New York Habitat Blog Home

January 28th, 2008

Enjoy modern city living in the industrial East London. The London borough of Tower Hamlets is nestled near the primary business district in London. Forget those expensive, high-end stores and swanky, reservation-only restaurants on Oxford Street. Canary Wharf is packed with affordable shopping and dining inside a four-floor shopping center. All of the excitement of lively London is easily accessible from the nearby Jubilee line and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). This two-bedroom apartment rental in Tower Hamlets (LN-511) boasts a prime location.

London Accommodation: Two bedroom rental in Tower Hamelts (Ln-511) London Accommodation: Two bedroom rental in Tower Hamelts (Ln-511)

One of the most famous historical landmarks in London is just a tube ride away. Visit the Tower of London, which is located off of the DLR at Tower Gateway or the Circle and District Lines at Tower Hill. On the North bank of the River Thames, the Tower of London was a fortress originally built by William the Conqueror in 1078, during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. It has been used for many different purposes over the centuries, but it is now home to the British Crown Jewels. So much history is nestled minutes away from this two-bedroom London apartment rental in Tower Hamlets.

Clad in earthy, neutral tones and warm, wooden colors, this New apartment rental on Limeharbour in Tower Hamlets is clean, contemporary and completely furnished. It’s also situated in a brand-new development. The large window in the living room comes with custom window treatments and offers fantastic city views. Enjoy the luxury of cable television on the included flat screen while relaxing on the cozy couch.  Notice the sparkling can lights on the ceilings shining over the gleaming hardwood floors. Make yourself right at home in this cozy, modern space.
 

The master bedroom grants access to an airy balcony through a door with floor-to-ceiling windows. No matter where you are located in this two-bedroom apartment rental in Tower Hamlets, you can always count on having a magnificent view of the docks. The master bedroom also includes a private, ensuite bathroom with a sand-alone shower, a washbasin and a water closet. With an open living room and kitchen, two bedrooms and two baths, there is plenty of room to stretch your legs.

London Accommodation: two bedroom rental in Notting Hill (ln-45) London Accommodation: two bedroom rental in Notting Hill (ln-45)

If you are looking for a more regal, old-fashioned living space, check out this two-bedroom apartment rental (LN-45) in Notting Hill. Welcome to quaint, country-like living in the lovely Royal Borough of Kensington - Chelsea. A decadent chandelier brightens the living room in this apartment rental. Take a stroll to nearby Cambridge Gardens, which is lined with bars, restaurants and shops. On a Saturday, find a hidden treasure amongst the second-hand clothes and antiques at the nearby, world-renowned Portobello Road market.
 

What is your favorite part about Canary Wharf? What was your greatest find at the Portobello Road market in Notting Hill? Leave us a comment on this blog below.


January 23rd, 2008

It’s been said that New York City is for the young and the young at heart. Greenwich Village truly epitomizes youth in the City. Located in the southern quarter of Manhattan, Greenwich Village is full of vibrant atmosphere and creative attitudes. The neighborhood is bounded by Broadway on the east, the Hudson River on the west, Houston Street on the south, and 14th Street on the north.  As true testaments to New York City’s youthful soul, this Greenwich Village studio apartment (NY-12563) and its sister Greenwich Village alcove studio  (NY-12564) are the perfect New York accommodations for anyone seeking an exciting adventure in the city that never sleeps.

As the Bohemian capital of the world, Greenwich Village has an electrifying spirit. The home to every rebel and beatnik of the 1960s, the Village stays true to its history and remains home to the eclectic and unique. Vintage stores and cafes line the streets, perfect for a relaxing afternoon of shopping or relaxing with a book. For the nocturnal set, clubs and bars in the Village provide the stage for the city’s best undiscovered talent. In addition, New York University and Washington Square Park are quiet enclaves tucked away in the city and provide a delightful escape from the bustling city.

