New York Habitat Blog

As we’ve already discussed, bridges are essential to the efficiency and aesthetic of the city of New York more than any other man-made structure. Uptown Manhattan has its share of river crossings, hulking structures meant for the traffic of commuting cars and trucks rather than pedestrians and camera-wielding tourists. Downtown’s East River crossings though, exemplify what modern spans should be–easily manageable for vehicles and pedestrians, architecturally sound, beautiful. New York Habitat has dozens of flats steps from the structures that link Manhattan to the rest of the world.

Brooklyn Bridge with views of downtown Manhattan

The king of all New York bridges is the Brooklyn Bridge. For most New Yorkers the bridge is the undisputed symbol of New York, the work of architecture of which they are most proud. In the absence of the World Trade Center, the Brooklyn Bridge is probably the most recognizable symbol of New York around the world (or at least a close second behind the Statue of Liberty). New Yorkers that cross the bridge every day are still struck by its singular beauty. A walk across the famed span is essential to any visit to New York. The wide pedestrian walkway is less noisy than most and provides some of the best southern-Manhattan views. The Brooklyn Bridge represents a gateway from the 19th to 20th centuries, from the low rises in Brooklyn to the skyscrapers of Manhattan, and the blue collars of Flatbush to the bleached-white collars on Wall Street.

While no New York bridge matches the aesthetic of the Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge’s two neighbors to the north–the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges–are also worth a visit. Both spans feature pedestrian walkways with a small fraction of the tourists packed on the Brooklyn Bridge. Best of all, these two bridges offer arguably better views of the Manhattan skyline–views that include the facade of America’s most famous river crossing.

New York Accommodation 2-bedroom loft in Noho (NY-12499)

New York Habitat has accommodations on the Brooklyn and Manhattan side of the East River, all within a walk of the pedestrian crossings. This 2-bedroom apartment rental in Brooklyn Heights (NY-12661) is available all summer and has panoramic rooftop views. This loft-style 2-bedroom vacation rental in Noho, East Village - Lower East Side (NY-12499) is on the Manhattan side of the East River as is this 1-bedroom apartment rental in Bowery, East Village - Lower East Side (NY-12317), another one of New York Habitat’s favorite New York accommodations.

Did we leave out your favorite New York bridge? Let us know why we should have included it below.

Paris is all about museums. The Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Musee Rodin, Centre Pompidou, the list goes on and on. It seems as if every Paris neighborhood has its own museum, or at least a couple of fine art galleries. Paris is home to museums celebrating fashion design, hunting, sex and even dolls and dollhouses. Nevertheless, for a long time there was an obvious absence of non-Western art in the city. That substantial void was filled in June of 2006 with the opening of the spectacular Quai Branly Museum. Designed by renowned architect Jean Nouvel, the modern design of the building–and the non-Western collection–sit in stark contrast to its Seine-side neighbors the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay. Thankfully for visitors New York Habitat is, of course, a regular in the neighborhood.

Quai Branly gardens Paris, France

Whereas many mutli-cultural museums are situated away from city centers, The Quai Branly sits at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in some of the most sought after Paris real estate. The museum’s collection is devoted entirely to the art and artifacts from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. The museum’s permanent collection is comprised of over 3,500 artifacts from four different continents. Mostly impressive is the Quai Branly’s schedule of temporary exhibitions which boldly tackle issues of colonization, race and cultural misunderstandings.

This spring the Quai Branly hosts an exhibition titled Planette Mettisse: To mix or not to mix. The presentation delves into globalization and the effect crossing of cultures has had on art and human history. The museum juxtaposes works from the 15th century to the present day in order to highlight the importance and richness gained from the collaboration of cultures. Also on display this spring is an exhibition devoted to sculptures carved from African Ivory.

Paris Accommodation 2-bedroom vacation rental near Tour Eiffel (PA-2431)

For a rental apartment close to the new Quai Branly, Eiffel Tower and everything else central Paris has to offer take a look at these available New York Habitat accommodations.

-1-bedroom apartment rental in Auteuil - Tour Eiffel (PA-2065)
-2-bedroom vacation rental in Champs De Mars - Tour Eiffel (PA-2673)
-2-bedroom rental accommodation in Champs De Mars - Tour Eiffel (PA-2431)

The importance of an engaging non-Western museum like the Quai Branly cannot be understated. For now the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay rule the museum scene in Paris but the buzz building around the Branly is definitely worth noting.

