New York Habitat Blog

It is difficult to imagine–while shopping in SOHO–that Manhattan is an island of only 22.96 square miles. Millions of commuters come in and out of the city each day, each of them crossing a bridge or tunnel on thier way in. River crossings are an essential part of Manhattan’s efficiency, as much as any major city in the world. The bridges that connect Manhattan to the rest of the city via the East River and the state of New Jersey via the Hudson River are themselves worthy tourist destinations. While the bridges of Paris have a subtle aesthetic, New York’s river crossings are massive, utilitarian odes to modern architecture. While some lack the aesthetic of their Parisian counterparts, many of New York’s bridges are as essential to the city’s landscape as the rivers they cross. New York Habitat has plenty of apartments in Uptown Manhattan that place guests steps from New York’s most practical works of art.

The George Washington Bridge at night

Uptown Manhattan doesn’t have nearly as many recognizable bridges as the beauties Downtown. Downtown, bridges are framed by the towering New York skyline, principle actors in the city’s scenic canvas. Uptown the bridges are mostly gritty, industrial structures connecting the South Bronx to Harlem and Washington Heights. Uptown bridges are, for the most part, famous for snarling traffic rather than architectual genius. The one Uptown Manhattan exception is the hulking George Washington Bridge, spanning across the Hudson river from New York to New Jersey. Originally constructed in 1931, the exposed steel towers and suspension of the bridge act as an informal gateway into New York City. The George is one of the busiest bridges in the world offering 14 lanes accross the Hudson River. The George features pedestrian paths on both sides of the structure and offers some of Manhattan’s greatest Westside views. For views of the GWB itself visitors should take a visit to Fort Tryon Park near Washington Heights.

Hudson River with George Washington Bridge views

Within walking distance of the George Washington Bridge is this 2-bedroom townhouse accommodation in Harlem-Uptown (NY-12256). The apartment is near the C train, about 20 minutes from Midtown Manhattan. This modern 1-bedroom rental apartment in Harlem, Uptown (NY-12546) features exposed brick and an open layout. This alcove studio in Upper West Side (NY-12107) has some amazing views of the Hudson river and the George Washington Bridge in the distance.

Later we will be discussing Lower Manhattan’s iconic East River crossings…

Summer is fast approaching and that means vacations on the beach, spent lying in the sun, reading trashy novels, and sipping cocktails.  Instead of going to your normal vacation spot, why not try something new and different this year and spend some time on the shores of the Mediterranean in lovely Nice, France?  Recently, the town has been undergoing  improvements which make it an even nicer place to visit, especially if you stay in a vacation apartment rental or villa from New York Habitat.

Nice, France Beaches

Nice has long been known for its beautiful Mediterranean vistas, walks along the picturesque Promenade des Anglais, and the charming Vieux Nice neighborhood.  Now getting to all these places has just gotten easier.  After years of construction, the first of three lines on the new light-rail transportation system (Le Tramway) opened late last year, with the next two lines to open shortly.  The system connects the major transportation hubs and cultural sites of the city with affordable daily or weekly passes.  So if you’ve been hoofing it around Nice all day and need a little rest, hop on the tramway to reach your next destination.

While in Nice, at least one of your destinations should be the many first-rate art museums.  Both the Matisse and Chagall museums have completed recent renovations to provide even better spaces in which to display the works of these famous painting masters.  Of course, these are only 2 of the numerous art museums in Nice, all of which have wonderful collections for you to visit and see.

To complete you beach vacation in Nice, New York Habitat has a wide variety of apartment rentals from which to choose.  This 3 bedroom furnished rental in Nice, French Riviera (PR-708) is perfect for a family.  The pre-war building is located in Vieux Nice but is also minutes from the beach.  All the rooms retain their French charm in the architectural details while still offering modern amenities in the kitchen and bath.  This apartment will make you feel more like a resident of Nice, instead of a tourist.

Nice, France markets

If you’d like a more intimate place to stay, look at this 1 bedroom furnished rental accommodation in Nice, French Riviera (PR-244).  With more modern décor and an open kitchen, this apartment looks like it could be in New York but the views from your windows will tell you differently.  Located on the top floor of the building, every window of this apartment has spectacular views of Nice and nearby Place Masséna.  Nothing could be more relaxing that waking up and looking out your window to scenes like this every morning.

A vacation on the beach is a vital part of summer but going to the same old spot year after year can get dull.  Why not change it up this year and be able to tell your friends that you will be vacationing on the French Riviera this summer.  And a vacation rental in Nice from New York Habitat will give you even more bragging rights.

For more on Nice, read Top Towns to visit in the South of France: Nice, French Riviera: #4. 

Do you have any other travel tips for Nice?  Please share with us in the comments section.

London, like New York and Paris, is made up of dozens of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own feel and personality. Every year, a new one comes in or goes out of fashion, and there are always a few up and coming areas waiting to be crowned the next “happening nabe.” But of all the amazing spots to stay in London, the one that never loses favor is the part of South Kensington near Cromwell Road that comprises the Museum Mile. Trust us on this—if you never venture more than twenty minutes in any direction, you’ll still see so much of what gives London its timeless character and charm.

