New York Habitat Blog

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.

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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.

Since the days of Brigitte Bardot, St. Tropez has been known as a playground for the rich and famous.  But thanks to New York Habitat, you don’t have to be rich or famous to enjoy spectacular accommodations in this jewel of the French Riviera.  This fall is a perfect time to visit: the temperatures are cooler, the tourists have all gone back to work, and the 10th annual St. Tropez Sails event will take place from September 27th to October 5th.

St Tropez France

The name of the town comes from the martyr Saint Tropes, who was beheaded by the Emperor Nero in Pisa and then sent out to sea.  His body landed in the South of France.  The town remained a quiet fishing village for much of its history, until the twentieth century, when it became the European vacation spot for celebrities from around the world, though it still retains much of its small-town charm.  From guided tours and culture walks through the older parts of town, to the many outdoor markets and local wineries, St. Tropez holds on to its provincial heritage.  But the glamorous clientele have left their mark on the town as well.  One thing that is sure to attract the moneyed class is St. Tropez Sails, a yachting festival featuring both traditional and modern yachts and daily races.  For those of you not nautically inclined, the Annonciade Museum has become one of the centers for twentieth century and avant-garde art, featuring such French masters like Matisse and Braque. World class restaurants and night clubs let you live like a star, or maybe even with a few of them!  Don’t forget about the beautiful beaches either!  Head to the Bay of Pampelonne, five kilometers (around 3 miles) of uninterrupted sandy shores with many opportunities for windsurfing, water-skiing, and other water activities, or if you prefer, simply relax on the beach and take in the sights and sounds of St. Tropez.

The streets of St Tropez, France

New York Habitat has some wonderful apartment rental accommodations that will make you feel like a celebrity, without having to spend like one.  For instance, this studio apartment in St. Tropez (PR-630), is right in the heart of St. Tropez, just steps away from shops and the shore.  You can play paparazzi right from your window, as it looks out onto streets below.  The bright, cozy apartment offers charming touches, such as exposed ceiling beams, and modern amenities, such as an updated kitchen and bathroom.

If you’d like a bit more space, take a look at this two bedroom rental in ST. Tropez (PR-723).  It is beautifully decorated and the kitchen and bathroom are modern and well-equipped.  They even include a dishwasher and washing machine, very rare in France!  With large windows in every room, the apartment gets plenty of sun.  If you’d prefer to be in the sun, relax on the large terrace or by the pool.  This apartment is a bit further from the center of St. Tropez so it offers the perfect getaway after a long day of rubbing elbows with celebrities.

Though St. Tropez has become a hub for the rich and famous people of the world, it is still quite accessible to the rest of us.  The beautiful beaches are always free and there’s enough of St. Tropez’s French-town charm left to keep you from being completely overrun by the glitz and glamour. A vacation rental from New York Habitat will let you pretend to be a local in St. Tropez and allows you to avoid all the paparazzi that mob the hotels.  Though you may want to save up and spend one night on the town; you could be dining next to Brad and Angelina!

Have you been to St. Tropez?  Share your experiences and tips with us in the comments section.

New York Habitat’s top spot to spend a soggy afternoon in London is Soho, the town’s pulsating heart. Soho has energy to spare and everything a visitor could want, all in a few blocks’ radius. The narrow, cobblestone streets are crammed with friendly, artsy cafés, vibrant bars and restaurants, small, tucked-away shops, cinemas and some of the best people-watching in the city. In fact, with a stay in a New York Habitat rental accommodation, all the buzz of bustling Soho will be right outside your door.

London Accommodation: 2-bedroom rental in Soho - Westminster (LN-599)

On a nice day, make like the locals: grab a seat at an outdoor table, relax with a cup of coffee (which is quickly gaining on tea as the national drink), and take in the sights and sounds of Soho as they come alive around you. On a not so nice day, however, outdoor seating is not recommended—though it’s tres European, getting soaked is never chic.

So when the raindrops start to fall, that’s the time when New York Habitat’s suggestions for spots to seek shelter from the storm will come in almost as handy as an umbrella—and, in Soho, there are plenty of places to chose from, all conveniently close together. One of the most unique is Govinda, a Hare Krishna restaurant right next to Soho Square. You don’t need to join the cause in order to enjoy an exceptionally delicious, casual, vegetarian buffet-style meal that is one of the best bargains in London. It’s not every city that offers this cuisine, so this is the time to open yourself to new experiences.

