New York Habitat Blog

For some, Paris is the place for lovers…but right around Valentine’s Day, London gives the City of Lights a run for its money in the romance department. Think London is all about wearing tweed, keeping a stiff upper lip and downing a room-temperature pint? Think again! This winter, England’s capitol is going Eastern Bloc with Smirnoff’s Black Winter Ice Lounge—a cool place to keep each other warm. So rent a stylish New York Habitat vacation accommodation nearby, put on a faux fur Russian hat and find out for yourself just what inspired the Beatles to write “Back in the USSR.”

London Accommodation: 1-bedroom in Tower Hamlets- Canary Wharf (LN-619)

Smirnoff’s Black Winter Ice Lounge is a luxurious, sexy seasonal space set up in the Plateau Restaurant in chic Canary Wharf. The rooftop lounge has a wall of windows, dazzling views of the Thames and the area’s architectural wonders, and Russian-inspired décor that will make you temporarily forget that St. Paul’s is not in St. Petersburg.

The lounge’s white chairs and soft lighting are a perfect complement to the wintry elements outside, and the “fur” blankets (as warm as the real thing) will have you cuddling up close to your traveling companion or squeezing onto a sofa with a few of your closest (or newest!) friends. Of course, you may want to throw off your fake bearskin and head to the bar for some Slavic snacks and vodka cocktails made exclusively for this event. Then again, there’s nothing wrong with simply snuggling up and soaking in the scenery.

The best part of it all? When you leave the lounge, you can trade the caviar for some fish and chips and the chilled glass of vodka for a warm cup of tea. This is London, after all! The way to make the most of it is to stay in a fully accommodated New York Habitat rental that can function as your own private lounge. Some suggestions are:

• A stunning 1-bedroom vacation rental in Tower Hamlets-Canary Wharf (LN-619), only a three-minute walk from the South Quay DLR—which is essential on those wintry nights. Part of a newly constructed, contemporary building development, this apartment is located in a garden setting with canal views on one side and glimpses of Greenwich on the other. Complete with ambiance lighting, double-glazed picture windows and polished wood floors, this accommodation may have you rethinking going out altogether!

London Accommodation 2-bedroom rental in Tower Hamlets- Canary Wharf (LN-625)

• An absolutely striking 2-bedroom vacation rental in Tower Hamlets-Canary Wharf (LN-625) in a stylish, serviced residence with river views (overlooking the iconic Millennium Dome), spacious rooms, a fully fitted kitchen for candlelit dinners, a bathtub for some serious unwinding and a stereo to show off those dance skills. Perfect for two couples.

• Can’t stand to be too far from each other? Stay in this amazing studio in Tower Hamlets-Canary Wharf (LN-610), where you’ll fall in love with all the little details: a pull-down double bed, fantastic furnishings, under-floor heating and a power shower.

Romance, Russia and New York Habitat vacation rentals—just three more reasons to fall in love with London this February.

Check out upcoming articles on London, the City of Love…and share your favorite romantic spots with a comment below. (Don’t worry—we promise not to tell everybody!)

New York Habitat has been helping you discover the smaller, less-visited museums in Paris.  This week, we bring you to a small museum, housed in a beautiful eighteenth century building, and features an object that concerns us all: Le Musée de la Monnaie.

Paris Seine River

Le Musée de la Monnaie (The Money or Mintage Museum), located on the banks of the Seine,  also serves as a mint.  The institution has been minting money in Paris since the ninth century!  It has changed buildings throughout Paris but has been at its current location, the Hotel de Conti, since the time of Louis XV.  The museum’s collection tells the story of France’s currency from Roman times to present day.  You can also see older minting machines and examples of special collectible coins issued by the French mint, including one to commemorate Coco Chanel, just released this past fall.  This museum is not only for coin-enthusiasts; the combination of location, building, and collection is sure to peak everyone’s interest.

Le Musée de la Monnaie’s neighborhood, the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Près areas, is a wonderful part of Paris to stay in, full of shops, cafés, and restaurants.  New York Habitat has numerous vacation apartment rentals here as well.

