New York Habitat Blog

In honor of Halloween and World Zombie Day (October 26), New York Habitat’s choice for the number three most cinematic spot in London is Canary Wharf, where much of the 2007 zombie movie “28 Weeks Later” was filmed.  The on-screen living dead notwithstanding, Canary Wharf is a beautiful location filled with iconic buildings, breathtaking city views and some of the best vacation accommodations New York Habitat has to offer.

London Accommodation: 1-bedroom retna in Canary Wharf (LN_512)

If you’ve seen “28 Weeks Later,” you undoubtedly remember the scenes where the plague survivors (the non-zombies) gathered together in the modern conveniences of Canary Wharf apartments to wait out the flesh-eating storm that was sweeping through the rest of London’s infected. Well, they couldn’t have picked a better spot.

Spacious and contemporary, Canary Wharf embodies present-day London, boasting three of the UK’s largest skyscrapers, as well as the sterling and efficient Docklands Light Railway, the most scenic way to get around the city. Although Canary Wharf is well-known as the heart of London’s financial district, there are plenty of leisure activities to occupy every traveler, with an endless selection of sleek cafés, fashionable shops, international restaurants, choice galleries, and authentic public houses. The area absolutely buzzes after working hours and the skyline shines.

For a stunning urban experience, check out Canary Wharf’s winter ice rink with the gorgeous Canada Square Park as its backdrop. Or visit the outdoor sculptural art exhibits in Jubilee Park, the live You Are Hear musical performances and the singing by candlelight in East Winter Garden. The area’s cultural events range from classical and acoustic concerts to comedy clubs—and with any luck, you can catch a zombie flick at the grand Starlight Cinema.

Of course, Canary Wharf has historical elements, too, like charming cobblestone streets, gaslight lamps and centuries-old structures that recall the area’s maritime past and long ties to the shipping industry. The Museum of London Docklands will shed some light on this intriguing area and local ghost walks will bring its history back to life in a hauntingly entertaining and informative way.

London Accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment in Canary Wharf (LN-616)

To complement your stay in colorful Canary Wharf, we suggest the following New York Habitat rental accommodations:

•    A cutting-edge designed 2-bedroom duplex in Tower Hamlets-Canary Wharf (LN-616) on the ground and first floors of a modern development. This stunning rental has large picture windows, a balcony with jaw-dropping river views and access to the building’s private gym.

•    A 4-bedroom townhouse in Tower Hamlets-Canary Wharf (LN-373) nestled in a private, leafy square on the banks of the Thames. This three-floor accommodation has a warm, wooden interior, a balcony, garage, spa pool in the en suite bath of the master bedroom, three double beds and one single. A recent client testimonial raves: “The riverside apartment in Canary Wharf more than met our needs and hopes. The owner was incredibly helpful.”

•    A sexy, chic 1-bedroom vacation rental in Tower Hamlets-Canary Wharf (LN-512) on the eleventh floor of a modern development within walking distance of the DLR. This apartment is outfitted with a sleek hardwood interior, lush leather accents and a balcony.

Even the undead in “28 Weeks Later” would agree that Canary Wharf is a very lively area. See for yourself with a stay in a New York Habitat accommodation.

Be sure to check out our number two pick for the top cinematic spot in London—and let us know your favorite British horror film with a comment below.

Check out #5: Liverpool Street and #4: Earl’s Court

As the weather cools and the leaves change color here, thoughts turn to autumn festivals and harvests.  But not in France.  Home to numerous ski resorts, large and small, local favorites or world-renowned, France is a skier’s paradise and the French relish their ski holidays as much as their long summer vacations. Consider adding a bit of European flair to your next ski outing by visiting some resorts in the south of France and staying in a vacation apartment rental from New York Habitat.

South of France 2-bedroom Chalet in La Salle (PR-10)

Serre Chevalier, located in Briançon in the Southern Alps and near the Parc National des Ecrins (which itself is home to many ski resorts) and the Italian border, is one of the largest resorts in France, if not Europe.  There is a large area for skiing and snowboarding but they also offer many other activities, everything from show-shoeing to relaxing in the thermal baths.  Schedule your visit during one of their many events in order to witness some world-class skiing, a car race in the snow and ice, or the extreme sport of snow-kiting!

You can stay right on the Serre Chevalier ski resort property in this two bedroom ski chalet (PR-10).  The rustic cabin, with wood paneling and beamed ceilings, provides a warm and relaxing retreat after a long day of hitting the slopes.  The well-equipped kitchen and bath offer everything one could want.  Enjoy your morning coffee or some late night hot chocolate and some spectacular views of the Alps from the large deck.

