (PR-806)

If you’d prefer to stay a bit farther from all the action, then you’ll want to see this studio apartment in Eze sur Mer, French Riviera, (PR 806). Able to accommodate up to six people, this studio has a spacious living area and a lofted sleeping area over the kitchen. The pièce de resistance, however, is the large teak deck with amazing views of the Mediterranean. Enjoy the sun and sand in this quite beach town and then take the short drive into Monaco for the race!

The excitement and the glamour of the Monaco Grand Prix are not to be missed. And staying in a furnished vacation rental from New York Habitat will only make your experience better!

For more information, go to the Monaco Grand Prix Official Website.

Have you ever been to the Monaco Grand Prix? Do you follow Formula One racing? Please share and discuss in our comments section.

Paris holds a remarkable place in English-language literature. As any Hemingway fan will tell you, Paris has been a Moveable Feast for young and old writers, from Americans Getrude Stein and Scott Fitzgerald to Irishmen Samuel Becket and James Joyce. Some of the greatest contemporary novels and plays have been written by Anglophones living in small apartment flats, frequenting Paris’ cafes and parks for inspiration.

Quite often for writers (pardon the cliché) the best inspiration is found in a bottle. Bars and pubs dating back to Hemingway’s Lost Generation still serve up pints in Paris and are haunted by the stories and spirits of ‘inspired’ wordsmiths. Today many of the watering holes have remained remarkably similar to what they were before the second world war. The right bank, home to many New York Habitat accommodations, is the site of several bars with hefty literary traditions.

Eiffel Tower: Paris, France

To begin New York Habitat’s literary pub crawl visitors should start on the Right Bank. Exit the Metro at the Opera station and marvel at the gilded batiment on the way to your first pint or cocktail.

The first stop on our Right Bank crawl is at the Café de la Paix. The Paix is a classy old-world eatery just around the corner from the Opera building. Author Henry James dined here some 100 years ago when the cheapest glass of wine cost heaps less than today’s €8 euros. If your on a budget have a glass of wine, enjoy the chateau-like surroundings and get out of there, if your not stay and have dinner at one of Paris’ finest restaurants.

Next stop on our crawl is only a block and a half away at Harry’s New York Bar. Harry’s New York Bar has been a hangout for generations of literary superstars. The bar’s “Society of International Barflies” counts four Nobel Prize winners among its official members; Hemingway, Sinclair Lewis, Faulkner and Steinbeck. The list of writers said to have frequented Harry’s is staggering–including Gertrude Stein, Marguerite Duras, Sylvia Beach, Edith Wharton and Simone de Beauvoir. Harry’s invented the Bloody Mary, possibly with easing a Hemingway hangover in mind. The bar was a favorite of GIs during World War II and remains a citadel for Americans in Paris who gather to watch sporting events or celebrate results on US election nights. The bar even holds a straw vote among its American patrons shortly before American elections (Bush won in 2000, lost to Kerry in 2004).

The final stop on our Right Bank literary pub crawl is the Ritz Hotel bar, named after old papa Hemingway himself. According to legend Hemingway and a small contigent of American GIs liberated the bar in 1944. Today the rather small bar has been restored to its old look and feel. Visitors receive some of the world’s most magnificent cocktails and pay the price for them, the drinks cost around (gulp) €25.

Paris Accommodation: Studio in Opera - Le Louvre (PA-3338)

Taxis can be sparse at night so it’s probably better to rent a New York Habitat apartment in the quarter if you plan to drink like James Joyce. Steps from our pub crawl is this colorful studio vacation accommodation in Opera - Le Louvre (PA-3338). Visitors also won’t have a problem stumbling into this 2-bedroom accommodation in Opera - Le Louvre (PA-2719). Just remember to be kind to your neighbors when your return and keep the noise down.
 
While the Lost Generation left Paris generations ago a new group of writers, including funny-man David Sedaris and the writer or this article, continue to call the city, and her pubs, home. 

We continue our literary pub crawl on the Left Bank next week…