This 1-bedroom rental in Quartier Latin, St Michel - St Germain - Notre Dame (PA-2534) is just next door to the beautiful Jardin de Luxembourg.  This simply furnished apartment does feature beautiful wainscoting, hardwood floors, and a decorative fireplace.  Located on the top floor of the building, the views from the small balcony, especially of the Eiffel Tower in the distance, are not to be missed!

Also available is this 1-bedroom vacation rental in Saint Sulpice, St Michel - St Germain - Notre Dame (PA-2948), is right on Place Saint-Sulpice in the Saint-Germain-des-Près area of Paris.  Modernly decorated, past clients have praised this apartment for its “nice location, good size, [and] good condition”.  Though only on the second floor, you still have spectacular views of Place Saint-Sulpice and the church for which the square is named.

Paris Accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment Saint Germain des Pres PA-3758

If you’re in need of more space, look at this 2-bedroom accommodation in Saint Germain des Pres (PA-3758).  With an eat-in kitchen and separate dining room, you can easily invite your friends over for dinner that you made from the excellent fresh food market right outside your door.  This luxuriously decorated and classically French apartment will make your next Parisian vacation all the more special.

Le Musée de la Monnnaie is an excellent Paris museum that often gets over-looked.  But its location makes it ideal for an afternoon visit, between shopping in Saint-Germain-des-Près and eating in the Latin Quarter.  New York Habitat makes it even easier to see this hidden gem museum by staying right in its neighborhood in one of their wonderful vacation apartment rentals.

To read about the earlier entries on our list see: 

#4 Le Musée Gallieria
#5 Le Musée du Vin

What museums do you think will make our top 2? Let us know in the comments section.

The 1st half 2008 Paris market report bring you the latest updates on the Paris apartment rental market. Data on both vacation rentals (3 days to 1 month) and furnished apartments (1 month and longer) is provided in the report.

The Paris Furnished Apartment Rental Market Reports webpage contains all of the information that you need to help in determining current prices in the markets, popularity of neighborhoods and more.

Paris Furnished Apartment Market Report 1st half 2008

Paris Furnished Apartment Market 1st half 2008:

Major findings for the Furnished Rental department include:

Major conclusions of the report are similar to the previous year. Pricing remains relatively stabile and apartment supply continues to increase. Looking to the future there is some concern that prices and demand could decline because of the global recession.

In the Vacation Rental service we found:

Prices fell slightly in the 1st half of 2008. A major factor in this decline was that the euro reached an all time high against the U.S. dollar and also strengthened significantly against the British pound and the Japanese yen. Furthermore, we continued to see that the neighborhoods of Maris – Les Halles and St Michel - St Germain – Notre Dame remained the most demanded areas for Vacation Rentals as tourists tend to want to be centrally located above all else.   Again future results will depend on how deep the global recession becomes.
We hope you find this report to be useful if you are an apartment owner in Paris or if you are planning a trip to Paris. All of the information that is presented in the report is designed to better inform you about the Paris Furnished Apartment Rental Market.

To read previous market reports visit the Paris Furnished Apartment Market Report webpage.

Please comment below on the report or e-mail us at marketreport@nyhabitat.com if you have any questions, comments or remarks.

Is there anything more romantic than spending Valentine’s Day in Paris? The city’s grand architecture and mesmerizing Seine River are natural backdrops for lovers. And adding a chocolate tour to your V-Day itinerary is guaranteed to make your day even sweeter.

Paris Accommodation: 1-bedroom rental in St. Michel (PA-1899)

Spend the entire afternoon savoring divine chocolate from some of the best artisanal chocolatiers in the world. And since three of the best shops are located in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district of Paris, it’s easy to walk from one delicious store to the next.

Begin your sumptuous tasting tour at Christian Constant, near the Luxembourg Gardens (37 rue d’Assas). The world-class chocolatier, best known for blending chocolate with exotic spices and flowers, has a devout following among chocolate-lovers.  You’ll see why when you sample delectable combinations like dark chocolate with ylang ylang, orange blossoms and even earl grey tea.

From there, take a leisurely stroll over to the Pierre Hermé Boutique (72 Rue Bonaparte). Affectionately known as the “Picasso of Pastries,” Hermé is one of the most celebrated pastry chefs in the world. The boutique offers delicious pastries, cakes and gourmet chocolates, but no trip is complete without sampling a few of the heavenly macaroons. Choose from an assortment of flavors like milk chocolate with passion fruit and toasted hazelnut with white truffle cream.