There are also other ski resorts within driving distance of Serre Chevalier and this chalet.  The Parc National des Ecrins is home to many resorts, but the closest ones may be Montgenèvre and Risoul.  Montgenèvre, while small, still offers world-class skiing, both alpine and cross-country, as well as other winter activities like sledding and ice-skating.  Risoul is another large resort, on par with Serre Chevalier, offering a wide range of both outdoor and indoor activities.

South of France Apartment: Studio in Gap (PR-306)

If you’d prefer to stay outside the resort properties, look into this studio apartment (PR-306), located in the large town of Gap, which has put its hat in the ring to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.  Or take a break from the skiing, and see the sites of Gap, like the medieval cathedral and abbey or follow the path that Napoleon took on his way through town as he reclaimed power. Within driving distance of the three resorts mentioned, this cozy getaway will let you enjoy skiing during the day without feeling isolated from provincial French life.  Cook your hearty breakfast at home before you hit the slopes and take in the Alpine vistas from the balcony.

If you enjoy skiing, then a European ski trip is a must, and France has some of the best ski resorts around. Whether you prefer to stay on or off property, New York Habitat has a variety of vacation apartment rentals from which you can choose.  The combination is sure to produce a lifetime of memories!

Have you visited one of the resorts before, or other French ski resorts?  Please share your experiences with us in the comments section.

Earl’s Court is not only one of London’s most popular spots for international travelers, it’s also one of the most recognizable on-screen sites for film fans. Exploding with activity and nightlife (pubs, cinemas, music venues, late-night coffee houses, ethnic eateries) and located near some of the city’s most beloved museums and cultural institutions, it’s the perfect setting for myriad movies—not to mention the perfect spot to stay in a New York Habitat vacation rental!

London Accommodation: 2-bedroom rental in Earls Court (LN-81)

One of the directors attracted to the energy of Earl’s Court is Roman Polanski, who shot his thriller “Repulsion” (1965) there, depicting the unnerving unraveling of Catherine Denevue, who is as beautiful as the well-heeled world she occupies.

Her apartment can still be seen in a mansion block behind Earl’s Court station, across from the house where David Naughton makes his memorable transformation in “An American Werewolf in London.” (Other scenes from that classic horror flick were shot in Earl’s Court’s gorgeously gothic Brompton Cemetery, which was also featured in Cronenberg’s “Eastern Promises” and stood in for Russia in the Bond film “Goldeneye.”) If you go to any of these spots to snap a photo of cinematic history, be sure to stop at some of the many food shops scattered throughout Earl’s Court—just follow the tempting scents of Portuguese pastries, Turkish coffee and freshly made crepes.

True to life, Denevue’s character goes on foot from her Earl’s Court flat to many nearby London attractions, such as the art and shopping districts of Kensingston-Chelsea. In fact, she has just a ten-minute walk to work in a stylish South Kensington salon (in the film, it’s Madame Denise’s Beauty Parlor; in real life, it’s the thriving Thurloe’s). A few steps away is the authentic Hoop and Toy pub, the setting in the film where Denevue’s boyfriend hoists a few pints with friends. It’s a scene you may want to recreate, given the pub’s inviting atmosphere.

London Apartment 3-bedroom rental in Earls Court (LN-295)

The pair also stops to eat near South Kensingston station, where the choices for a tasty take-away or a memorable sit-down meal are astonishing. From there, it is less than a few blocks to The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, The V&A and the Institut Francais (with its Cine Lumiere movie theatre), should the desire to pay tribute to Denevue’s home country suddenly overwhelm you.

All in all, Earl’s Court cannot be topped for variety and convenience. If you’d like to put yourself in Denevue’s fashionable ballet flats and experience all that London has to offer, we suggest staying in one of these well-located New York Habitat vacation rentals:

A 3-bedroom rental in Earl’s Court, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-295); this spacious and beautifully furnished flat is in a period mansion block and comes complete with laundry and central gas heating. Client testimonials declare: “Central to what we wanted to see and to transportation;” “The apartment was huge, absolutely lovely;” “We loved our apartment and Earl’s Court area;” “We found the location, décor, service, appliances and everything to be wonderful!”

A roomy 4-bedroom vacation accommodation in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-380), nicely situated on Earl’s Court Road between Old Brompton and Cromwell Roads. This flat has a separate reception room, an ensuite bath in the master bedroom, two additional bathrooms and laundry. Client testimonials rave: “Perfect, clean, well-located. Everybody was happy!”

An impressive 2-bedroom apartment in Earl’s Court, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-81), overlooking a lovely garden in Earl’s Court Square. This first-floor flat, in an amazing pre-war walk-up building, has gas central heating, high ceilings and French windows leading to a balcony with table and seating for four; the entire property is broadband-enabled. Client testimonials enthuse: “The apartment was clean and well-ordered and had a wonderful little balcony that looked out on the common garden in the square.”