London Vacation Rental: 2 bedroom apartment in South Kensington (LN-77)

Staying in a New York Habitat vacation rental apartment will let you feel like you’ve been part of this neighborhood for years, even if you’re only there on a two-week holiday. This is the section of London you will want to return to time and again. It’s the one that instantly feels like home.

Cromwell Road runs right in front of The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum and The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum—and it’s possible to make a day out of—and devote an article to—each of these. If prehistoric fossils, earth science and the environment are your interests, you need look no further than The Natural History Museum. In fact, you’ll want to rent one of our nearby accommodations so you can roll out of bed each morning and see which exhibits and daily programs the museum has in store for you, including once-in-a-lifetime experiences like getting to play the theremin (that space-age instrument used in every ’50s sci-fi film and at the end of The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations”).

Even if you’re not so much into fossils and the like, The Natural History Museum itself is an absolutely gorgeous building, like a cathedral with sweeping staircases and high ceilings that just happens to have a reconstructed T. Rex in its lobby. It’s free, so venture in for a look—but be warned that you will probably not emerge again for a few hours since you are sure to find something of interest inside. Many of the museum’s changing exhibits are more art than archaeology, such as the current Shell’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year. If you’re traveling with kids, there is no better place in London, so plan on making a few repeat visits.

Since The Natural History Museum will most likely become one of your neighborhood hangouts, it’s a nice idea to fall into the habit of having your morning coffee there. When you leave your convenient New York Habitat apartment, stop by any of the local cafés (Patisserie Valerie is particularly recommended for its croissants), get a coffee to go and head to one of the museum’s many benches near its small but serene (and still relatively secret) outdoors nature walk, which simulates different ecosystems. It’s a relaxing, unrushed way to start a morning of sightseeing.

London Accommodation 2 bedroom rental in South Kensington (LN-530)

Get a full-on English breakfast at the small restaurant attached to South Kensington station or a take-away crepe at the shop nearby before you head off into the Underground. Otherwise, stay above ground and stroll down the shopping district, which starts where Cromwell Road turns into Brompton and leads you toward Knightsbridge and the haven that is Harrod’s. On the way, stop at the Oxfam thrift shop for some uniquely London souvenirs (proceeds go to charity) then hit the Laduree for its famed French macaroons—and a marble floor on which to rest all your shopping bags. For a more substantial meal, stop by your local, The Bunch of Grapes pub, for a ploughman and some soccer on the telly. 

When you return home in the evening, make sure to stop again outside The Natural History Museum, which is even more astonishing lit up for the night.  

If you want to get a feel for this perennially favorite neighborhood, we suggest staying in our:

• 1-bedroom furnished rental in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-450) on Queensgate between Cromwell Road and Kensington Ave. It has a well-equipped kitchen to accommodate stops at the local Sainsbury or Waitrose supermarkets (which have cut-price specials after 7 p.m.) and a bedroom with a wall-mounted flat screen TV. It’s a few steps from The Natural History Museum and a five-minute walk to Hyde Park. Our client testimonial states: “We thought that the apartment was decorated beautifully and in a very good location. Good value.”
• 2-bedroom furnished vacation rental in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-77) on Cromwell Road. This apartment, with balcony, is located on the 7th floor of a modern high-rise that has a doorman and a health club/pool on the ground floor for guests’ use.
• 2-bedroom furnished duplex apartment in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-530) on Cromwell Road and Queen’s Gate Place. This apartment consists of the two upper floors of a mews house and has a laundry/dryer and a rooftop terrace with table and chairs. 

A stay in any of these vacation accommodations is a good way to welcome yourself to the neighborhood.

Soon, we’ll continue our tour of Cromwell Road with even more fantastic New York Habitat rentals and a visit to the V&A museum.

 Have you been to The Natural History Museum? Please leave your comments below.

You would think that a small, preserved colonial-era island, 800 yards off Manhattan’s southern shore would be a world-renowned tourist attraction. One would think that the New York site that famously hosted the 1988 summit with President Reagan and USSR leader Gorbachev would have a more recognizable name. And one would surely be forgiven for doubting that an island complete with a preserved castle, fort, pre Civil War fortifications and homes even existed so close to New York’s shore. Governors Island does, indeed, exist and it boasts the most dramatic southern Manhattan views in the entire city. New York Habitat has known about Govenors Island for quite some time and we have several accommodations a short ferry ride away.

