New York Habitat Blog

At first glance, Canary Wharf may not be what most people associate with London. With the towering, glassy skyscrapers, indoor shopping malls and outdoor seating for the after-work dinner set, this part of the city looks and feels “new”—centuries removed from the usual images of Olde English abbeys and ancestral palaces. Well, New York Habitat would like to welcome you to 21st century London—and to our modern, conveniently equipped rental accommodations in contemporary Tower Hamlets, Canary Wharf.

Canary Wharf towers in London, England

The glittering skyline of this seemingly unbroken-in section of London, however, belies the Docklands’ long history as an important center for trade and shipping, particularly during the period of the British Empire. Its maritime role is hinted at in the names of local streets (Fisherman’s Way and East India Dock Road among them) and pubs still steeped in long-ago lore.

To experience an abridged version of British history for yourself, take the futuristic Docklands Light Railway from the architecturally forward-looking Canary Wharf region a few stops south to the grassy heaths of Mudchute City Farms (on the Isle of Dogs). Two stops later, you’ll see the naval splendor of the Cutty Sark and soak in the maritime atmosphere of Greenwich and the prime meridian.

Venture a few stops northwest of Canary Wharf for the former docking community of Shadwell and its traditional pie and mash shops; Limehouse, an historic neighborhood with a legacy of factory workers and Chinese immigrants (plus The House They Left Behind, Joseph Conrad’s old local); Westferry, which has the Hawksmoor church of St. Anne’s and its sister, St. George, whose clock comes from the same workshop as Big Ben’s; and Wapping, where the incredible, can’t-be-overstated Wapping Project, housed in a former hydraulic power station, exhibits art that vies with the must-be-seen interior.

Sadly, the Docklands are often overlooked by many tourists, which means they’re missing out on a huge part of the city’s history—and all that Canary Wharf and the surrounding areas have to offer today. Save the sixteen pounds for a double-decker bus tour of the usual sights and take the Docklands Light Railway instead. Even without getting out, you’ll get a great view of London’s layers from past to current cutting edge, all for the price of a Zone 2 ticket.

London accommodation 2-bedroom Canary Wharf (LN-379)

If this is your first time in London, Canary Wharf is the perfect spot to stay, uniquely located on the east side, yet only three Tube stops from London Bridge. If you’ve been to London before, this will feel like a fantastic new alternative—though it’s less than 15 minutes from familiar central London on the Underground. In either case, New York Habitat has unbeatable vacation rentals near the water…and what could be better in the summertime?

• An airy 2-bedroom furnished rental in Tower Hamlets, Canary Wharf (LN-379) off lively Westferry Road. This penthouse, with king-size beds and balcony, is part of Canary South, a luxurious new residential development of serviced apartments about a 5-minute walk from the Jubilee and DLR stations.

• A 2-bedroom furnished apartment in Tower Hamlets, Canary Wharf (LN-375) on the third floor of a modern building with elevator. This light and contemporary flat is all on one level, has a 28” flat screen TV, a balcony off the lounge area, and is less than a 3-minute walk from the nearest rail station.

• A spacious 2-bedroom furnished accommodation in Tower Hamlets, Canary Wharf (LN-511) off Millwall Inner Harbour. Situated on the 14th floor of a new development, this apartment has expansive views of the city and is a 3-minute walk from the DLR station.

London accommodation 2-bedroom Canary Wharf (LN-511)

From the area’s prominent past to its present fine dining with waterside views, the Docklands are a sure choice for a summer stay. Let New York Habitat set you up in Canary Wharf—and see a side of London that few know to look for.

If you’ve ever been to this part of east London, share your comments and experiences with us below.

There’s nothing like summer in London. It’s the time for free outdoor events, musical Proms, festivals and theatrical plays in the park. Londoners get a two-month break from umbrellas and all the tourists flock to Oxford Street for—well, no one quite knows why.

Since something is sure to be happening in any part of the city on any given day of the season, let a New York Habitat vacation rental put you where the action is.

Notting Hill London

One such area that teems with activity when the weather turns warm is Notting Hill. If you groaned just now, it means you’re not such a huge fan of romantic comedies. No worries! The real Notting Hill isn’t much like its movie counterpart. It’s diverse, multi-faceted and much more fun, especially in the summertime.

The big draw on weekends, of course, is Portobello Market. Outdoor markets are synonymous with London in the summer and even if crowds and shopping aren’t your scenes, there are three reasons you still have to see it: 1) the sheer size and scope of the thing; 2) the excellent pubs with outdoor gardens that line the way; 3) the farm fresh, £1-a-bag fruit and produce stands clustered at one end (go especially for the ripe peaches and authentic Cockney accents).

