New York Habitat Blog

Mention a summer music festival and the first thing that usually comes to mind is free love, muddy campgrounds and a sea of tents and eager revellers. Americans normally associate the summer music festival with the fields of rural Tennessee, the outskirts of a typical college town or a certain town in upstate New York. However, rarely do images of skyscrapers, urban ferries and an overall cosmopolitan setting enter one’s thinking. Yet these are exactly the images festival goers will find at the second annual All Points West Music and Arts Festival. The festival has a line-up that rivals that of the country’s best know summer festivals and it takes place in New Jersey’s Liberty State Park, just across the Hudson River from the shimmering Manhattan skyline (and hundreds of New York Habitat Accommodations).

New York Vacation Rental 1 Bedrrom Midtown West/ Chelsea (NY-11454)

The All Points West Music and Arts Festival enters its second year without skipping a beat. This year’s offering includes three days of music headlined by the likes of the Beastie Boys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tool, MGMT and Coldplay. And while the bands on stage will be getting plenty of attention, it is the city of New York that will take center stage. Liberty State Park has some of the area’s finest skyline views, with downtown Manhattan looming across the river. Festival-goers will have the opportunity to watch the Statue of Liberty proudly stand guard in New York Harbour while the lights from Manhattan skyscrapers reflect off the calm Hudson waters.

Unlike some other American music festivals, the All Points West event does not allow campers on site. Staying in a New York Habitat apartment during the festival is a great, mud-free option. Here are a few New York Habitat accommodations available during the festival, from Friday, July 31st to Sunday, August 2nd.
-This studio rental apartment in Battery Park (NY-9990) will have you home and in bed after the festival in a matter of minutes, you might even be able to spot your apartment from Liberty State Park.
-This 1-bedroom rental apartment in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-11454) accommodates two guests in a comfortable and convenient setting. The proximity to everything central Manhattan has to offer is exceptional.

It was a beautiful day in May when we decided to give you a little tour of Greenwich Village - home to a community of people who arguably changed the world.  This small area below 14th Street and west of Broadway has been home to rebels, nonconformists, beatniks, bohemians and starving artists for over 100 years now.

This is the closest you’ll get to a Parisian feel in New York.  You’ll find tightly packed low-rise brownstones with tiny gardens, second hand stores, tons of cafes and restaurants… and lots of history.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.  Click above to watch this video: Video Tour of Greenwich Village.(3:25)

Starting in the late 1800s, Greenwich Village became the epicenter of art and music in New York.  Artists and musicians from all over flocked to the Village where they found camaraderie, inspiration and affordable housing.

After the Second World War, the Village was taken over by the Beat Movement.  Beatniks, with their bohemian “live and let live” lifestyles, spent their time in the many coffeehouses, jazz clubs, and poetry reading forums of the Village.  The paths of many famous musicians writers and actors passed through the eclectic streets of Greenwich Village including Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Edgar Allen Poe, and Mark Twain.

Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park:
A great place to start our tour of Greenwich Village is Washington Square Park.  It is home of the famous Washington Square Arch, which was built in the late 1800s to celebrate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration as president of the United States.

The park is a meeting place for both young and old.  You’ll find impromptu live music, playgrounds, street performers, chess tables and more.  Surrounded by the New York University campus, this area is young and alive with an almost carnival atmosphere.

The interesting thing about Greenwich Village is that the starving artists were the ones who brought charm and appeal to the area.  Ultimately the very appeal they created started attracting wealthier New Yorkers, which drove the prices up and, eventually, caused most starving artists to relocate elsewhere in the city.

Luckily, the charm remains strong in the Village and it’s a great place to rent a furnished apartment during your next trip to New York.  We have furnished apartments to suit any taste sprinkled throughout the Village.

For example, we have this beautiful studio in the heart of Greenwich Village (NY-12568).  It’s just a couple blocks away from Washington Square Park.  With plenty of room for 2, it features a fully equipped kitchen and a small balcony with a view of the Empire State Building.

Another great option is this Greenwich Village one bedroom apartment (NY-14167) in the heart of the action on Bleecker Street.

So if you’re looking to get a taste of how Dylan or Hendrix lived, skip the hotel, and find a vacation rental to live like a true Villager in Greenwich!

MacDougal Street:
MacDougal Street is a one-way street about 6 blocks long in Greenwich Village.  It has been the subject of many songs and poems. It’s been frequented by numerous famous individuals including Bob Dylan, Matthew Broderick and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Cafe Wha? - at 115 Macdougal Street
Located at 115 Macdougal Street, Cafe Wha? is a club in Greenwich Village that has been home to various musicians and comedians. Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, The Velvet Underground, and Kool and the Gang are just a few of the many icons that have found their beginnings at the Café Wha?.