So to spend time in one of the most cinematic parts of London, consider a New York Habitat rental accommodation in Earl’s Court. If Catherine Denevue stayed here, you know it has to be chic! Leave a comment to let us know what other films you’d like to see mentioned in our Cinematic London Top Five list—and be sure to check out our next choice.

Check out #5: Liverpool Street

New York accommodation 1-bedroom apartment in Tribeca (NY-12061)

For most Americans Halloween represents an opportunity to put on a costume for a night, eat a lot of candy and take the kids out for a night of walking throughout the community. In New York, however, the holiday is taken rather seriously. Costumes are way over the top, adult consumption of candy mixes with that of alcohol and the streets of Greenwich Village revert to a controlled chaos. The Greenwich Village Parade is one of New York’s wildest, weirdest and original events. A true must-see for any serious visitor to New York this fall.

The Village parade has been an annual event for over 30 years. Starting at 7pm and running along 6th avenue, the parade includes hundreds of puppets, dozens of bands and performance artists, and thousands of New Yorkers in some of the most inventive costumes on the planet. Anyone in a costume is welcome to march, but the true show is watching the craziness from the sidelines.

Any out-of-towner looking to throw on a mask and act like a real New Yorkers can find refuge in one of these available New York Habitat accommodations.

New York apartment: 1-bedroom retnal in Midtown-West Chelsea (NY-12442)

-One apartment to consider is the modernity of this 1-bedroom rental accommodation in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-12442).
-Not to be outdone, this 1-bedroom rental in Tribeca (NY-12061) has to been seen, or stayed in, to be believed. Guests in this accommodations will not stop pinching themselves.

Have you been to the parade before, comment below on your favorite costumes.

The countdown is already underway for the world’s greatest road race.  This year the annual New York City Marathon will take place on Sunday, November 2. The 26.2 mile race is definitely a cause for excitement. Since its origination in 1970 it has become the world’s largest marathon with 37,850 finishers in 2006.

Paula Radcliff at the New York City Marathon

What’s even more amazing is that the spectators for this event vastly outnumber the marathoners. Each year nearly two million cheering fans line the course which incorporates all five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island).  But, whether you’re a runner, spectator or volunteer, New York Habitat has comfortable convenient rental accommodations for everyone.

The following rental located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan may be an ideal vantage point for spectators as marathoners make their way through Central Park and head towards the Tavern on the Green finish line:

•    This charming, fully furnished one bedroom vacation rental apartment in the Upper East Side NY-12818 is in walking distance from Central Park and about 10 minutes from the Metropolitan Museum.

Vacation rentals in Brooklyn are also a great option because a huge portion of the marathon is run through this borough. Check out one of the following Brooklyn options:

•    This accommodation 2-bedroom vacation rental in Carroll Gardens NY-12845 happens to be in the midst of the action.

•    This fully furnished one bedroom in Park Slope NY-11949 is another convenient location.

Whether you cheer on the marathoners through the streets of Harlem, Central Park or Park Slope, the New York City Marathon is one sporting event that we, here at New York Habitat don’t want you to miss.

Now in its 38th year the New York City Marathon attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists to the city.  In addition to the race there are several related events that take place during marathon week which allow everyone to get involved. For more information regarding the specific list of events that take place during marathon week visit the official New York City Marathon website.

Have you ever been a spectator of or volunteer for the New York City Marathon?  If so where were you located along the race course?

Photogenic and historical, London is one of the most filmed cities in the world. From the days of Britain’s own Ealing Studios to recent Hollywood blockbusters, the city has been the backdrop (or the star, depending on how you look at it) of many of the most-loved and iconic movies of all time.  So New York Habitat has decided to celebrate cinematic London by bringing you a Top Five list of areas—and accommodations—that will have you following in the footsteps of some famous on-screen faces, starting with legendary Liverpool Street.

London Accommodation: studio apartment in City-Islington (LN-286)

Located in London’s East End, Liverpool Street is home to many of the city’s treasures—for the purposes of our list, the most notable is Liverpool Street Station, which served as a setting for David Lynch’s 1980 Romantic masterpiece, The Elephant Man.

Fans of the film will recognize the station from the heartbreaking scene in which John Hurt, as John Merrick, sneaks back into London and tries to discreetly descend the staircase but is chased by an angry mob. Liverpool Street Station has undergone a massive reconstruction since the film was shot there and is now one of the most sparkling and airy of the Underground stops. But the building’s original, intricate wrought-iron latticework and cathedral-style brickwork around the windows and skylights still remain—and it is well worth seeing as an enduring testament to gothic architecture.