New York Accommodation: Studio in Greenwich Village (NY-12563) New York Accommodation: Studio in Greenwich Village (NY-12563)

Greenwich Village Hidden Gems:

Located on Bleeker Street, between Thompson and Sullivan Streets, this studio apartment (NY-12563) and this alcove studio accommodation (NY-12564) in Greenwich Village are comfortable and cozy retreats. Both are situated on the third floor of a walk-up building. The apartments are fully-furnished and perfect for a short stay or an extended visit. Each contains a queen-sized bed with additional double-sized futons – more than enough room for up to four guests.

The living areas both come with plush futons and flat screen televisions. Each studio features open kitchens that are inviting and provide space for preparing and eating meals. With all the necessary cookware, utensils and silverware, the apartments provide all the comforting amenities of home.

And venturing out into the city couldn’t be easier when staying in either of these convenient apartments. A subway station with access to the A, B, C, D, E, F and V trains is a short distance away at West 4th Street and Sixth Avenue. Cross-town busses continuously run throughout the day and night and are quick alternatives to getting around the city. And, of course, a taxi will travel to any desired destination at any time of day.

What makes these studio apartments Hidden Gems:

In addition to being located in the hottest area of New York City on one of the most famous streets in the world, these Greenwich Village apartments have so much to offer for their comfort and flair. Recently renovated, all appliances and amenities are updated and modern. Hardwood floors run throughout the apartments which gleam and glisten from the streaming natural light from two large windows over looking the lively streets below. Brightly decorated with modern accents, the studio apartments are bursting with personality and perfect for entertaining an evening with friends.

Stayed in Greenwich Village before? Have recommendations for great restaurants or trendy boutiques in the area? We’d like to hear about it! Please leave suggestions in the comments section below!


January 16th, 2008

Montmartre is often spoken of as if it is a sprawling village stretching across the northern tip of Paris. Yes, it has an unmistakable village atmosphere, but sprawling it is not. The hill-top neighborhood is quaint in character and in size. Accommodations on the top of Montmartre’s butte are rare and are prime real estate in this city. Nowhere else in Paris are sweeping views as commonplace as here and no place else in Paris has Montmartre’s distinctive feel. With New York Habitat’s accommodations, visitors to Paris’ most famous hill can spend their days, nights, weeks and months enjoying the same views and side streets that have, and still do, inspire generations of artists.

Paris Accommodation: Studio Accommodation in Montmarte Sacre Coeur (PA-3596) Paris Accommodation: Studio Accommodation in Montmarte Sacre Coeur (PA-3596)

This studio accommodation in Montmartre-Sacre Coeur (PA-3596) is on the very top of Montmartre’s famous butte. Its neighbors include a Salvador Dali museum, an open-air art market, the bleached-white spires of the Sacre Couer Basilica and the charming (as charming as burial grounds get) St. Vincent’s cemetery.

Like the neighborhood it calls home, this studio apartment is full of quirks and surprises. First off, the flat is about as roomy as Paris studios get. The apartment is equipped with an eat-in kitchen, large bathtub, entrance foyer, washing machine and plenty of natural light. The living/bedroom has the right mix of color and a few interesting design pieces, including the white bookshelf and rug. The kitchen and bathroom have modern appliances and detailed tile work.

The colors throughout the flat make for a bright, warm space. While rue Cortot is tucked away from most of Montmartre’s traffic, claustrophobics should be forewarned, the quarter’s streets are small and packed with camera-toting tourists.

Why is this studio apartment in Montmartre a Hidden Gem?

Paris Accommodation: Studio in Montmartre Sacre Coeur (PA-3596) Paris Accommodation: Studio in Montmartre Sacre Coeur (PA-3596)

This studio sits atop Paris in one of her most historic and unique settings. Need we say more? Probably not, but we will anyway. This accommodation’s eat-in kitchen, stylish decor and romantic location are perfect for globe-trotting couples. Not only does this apartment literally sit atop the city, but the sweeping Paris views from the kitchen and living room remind you of it each time you gaze out the windows.


January 7th, 2008

The East Village has always been the place to scope out New York City’s ever-changing hip scene as the destination for all creatively tormented souls. Home to the city’s most unique hotspots, there are numerous of cafes, nightclubs and bars within the neighborhood. Not just a nocturnal hangout for the young and energetic, the East Village has plenty to offer during the daylight hours with its art galleries, thrift stores and specialty shops.