Mamoun’s Falafel – 119 MacDougal St
Back in the 70s, the starving artists knew that all they needed to eat was 25¢ .  Because a quarter was all it took to get a Falafel at Mamoun’s on MacDougal St.  Today, the prices have gone up, but the falafels are still amazing.

Greenwich Village

West 4th Street Courts:
At the West 4th Street Courts, also known as “The Cage”, you will find some of the finest street ball players in the country.

The Speakeasy - 106 Perry Street
In the time of Prohibition back in the 1920’s, secret bars known as speakeasies sprung up all over the city.  Many were located right here in Greenwich Village.  American author Henry Miller opened a short-lived speakeasy in the basement of his home at 106 Perry St.

Sex and the City - 66 Perry Street
Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment in Sex in the City may have fictitiously been located in the Upper East Side, but the apartment is actually located right here in Greenwich Village. If you want to see the house of Sarah Jessica Parker, the real Carrie Bradshaw, and her husband Matthew Broderick, take a stroll down Charles Street, you might see them cleaning their sidewalk.

The Friends Building - 90 Bedford Street
If the names Joey, Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel and Phoebe mean anything to you, make sure you visit the corner of Bedford St. & Grove St. in Greenwich Village to pay homage to the “Friends’ Building”.  This is the building where the Friends supposedly lived in the hit sitcom we all know and love.  In fact, before the producers decided on the title “Friends”, the working title of the show was “Once Upon a Time in the Village”.

Narrowest House in NYC – 75 ½ Bedford St
Coming in at nine and a half feet wide, you’ll find the narrowest house in NYC at 75 ½ Bedford St.  The Pulitzer Prize winning poet Edna St. Vincent Millay lived there for a short while.

Well, that’s all we could fit in for today.  But there’s tons more to see and experience in Greenwich Village.  If I’ve missed some of you’re favorite Village must-sees, be sure to leave them share them in the comments below.

And don’t forget, one of the best ways to experience Greenwich Village is to live there. What better way to live there than by renting a vacation rental apartment from New York Habitat.  Visit our website at www.nyhabitat.com where you’ll find hundreds of vacation rentals and furnished apartments of all shapes and sizes the Village and all over New York City.

There are any number of picturesque towns and villages throughout the South of France to use as a base for your travels throughout the region. But, how would you like to stay in a hilltop fortress town in Provence, population 22, which has been inhabited for eight millennia? 

Provence Vacation Rental 4 Bedroom in Les Baux (PR 248) "La Dame à la Licorne"

Les Baux de Provence, at the foothills of the Alpilles Provençal mountain chain, is set in white rock on a promontory, which is how it got its name (“baou” means rocky spur in the local dialect). Controlled by Celts, the Lords of Les Baux, the Masons des Comtes de Provence and finally Louis XIII, this stunning piece of French history is 45 minutes south of Avignon and just 10 minutes from Saint-Rémy de Provence.

The view from the old castle is amazing and the Cathédrale d’Images, set in a former stone quarry, offers wonderful exhibitions. Listed as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages In France,” Les Baux de Provence has a strong Roman heritage and is also the landscape of famous painters such as Van Gogh, Cézanne and Matisse, who came here to capture the extraordinary light and color of the region.

Standing among the old mansions, historic monuments and ruins of the Cité des Baux, New York Habitat’s exclusive hosted 3-bedroom in Les Baux de Provence (PR-248) offers exceptional panoramic views of the surrounding hills and the village from its windows and terraces, as it is one of the highest in the village.

What makes this apartment a Hidden Gem?

The house has an historical and cultural heritage that the owner perfectly knows how to keep alive. There are many things to discover in this family house, as well as among the narrow streets of this fascinating and timeless village that formerly belonged to the Grimaldi of Monaco.

Provence Accomodation 4 Bedroom Chateau in Les Baux (PR 248)

The first bedroom is known as “La Dame à la Licorne” and boasts a large window overlooking the village and the “Val d’Enfer,” providing light in the whole bedroom. “La Suite” has a master bedroom and another room with a balcony, which can be used either as a second bedroom or as a study and reminds us that all the houses of the village has been built against the roc itself, in the authentic troglodyte tradition of this village.

And finally, the third and unexpected guestroom is located on the top floor of the house: “Le Bijou.” A large French window gives access to a private terrace with one of the most beautiful view of the Cité des Baux.

For more information about the Chateau de Baux check out:

Chateau de Baux website

Each July 14, France celebrates Bastille Day, or the Fête Nationale. In Paris, the national holiday is celebrated with a grand parade in the morning, a dazzling fireworks display in the evening and dance parties well into the night. What could be more festive? Download the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise” to your iPod and head to Paris for this year’s festivities.

