New York Habitat Blog

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.

If you’re seeking shelter during a typical London rain shower, there are plenty of places to duck into—but big museums will take up the entire day, department stores can cause unplanned damage to your travel budget and we wouldn’t want you to wait out the storm in a crowded chain eatery. After all, on vacation you should enjoy even the soggy moments! So one of the best spots to head for when the rain clouds roll in is the covered plaza in Covent Garden. It’s comfortable and convenient with great views…much like the New York Habitat furnished rental flats available in the area.

London accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment near Covent Garden (LN-566)

Covent Garden was originally a “convent” garden where the monks from nearby Westminster Abbey used to plant vegetables; what has sprung up more recently are unique cafés, craft shops, boutiques and bustling foot traffic. Today, Covent Garden is one of the most popular parts of London for tourists and locals alike—attracting post-theatre crowds and loads of spectators to watch every manner of street performance that takes place there.

When it rains, simply hustle inside the partially enclosed center square—the sides are open so you still get an outdoor feeling without getting drenched. Inside, there is the same variety of shops as well as vibrant coffee bars and restaurants. Street artists want to avoid the inclement weather, too, so you may be treated to impromptu opera, magic tricks, juggling, dance or “living statues” as you keep dry.

Also housed in the roofed piazza is the manageable sized London Transport Museum, which allows visitors to simulate the experience of driving an Underground train (navigating through those narrow tunnels is a lot tougher than you may think!). The gift shop sells an abundance of “Mind the Gap” goods as well as items emblazoned with the iconic tube map of London. If you’re looking for souvenirs, though, the piazza’s Savage store sells tons of fashionable and un-touristy graphic t-shirts or ones with simple London place names across the chest in retro style (including one for “Covent Garden, which you may want to commemorate your stay).

London accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment Covent Garden (LN-337)

Close enough to sprint to and not get soaked is the nearby Photographer’s Gallery, which occupies two neighboring spaces and always has small but excellent exhibits, in addition to a well-stocked bookstore and café. If the play’s your thing, the local Theatre Museum holds enough must-see memorabilia to occupy you until the sun shines once more.

If you can experience so much in this area in just a brief respite from the rain, imagine what actually staying in a Covent Garden accommodation would be like! New York Habitat provides you with plenty of options, including:

•    An incredibly chic, modern 2-bedroom accommodation in Covent Garden, Westminster (LN-566) on the second floor of a renovated building on small and charming Shelton Street. It is located near the main avenue, Long Acre, which is packed with places to shop and eat.

•    A bright, airy 2-bedroom rental in Covent Garden, Westminster (LN-337) on the third floor of a traditional building between Long Acre and the Strand.

•    A third-floor, decorative 2-bedroom vacation rental in Covent Garden, Westminster (LN-401) on West Bedford Street, only a short walk from the piazza.

A stay in Covent Garden may just convince you to leave your umbrella at home!

Let us know your thoughts about the vibrant Covent Garden area below, or which street performances you have seen there, and be sure to check out New York Habitat’s upcoming number three spot for shelter from the storm.