New York Habitat Blog

If you are into modern art, you probably heard the name Olafur Eliasson before. Born in Copenhagen, this famous Danish-Icelandic artist is known for his remarkable works of art: extremely modern and often inspired by natural elements, such as light, wind, and water.

New York Accommodation Studio Lower East Side (ny-11966)

One of the most popular projects of Olafur Eliasson was probably the ‘Weather Project’, installed in 2003 at ‘Tate Modern’ in London (Britain’s National Museum of International Modern Art): a project that attracted 2 million people in 2003 and 2004.

Now, five years later, in cooperation with the Public Art Fund, the artist presents his latest project in New York City: ‘New York City Waterfalls’. Four 90 to 120 feet waterfalls were placed on the East River and New York Harbor, moving around a total of more than two million gallons of water per hour.

Inspired by the way water flows through and around New York City, Olafur Eliasson’s intentions were to show the relationship between the urban scenery of NYC and the nature that surrounds it.

The project remains until October 13 and the waterfalls can be viewed from 7am to 10pm and are lit by LED lights in the evenings. They can be found on the following locations: (1) Under the Brooklyn Bridge, (2) between pier 4 and 5 in Brooklyn, (3) Manhattan’s pier 35 and (4) on Governor’s Island.

For those concerned about the environment it is good to mention that the electricity used to operate the waterfalls is 100% ‘Green’, meaning it is completely generated by renewable sources. Measures to protect aquatic life have been taken so that fish and other aquatic life are not pulled into the pumps and damaged as a result.

New York accommodation: Studio in the Lower East Side (NY-5017)

Other interesting facts about the ‘NYC Waterfalls Project’ can be found on New York Waterfalls website: info, pictures, info about the public art fund, an interview with the artist and an explanation on how to best visit the waterfalls.

So, if you would like to see one or more of the waterfalls during that time, why not stay in one of our nice accommodations in downtown Manhattan? You can for example stay in this beautiful studio, located in East Village - Lower East Side (NY-11966). This spacious, light apartment sleeps up to four people and is nicely located in this lively neighborhood.

Also, consider a studio in the East Village - Lower East Side (NY-5017) which is just a few blocks from the waterfalls.

Have you already visited the waterfalls or are you going to visit them in the near future? Do you want to rent an apartment in the area? What do you think about Olafur Eliasson? We would love to know what you think. Please leave a message below and share your comments.

Let’s face it, the French know how to throw a party with class. While modern carnivals often conjure images of bright neon lights, greasy friend dough and tacky water gun stands, in France they are decidedly more refined. After all, the ornate French carrousels are the envy of amusement festivals the world over. For years, the French have morphed amusement and art and the Tuileries Festival is a great example of just that. As always, New York Habitat has dozens of apartments in central Paris, steps from the annual garden festival.

Paris Accommodation 4-bedroom rental in Luxembourg (PA-2995)

Running until August 24th, the Tuileries Festival takes place on the banks of the Seine. The central location is ideal for both first-time and seasoned Paris tourists. Visitors can spend hours gawking at centuries-old artwork in the halls of the Louvre only to emerge among the festive atmosphere of a neighborhood carnival. All of the carnival staples will be there; the barbe-a-papa (cotton candy), bumper cars and costumed revelers that are not so foreign to vacationing Americans. The view from the top of the Ferris wheel is arguably the most romantic, and temporary, views in the city. The Tuileries festival is filled with real Parisians, the city residents often lost among the tour groups and gift shops of Paris’ central districts.

Listed below are a few Paris flats recommended by New York Habitat’s Paris team:

-This bright 1 bedroom rental apartment in Quartier Latin, St Michel – St Germain – Notre Dame (PA-1305) features beautiful hardwood floors and rooftop views of la capital.

-This bold 2-bedroom accommodation in Luxembourg, St Michel – St Germain – Notre Dame (PA-3793) is steps from the Luxembourg gardens and the river Seine.

-And this massive, loft-style 4-bedroom rental in Luxembourg, St Michel – St Germain – Notre Dame (PA-2995) is a vacationing families dream apartment.

Let us know of your favorite apartment locations in Paris or your favorite attractions at the Tuileries Festival in the comments section below.

For those in love with London, there are countless arguments over all that the city has to offer, from where to see the best art collection to which pub serves the perfect pint. In summer, though, it’s all about which park is top pick to spend those precious sun-drenched days in. Deciding is no easy task when you consider that thirty percent of London is covered in parkland—but the attractions that Regent’s Park in Marylebone has to offer give it a distinct advantage over the others. New York Habitat can set you up in a rental accommodation close to Regent’s Park, one of London’s most beloved public spaces—but you’ll have to remember to pack your own picnic basket! 

Regents Park hub in London's Regents Park

One of the things that makes Regent’s Park our top choice is its open-air theatre, the perfect alternative to high-priced West End shows. For a fraction of the cost, you can buy yourself a standing-room-only, blanket-sized space on the theatre’s sloping lawn and watch a Shakespearean performance, a mid-summer’s night musical (this season’s selection is Gigi), a concert or a comedy revue. Sure, the theatre sells some high-end concession snacks, but you can always stash a few candy bars in your purse or pockets—and enjoy a show under the stars for a couple of quid. 

Another must-see attraction is the park itself, designed by master John Nash. With its picturesque bridge, stream, rowing lake, royal rose gardens and endless paths through pristine greenery, Regent’s Park is an all-day, low-cost destination for tourists and families. On summer Sundays, check out the bandstand for free musical events and festivals, stroll over to the park’s famed zoo or stop and watch a friendly game of football being played somewhere within the hundred acres of sporting fields.