The streets surrounding Portobello are particularly good walking routes. Westbourne Grove boasts small boutiques and stately homes; Ladbroke Grove leads to Lisboa for Portuguese pastries and other multiethnic eateries; Kensington Church Street is home to Kandy’s (the best place for afternoon tea), as well as countless antiquarian bookshops, and will take you toward Hyde Park and High Street Kensington.

Late in the season, this same area hosts the Notting Hill carnage—oops, Carnival, a spirited and sprawling Caribbean festival that packs revelers shoulder to shoulder, street after street. It’s a London institution—and a great way to meet the locals—so it should be experienced at least once in your lifetime.

If all you’ve got are sunny afternoons to spend in London, New York Habitat has the perfect places for you to stay. Consider these convenient accommodations:

London Accommodation 2-bedroom Notting Hill (LN-38)

A 2-bedroom furnished vacation rental in Notting Hill, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-342) just off Ladbroke Grove. It’s on the ground floor of a period townhouse and comes with a garden terrace.

A 1-bedroom furnished vacation rental in Notting Hill, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-258) between Westbourne Park Road and Westbourne Grove. This renovated, airy apartment with archways is on the lower ground floor of a building from 1840. A customer who recently stayed here wrote: “I want to thank you for your excellent service.”

A 2-bedroom furnished vacation rental in Notting Hill, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-38) between Ladbroke Grove and Clarendon Road. This apartment is on the third and top floors of a period townhouse walk-up. It has its own private staircase, a balcony off the living room and bedroom windows overlooking a park.
New York may have Sex and the City, but nowhere tops London for Summer in the City!
Next week, New York Habitat will bring you another London “hot” spot for summer fun. In the meantime, if you’ve ever visited—or hoped to visit—Notting Hill, please leave us your comments below.

Summer not only means vacations at the beach; it’s also a great time for music festivals, both indoors and out.  Many larger cities in the South of France offer festivals in the summer, highlighting just about every musical genre. In the next few weeks, we’ll be looking at some of the best and letting you know what vacation rentals New York Habitat has to offer in the region.  This week, we’ll explore Le Festival de Radio France et Montpellier Languedoc-Roussillon, a two week festival featuring classical music and opera.

Montpillier South of France

Beginning on July 14th, and continuing on through the end of the month, this festival a must for classical music lovers.  Nightly events include recitals, choral concerts, and operas, both staged and in concert format.  There are also numerous free events going on throughout the festival, including recitals by young musicians, films, and even some jazz and electronic music.  Many of these events are held in the city’s historic courtyards.  There are also two museum exhibits to see: one featuring Stradivarius violins and violas, and a retrospective of the work of 19th century artist Gustave Courbet, which was just recently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

And when you want to break away from the festival activities, there is plenty to do in Montpellier itself.  One of the oldest university towns in Europe, medieval and other ancient architecture can be seen throughout the city.  Talk a walk through the Esplanade or the city square to enjoy many shops and restaurants or pick a café in which to sit, relax and people-watch for a few hours.  There are also splendid botanical gardens to enjoy and the Musée Fabre, which mainly houses European painting and sculpture, and which recently underwent an extensive renovation.

South of France apartment: Montpellier retnal PR-298

New York Habitat has many offerings in Montpellier from which you can choose.  For instance, there is this 3 bedroom rental in the Antigone section Montpellier (PR-298), one of the most sought-after residential districts of the city, due to its many buildings designed by the famous Spanish architect, Ricardo Bofill.  The apartment itself is clean and simply furnished.  The separate kitchen and bathroom are both modern and the sunny bedrooms offer amazing views of the city.

If you enjoy classical music, opera, or both, Le Festival de Radio France et Montpellier Languedoc-Roussillon is not to be missed. Not only will you hear some great music, but you’ll also be vacationing in a wonderful city in its own right.  With a vacation rental from New York Habitat, you’ll feel much more at home and like a true Montpelliard!

Have you visited Montpellier before?  Do you have any recommendations or tips for those wishing to go?  Please share them with us in our comments section.

“Les Rencontes d’Arles” is an international event in the South of France. It is one of the older photography festival and one of the most important in the world.

These events were created in 1969 by photographers and people passionate about photography like Clergue, Lemagny, Rouquette and Dieuzaide who each organized summer several expositions, fairs and nights in the Antique Theater in order to showcase their photography, creations and new concepts in the world of art.

South of France accommodation: 4 bedroom rental in Beaucaire, Avignon Region (PR-821)

This year, expositions will take place from July 8th to September 14th. It is an occasion to discover the vision of art of many different people from around the South of France.

This year (the 39th) marks the return of two famous inhabitants of Arles : the famous designer Christian Lacroix and Maja Hoffmann, the women at the origin of a major project : a foundation of arts and culture in Arles. Christian Lacroix is this year’s artistic director and has invited some of his favorite photographers.