New York Accommodation: Studio apartment in the East Village (NY-4062) New York Accommodation: Studio apartment in the East Village (NY-4062)

The East Village starts at 14th street and stretches down to Houston Street while encompasses everything in between Bowery and Third Avenue to Avenue D. As the home to many artists, painters, poets, writers and musicians, the East Village has a distinctly unique and eclectic atmosphere. With New York University and the New School campuses located nearby, many college students and young adults inhabit the area.

With its convenient location at 6th Street in between First and Second Avenues, this studio apartment in the East Village (NY-4062) is a spacious and comfortable retreat. It has enough room to house four guests comfortably. The studio apartment has a queen-sized bed and an additional double fold-out futon. The kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances and completely stocked with all necessary cookware. A big and bright bathroom features a bathtub-shower combo stall with textured glass panes.

New York Accommodation: Studio apartment in the East Village (NY-4062) New York Accommodation: Studio apartment in the East Village (NY-4062)

The apartment is on the second floor of the three story walk-up townhouse that dates back to the mid-1800s. In addition, it is near by several subway train stations that run all over Manhattan and the adjacent boroughs. At Second and Houston Streets, the F and V trains stop and the 6 train offers service at Astor Place and Fourth Avenue.

What makes this apartment a Hidden Gem?

Having been recently renovated, the entire studio apartment is decorated with stylish and modern accents. Maple hardwood floors run throughout the apartment and are accentuated by the cedar mantle piece and exposed wooden cabinets in the kitchen. Adding an eastern flare, ceramic cobalt blue tiles adorn the kitchen sink and the fireplace. In addition, the kitchen table top is a colorful and unique tile mosaic. The artistic touch is also extended to the bathroom with a large marble countertop for the sink. A comfortable and cozy retreat, this apartment is a hidden gem within the bustling, busy city.

Ever stayed in the East Village? Know great restaurants and chic boutiques? We want to hear about it so please leave suggestions in the comment section below!


December 21st, 2007

The Canal St. Martin deserves much more attention than it sometimes gets. It’s much less crowded than its big brother–the river Seine–and, in our opinion, has more authentic cafes, smoke shops and eateries than some of the tourist-driven establishments Seine-side. The neighborhoods around the Canal are a tree-lined conglomeration of some of Paris’ best bakeries, artisan shops and residencies.

The neighborhood caters to local customers–not tourists–and the extra attention shows. New York Habitat has a long-standing relationship with the quarter and has several accommodations near the iconic Canal St. Martin and its neighborhoods.

Paris Accommodation: Studio in Canal Saint Martin (PA-3600) Paris Accommodation: Studio in Canal Saint Martin (PA-3600)

About one city block from the serene canal and its romantic foot bridges is this studio in Canal St. Martin (PA-3600). This studio is all about location, location, location. Besides being steps from the canal and the metro station Goncourt, the apartment is a short walk from all that the Right-Bank of Paris has to offer; the Parc Buttes Chaumont, the Pere Lachaise cemetary, and, a tad further, the river Seine.

Tucked onto the quiet and tiny rue Alibert, this small studio packs a lot of punch. One of its greatest assets is its ground floor placement; the main entrance gate opens up to a manicured courtyard. Some highlights of the studio include parquet floors, two windows overlooking the courtyard and an on-site washing machine.

If you are looking for activites during your visit to this apartment check these out:

Why is this studio in Canal St. Martin, Cite des Science-Buttes Chaumont a Hidden Gem?

Couples especially will love this studio’s proximity to the Canal St. Martin, arguably Paris’ most romantic tourist spot. A nice courtyard and comfortable living space make this studio accommodation a Paris Hidden Gem.