Perhaps the biggest reason we at New York Habitat love Regent’s Park the best is its location. Nash’s architecture that surrounds the park is an attraction in itself. Walk around the perimeter to see private homes that put Buckingham Palace to shame—since you can’t get inside, it saves you a ton in admission fees!

The pretty Marylebone region also encompasses Baker Street (the fictitious home of Sherlock Holmes); Madame Toussaud’s and the planetarium (which, if the kids have their hearts set on seeing, is best entered after 5 p.m. for a discounted rate and will also give you plenty of time to breeze through the entire building); Abbey Road; the Lord’s Cricket Grounds; and the myriad cafés, shops and eateries north of Oxford Street. A New York Habitat rental accommodation will put all of this within your reach (and your budget)—and we can’t imagine a much better place to wake up each day.

• A cheery 2-bedroom furnished rental in Marylebone, Westminster (LN-432) on the third floor of a period block building on Upper Montague St., just a few minutes’ walk from Regent’s Park and the Baker Street station. 

• On Abbey Road, a lovely 2-bedroom furnished apartment in St. John’s Wood, Westminster (LN-423) on the third and top floors of a walk-up building, a nice walk from Regent’s Park.

• Decorated with blonde wood and pops of color, a 2-bedroom furnished rental in Swiss Cottage, Camden—Brent (LN-441) just off Abbey Road on the first floor of a period house with front and rear terraces. This accommodation is a three-minute walk from the Swiss Cottage station and just two short stops from Regent’s Park. 

A stay near Regent’s Park will show you why Londoners escape to open, green spaces in the summertime—especially when they don’t have to leave the city to do it!

If you’ve enjoyed the charms of Marylebone and Regent’s Park, please share your comments with us below. 

In London, summer is the perfect time to forego high street fashion chains and head to outdoor markets for one-of-a-kind finds. This city certainly has a lot to choose from: the perennial favorite, Portobello Road; the edgier Spitafields Market; the sprawling stalls of Brixton and Brick Lane. But nothing compares to Camden Market for sheer size and cool surroundings—and a stay in a nearby New York Habitat flat is a sure way to feel like you’ve not only seen London but lived it…and you’ll have the packages to prove it!

Camden Lock Market London

Okay, so it’s easy to mistake Camden Markets for the site of an outdoor concert. They are crowded, especially on weekends—but that’s all part of the charm. Navigating, however, is quite another story.
Camden can appeal to shoppers of every stripe. For antiques, there’s Camden Passage Market, which is a lot like the V&A Museum without walls. For club gear, t-shirts, trainers and knock-offs—all of it pretty cheap, at least by British standards—head to The Camden Market, closest to Camden Town Tube stop, and Camden Canal Market, with the added bonus of a nice view and a few canal-side cafés when all that shopping becomes a bit overwhelming, which it inevitably will. Stables Market, farther from the Tube, has some of the most original offerings. Gathered near the back, by what used to be the horse hospital, are independent artists and craftspeople, as well as a two-floor antique mall and scattered food stands.

That brings us to one of Camden’s biggest draws, which you can smell from blocks off: Camden Lock Market’s food stalls, crammed with everything from Middle Eastern kebabs to Japanese dumplings, Caribbean patties and proper fish and chips. Sure, it’s also crammed with people—well-informed backpackers and budget travelers from the world over come for low-priced lunches loaded with flavor. You can stop here every day after stepping out of your New York Habitat accommodation and still never taste the same thing twice—and that sure beats sandwiches from Sainbury’s!

Of course, the streets of Camden that surround the marketplaces are just as lively, getting in on the action with CD and vinyl shops, old-school authentic pubs, laid-back coffee shops, outdoor eateries, live music venues galore and hidden gems of galleries. This part of London has an energetic, funky neighborhood feel that’s perfect for exploring and people-watching on summer afternoons. Keep your eyes open for local celebrities like Jodie Kidd, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller, shopping incognito for vintage originals.
Since Camden is such an eclectic area, we suggest equally hip New York Habitat rental accommodations that will set your stay apart from the usual ho-hum hotel chains.

• Located just north of Camden station, this 3-bedroom furnished vacation rental in Camden-Brent-Camden Town (LN-428) accommodates six in style. With a conceptually designed, goth-inspired interior, balcony and baby-friendly touches, such as a crib and high chair, the whole family will be thrilled to stay in such a unique setting—even teenagers!

London Accommodation: Studio in Camden Town (LN-508)

• An airy space that takes advantage of natural sunlight, this furnished studio in Camden-Brent-Camden Town (LN-508) is on the ground floor and looks out onto communal gardens, where you’ll want to sip your morning coffee. With modern décor, a fun, retro Murphy bed and only a ten-minute walk from Camden Markets, it’s the perfect place to set down your shopping bags.    

• With its crisp design and central location, this furnished studio in Camden-Brent-Primrose Hill (LN-487) is on the ground floor of a modern building, surrounded by multiplex and art-house cinemas, Primrose Hill Park (which, after a short climb, has a pretty view of London), local shops and London Zoo. It’s less than a ten-minute walk to both Chalk Farm and Swiss Cottage underground stations and only one stop away from the excitement of Camden. 

Make your trip unforgettable by staying in a New York Habitat rental near Camden Markets—one of London’s true originals.

Leave a comment below to let us know what treasures you found in Camden Town.