The program includes many exhibitions, awards, arts practices, seminars and night festivities.

Take part in that artistic events where you will find pictures and meet artists that will make you discover a different aspect of photography and the wonderful city of Arles!

Arles is one of the loveliest natural settings in Europe. It is located in the Camargue region that is famous for its landscapes, tradition with bulls and for its Roman and Romanesque heritage.

If you decide to discover the Camargue and the surrounding villages, stay in a 4 bedroom duplex villa rental in Arles (PR-760).

Arles is a cultural crossroad with its well-known music, literature, photography and theatre festivals. New York Habitat has a beautiful 2 bedroom apartment rental in Arles, Camargue (PR-815) that you could also consider.

Arles, South of France

As with many cities in Provence, in Arles the sun shines more than 300 days per year! This gives the region a special light year round. You can enjoy the sun in this 4 bedroom vacation rental in Beaucaire – Avignon region (PR-821) : an authentic southern French Mas.

The Saturday market is typical site in this region: it is one of the most beautiful in Provence but also one of the largest (it is more than 2 kilometers long!). You can find whatever you want: fruits, vegetables, spices, fish, meat, regional products and more. You can also linger with the local population and learn more about the local culture.

A trip the south of France is not complete without a visit to the Arles region and is made even better by enjoying the festivities surrounding the “Les rencontres d’Arles”.

If you have been to the events and want to share your experience please leave a comment below.

The Paris Cinema Festival is not held in Cannes; a good reception here does not equal an Oscar nomination and the beach is far, far away. For what the Paris Cinema Festival lacks in glitz, glamour and after-hours parties it makes up for in originality, public inclusion and a laid-back vibe. While Cannes is still the premier French film celebration, the Paris Cinema festival is a “for the people, by the people” version of its southern counterpart. New York Habitat has apartment accommodations across Paris still available for the city-wide celebration of film.

Paris accommodation 1-bedroom rental in Alesia (PA-2149)

Early July is a wonderful time to visit Paris–the weather is warm, sidewalk cafes are bustling and Parisians are all abuzz before heading out of town for the August holiday. The Paris Cinema Festival is held from July 1st to July 13th, the day before the raucous Bastille Day. Cinemas across the city will be showcasing new films for only €5. Movie buffs can buy a pass for €25 that will grant them free access to all of the participating cinemas for the length of the festival. Events range from informal showings to industry conferences, short-film competitions and appearances by established Hollywood stars (Robin Wright Penn is one of this year’s guests). The favorite portions of the festival for most Parisians are the free open-air events. On opening night of the festival an enormous screen will be erected at the Trocadéro fountains, facing the illuminated Eiffel Tower, the 2006 film Paris, je t’aime will be shown to a huge audience. Visitors are suggested to get there early, pack a picnic dinner, bottle of wine and a comfy blanket and enjoy the show!

Paris Cinema takes place all over the city, visitors will always be within a short walk of the closest neighborhood theater. However the Montparnasse district is filled with theaters big and small, real movie buffs are suggested to shack up here. This 1-bedroom apartment rental in Montparnasse-Porte de Versailles (PA-3581) has an open layout, warm decor and is listed at a very reasonable price. This 1-bedroom accommodation in Alesia, Montparnasse-Porte de Versailles (PA-2149) is a stunner. This apartment features a loft-style layout on two floors, and two-story windows looking out onto a private garden. Oh, and before we forget the apartment sports hardwood floors and is located on a cobblestoned street.

A complete schedule of Paris Cinema events can be found at Paris Cinema fesitaval’s Website.

Victoria and Albert museum London

For the last of our three-part series on Cromwell Road’s Museum Mile, the focus is on the vast and varied Victoria & Albert Museum. A stay in a New York Habitat vacation rental in Kensington just wouldn’t be complete without a visit inside its venerable walls.

The V&A is a beautiful building housing acres of artifacts and artwork from different continents throughout different centuries. From the awe-inspiring Italian Renaissance Sculpture rooms to the haute couture collections in the Fashion Gallery, the contents of the Victoria & Albert are both exhaustive and eclectic. If there’s something specific you want to see, hang on to your museum map, which makes navigating the Underground seem simple in comparison. Otherwise, just wander from wing to wing, soaking up the scenery. Fans of British and European classical paintings, Asian craftsmanship, medieval tapestries, modern textiles and design, contemporary photography or intricate Chihuly glasswork may want to make the V&A their second home—their first home, of course, being a comfortable, close-by New York Habitat vacation rental. Others, who may begin to feel a bit overwhelmed, might want to make use of the V&A’s outside courtyard, a relaxing square of greenery (complete with fountain) framed by the museum’s ornamental exterior. In the summertime, the courtyard hosts a celebrated fête and other late-night Friday festivities.