Once you’ve managed to pull yourself away from Hermé’s addicting treats, it’s time to wind down the tour at Patrick Roger’s shop (108 Boulevard Saint-Germain). Roger’s over-the-top window displays and quirky chocolate sculptures are worth a trip in itself, but the confectionary delicacies are pure bliss. And in case you wanted your chocolate affair to continue well beyond your stay in Paris, Roger offers a box of chocolates over three feet long, filled with pralines, caramels, nougats and bon bons.

Stay in one of the many New York Habitat apartments nestled in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighborhood, and you’ll be able to begin the chocolate tour right from your front door. Consider one of these romantic apartments:

A luminous studio rental in St Michel - St Germain - Notre Dame  (PA-705) with beautiful garden views and southern exposure.  The apartment is located on the fifth floor of a charming late 16th century building.

A cozy 1-bedroom rental in St Michel - St Germain - Notre Dame (PA-1899) located just a few meters from the Seine. The apartment’s wood-beam ceiling gives off a warm chalet feel — a perfect winter retreat for Valentine’s Day lovers.

Visiting so many amazing chocolate shops will make you appreciate the joys of chocolate like never before. Stock up on some of the chocolatiers’ creations along the tour so you can enjoy them year-round.

Who do you think makes the best chocolate in Paris? Do you have a store that should be added to the tour? Please share your recommendations with us.

Every February, many Americans engage in Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) celebrations. Londoners enjoy similar festivities, but they call it Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday). In both cultures, this celebration marks the final day of indulging sweets and meats before 40 days of fasting. So instead of getting crazy on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, make your way to the UK, rent your own London accommodation and celebrate Pancake Day like a true Londoner. The celebration is held on Tuesday, 24 February.

London Accommodation 3-bedroom rental in Islington (LN-500)

In order to celebrate Pancake Day, you will need rich ingredients such as eggs, milk and sugar. Only buy them in small amounts, as you are to use them all up by the end of the day. A traditional pancake is a little thicker than a French crepe and can be served with a sweet topping such as maple syrup, Nutella or sugar with lemon. Once you have cooked up and devoured these tasty treats in your London apartment, it’s time to get out about London town and celebrate with the locals.

All around London, city dwellers and visiting tourists alike will be taking part in pancake races. The aim of the race is to run to the finish line while tossing a pancake in a frying pan. Some businesses even form teams and race for charity! Most of these races start between noon and 1 p.m. Take the Underground to Aldgate East or Liverpool Street for the Great Spitalfields Pancake Race, or head to Tower Hill to check out the Great Pancake Race opposite the Tower of London.

Ditch your traditional Mardi Gras celebrations and trade in beads for pancakes! Get close to all the racing action by staying in one of these New York Habitat vacation accommodations in London:

• A quaint 1-bedroom rental in Islington (LN-287) nestled opposite the Liverpool Street station on the Circle Line. A perk to renting with New York Habitat is having your own kitchen to cook the pancakes! This London vacation rental is also close to plenty of shops, restaurants and theaters in the West End.

London Apartment: 1-bedroom rental in Islington (LN-287)

• An exquisite 2-bedroom penthouse rental in Islington (LN-289) also situated just across from the Liverpool Street Undergound. There is plenty of space inside this luxurious London penthouse to invite lots of new friends over for Pancake Day celebrations. And it’s just steps away from the Great Spitalfields Pancake Race!

• A massive 3-bedroom rental in Southwark (LN-500) located off Tower Bridge Road, only a few minutes away from the sight of the Great Pancake Race. Plan a lengthy holiday with a few of your mates and enjoy your stay inside this London vacation rental. There are sleeping quarters for up to six people, and all guests are sure to be impressed with the apartment’s central location.

Where will you celebrate Pancake Day this year? Will you stay inside one of these lovely New York habitat accommodations or will you be roaming the streets of London looking for a Pancake Race? Feel free to comment below!