Tell us about your favorite Paris Museum experiences below:

Normally, the best views of Manhattan are found on the shores of Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey or on an island in the middle of New York Harbor. Thanks to modern architecture, however, visitors no longer have to leave the island of Manhattan to appreciate the full landscape of the city. Gazing out of high-rise windows has been a favorite past time of New Yorkers since the advent of the skyscraper. Looking down on New York from 70 stories above adds a unique perspective–people and cars vanish in the distance, the city itself like a living version of the map in your pocket. The Rockefeller Center GE building, commonly referred to as 30 Rock, is home to the best observation deck in New York City. New York Habitat has apartments just around the corner from Rockefeller Center and the 30 Rock observation deck.

Thanks to major renovations completed in 2005 the 30 Rock observation deck, or “Top of The Rock,” beats out the Empire State Building’s own viewing floor. Despite giving up 16 floors and years of name recognition to the Empire State Building, the Top of The Rock’s midtown location makes it more ideal for central Manhattan views. Name a point of interest in New York City and you can probably see it from the Top of The Rock. When seen from above, the scale of Central Park is tangible–amazingly untouched by Manhattan’s relentless developers. The Chrysler, Empire State and myriad other buildings seem to be swimming in a sea of concrete, held together by the rivers East and Hudson on either side. Viewing New York City from The Top of The Rock’s open air deck is an absolute must-see for any visitor to the city.

Reaching Rockefeller Center is relatively easy from anywhere in the city, but those wanting to walk to the Top of the Rock to catch a glimpse of a New York sunset should try one of these apartments in Midtown:

New York Vacation Rental: studio in Midtown West (ny-12424)

-Studio apartment in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-12424).
-1-bedroom vacation rental in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-12060).
-3-bedroom vacation rental apartment in Midtown West-Chelsea(NY-10971).

Which observation deck do you prefer? The Top of The Rock or the observation deck at the Empire State Building? Comment Below.

If you have missed the previous top New York Vies read:

#5: Liberty State Park, Jersey City New Jersey

#4: Empire - Fulton Ferry Park, Brooklyn

#3: Governors Island

It is difficult to imagine–while shopping in SOHO–that Manhattan is an island of only 22.96 square miles. Millions of commuters come in and out of the city each day, each of them crossing a bridge or tunnel on thier way in. River crossings are an essential part of Manhattan’s efficiency, as much as any major city in the world. The bridges that connect Manhattan to the rest of the city via the East River and the state of New Jersey via the Hudson River are themselves worthy tourist destinations. While the bridges of Paris have a subtle aesthetic, New York’s river crossings are massive, utilitarian odes to modern architecture. While some lack the aesthetic of their Parisian counterparts, many of New York’s bridges are as essential to the city’s landscape as the rivers they cross. New York Habitat has plenty of apartments in Uptown Manhattan that place guests steps from New York’s most practical works of art.

The George Washington Bridge at night

Uptown Manhattan doesn’t have nearly as many recognizable bridges as the beauties Downtown. Downtown, bridges are framed by the towering New York skyline, principle actors in the city’s scenic canvas. Uptown the bridges are mostly gritty, industrial structures connecting the South Bronx to Harlem and Washington Heights. Uptown bridges are, for the most part, famous for snarling traffic rather than architectual genius. The one Uptown Manhattan exception is the hulking George Washington Bridge, spanning across the Hudson river from New York to New Jersey. Originally constructed in 1931, the exposed steel towers and suspension of the bridge act as an informal gateway into New York City. The George is one of the busiest bridges in the world offering 14 lanes accross the Hudson River. The George features pedestrian paths on both sides of the structure and offers some of Manhattan’s greatest Westside views. For views of the GWB itself visitors should take a visit to Fort Tryon Park near Washington Heights.

Hudson River with George Washington Bridge views

Within walking distance of the George Washington Bridge is this 2-bedroom townhouse accommodation in Harlem-Uptown (NY-12256). The apartment is near the C train, about 20 minutes from Midtown Manhattan. This modern 1-bedroom rental apartment in Harlem, Uptown (NY-12546) features exposed brick and an open layout. This alcove studio in Upper West Side (NY-12107) has some amazing views of the Hudson river and the George Washington Bridge in the distance.

Later we will be discussing Lower Manhattan’s iconic East River crossings…

Summer is fast approaching and that means vacations on the beach, spent lying in the sun, reading trashy novels, and sipping cocktails.  Instead of going to your normal vacation spot, why not try something new and different this year and spend some time on the shores of the Mediterranean in lovely Nice, France?  Recently, the town has been undergoing  improvements which make it an even nicer place to visit, especially if you stay in a vacation apartment rental or villa from New York Habitat.