The V&A also regularly features fascinating, in-depth exhibits, such as the current “Blood on Paper: The Art of The Book,” which highlights works created and referenced by some of the most influential artists of the past two centuries. To continue this motif after leaving the museum, head to your neighborhood second-hand bookshop on Gloucester Road to browse the shelves and take advantage of the 20p racks. Afterwards, hit the luxurious Library Bar at the Lanesborough Hotel in nearby Knightsbridge, where the cocktails may set you back a bit but the interior décor will have you coming back for more.

If you’re still in the mood for art once you step outside the V&A, don’t overlook the nearly adjacent Brompton Oratory, a church whose decorative façade seems to change with the setting of the sun. A few blocks over, on Old Brompton Road, stop by the local outpost of Christie’s auction house, if not to place an actual bid then at least to gawk at the priceless items on display inside its windows. To top it all off, catch an art-house film a few steps away on Queensberry Place, at the French Institute’s Cine Lumiere, which is currently showing a series called “1968: All Power to the Imagination.” This retrospective includes the iconic works of Godard and Chris Marker’s thematically layered documentaries.

Kensington is an incomparable area in London for art lovers and Anglophiles alike—as such, we suggest you spend your stay there in one of New York Habitat’s incomparable accommodations:

A tastefully decorated 2-bedroom rental in Earl’s Court, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-294) between Old Brompton and Cromwell Roads. Our client testimonial describes this apartment, located in a period mansion block with elevator, as: “A very convenient and comfortable set up in London. The staff at the property were very professional and courteous” (Nov. 30, 2007).

A 2-bedroom rental in Kensington, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-187) on Cranley Gardens between Fulham and Old Brompton Roads. Located on the second floor of a period building with elevator, this flat features a gas fireplace and French windows that open onto a balcony.

London accommodation studio in Kensington (LN-463)

A newly decorated furnished studio in Kensington, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-463) on Onslow Gardens, a prestigious square between Fulham and Old Brompton Roads. Located in the heart of South Kensington, this lower ground floor apartment has French doors that lead to a small, private patio deck and a skylight that lets in plenty of sun.

The Museum Mile is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting London. Check out the article on The Science Museum and the Museum of Natural History and leave us your thoughts below about any highlights you’ve seen at the V&A.

From Marcel Duchamp’s famous urinal that shocked traditionalists to the proto street art of Jean-Michel Basquiat, New York City has always embraced the evolution of modern art. It’s no wonder then why New York’s Museum of Modern Art–to the chagrin of the MET–has quickly become the city’s favorite major museum. After all, New York has always been more Warhol and Jasper Johns than Rembrandt and Jan Van Eyck–more proud of Alphabet City’s grit than of the Upper East Side’s social clubs. The Museum of Modern Art–or MoMA–is one of the premier modern art museums in the world. New York Habitat knows a thing or two about MoMA, and even more about the neighborhoods and apartments that surround it.

MoMA New York

Originally founded in 1929, the museum recently went through a massive expansion and refurbishing project that ended in 2006. More than just an addition or touch-up, the Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi completely reinvented MoMA’s space, light and overall structure. Since its reopening the museum’s popularity has skyrocketed. MoMA has an excellent permanent collection, including famous works by Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, Henri Mattisse and Andy Warhol, among others. Van Gogh’s The Starry Night is housed here, as is Dali’s The Persistance of Memory. MoMA’s collection is so recognizable that one need not be an art lover in the traditional sense to recognize several pieces or be struck by a favorite painter.

While the MET and several other New York museums are essentially free (suggested donations are listed at ticket booths), MoMA’s entry fee is a pricey 20 dollars. Penny pinchers need not worry however, every Friday, from 4 to 8 pm, entrance to the museum is free of charge. Unfortunately, MoMA’s free Friday night is not a wellkept secret, the place can become downright packed. To avoid the crowds show up at 4 o’clock when the majority of New Yorkers are still toiling away in an office somewhere. And if that’s too much of a hassle you can always dish out the 20 bucks.

New York’s Museum of Modern Art is located on west 53rd street in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. New York Habitat has a long standing presence in the neighborhood and dozens of accommodations are available again this spring and summer. This 1-bedroom apartment rental in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-9333) is literally 3 blocks from MoMA and has some mod-art touches itself (think whimsical toilet seat and decorative fireplace). This 1-bedroom rental accommodation in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-1984) is also around the corner from the museum and features a private terrace with plants, veggies and a lot of space. A little further south is the hardwood floors and direct sunlight of this 2-bedroom rental apartment in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-9895).

Tell us about your favorite work at the MoMA in the comments below.