Paris Vacation Rental 2 Bedroom on the Champs Elysees (PA-3586)

Bastille Day commemorates the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789. The prison uprising was the first major step towards the French Revolution and ultimately French democracy. Today, all across France, and especially in Paris, you’ll find French revelers celebrating their history and independence.

In Paris, the holiday is kicked off with a military parade that starts at 10 a.m. at the Arc de Triomphe and continues down the Champs-Élysées all the way to the Place de la Concorde. Cadets from the École Polytechnique, Saint-Cyr, and the École Navale march in the parade, as well as the fire brigade. Aviators from the Patrouille de France also fly overhead. Those looking for a good view, and a glimpse of President Sarkozy, should plan on arriving at least two hours early – or even the night before!

The fireworks are shot off from Trocadero, across the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower. Crowds gather early at the Champs de Mars to picnic and claim their spot for the spectacular display, which starts around 10:30 p.m.

The festivities continue all night long in the restaurants, clubs and pubs. Expect champagne to be flowing! Want to experience the national holiday to its fullest? Stay in one of New York Habitat’s conveniently located apartments near the Champs- Élysées, including:

-This airy 1-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Arc de Triomphe - Champs Elysees (PA-41). The eclectically furnished apartment features two balconies and a superb view of the Arc de Triomphe just a five-minute walk away.

- This contemporary 2-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Champs Elysees (PA-3586), located on a mostly residential street in an elite district. The spacious apartment is just a short distance from Place de l’Etoile and its majestic Arc du Triomphe.

There’s no better way to experience French culture than to take part in the country’s most important national holiday. And it’s not too late to book your ticket to Paris for this year’s raucous celebrations.

Have you ever been in Paris for the Fête Nationale? Share your comments with us!

New York City is gearing up for the nation’s 233rd birthday. Whether you want to see America’s largest Fourth of July fireworks display, Coney Island’s world-famous hot dog eating contest or the view from the top of the Statue of Liberty’s reopened crown, NYC is the place to be for this year’s Independence Day celebrations.

New York Apartment - 1 Bedroom in Chelsea (NY-12827)

Since 2000, Macy’s annual fireworks extravaganza has been launched from the East River, between Manhattan and Brooklyn. But this year, the pyrotechnics show is returning to the Hudson River to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage to America. On Saturday, July 4th, six giant barges will line up between 24th and 50th street on the Hudson to set off the spectacular 26-minute display. Over 40,000 shells will explode across the Manhattan sky at an astounding rate of more than 1,500 per minute.  The show starts at 9:00 p.m.

During the day, you can take part in one of the many Fourth of July festivities going on around the city. Since there’s nothing more American than a good hot dog, why not head out to Coney Island for Nathan’s International July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest? The annual competition, reportedly in its 94th year, takes place in front of Nathan’s Famous Corporation’s original restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues. Last year, more than 40,000 fans gathered to see the culinary confrontation and more than a million watched the televised coverage on ESPN!

Visiting the Statue of Liberty is another fantastic way to celebrate the nation’s birthday, especially this year since the federal government recently announced plans to reopen the crown for the first time since the September 11th attacks. The crown will reopen on July 4th as a gift to the nation. Visitors must climb a narrow 168-step spiral staircase to reach the top and access will be limited to 10 people at a time. Ticket information is available at the Statue of Liberty National Monument Webpage

With so much going on in New York City this Fourth of July, you will want your very own apartment to call home. New York Habitat has many conveniently located vacation rentals including:

New York Vacation Rental - 2 Bedroom in Chelsea (NY-11133)

This 2-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Central Park - Midtown West - Chelsea (NY-11133), located on Central Park South. The historic building offers round-the-clock concierge staff, a full-service business center, onsite fitness center and health spa, valet parking, multilingual staff and laundry services.

This exquisitely furnished 1-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Midtown West – Chelsea (NY-12827) located on the 23rd floor of a 34-story elevator building. Enjoy the modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances and an in-unit washer and dryer.

The Fourth of July is right around the corner. It’s time to make plans for the biggest bash of the summer, right in New York City.

Have you ever been in New York for the Fourth of July? Do you have a favorite place to view the fireworks? Please share your comments with us.

Hello once again. Welcome to another New York Habitat video blog! Today, we are going to get a little taste of one of New York’s most famous neighborhoods, known as SoHo. You may have imagined SoHo as the one of the most fashionable areas in New York with its loft-style apartments, art galleries, and its diverse shopping. If you imagined SoHo like that then you are right. SoHo, which stands for SOuth of HOuston Street, is undeniably one of the coolest neighborhoods in New York. It’s has been the backdrop for fashion shoots, TV commercials and Hollywood blockbusters like Men in Black, Spiderman or Unfaithful. Many famous stars have their New York apartments in SoHo. They wander the streets randomly, so be sure to keep an eye out for celebrity sightings. In fact, the day we were out filming this video, we met Whoopi Goldberg!

Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Click above to watch this video: Tour of SoHo, New York – What to see and do.(4:58)

You’ll find SoHo in southern Manhattan just to the south of Greenwich Village. The boundaries of the heart of SoHo are roughly Houston Street to the north, Canal Street to the south, Crosby Street to the east and 6th Ave to the west.

SoHo’s Architecture and landmarks:

Before we get into the modern day delights of SoHo, let’s step back in history a bit. What is fascinating about this neighborhood is that it is the largest surviving cast-iron building district in the world. Many commercial buildings along Broadway and Spring Street feature this type of construction. Cast-iron’s fire-resistant properties and strength made it possible to construct large building façades at less cost than comparable stone fronts.

A great example of SoHo’s cast-iron buildings is 28-30 Greene Street. Built in 1872, it’s known as the “Queen of Greene Street”. It towers over the street with its ornate French Second Empire façade. And of course, every Queen needs a King. Located at 72 Green Street is another cast-iron building known as the King of Greene Street. This cast-iron beauty, built in 1873, is probably the best example of the Second Empire architectural style in New York City.

As you might know, SoHo is also well known for its loft style apartments. In the late 1800s, SoHo became an industrial district where workers toiled in dangerous conditions. Eventually, in the 1960s, as most of the commercial and manufacturing buildings were abandoned, SoHo was almost destroyed. As with many of New York’s neighborhoods, SoHo was saved by artists who settled there and used the large loft spaces as studios. As artists moved in, the district became populated with galleries and eventually SoHo became the center of the lower Manhattan art scene. Today, the area remains full of art galleries.

Some of our favorite SoHo area lofts include:

This 2-bedroom loft apartment centrally located in SoHo on Prince Street (NY-9572)

This amazing 3-bedroom loft in neighboring Tribeca (NY-5278).

Or for something smaller, this one-bedroom duplex loft vacation rental on West Broadway in SoHo (NY-12831).

Read the entire story here… »

South of France Vacation Rental 4 Bedroom in Gigaro (PR 398)

The pristine beaches of St. Tropez, Nice and Cannes are rightly famous - but they can also be a bit intimidating to those of us who are not regularly featured in People magazine. However, the French Riviera has much more to offer than these playgrounds for the rich - and with miles of coastline and a little help from New York Habitat, you’re sure to find your own private oasis.

For example, try a studio vacation rental in Beaulieu sur Mer (PR-943) , a town about halfway between Nice and Monaco that measures less than 300 acres in total. Dating back to the Greek and then Roman era, it has gone through many resettlements dating back to the 3rd century AD. It features an early 20th century villa open to the public for tours, and a stunning port with a wide variety of marina services for boats of all sizes.

This 4-bedroom vacation rental in Gigaro - la Croix Valmer (PR-398) has a view of the sea and bougainvillea in full bloom for most of the year. Its white sand beaches are never overcrowded, and from the village experienced hikers can explore the miles of trails that go from the beach back to the rocky Col de Collebasse pass, almost 200 meters high.

The town of Bandol and its harbor are nearby offer all kinds of shopping, and of course there are many cafés and restaurants. Bandol’s reputation stems heavily from its wines, and the zoo and exotic gardens hosts Mediterranean and tropical plants and animals including a large bird collection. There’s even world-class scuba diving! And this 3-bedroom vacation rental in Bandol (PR-340) makes for a perfect hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities of the French Riviera.

French Riviera

The historical village of Villefranche Sur Mer overlooks the busy harbor and crystal clear waters of Villefranche Bay, and is considered one of the most beautiful spots on the French Riviera. And this 2-bedroom rental in Villefranche sur Mer (PR-438) offers stunning views of it all! Don’t miss the Jean Cocteau murals in the 14th century Chapelle Saint-Pierre, the 16th century walled citadel, the hanging gardens in the Old Town, works of Picasso in the Goetz-Boumeester Collection, and the historic estates tucked away in the hills that slope up from the sea.

All of these cities are close to Nice, Monaco and the wonderful border towns of the Italian Riveria and are accessible by train and other public transportation, but offer a more relaxing alternative than the bigger cities.  New York Habitat highly recommends opting for the lesser-known gems like the towns and villages we’ve mentioned here for a truly unique vacation experience.

Do you prefer to be a little removed form the action, or do you prefer to be in the thick of it all when you’re on vacation?  Let us know in the comments!