Nice, France Beaches

Nice has long been known for its beautiful Mediterranean vistas, walks along the picturesque Promenade des Anglais, and the charming Vieux Nice neighborhood.  Now getting to all these places has just gotten easier.  After years of construction, the first of three lines on the new light-rail transportation system (Le Tramway) opened late last year, with the next two lines to open shortly.  The system connects the major transportation hubs and cultural sites of the city with affordable daily or weekly passes.  So if you’ve been hoofing it around Nice all day and need a little rest, hop on the tramway to reach your next destination.

While in Nice, at least one of your destinations should be the many first-rate art museums.  Both the Matisse and Chagall museums have completed recent renovations to provide even better spaces in which to display the works of these famous painting masters.  Of course, these are only 2 of the numerous art museums in Nice, all of which have wonderful collections for you to visit and see.

To complete you beach vacation in Nice, New York Habitat has a wide variety of apartment rentals from which to choose.  This 3 bedroom furnished rental in Nice, French Riviera (PR-708) is perfect for a family.  The pre-war building is located in Vieux Nice but is also minutes from the beach.  All the rooms retain their French charm in the architectural details while still offering modern amenities in the kitchen and bath.  This apartment will make you feel more like a resident of Nice, instead of a tourist.

Nice, France markets

If you’d like a more intimate place to stay, look at this 1 bedroom furnished rental accommodation in Nice, French Riviera (PR-244).  With more modern décor and an open kitchen, this apartment looks like it could be in New York but the views from your windows will tell you differently.  Located on the top floor of the building, every window of this apartment has spectacular views of Nice and nearby Place Masséna.  Nothing could be more relaxing that waking up and looking out your window to scenes like this every morning.

A vacation on the beach is a vital part of summer but going to the same old spot year after year can get dull.  Why not change it up this year and be able to tell your friends that you will be vacationing on the French Riviera this summer.  And a vacation rental in Nice from New York Habitat will give you even more bragging rights.

For more on Nice, read Top Towns to visit in the South of France: Nice, French Riviera: #4. 

Do you have any other travel tips for Nice?  Please share with us in the comments section.

London, like New York and Paris, is made up of dozens of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own feel and personality. Every year, a new one comes in or goes out of fashion, and there are always a few up and coming areas waiting to be crowned the next “happening nabe.” But of all the amazing spots to stay in London, the one that never loses favor is the part of South Kensington near Cromwell Road that comprises the Museum Mile. Trust us on this—if you never venture more than twenty minutes in any direction, you’ll still see so much of what gives London its timeless character and charm.

London Vacation Rental: 2 bedroom apartment in South Kensington (LN-77)

Staying in a New York Habitat vacation rental apartment will let you feel like you’ve been part of this neighborhood for years, even if you’re only there on a two-week holiday. This is the section of London you will want to return to time and again. It’s the one that instantly feels like home.

Cromwell Road runs right in front of The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum and The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum—and it’s possible to make a day out of—and devote an article to—each of these. If prehistoric fossils, earth science and the environment are your interests, you need look no further than The Natural History Museum. In fact, you’ll want to rent one of our nearby accommodations so you can roll out of bed each morning and see which exhibits and daily programs the museum has in store for you, including once-in-a-lifetime experiences like getting to play the theremin (that space-age instrument used in every ’50s sci-fi film and at the end of The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations”).

Even if you’re not so much into fossils and the like, The Natural History Museum itself is an absolutely gorgeous building, like a cathedral with sweeping staircases and high ceilings that just happens to have a reconstructed T. Rex in its lobby. It’s free, so venture in for a look—but be warned that you will probably not emerge again for a few hours since you are sure to find something of interest inside. Many of the museum’s changing exhibits are more art than archaeology, such as the current Shell’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year. If you’re traveling with kids, there is no better place in London, so plan on making a few repeat visits.

Since The Natural History Museum will most likely become one of your neighborhood hangouts, it’s a nice idea to fall into the habit of having your morning coffee there. When you leave your convenient New York Habitat apartment, stop by any of the local cafés (Patisserie Valerie is particularly recommended for its croissants), get a coffee to go and head to one of the museum’s many benches near its small but serene (and still relatively secret) outdoors nature walk, which simulates different ecosystems. It’s a relaxing, unrushed way to start a morning of sightseeing.