December 10th, 2007

Over the past few decades New York has undergone more transformations than perhaps any other American city. At the heart of the city’s urban renaissance is Brooklyn. Brooklyn has gone from a baby-booming suburbia in the 1960s to a deteriorating afterthought in the 1980s to what it is today: A prideful conglomeration of charming low-rise architecture, countless authentic cultures and a decidedly unpretentious personality. Brooklyn is now drawing tourists that venture beyond the Brooklyn Bridge into the artistic enclaves and ethnic neighborhoods that define the borough. New York Habitat accommodations go far beyond Manhattan’s borders–most often into New York’s most interesting borough, Brooklyn.

New York Apartment: 4 bedroom rental in Prospect Heights (NY-12445) New York Apartment: 4 bedroom rental in Prospect Heights (NY-12445)

Both geographically and culturally, the Prospect Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn has always been at the heart of the borough. Tucked onto Underhill Avenue, between Prospect Place and St. Marks Avenue is this sprawling 4-bedroom apartment vacation rental in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (NY-12445). This apartment truly has one of the best locations from which to discover the borough. This flat is just a couple of blocks from Grand Army Plaza and its famous arch, Brooklyn’s answer to the Champs Elysees. Just to the south is the enormous Prospect Park, an architecturally-designed green space that rivals only Central Park. Adjacent to the park is the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens as well as the Brooklyn Museum which is one of the best museums in the United States. Oh, and the bars, restaurants, cafes and boutique shops of Park Slope are a short stroll away.

New York Accommodation: 4 berdroom rental in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (NY-12445) New York Accommodation: 4 berdroom rental in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (NY-12445)

Now, finally, onto the apartment. This 4-bedroom accommodation’s signifigant space features a full-sized living room, kitchen and two bathrooms. The living room features a sunny window looking onto the street and plenty o’f room for entertaining. The open kitchen boasts cherry cabinets and stainless-steel appliances. Three of the four bedrooms have big windows and all offer a unique color and personality. Wood floors run throughout the apartment, a featuredifficult to find in Manhattan real estate.

Why is this 4-bedroom vacation rental apartment in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn a Hidden Gem?

If you’re interested in discovering Brooklyn firsthand, there isn’t a better starting point than from this 4-bedroom apartment. This location puts Brooklyn at your fingertips. And hey, Manhattan’s just a short subway ride away!  


December 6th, 2007

Bethnal Green is situated in the lovely London borough of Tower Hamlets in East London. Tower Hamlets is one of five London boroughs that has been designated to host the 2012 Olympics! With museums, sports stadiums and parks galore, renting this one-bedroom apartment in Bethnal Green in Tower Hamlets near the bustling Canary Wharf is ideal!

Located near the Central Line, this New York Habitat one-bedroom apartment (LN-509) in Bethnal Green is quaint and stylish. The apartment is completely furnished with comfortable, contemporary furniture. Notice the cozy red futon and gleaming white table in the living room. The black accent rug completes the modern look of this living area. Curl up with a book or daydream while sitting on the comfortable bay window, which illuminates this already bright room.

London Accommodation: 1 Bedroom Rental in Bethnall Green (LN-509) London Accommodation: 1 Bedroom Rental in Bethnall Green (LN-509)

The best part of this Bethnal Green rental is its location! Near the Central Line, the heart of London, commonly referred to as “Central,” is easily accessible and just minutes from your front door. London staples such as Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Parliament and Buckingham Palace are just a hop, skip and a Tube ride away. Canary Wharf, London’s business district, is also close by. It has some of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe, and the architecture is truly a sight to see. With the opening of the Jubilee Place shopping center, Canary Wharf is a prime shopping destination in East London.

If the sleek, industrial architecture and the affordable shops in Canary Wharf strike your fancy, another one-bedroom apartment rental (LN-340), nestled on Crews Street in the Docklands area of Canary Wharf awaits you. Some of the perks to living in this London apartment rental include a 24/7 concierge service and access to a gymnasium. The kitchen is stunning with its neutral colors stainless steel appliances. The apartment also overlooks the River Thames. How beautiful!

Have you ever visited or stayed in Bethnal Green or Canary Wharf? Tell us about your favorite restaurant, a unique shop or an interesting museum. Feel free to comment on this blog below.