A stay in a New York Habitat vacation rental on Liverpool Street will also put you within walking distance of the ancient London Wall, a remnant of the city’s Roman past, as well as the gorgeously restored Leadenhall Market, a covered marketplace selling fresh food and produce that recaptures The Elephant Man’s bygone beauty.

London Accommodation: 1-bedroom in City-Islington (LN-287)

Also about ten minutes away from Liverpool Street is Bunhill Fields (originally “Bone Hill Fields”), a small, verdant cemetery where some of England’s most famous dissenters, such as William Blake and Daniel Defoe, are buried. Round that out with a short walk to Dennis Severs’ House, which recreates 18th century London life through a series of tableaus that visitors view by candle or firelight; dinner at Aurora, Sir Terence Conran’s restaurant located in a great Victorian dining hall; and a stop at Flittner’s, an old-fashioned British barbershop where they still give a traditional hot towel shave—and you’ll feel as if you stepped into Lynch’s vision of Victorian London.

Of course, one of the best ways to experience all that the Liverpool Street area has to offer is to stay in a conveniently located New York Habitat vacation rental. We recommend:

•    A stylish, executive studio apartment in City-Islington (LN-286) on Bishopgate opposite Liverpool Street Station. This rental is in a fully serviced block apartment with a full-time porter and daily cleaning service.

•    A warmly furnished 1-bedroom rental in City-Islington (LN-287) with laundry and dryer, double bed, hardwood floors and large picture windows that let in plenty of light and look out onto Liverpool Street.

•    A spacious and pristine 2-bedroom penthouse in City-Islington (LN-289), across from Liverpool Street Station. This apartment comprises a study area, stretches across two separate levels and can comfortably accommodate up to six people.

A stay in a New York Habitat vacation rental near Liverpool Street will let you live London the way you’ve seen it on the silver screen.

Let us know which London films you think should make our Top Five list!

A few years ago, you may not have heard of Hackney. Nowadays, it’s one of London’s most up and coming neighborhoods, thanks to an influx of spectacularly inexpensive and eclectic restaurants, a thriving art scene, and popular event nights at area clubs. With a New York Habitat rental, you can stay in the first place that many locals head to on their days off and the last place a lot of tourists think to look.

Shoreditch, London: Hackney apartments

What makes Hackney a great neighborhood is its sense of community and shared spaces. In Hoxton Square, the heart of the area, you can run into students, moms with strollers, practitioners of yoga and tai chi, artists with sketchpads, international travelers, young Londoners taking it easy after a night out and old-timers enjoying these ever-shifting scenes. There’s no better place in the city to strike up a conversation.

In the streets directly surrounding the square, you can discover a great tapas café, fresh sushi, a stylish, subterranean restaurant, a traditional pub, a chill cinema/lounge, a small shop selling graffiti-inspired graphic tees, an independent music store, and the always worthwhile White Cube art gallery. That’s four blocks filled with the type of funky (counter-) cultural places that London is so famous for. Now you know where to find it! Do yourself a huge favor and, after booking your New York Habitat accommodation, check out local city guides or websites that will tell you what’s happening around London in any given week of any given season. You don’t want to miss anything that’s going on in Hackney! There are sure to be festivals, art fairs, musical celebrations, retro street parties and any number of community-oriented events when you’re there.

In the fall and winter, you can already look forward to the Sutton House Craft Fair, the Ogle Everything holiday shopping stalls, various ghost walks (great for Halloween), Mother Goose children’s theatre, and Bonfire Night (Nov. 5) in Hackney’s Victoria Park, which marks an historic failed attempt to blow up Parliament by celebrating with—what else?—fireworks! Anything going on in Hackney is a guaranteed good time. Some amazing places to stay in the neighborhood are:

London Accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment rental in Hoxton (LN-573)

A fun and funky 2-bedroom vacation rental in Hackney, Shoreditch (LN-573) that has a balcony, laundry and eclectic décor. This second-floor loft near Hoxton Square sleeps six comfortably, with an additional double bed in its light, airy attic.

A 1-bedroom accommodation in City-Islington (LN-436) on Hackney Road in Shoreditch. This rental comes with a terrace, parking space, laundry, garden and deck, stylish mod interiors…and three goldfish! It’s on a quiet street closed to the main artery but within short walking distance of all the hippest clubs and bars.

A stunning 1-bedroom furnished rental in Shoreditch, Hackney (LN-603), located on a cobblestone street in a quiet industrial conversion on the ground, first, second and fourth floors. This rental has a terrace, laundry, arched ceilings, wooden floors and amazing exposed brick walls.

A stay in a New York Habitat rental in Hackney will show you another side of London. Welcome to the neighborhood!

Let us know some of your favorite London festivals and can’t-miss community events in Hoxton by leaving a comment below.