London Accommodation 2 bedroom rental in South Kensington (LN-530)

Get a full-on English breakfast at the small restaurant attached to South Kensington station or a take-away crepe at the shop nearby before you head off into the Underground. Otherwise, stay above ground and stroll down the shopping district, which starts where Cromwell Road turns into Brompton and leads you toward Knightsbridge and the haven that is Harrod’s. On the way, stop at the Oxfam thrift shop for some uniquely London souvenirs (proceeds go to charity) then hit the Laduree for its famed French macaroons—and a marble floor on which to rest all your shopping bags. For a more substantial meal, stop by your local, The Bunch of Grapes pub, for a ploughman and some soccer on the telly. 

When you return home in the evening, make sure to stop again outside The Natural History Museum, which is even more astonishing lit up for the night.  

If you want to get a feel for this perennially favorite neighborhood, we suggest staying in our:

• 1-bedroom furnished rental in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-450) on Queensgate between Cromwell Road and Kensington Ave. It has a well-equipped kitchen to accommodate stops at the local Sainsbury or Waitrose supermarkets (which have cut-price specials after 7 p.m.) and a bedroom with a wall-mounted flat screen TV. It’s a few steps from The Natural History Museum and a five-minute walk to Hyde Park. Our client testimonial states: “We thought that the apartment was decorated beautifully and in a very good location. Good value.”
• 2-bedroom furnished vacation rental in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-77) on Cromwell Road. This apartment, with balcony, is located on the 7th floor of a modern high-rise that has a doorman and a health club/pool on the ground floor for guests’ use.
• 2-bedroom furnished duplex apartment in Kensington-Chelsea (LN-530) on Cromwell Road and Queen’s Gate Place. This apartment consists of the two upper floors of a mews house and has a laundry/dryer and a rooftop terrace with table and chairs. 

A stay in any of these vacation accommodations is a good way to welcome yourself to the neighborhood.

Soon, we’ll continue our tour of Cromwell Road with even more fantastic New York Habitat rentals and a visit to the V&A museum.

 Have you been to The Natural History Museum? Please leave your comments below.

You would think that a small, preserved colonial-era island, 800 yards off Manhattan’s southern shore would be a world-renowned tourist attraction. One would think that the New York site that famously hosted the 1988 summit with President Reagan and USSR leader Gorbachev would have a more recognizable name. And one would surely be forgiven for doubting that an island complete with a preserved castle, fort, pre Civil War fortifications and homes even existed so close to New York’s shore. Governors Island does, indeed, exist and it boasts the most dramatic southern Manhattan views in the entire city. New York Habitat has known about Govenors Island for quite some time and we have several accommodations a short ferry ride away.

New York Harbor, with view of Govenors Island

Designated as a national monument, Governors Island has flown under the public radar for much of its recent history. In reality, the island in New York Harbor has played an important role in just about every American military engagement since the Revolutionary War. The island’s two most important landmarks are Fort Jay and Castle Williams, both fortifications dating back to the early 19th century. The island is home to dozens of historically marked and preserved buildings and former private estates. Today Governors Island has a park-like atmosphere, an oasis from the cars and noise inescapable even in the center of Manhattan’s most serene parks. Governors Island is open only during the summer and now features a long lineup of outdoor concerts. New York’s southern skyline is inescapable on the island. Financial District skyscrapers cast their looming shadows on the island from what seems like a world away. The views from the island are spectacular–a landscape that includes southern Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty. Visitors can reach the island on the Governors Island Ferry, departing from the Battery Maritime Building adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry in Lower Manhattan.

New York Accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment in Tribeca (NY7288)

Unfortunately, visitors cannot stay on Governors Island proper, an accommodation in Lower Manhattan is as close as you can get. Guests should take a look at this 1-bedroom apartment rental in the Financial District (NY-12523), located between Wall and William streets, this apartment is literally steps from the Gov. Island Ferry. Groups with more guests should try this 2-bedroom vacation rental accommodation in Tribeca (NY-7388). This studio vacation rental in Battery Park (NY-11925) makes up for its smallish size with rooftop views of New York Harbor, the Financial District, Statue of Liberty and, what else, Governors Island.

If you have missed the past tow entries in the top 5 views of Manhattan, New York; take a look at:

#5: Liberty State Park, Jersey City New Jersey

#4: Empire - Fulton Ferry Park, Brooklyn

What other New York Harbor/East River Islands are worth a visit? Comment Below