Paris Accommodation 3-bedroom Vacation Rental in Montparnasse (PA-1600)

Much like the city of Paris itself, children’s books inspire the imagination in all of us. For generations, children’s literature has sparked young minds through clever twists of prose and illustration. The French are no strangers to artistic expression and have had quite the influence on popular children’s literature, from the stories of Babar to the pages of the Petit Prince. Bibliophiles young and old will have the opportunity to relive the stories of their youth or discover something fresh at the French national library’s Babar, Harry Potter and Company exhibition, running until April 11. As usual, New York Habitat has plenty of Paris apartments (some with home libraries!) available before, during and after the exhibition takes place.

Books from our childhood are much more than just books, they open to the door to wonderment, and are the first fruitful steps in the path towards literacy. Most of us have fond memories of our favorite children’s book or have enjoyed the whimsy of books like Harry Potter in our adulthood. Anchoring Paris’ thriving Bercy district, the François Mitterrand French National Library is holding an exhibit celebrating fairy tales, picture books, adventure stories and young novels from around the world. The exhibit seamlessly follows the different periods of childhood and the literature that influences reader development, from the very first words read by a loving parent to the teenage years of self discovery. The exhibit will feature artifacts from generations past as well as avant-garde contemporary works. Other pieces presented include manuscripts and original drawings, promotional posters and mixed-media presentations.

Paris Accommodation 1-bedroom apartment in Pere Lachaise (PA-2147)

Families with a taste for the written word would be foolish to miss this exhibit although they might find it difficult to pull themselves away from a good book while relaxing in their New York Habitat rental apartment. Below are a few apartments available that might tickle a bookworm’s fancy:

-This 1-bedroom apartment rental in Gambetta-Pere Lachaise-Nation (PA-2147) is bathed in direct sunlight, with floor-to-ceiling windows gazing out over the rooftops of Paris.

-Bookish families visiting Paris should look no further than the wall-to-wall bookshelves in this 3-bedroom rental accommodation in Montparnasse-Porte de Versailles (PA-1600).

To really get your heart racing this Valentine’s Day, head to the Lovers’ Leap Bungee Jump at London Bridge. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience (we mean that in a good way!) that will make your trip to London unforgettable. To make it even more thrilling, top it off with a stay in a New York Habitat vacation rental.

London Themes River

Lovers’ Leap is a 165-foot bungee jump temporarily set up off of London Bridge. Couples can head headfirst toward the Thames in tandem or singles can make two separate jumps. The experience includes a half-bottle of champagne to celebrate after your successful jump—or perhaps to help calm your nerves beforehand. Best of all, you get a video of your jump to relive the moment all over again (which is especially useful if you had your eyes closed the whole time!). It’s also a great souvenir to show off to friends and family.

This is only the third year that Lovers’ Leap has been running at London Bridge, so it really is still quite special—but no worries! The bungee company has been in business since 1992 and has orchestrated over 100,000 jumps. It has also raised over £1 million for charity.

What will also have you jumping for joy is the selection of New York Habitat vacation accommodations that are close to the river. Just a few Tube stops (or a romantic stroll) away from London Bridge is St. George’s Drive, a peaceful street near to Buckingham Palace, pretty St. James’s Park and the Houses of Parliament. There, you can find:

• A lovely and well-appointed 2-bedroom vacation rental in Westminster-Pimlico (LN-469) on quiet St. George’s Drive. This second-floor walk-up comes complete with a library area, separate shower room (so there’s no waiting!), central heating, a decorative fireplace and French doors that open onto a small private balcony.

London Accommodation 2-beroom Rental in Vauxhaul (LN-69)

• Bright and sunny—which is especially important on winter days in London—this 2-bedroom vacation accommodation in Westminster-Pimlico (LN-680) is also on St. George’s Drive. The third-floor walk-up offers views of Regency buildings and is attractively furnished in period style. It comes complete with a laundry/dryer, decorative fireplace, picture windows and balcony.

• Across the river is a spacious and open 2-bedroom vacation accommodation in Lambeth-Vauxhall (LN-69) on St. George’s Wharf, overlooking the Thames. This modern apartment is on the eighth floor of a sleek high-rise with elevator and concierge. There’s something for everybody: The master bedroom has an en suite bathroom and the second bedroom has a walk-in closet. Take your pick!

So enjoy a romantic stay in a New York Habitat vacation accommodation—and take the leap this Valentine’s Day in London!

What makes London the City of Love? Let us know your thoughts with a comment below.