New York Harbor, with view of Govenors Island

Designated as a national monument, Governors Island has flown under the public radar for much of its recent history. In reality, the island in New York Harbor has played an important role in just about every American military engagement since the Revolutionary War. The island’s two most important landmarks are Fort Jay and Castle Williams, both fortifications dating back to the early 19th century. The island is home to dozens of historically marked and preserved buildings and former private estates. Today Governors Island has a park-like atmosphere, an oasis from the cars and noise inescapable even in the center of Manhattan’s most serene parks. Governors Island is open only during the summer and now features a long lineup of outdoor concerts. New York’s southern skyline is inescapable on the island. Financial District skyscrapers cast their looming shadows on the island from what seems like a world away. The views from the island are spectacular–a landscape that includes southern Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty. Visitors can reach the island on the Governors Island Ferry, departing from the Battery Maritime Building adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry in Lower Manhattan.

New York Accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment in Tribeca (NY7288)

Unfortunately, visitors cannot stay on Governors Island proper, an accommodation in Lower Manhattan is as close as you can get. Guests should take a look at this 1-bedroom apartment rental in the Financial District (NY-12523), located between Wall and William streets, this apartment is literally steps from the Gov. Island Ferry. Groups with more guests should try this 2-bedroom vacation rental accommodation in Tribeca (NY-7388). This studio vacation rental in Battery Park (NY-11925) makes up for its smallish size with rooftop views of New York Harbor, the Financial District, Statue of Liberty and, what else, Governors Island.

If you have missed the past tow entries in the top 5 views of Manhattan, New York; take a look at:

#5: Liberty State Park, Jersey City New Jersey

#4: Empire - Fulton Ferry Park, Brooklyn

What other New York Harbor/East River Islands are worth a visit? Comment Below

So, Scorsese has finally turned his obsession with “Gimme Shelter” into a full-blown film of the Rolling Stones called Shine a Light. It’s been released in IMAX so viewers can have the sensation of being surrounded by Mick and the boys. But why not do it one better by staying in the actual surroundings where the Stones’ frontmen used to live? New York Habitat has accommodations that put you right in the middle of Mick and Keith’s former London neighborhood of Cheyne Walk —‘satisfaction’ guaranteed!

London row houses in Chelsea

In the late 1960s, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were both living on Cheyne Walk just a few doors apart (Keith was at #3 with girlfriend Anita Pallenberg, whom he stole away from bandmate Brian Jones; Mick was at #48, first with girlfriend Marianne Faithfull—during which time the Chelsea drug squad carried out on infamous raid on the flat—then with wife Bianca).

Many of the Stones’ most recognizable songs were written in the studio that Mick had built in his backyard garden. The Chelsea Drugstore, part-pharmacy, part-soda fountain, part-pub mentioned in “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” was a ten-minute walk away (unless you wanted the purple-clad, scooter-riding delivery girls to make a home delivery), so it is quite possible that Mick popped down there from time to time to get some prescriptions filled. David Bowie, whose wife Angela is believed to have been the inspiration for “Angie,” lived just a few blocks over on Oakley St. It is incredible to be walking the same streets that served as such inspiration to two of music’s most prolific songwriters—and after living in our rentals in the Cheyne Walk section of Chelsea, you’ll understand why.

This area has long been attracting luminaries in the arts, making Cheyne Walk the single street with perhaps the most blue plaques in London. Among those who have called it home are: painters J.M.W. Turner (#119) and James McNeil Whistler (who moved around from #21 to #96 and #101), writers George Eliot (#4), Bram Stoker (#10) and Henry James (#21), poet Dante Gabriel Rosetti (#16), and George Best, who was an artist in his own right with a soccer ball. What brought them all here is obvious—the beautifully-constructed early 18th century houses, the Thames River views framed by the Albert and Battersea Bridges, the celebrated Chelsea Physic Garden, and the bohemian houseboats clinging colorfully to the riverbank.

London accommodation Chelsea Kensington 1 bedroom apartment

What you’ll see when you stay in one of our outstanding rental accommodations is a neighborhood that has not changed all that much since Mick and Keith were residents. In other words, it still rocks! The pubs are friendly, the pints are frothy, nearby King’s Row is full of fabulous people and fashionable shops. Sure, the Chelsea Drugstore (where Kubrick also filmed some of Clockwork Orange) is now a McDonald’s—but you can’t always get what you want…or can you?

The answer is an absolute yes if you stay in one of these well-appointed New York Habitat apartments:

• A pretty one-bedroom vacation rental in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-460) with an ornamental balcony and gas log fireplace
• A bright one-bedroom rental apartmnet in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-355) located on Cheyne Place on the fourth floor of an apartment building that comes with an elevator and its own caretaker
• A fully-equipped, air-conditioned one-bedroom rental in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-504) on Chelsea Manor Street;
• A gorgeous one-bedroom rental in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-459) that offers spacious interiors and luxury surroundings, including communal gardens—where, like Mick, you may be inspired to write a few classics of your own.

So skip the IMAX theater and head on over to a New York Habitat vacation rental to see Mick and Keith’s old haunts on Cheyne Walk in London. Most of us may never lead the rock star life, but at least you can walk the Walk.

Which London blue plaque houses are you most interested in seeing? Leave your comments below.