One of the most comfortable spots in Soho to wait out a rainstorm is Costa coffeehouse on Dean St. Though it’s part of a chain, this particular branch has some prime ‘real estate’ in the form of sofas on the lower floor. Not many tourists know they are there, so nab one and start up a conversation with one of the locals next to you, many of whom love nothing better than to share their insider tips on London. (For another authentic choice, try Bar Italia on Frith Street, an easy-to-find espresso shop that’s usually overflowing with customers due to its high-quality coffee and 24-hour service—a great place for some late-night caffeine to keep you going or to watch Italian soccer games, especially when they’re playing England.)

Another great option on a rainy day is to wait out the weather in the Curzon Soho, the art-house cinema on Shaftesbury Avenue. There are always worthwhile films to see, as well as occasional free screenings of short films, videos and experimental fare. If the rain delay is too brief to spend two hours watching a movie in the dark, you can always see what’s on offer at their gourmet ground floor café or their stylish lower-level bar, which makes this movie theatre more like its neighboring West End live theatres, all of which put on crowd-pleasing plays.

London accommodation: studio rental in Westminister - Soho (LN-584)

Truth be told, you can never run out of things to do in Soho. Situated next to the shopping oasis of Oxford Street, the exotic (and inexpensive) cuisine of Chinatown, the crowds that flock to iconic Trafalgar Square and the tons of right-down-the-road theatrical productions, there aren’t many places you’d rather be “stuck” during a rainstorm than in Soho. So, what could be better than staying in a New York Habitat rental accommodation smack-dab in Soho’s center? Here are some top choices:

•    A pretty, charming studio in Soho, Westminster (LN-584) between funky Dean and Frith Streets, both packed with cafés. This immaculately clean first floor studio has a separate kitchen and shower room.

•    A brightly furnished 2-bedroom rental in Soho, Westminster (LN-334) right next to Soho Square, one of London’s oldest garden spaces. Located between Oxford and Greek Streets in a modern, serviced apartment building with elevator, this third floor flat comes with access to a communal rooftop terrace overlooking Soho Square—perfect for people-watching!

•    An arty and fun 2-bedroom duplex in Soho, Westminster (LN-599) on bohemian Frith St. between Charing Cross Rd. and Shaftesbury Ave. This second floor accommodation has two double beds and a balcony.

Stay in a New York Habitat vacation accommodation in Soho and see for yourself why so many Londoners—and both local and visiting celebrities—spend all of their free time here, in the chic heart of the city.

Let us know who you’ve seen strolling the streets of London’s Soho in the comments section below.

As anyone who has picnicked in a Paris park can tell you; the French capital has some of the finest manicured parks in the world. Full-time gardeners employed by the city make sure that the green spaces are more than just a place to run your toes through the grass, rather works of art to be enjoyed through an artistic lens. From the lawns of the Luxembourg Gardens to the floral immersion at the Parc Floral de Paris, the French sure do take their botany seriously. Nearly all of New York Habitat’s rental accommodations are steps from a local park, therefore steps from living works of art.

Luxembourg Garden: Paris, France

For over ten years, the city of Paris has been celebrating the art of its gardens with the annual Fête des Jardins, or garden festival. Besides hosting a slew of family-friendly activities geared towards learning and the arts, having fun and the arts, the city council offers visits to a number of public and private green areas both on and off the beaten path. This year’s edition highlights various efforts to protect biodiversity. Though the festival will take place in each of Paris’ 20 arrondissements, the festival’s events village will be held at the Parc de Bercy in the 12th arrondissement. The activities take place September 28th and 29th.

Garden lovers looking for a place to wake up and smell the roses should have a look at these highlighted New York Habitat Accommodations.

Paris Apartment Kitchen 1-bedroom accommodation Marais Les Halles (PA-2535)

-This renovated 1-bedroom rental apartment in Marais-Les Halles (PA-2535) features exposed wood beams and modern amenities.
-This studio accommodation in Invalides, Auteuil-Tour Eiffel (PA-3286) has a great location and a sleek design.
- This 1-bedroom rental apartment in Bastille, Pere Lachaise-Nation (PA-2824) has old-world charms in a bright, airy space.

Which city’s parks do you prefer? The grand, wide open spaces of New York City (Central Park, Prospect Park, etc.), or the quant, manicured green spaces of Paris (Jardin du Luxembourg, Parc Floral de Paris, etc.)? Comment Below.

When the sun is out, there’s no better escape from city life than Greenwich, London—just a relaxing twenty-minute ride on the scenic Docklands Light Railway from the center of town, yet it feels like a world away from the city’s non-stop pace. Fortunately, Greenwich also has many good spots to step in out of the rain should the weather necessitate. One of the best among them is the Old Royal Observatory, New York Habitat’s number two choice for shelter from a sudden storm. For shelter in style, Greenwich is also hard to beat with its choice of comfortable, convenient and well-furnished New York Habitat rental accommodations.

London, UK: Greenwich, Millineum Village

The Old Royal Observatory, designed by Sir Chris Wren, is perched atop a hill in Greenwich Park. If the day is fine, the park offers a myriad of other sightseeing options, such as: the Queen Elizabeth Oak where Henry VIII went to rendezvous with that Boleyn girl; an English garden with a wild deer park; a children’s boating pool; the stately and sprawling Queen’s House; and one of the main draws, the Prime Meridian, a rather unremarkable looking line that gives visitors a remarkable opportunity to stand with one leg in the Eastern Hemisphere and one in the West. Greenwich Park itself, though used as a burial ground during the plague, is a cheerful, beautiful sloping stretch of peaceful green. It’s the perfect setting for family fun, in addition to offering some of the most incredible views of London.

However, the Old Royal Observatory is the place you’ll want to hurry to when those views are suddenly obscured by rain clouds. Inside the observatory is housed an expansive collection of early astronomical and navigational instruments, as well as one of the world’s largest telescopes. On a sunny day, you might be inclined to pass these by with a quick look and an appreciative nod. But stuck inside for the duration of a midday shower, you’ll be immersed in the riveting history of sailing and the intricate and exquisite inventions that made maritime exploration possible. It’s a great place to pick up a new interest—and some fascinating books from the gift shop.

London is a city built around its river, and the whole feel of Greenwich expresses a long-running love affair with the Thames that continues to this day. In addition to the Old Royal Observatory, this theme is repeated in the fun and informative National Maritime Museum at the bottom of the hill, the Ranger’s House that was built for an admiral in 1688 but now holds a collection of Jacobean portraits, the Royal Naval College, the celebrated Cutty Sark tea clipper, the Gipsy Moth IV, which sailed its way around the world, and the distinctive Thames Barrier. In fact, you can devote days to maritime activities in Greenwich and even take a short cruise from there to the center of London.

London Accommodation: 1-bedroom apartment in greenwich (LN-556)

With all of the covered markets, small shops, old pubs, quaint eateries and un-missable views abounding in the area, Greenwich is an ideal place to stay, come rain or shine. Some New York Habitat accommodations that will make your trip even more out of the ordinary include:

•A bright and beautifully accented 1-bedroom rental in Greenwich (LN-554) that has a terrace, parking space, private access to the bedroom and bathroom and a shared living room and kitchen—a great way to make new friends!

•A handsomely furnished 1-bedroom accommodation in Greenwich Millennium Village, Greenwich (LN-555) with hardwood floors and balcony in a building with an elevator and twenty-four-hour concierge.

•A cheery and comfortable 1-bedroom apartment in Greenwich (LN-556) that has a double bed, is close to all the historical charms of Greenwich, as well as the O2 Arena, and is only fifteen minutes from London’s West End.

There is a reason that Greenwich is known as “greater London,” and it’s not due to location alone. Less than twenty minutes from the heart of London, Greenwich not only provides shelter from the storm, but also a pleasantly alternative place to stay apart from the hustle and bustle of the city center.

Let New York Habitat know your favorite among Greenwich’s many charms by leaving a comment below…and be sure to see our number one choice for a good place to spend a bad weather day in London.